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Sudan’s peace talks may bode a peaceful future for Christians. Sudan (MNN)–Topping the news, US Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Kenya where he will support high-level talks to end the 20-year civil war in Sudan. Under the onus of last year’s Sudan Peace Act, the Bush administration enforces security issues. Voice of the Martyrs'[1] Todd Nettleton explains why Christians should be aware of the new agreement in the making. “There’ll be a six-year period of self-determination for the people of South Sudan. They will have the ability to make their own decisions. They will not be forced to accept Islamic Sharia law. At the end of the six-year period, then they will be allowed to vote on whether they want to continue to be a part of the nation of Sudan, or whether they want to break off and form their own nation.” Nettleton says this war has been largely a religious one in which believers has been under incredible pressure for the Muslims. He urges prayer. “Anything that results in more peace and more safety on the ground in South Sudan is going to make it easier to do ministry there. It’s going to make it easier to travel there, it’s going to make it safer for mission teams who are doing work on the ground there.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5264

Christian radio in India’s Kashmir region offers real peace. India (MNN) — Meanwhile, violence is escalating in India’s Kashmir region. India and Pakistan have battled over the region for years. Recent violence has claimed 12 lives, small in comparison to the estimated 30-thousand people that have died since 1989. Words of Hope[2] Lee DeYoung says they’re getting involved in the region, and will begin airing radio programming. “Beginning on the 26th of October, three nights a week, broadcasts (will be) going out through a partnership with Gospel for Asia, Words of Hope, and IBRA radio. These broadcasts in the Kasmiri language.” DeYoung says this is a great answer the violence. “It’s an area where people have experienced so much violence, so much upheaval, so much unrest. So, a program that points to the Prince of Peace is very much welcomed.” DeYong says the program is being produced by Kashiri believers. He says the program was received well during testing and it hoping for a great response to the Gospel. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5268

Children are the future of the church in Germany, but workers are scarce. Germany (MNN) — You’ve heard it said that young people are the church of tomorrow, but unless someone carries the Gospel to them they’ll never join the church. That’s why Joe and Shelli Sellars are serving as youth leaders in Germany with the Bridge International[3] . The need is great as only one-percent of Germany’s young people claim to be Christians. And they face a huge challenge as over 50-percent of Germany’s towns with a population of five-thousand or more have no evangelical church. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5266

Empty shoes are a reminder of the need for mission funding in the U-S. USA (MNN) — Meanwhile, rows of empty shoes serve as a reminder to the Southern Baptist International Mission Board for the need for missions funding. Despite a record number of Southern Baptists coming forward to fill the empty shoes, church giving was 10-million dollars short of its 125-million dollar goal last year. That delayed more than 100 missionaries from going to the field. It also cut the number of short term workers by 30-percent. IMB officials are praying the people will give like never before, to avoid a repeat of last year. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5267

Family issues move radio ministry forward. USA (MNN)–And, issues facing children are not always reflected in children’s programming. However, that’s a trend that’s changing. CBH Ministries'[4] marketing director, Simon Guevara explains how. “‘Down Gilead Lane’ is the half-hour radio drama, and what we’ve done with that show in season five is, we’ve brought in a broken family, a family that has gone through divorce. The key family, the Morrison family, is going to be witnessing and standing strong with this family, as they experience many of the emotions of this brokenness.” Guevara says changing family dynamics means ministry must respond. “If you look at the statistics for kids, and the amount of them that are experiencing divorce in this country, it is an impossibility to ignore that. We have a responsibility, with the children’s ministry, to meet their needs with the Gospel. The only way we can do that, I think, is to be relevant in that area.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5265

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WOH [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=TBI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBH ———————————————————————

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