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(China)–Topping the news, Chinese Christians hoped a new president would lessen the pressure against the Christian church, but have found the opposite to be true. Voice of the Martyrs’[1] Todd Nettleton says believers are pressured to get churches registered. However, registered churches are basically subject to government control. “Registration generally means you are part of the Three Self-Patriotic Movement, which is the official, state-approved, protestant church there in China. You have to have a government-approved leader, meet in a government-approved location, no witnessing outside of that building and the government has to approve what’s going to go on in the services.” VOM suggests outside Christians take action. “We need to pray for these believers held that they will withstand that pressure and even that they can be a witness to those who are questioning them. Let them know that you’re aware of the situation. The government there will know that Christians in American know some details about the case and that makes the Chinese government very nervous.”

(USA)–Next, in the United States, a Ten Commandments monument at the center of a bitter dispute has been removed from public view in Alabama’s state judicial building. Opponents to the monument claim violation of separation of church and state. Supporters counter with First Amendment freedoms. Christians wonder what impact this would have on public gatherings. Bible Pathway Ministries’[2] Barbara Bivens. “I don’t foresee a whole lot of problem in that, and the thing is, if they allow any kind of gathering on the site, they cannot refuse to allow the Bible Reading Marathon.” Bivens is referencing an annual event on the Capitol steps. It’s the Bible Reading Marathon, launched by Bible Pathway to mark the National Day of Prayer. Bivens, again: “I don’t think that that’s going to be a problem, if it is, then we will approach it and we will pray for it with the people who are praying there. God does answer prayers, sometimes not in the way we think.”

(International)–A missionary radio ministry has a new leader today. Jim Bowman, President of Far East Broadcasting Company[3] and the FEBC Board of Directors, announce that Gregg Harris will become FEBC’s fourth President. Bowman says Harris, who has 10 years of international radio ministry, is a great person to succeed him. Bowman, meanwhile, will work full time with field leaders and assisting in developing FEBC’s international office in Asia.

(Ivory Coast)–Meanwhile, a Christian school, once threatened by Ivory Coast rebels, now looks toward the future. The International Christian Academy, run by Evangelical Baptist Missions[4] , evacuated their students due to a bloody attempted coup in 2002. Today, Paul Jackson with EBM is hopeful. “The campus looks good, the buildings are being maintained. Life in Bouake primarily where ICA and up in the north is returning somewhat to normal.” Jackson urges prayer for missionary parents who are making difficult decisions. “One of the major decisions that has to be made at this point is not only the decision of the school, as to whether to re-open there but its going to be a decision of parents. Where if you can imagine being a parent and I say having gone through what they’ve gone through. As to how open the parents are going to be to entrust their kids to go back into that area.” Jackson says their staff has witnessed to French forces who guard the school. Plans are to re-open in the fall of 2004.

(Turkey)–And, I-N Network[5] reports on the success of a unique Christian internet ministry in Turkey. In fact, response was so good that the site of this Turkish believer was hacked by an anti-Christian group. Steps have now been taken to assure that this does not happen again. In the meantime, the outreach has sent 103 scriptures, Jesus CD films, and calendars to respondents. They are also working on cartoon films for children using Bible stories. Please pray for the continued effectiveness of this project.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BPM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FEBC [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=INN ———————————————————————

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