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Nepal’s rebels threaten violence; the church remains steady. Nepal (MNN)–We begin today in Nepal, where the U-S Embassy is on alert after recent threats were made by communist rebels against U-S linked groups. For agencies like IN-Network[1] , their teams are nationals, so their work is safer. In Network’s Rody Rodeheaver goes on to explain they’re more concerned about the rise in persecution. “The reports that I get from our people are that there is more persecution on the part of the Maoists against the church, meaning that they’re not allowing some of our house churches to function and our evangelists are not able to go out and minister and share the Gospel.” Rodeheaver says tough times call for new strategies. “The interesting thing is that when God is involved and God is working, as He is here, there are ways that the Christians are able to continue to minister and a lot of those ways are by becoming involved in community development things.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5312

Persecution against Christians stabilizes the church in India. India (MNN) — Next, violence against Christians continues in India. David Shibley with Global Advance[2] says Hindu terrorists attacked a pastor who attended one of their Frontline Shepherd’s conference. Following the conference Pastor Sukh Deve (sook -devee) traveled back to his home church in Maharashtra State where radical Hindus interrupted their meeting. “He said they were welcome to stay, but that they were going to continue to pray in the name of Jesus. He also said that he was committed to protecting his congregation as the shepherd of the flock. Well, that enraged the terrorists and they stormed the platform. They viciously beat him.” Shibley says this isn’t an unusual story, but is a story that is purifying the church. “I think this simply allows these men to put their literal lives on the line and when they have paid such a dear price for the Gospel their certainly not going to turn back.” Pray that the blood of the martyrs will be the seed that brings many to Christ. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5313

Athletes are challenging Russians in Bible study. Russia (MNN) — Bible correspondence classes may be the key to seeing more people come to Christ in Russia. Bible Mission International[3] has been offering these programs for seven years, but now their taking a new approach. Bible Mission’s Mark Reimschisel. “Their kicking off a program right now, where they’re going to be interviewing high profile athletes and asking them how their faith has impacted their life. We’re very excited about this potential and we’re hoping that we’ll have about 15,000 students that begin studying through this program.” According to Reimschisel, this won’t be enough to meet the demand. “The 15,000 copies that we have printed, we’re sure those will be gone within the first couple of weeks. We would like to have printed several hundred thousand, but again the issue is limited resources.” Pray that this program will be able to expand to other parts of Central Asia as many are hungry for the Gospel. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5314

Christian ministry comes full circle in South Korea. Elsewhere, South Korea joins Compassion International[4] as a partner country. For nearly 40 years, Compassion helped the poverty stricken in South Korea. This time around, Instead of receiving aid from sponsors, the citizens are turning the tables and providing assistance to children in need. The partnership gives believers an opportunity to respond in kind to the body of Christ. South Korea’s staff hope to keep the ripple effect going, stirring hearts and changing lives in the name of Jesus. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5311

Latin America’s church leaders meet for a future vision. Honduras (MNN)–And, the leaders of the Evangelical Free Church[5] Latin America ministries meet this week in Honduras. Both missionaries and nationals are gathered in Tegucigalpa to make plans for the future. This includes several days devoted to internationalization: helping national churches to begin sending missionaries themselves. Pray for good meetings and for guidance from the Holy Spirit in these discussions. There has been an increased call for gathering together mission pastors from EFCA churches. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5310

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=INN [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=GAM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BMN [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CMP [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=EFCA

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