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An earthquake rattles a missionary base in Indonesia. Indonesia (MNN)–We begin today in Indonesia where a strong quake shook the eastern province of Papua. In Nabire, closest to the epicenter, local roads and buildings were damaged, including a local hospital. Rescue efforts over the weekend were hampered by both the closure of the airport and damaged runways. Mission Aviation Fellowship’s[1] David Wuncsch says their four missionary families escaped safely. However, they have a base in the area. “We did not have any permanent damage to our buildings, although there were some cracks and so on. It’s basically a really bad cleanup that they have to do. I don’t have any word, at this point, how bad the runway may have been effected or if we cannot land or take off. It’s a large airport, our airplanes are small so I’m assuming that even if we can use a portion of it, we’ll stay operational.” Damage reports are still coming in, but Wuncsh says their teams will be helping several community churches who lost their buildings. He adds, MAF will be involved relief efforts, as an example of the love of Christ. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5659

Theological education is spreading in China China/USA (MNN) — Next, believers in China will be getting some badly needed theological education in the months ahead. Cornerstone University’s Asia Baptist Theological Seminary has just received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to branch out into China. Seminary Dean Bob Rapa says church leadership lacks education. He says the seminary has several goals. (RAPA :15) “To shape theology there in that part of the world as well as advance the kingdom by planting church planters as we train these men to go out into their context, into their cultures, and plant churches.” (YODER :03) Rapa says they’ll be working with the underground church, so there are risks. (RAPA :12) “The greatest challenge probably is in knowing how to accomplish the teaching without raising unnecessary problems, in terms of the government and their repression of Christianity.” (YODER :05) A survey team is heading there next month to determine where the training should be established. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5660

Church leaders meet in India for equipping and evangelism training. India (MNN)–A conference is on this week in India’s Andhra Pradesh State for the encouragement and equipping of the national pastors in India. AMG International’s[2] Vicky Daugherty says each of the participants were challenged not only to come to the meetings, “…but to bring unsaved individuals with them, and also ten people from their congregation. A 40-thousand seat arena has been rented and we got word back that the first group that they spoke to, they had nearly 100 individuals saved.” Daugherty says because the event has been bathed in prayer, the anti-conversion issues in neighboring states are not a prevalent concern. However, she says prayer is an ongoing necessity during these meetings. “They will encounter some opposition from those who do not want the Gospel spread, and for those who are saved, not to be equipped and challenged by the Word, as far as the doctrinal teaching that’s going on this week.” AMG teams will be moving through two other cities for conferences scheduled through February 13th. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5657

A new resource targets HIV sufferers in South Africa South Africa (MNN) — Meanwhile, it’s estimated that there are more than five-point-three million South Africans that are HIV positive. If abstinence-based education and a change in lifestyle doesn’t take place, millions will die. The International Bible Society is doing something about it. They recently released their new “Reach4Life” abstinence New Testament. It includes information about the myths and facts of HIV, while presenting ways of practicing a moral lifestyle. Pray that this resource will save many physically and spiritually. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5661

A new partnership launches new outreach possibilities in Africa. Africa (MNN)–And, a new partnership between Walk Thru The Bible and CB International[3] will lead to new ministry in 15 countries in Africa. The CBI teaching team will be ministering in South Africa through Walk Thru The Bible’s ‘WorldTeach’ program. The purpose of the project is to teach the Bible and develop a teacher for every 50,000 people. They will be working in an area that covers 15 countries from Angola through the African islands. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5658

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=MAF [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=AMG [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBI

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