News headlines for March 19th 2004 Mission Network News is brought to you in part by MTS TRAVEL. MTS TRAVEL announces a new money saving program for the closest supporters of missionaries on the field. Deeply discounted FAMILY, FRIENDS & PARTNER airfares make it easier for families to reunite, and for friends and partners to see missionary work with their own eyes. Simply enter your email address, and the location of the missionary you wish to visit. MTS TRAVEL sends notifcation when there are special airfares to that destination. For more information, or to sign up for this special service, please click on: http://www.mtstravel.com/familyfriendsandpartners/

Mission groups continue work with caution as anniversary approaches Iraq (MNN) — We begin today in Iraq where car bombings and the killing of relief workers aren’t stopping Christian humanitarian work. As many lives have perished, some ministries are preparing for even more violence as the anniversary of the Iraqi liberation approaches. World Vision’s[1] Andrea Swinburn-Jones doesn’t feel share that concern. “I’ve noticed that a lot the western media is focusing on the one year anniversary, and I’ve spoken with people in the Arab community and it seems to be a very western fixation.” Despite the insecurity, World Vision has rehabilitated schools as well as water and sanitation systems. While Iraq is predominately Muslim, Swindburn-Jones says they have a Christian presence. “People see our actions that speak very loudly. One of the areas where I travel into, they weren’t quite sure to make of our organization, they say that we can see the great work that we’ve done in their communities and they can see that it’s our heart that counts. We’re driven by the work of Christ and they can see what a great thing that it is.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5809 [2]

Ministry will continue in Iraq despite a deadly attack Monday. Iraq (MNN)–Meanwhile, the love of Christ moves forward through a clean water initiative that will continue in Iraq. A deadly attack Monday killed four Christian humanitarian aid workers on the project. Support teams from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board[3] cancelled a March 20th Iraq trip, and postponed future trips. The lone survivor of the attack continues her recovery in a German hospital. Memorial services for two of the victims are slated for March 20th in Colorado and March 24th in California. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5806

Streamlining international adoptions moves ministry ahead. International (MNN)–Legislation introduced this month in Congress will streamline the international adoption process. In a parallel move, Buckner Orphan Care International’s[4] Tiffany Taylor notes a new trend in American lifestyle. “There’s been a major focus shift as people married late in life and people become first-time mothers when they’re older, and the fertility rate declining, there’s been a focus, really, to overseas and in the last ten years, the number of children being adopted internationally has jumped over 150-percent.” Taylor describes an international adoption as a strategic step toward sharing a Christian worldview. “It’s an opportunity for them to really look overseas as a way of spreading the Gospel by bringing children from other countries into their home, which means they’re bringing them into their church, bringing them into their family, so that more children get to hear about their loving heavenly Father.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5805

National churches need used Christian literature International (MNN) — Next, Christian literature is hard to find in places like India and your used Bibles and literature are needed. Christian Resources International[5] says many Christian leaders don’t even have a Bible. CRI hops to change that. CRI’s Bryon Morgan says as national church pastors take leadership positions, missionaries are helping with intense theological education. That’s when CRI gets involved. “We can come in and we supply these missionaries and these church leaders with materials to train these church leaders with material that’s easily understood. These leaders can receive it, retain it, and then basically use it and pass it on.” This helps develop Biblical theologies that are culturally relevant, making evangelism more successful. While CRI helps in many countries, Morgan says used English material is actually helpful. “English is a primary language in (many) parts of the world, especially in Africa and India.” Funding is needed for shipping costs. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5807

Bible teaching continues for church leaders in the Congo. Congo-Kinshasa (MNN)–And, Grace Ministries International[6] reports one of their staff members flew to the Democratic Republic of Congo this week to teach a course at Kindu Bible College. He will also be working with the churches and leaders during his stay. Please pray for safety and effective ministries for the team as they travel to Kindu, Kipaka, and Kama. Five missionaries work with the national church organization in the areas of evangelism, church planting, education, medical work, and community development projects. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5808

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-19-04AndreaSwinburn-Jones.rm [3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOC [5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRI [6] http://mnn.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

SUPPORT MNN AND GET ON-LINE AT THE SAME TIME. SIGN UP FOR SOULWINNER’S INTERNET SERVICE AT $14.95 PER MONTH AND $5.00 IS GIVEN TO MNN EVERY MONTH. GO TO http://www.soulwinner.org/missionnetwork.html TO SIGN UP TODAY!!

GET YOUR FREE Voice of the Martyrs “Persecuted Church Newsletter” at http://www.mnnonline.org/guestbook

To subscribe, e-mail: For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]

__________ NOD32 1.680 (20040318) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.nod32.com

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).