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A Bible school opens in China despite increasing persecution against Christians. China (MNN) — We begin today in China where increasing persecution against Christians isn’t stopping an organization from opening a new seminary. Erik Burklin is with China Partner[1] . Burklin just returned from China, where he says the first phase of the Jiangxi (jaing-zhee) provincial Bible school is now completed. However, as thousands of Chinese turn to Christ each week, more Bible schools are needed. ” When you think of a country that is as large as 1.4 billion, and you only have 18 official seminaries, the need of the hour in China is for additional theological training and Biblical training for future pastors and Christian leaders.” Many mission leaders predict that Christians will soon make up 15-percent of the population in China. Burklin says that’s exciting to him. “I really believe there is a groundswell of evangelical Christianity that’s growing very quickly within China. And, that can only have a positive influence and hopefully for more reform.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5110 [2]

Christians want to rid Haiti of Voodoo. Haiti (MNN) — Meanwhile, Haiti is approaching the 200th anniversary of independence and many Christians believe now is the time to free the country from the bondage of Voodoo. President Vernon Brewer says while the country prepares to celebrate, they too have been asked to participate in a special way. “They’ve asked us to provide Creole and French Bibles for the evangelistic thrust that they’re going to have during their celebration. They’re going to have twelve simultaneous citywide evangelistic festivals and then on January first they’re going to have a major festival in the capitol in Port-au-Prince so we’re going to be supplying all the scriptures for those.” Brewer also says they expect to partner with others for further opportunities. ” We’ve also identified some projects with homeless children in some of the worst slums, we’re going to be involved in church planting and church building and leadership training and the funds are always needed for these projects. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5111 [4]

Christians aren’t sharing their faith, why? USA (MNN) — Next, according to a poll on the Mission Network News web site, a majority of you – 43-percent – aren’t sharing your faith. The question is, why? Jerry Wiles is author of the book “The Faithful Witness” and President of Living Water International[5] . Wiles gives us some insight. “The main barrier that most people have is fear and the preconceived idea about the way people might respond if they can the initiative. When you see the Biblical pattern in the early church the ordinary people, wherever they went, they gossiped the Gospel. It wasn’t just the pastors and evangelists, it was the ordinary people.” Living Water is about taking clean, safe drinking water to the needy abroad, while also share living water that can only be found in Christ. Wiles says is encouraging people to get involved. “If you get people involved in reaching people and meeting the most basic needs of the neediest people in the world, at the same time taking the life giving message of Christ, it changes the way they think about their neighborhood and their community.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5109 [6]

The Founder of Promise Keepers is stepping down. Meanwhile, the founder of Promise Keepers is stepping down after 13-years. Bill McCartney is resigning to care for his wife, who’s battling a severe respiratory disease. Coach Mac says the ministry of Promise Keepers is needed now more than ever. He’s confident the Lord will direct the men’s ministry and believes opportunities for PK are limitless. His resignation is effective October 1st. Since 1990, Promise Keepers has reached out to some five-million men, and thousands have come to Christ. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5108

Christians are being called to a day of prayer. International (MNN) — And finally, the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is quickly approaching and officials are encouraging churches to prepare now. I-DOP will be observed on Sunday, November 9th. The event is expected to unify hundreds of thousands of believers worldwide in prayer for Christians suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. Sponsored in part by Open Doors[7] ,, I-DOP officials are seeking 500-thousand intercessors to pray daily for the suffering church. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5112

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/09-11-03ErikBurklin.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WHP [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/09-11-03VernonBrewer.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=LWI [6]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/09-11-03JerryWiles.rm [7] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM ———————————————————————

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