News headlines for June 23rd 2003

(Undated) — Summer, headlines today’s news and summertime means vacations for people not only in the United States, but especially people in limited access countries. Operation Mobilization[1] ’s Henry Janowski. “t this particular time of the year, you have a lot of people around the world taking vacation and that’s also true with people that are from or going to these limited access countries. There (are) ministries, including ours, that are partnering together to maybe provide literature, or the Jesus Film, or things that would help them have a greater understanding of who Jesus is.” Janowski says world history has actually made outreach easier. “Some of the current events have brought a change within many people in limited access countries. They’re seeking and wanting to know about this God who loves and forgives. Many of them come from religious backgrounds for which those concepts are non-existing or not understood.” Christians are urged to pray earnestly for these outreaches.

(Zimbabwe) — Next, civil unrest in Zimbabwe is causing ministry problems for the Bible League[2] . Opposition leaders are calling for the ouster of President Robert Mugabe and his government. The situation is causing fuel, money and food shortages in the country, and is restricting travel. While Bible League training sessions and Bible studies have been curtailed, officials say there appears to be a new openness to the Gospel. That’s creating a need for Bibles. Pray that Bible shipments aren’t hindered and for additional funding to meet the demand.

(Russia) — Reaching orphaned children with the Gospel is the goal of a program called, “Orphans Reborn.” Slavic Gospel Association[3] is sponsoring the program, which is empowering and supporting the Russian church in outreach. SGA’s Eric Mock says they’re seeing results. “What they have seen as these children adopt God as their father and they embrace it in such a way that these children are no longer violent, they’re no longer angry, because they know that there’s someone who loves them. And, these children change their outward behavior. And, that witness of change has been an influence on caretakers and adults.” They’re only able to reach 10-thousand of the more than 700-thousand orphans in Russia. Mock says additional funding is needed. “For every $30 that is provided, it facilitates these teams meeting the child for an entire year. The $30 would provide a Bible, humanitarian aid and transportation and expenses of the teams.”

(Ghana) — Next, a United States based ministry is reaching the disabled in Ghana, West Africa. Oasis International Ministries[4] just sent a shipment of medical supplies, including crutches and wheel chairs. Oasis International’s Elvina Miller says this outreach has had a spiritual impact. “When we delivered these wheel chairs to the people the first day, two of them came to our Bible study. The following week, we had three disabled people. They go back and they say, ‘we’re learning how to preach.’” According to Miller Oasis is teaching the forgotten of society Bible and a skilled trade. She says typically the disabled get nothing. “They don’t get spiritual education and they don’t get vocational education. But, by us being there they come for Biblical experience as well.” Funding is needed to do more.

(USA) — And finally, as the United States prepares to celebrate 227 years of freedom on July 4th, the JESUS Film Project is praying millions will find spiritual freedom at the same time. Jesus Film officials are encouraging Americans to give away the American Hero’s edition of the Jesus Film this holiday. The United States has celebrated many heroes throughout history. But, only one hero still has the power to bring freedom to our hearts and to our souls. That hero is Jesus Christ. Go to our web site (http://www.MNNonline.org) for more information.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OMI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BLG [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SGA [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OIM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP ———————————————————————

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