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(India)–Our newscast today begins in India. The Gujarat High Court meets this week for a hearing on an injunction filed by the All India Christian Council challenging the anti-conversion bill. The legislation raises grave concerns for mission groups. Dayspring International’s[1] John Gilman says at this time, the lowest caste, the Dalits, continue responding to evangelistic efforts. That could be threatened under this law. “The government needs to honor their constitution and give the people the privileges they are granted there. The church is now able to lead the way in the outcry for this freedom for the Dalits.” Gilman says due to the widely publicized Hindu renunciation last year, the Dalits seek another faith to fill the void. In spite of anti-conversion laws, that is good news for ministries. “We’ve never had a better time in the history of the ministry. Our film teams, our mobile film teams, are showing our all-Indian acted life of Christ motion picture in 16-hundred villages each month. ” [2]

(Africa)–Next, famine threatens over 14 million people in southern Africa, a direct result of over a year of a gripping drought. World Concern[3] and its local partner are helping to combat this crisis. Relief teams in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho are providing corn and peas to help prevent malnutrition. While this devastating drought continues, World Concern is working to ensure these people an opportunity to feed their families and bring the hope of Christ to their starving region.

(Indonesia)–Despite recent Muslim-Christian violence in Indonesia in recent years, a radio ministry is helping to introduce people to the Gospel. Words of Hope’s[4] Lee DeYoung just returned from the Island of Sulawesi. “Words of Hope is broadcasting in cooperation with Far East Broadcasting Company in two languages, Makasssar and Buginese. And, we have people on that island, native to that island, who are producing daily 30-minute programs in each of those languages and found that the programs can be heard and that there seems to be a good effort to reach out to their neighbors.” DeYoung says Indonesia is still a volatile country and he’s asking people to pray for believers there. “There are places where you can see tension between Christians and Muslims, so in those situations that believers would stand firm for the Gospel, but still do so in a way that projects peace and friendship.”

(Colombia)–Meanwhile, there’s an incredible plan to share the Gospel with every person in Colombia. That’s the word for Global Missions Fellowship’s[5] Sam Ingrassia. According to Ingrassia the national church needs help with what they’re calling, “The Power To Change” initiative. “They have five different main strategies that they use. And, the national leadership said we want this EvangeCube to become the sixth official strategy of the “Power To Change” model…at the Kiosks, with the Jesus Film, at the dinner with a friend, door to door and at the houses of prayer.” Ingrassia says they’re trying to raise 80-thousand dollars by the middle of July to send 30-thousand EvangeCubes in the fall. “If we can equip a Colombian with a cube, working the Power To Change campaign for the duration, that they would easily share with 100 people. So, for every $2.50 to ship a cube (and) train a Colombian, 100 people will hear the Gospel.”

(USA)–And finally, a revival ministry is opening its doors to help struggling pastors in the United States. With 80-percent of pastors feeling unqualified or discouraged and 70-percent saying they don’t have a close friend, Life Action Ministries[6] is hoping many pastors will come for a special kind of retreat. The ministry is offering four-day and 10-day retreats to help rekindle the fire of ministry in their hearts. Life Action is praying that pastors will return to the pulpit refreshed and ready to lead souls to Christ.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=DAY [2]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/06-18-03johngilman.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WCI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WOH [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMF [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LARM ———————————————————————

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