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The church is growing despite persecution in Laos and Vietnam. Laos/Vietnam (MNN) — Headlining today’s news, persecution of believers an Laos and Vietnam continue, but the oppression isn’t seeing a decline in church growth. John Lindner with Christian Aid Mission[1] says his organization helps support believers in these countries. Lindner says the governments of these two nations have a negative perception of Christians. “The governments of these two countries consider Christians enemies of the state because they identified with the American war effort years ago. Therefore, they think anybody who is a Christian is a trader to their country and they intend to wipe them out, but it’s not working.” Lindner says pastors have been beaten, imprisoned and even killed for their faith and for holding illegal church services. He says Christian Aid is supporting their families. “People can contribute to Christian Aid, and those funds will be used to help support families whose husbands or pastors that are in prison. And, others who are wandering through the jungles and need food supplements to survive.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5287

Bleak news on the AIDS orphan front leads to strategic ministry in South Africa. South Africa (MNN)–Meanwhile, the United Nations warns that the AIDS orphan population could grow to over 20 million by 2010. The potential for disaster alarms child welfare experts. Evangelical Baptist Mission’s[2] Paul Jackson says they’re positioned strategically. “We’ve just received permission from the government to begin the actual phase of building for our Bethesda village, just north of Pretoria, South Africa. This is a major step for us. We’re now taking care of kids in homes surrounding the area; homes we’ve either purchased, or rented, or had been given use to use.” Jackson details ministry aspects and prayer needs. “This is going to give us an opportunity to begin the process of bringing the kids into one place, and to be able to reach these kids. These children are incredibly needy. It’s a joy to be able to work with these kids, see them come to Christ, disciple them, and, at one point down the road, in their lives, to be able to release them back into their culture as servants of Christ.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5284 [3]

Order in chaos presents ministry opportunity in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe (MNN)– World Vision’s[4] food program in Zimbabwe gets the nod of approval from the government. Touted as a model for other programs, World Vision last month held a special workshop to share their work. The workshop was attended by more than 55 participants from countries across the globe where food aid programs are implemented. World Vision staff members feel excellence in their program best represents Jesus Christ to the people they assist. Please pray that the seeds of the Gospel bear fruit. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5285

Street children in Brazil are the focus of evangelistic outreach. Brazil (MNN) — Next, you’ve heard it said that children are our future. However, homeless children in many countries around the world are being forgotten. CB International[5] is doing something about it. CBI’s Hanz Finzel says in Sao Paolo, Brazil alone there are over a half-million street kids. He says many of them are turning to Christ because of their ‘Restoration Ministries’ outreach. “For the first time in their lives, someone loves them and cares for them and we find of course that we have to take them out of the situation. So, we’ve purchased a ministry center where we have Bible school classes, English classes, personal hygiene.” Finzel says support is needed. He says prayer for safety is also requested. “Some of the people are not happy that they’re pulling these kids out. Some of the fathers are using these kids as drug runners and they don’t like it when these kids are redeemed and when they quite helping their dads making illegal money.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5288

New ministry in the Congo ushered in by mission agencies. Congo–Kinshasa (MNN)–And, Grace Ministries'[6] Dr. Sam Vinton recently helped usher in a new ministry outreach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Vinton was the featured speaker at the dedication of the “Jesus Film” in Kilega. Kilega is the language of the Balega people in the Kama area where most of the churches associated with GMI are located. He also celebrated the newly printed Kilega Bible, and the fact that a church plant in the capital city is expanding ministry through schools. Please continue to pray for outreach teams. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5286

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CAID [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM [3]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/10-28-03pauljackson.rm [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBI [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMI ——————————————————————— Mission Network News Daily, a service of Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Questions: (800) 284-9361 or

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