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Chinese church leaders arrested; shocking video of church destruction China (MNN)–Topping the news, shocking video of the destruction of an unregistered Chinese church has made its way to the United States. For groups like Voice of the Martrys[1] , the video serves as proof of what is happening on a regular basis to Christians in China. Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says the destroyed church had direct ties to Hudson Taylor’s group, China Inland Mission. “We’re talking about a church that’s been in existence for over 70 years, from before the Communists took control of China. The government clearly is thinking, “These are troublemakers; these are people who won’t come under our control.”” Nettleton says for many churches, registering with the government is not an option. That leads to conflict. “The government wants to control. The government wants to be the first priority for all the people of China, including those who claim to be Christians. As Christians, our first call is to be loyal to Christ. That’s unacceptable to the Communist government.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5695 [2]

Biblical material being distributed in Cuba Cuba (MNN)–Next, despite Fidel Castro’s regime, Book of Hope[3] has been ministering for close to four years in Cuba. Spokesman Bob Hoskins says he thinks the permission to work stems from concern for Cuban youth. “It’s one of those miracles. The heart of God is broken for what’s happening to children and young people. God is able to turn the minds of leaders today to allow children and young people to have His word.” Book of Hope organizers divided the country into sections to maximize Gospel exposure. “They’ve given church leaders responsibility over each area. They train the national believers and then they go door-to-door. They say we’re taking a census. We want to know how many children and young people are in your household so they give the children the age specific book so then they come back with a subsequent visit and they usually do have questions so the believers have a chance to share with them.” Please also pray that we can rush the 600,000 books into Cuba before the permission is rescinded — Book of Hope doesn’t know how long the door will remain open. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5698

Government funds are helping ministries in evangelism International (MNN) — There’s a new phenomenon taking place in Christian humanitarian and relief work worldwide. Government funding is going to Christian relief organizations. Living Water International’s[4] Jerry Wiles says government funding can be used by organizations that are using relief and development as a way to lead people to Christ. “Organizations for years have been receiving funds from the government to do these things. It’s just that you can’t use those funds to buy Bibles, or Gospel literature, or pay for broadcasting the Gospel or planting churches.” Wiles says that government funding is clearing the way for donor dollars to be used for effective outreach. “When churches and individuals realize that this is happening I think it’s a real motivation. Water is the foundation for all sustainable development and it opens the door for the Gospel in ways that conventional means haven’t.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5689

An evangelistic partnership impacts Iran’s future. Iran (MNN)–Meanwhile, this week, evangelist Sammy Tippit[5] is ministering to the Iranian church. Tippit and his team recently completed a live broadcast into Iran via satellite television. The team is also producing broadcast materials for follow-up ministry in Iran. Pray that these messages will go smoothly, as they will be broadcast into the country of Iran in the upcoming months. Pray too, that the Gospel would be clear to the Iranian people. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5696

Missionaries run into trouble with a remote Indonesian tribe. Indonesia (MNN)–And, New Tribes Mission[6] reports a unique challenge to ministry in Indonesia. Missionaries Larry Walles and Elisa Bowa say they were asked for a large sum of money for permission to live among the Elsengs. Larry and Elisa this week met with Elseng leaders to find out if the letter writer was expressing the wishes of the leaders. Pray that this situation is being resolved so the missionaries will have freedom to live with and minister to the Elseng people. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5697

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/02-18-04toddnettleton.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOH [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=LWI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=STM [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=NTM

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