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Haiti’s rebels surge; evangelistic work interrupted. Haiti (MNN)–We begin today in Haiti where rebels seized the country’s second largest city over the weekend. Their advance pressures politicians negotiating a U.S.-backed international peace plan that leaves Aristide as president but forces him to share power with his rivals. The Bible League’s[1] Tim DeVries says the unrest makes work erratic. “Things are a little bit more difficult. We can’t get through to certain areas of the country; we have to be a lot more careful. No trainings are happening at night. We need to make sure that our staff are safe, we can’t go out as much. But, on the other hand, our ministry has grown. People are searching for God.” DeVries says their teams are responding to the need. “Pray for encouragement for the believers, that they will continue to see this as an opportunity to reach out to people with God’s message of hope…and that they will remain strong and safe as they talk with neighbors, who can’t go out and do other things, and maybe have an opportunity to share God’s word a little bit more.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5714

Funeral set for slain U-S pastor Iraq (MNN)–Meanwhile, an American pastor killed in an Iraqi ambush is laid to rest today. 49-year-old John Kelley of Wakefield, Rhode Island received local and national attention when he was shot and killed in the Baghdad area ten days ago. He was with a group of pastors researching the possibility of a church planting campaign when gunmen sprayed their taxi with gunfire. The incident has brought to light the fact that there are many missionaries throughout the world that risk their lives daily for the Gospel. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5716

The Passion opens opportunities for ministry in the U-S USA (MNN) — Christians around the United States are talking about the Mel Gibson film, “The Passion of the Christ.” It’s a moving film that depicts, in great detail, the last 12 hours in the life of Christ. The film makes its debut tomorrow and evangelistic outreaches are being planned. Chosen People Ministries Richard Freeman. “What we’re going to be doing is in New York City and Los Angeles we’re going to be having staff going out and handing out literature on who really killed Jesus. So that as people are going into the movie, they’ll have a sense of the purpose for the death of Jesus.” Their outreach is geared both toward Jewish and non-Jewish people. He says, Chosen People Ministries is doing more than just meeting people before the movie. “We’re going to be setting up prayer tables to help people deal with the impact of the movie when they come out. We’ll be praying with them and hopefully getting people to open up and let us know what they thought of the movie and perhaps even praying with someone to receive Jesus as Savior.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5715 [2]

The Passion of the Christ stirs many–mission groups hope to evangelism. USA (MNN)–Next, on the first day of the Lenten season, “The Passion of the Christ” begins showing in movie theatres across the United States. Filmmaker Mel Gibson says the piece was meant to make viewers realize the extent of Christ’s sacrifice. Global Advance Ministries'[3] Marc Rylander believes the movie is going to re-ignite a fire not only in the United States, but also around the world. “This movie is a visual powerful effective tool that I believe will lead hundreds of thousands if not millions of people back to the cross of Christ.” Rylander commends the many groups that are planning evangelistic programs, and discipleship campaigns. He says the window is open now. “We better take advantage of it quick. Like 9-11, it happened, and then the church kind of moved in. But, where are those folks today? I believe that God has given us another opportunity, ‘Here you go, Here’s something amazing for your culture, and for the cultures of the world.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5717

Volunteers needed for Olympic outreach Greece (MNN) — And finally, the Southern Baptist International Mission Board[4] needs volunteers are needed this spring to help prepare for ministry opportunities during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The first teams will be needed next month to help begin setting up the “Welcome Center” and housing for future volunteers. The “Welcome Center” will offer information to visitors, refreshments and a place to rest. Volunteer are needed in August for sports evangelism, clean-up teams and other ministry projects. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5718

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/02-24-04RichardFreeman.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=GAM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB

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