News headlines for March 25th 2004

The future of evangelism in India may be changing India (MNN) — We begin today in India where tribalism could ultimately change the make-up of the government, evangelism and the country itself. Since India has been influenced by the caste system for centuries, HBI Global Partners[1] Bobby Gupta says this could happen sooner than later. “I think this next election will probably be our last that would be able to hold up to a multi-party leadership. After that, the nation is going to struggle with trying to find unity. Because what’s going immerge after this election is the rise up of the Dalits, who will begin to say, ‘we gave you a chance, you didn’t listen and now we’re going to rise up.” Gupta believes this could cause more individual state driven organizations. He says this tribalism could affect evangelism and church planting. “The day has to come that every church we have are pastored by the people we are reaching out to. If they’re not, there will come a day when those people will be forcing us out of those locations.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5829

World Help launches an ambitious strategy for India. India (MNN)– World Help[2] is launching a bold plan for evangelizing India’s Uttar Pradesh state. World Help’s Eric Vess says church leaders are enthusiastic, in spite of the obstacles. The next question is how: “How can you accomplish our stated goal of planting 100-thousand churches–(that’s one for every village) in the state of Uttar Pradesh? And the answer to that is: village by village with church planting teams that have a very Indian strategy for reaching each of these villages.” Vess says their mission strategy is simple: they ask for permission and invite friends and family to hear their message. “The goal of that is that whole extended families and whole villages will become part of a church planting movement , so that it’s not a single person here, a single person there being isolated and drawn out of their society, but rather, whole families and villages are coming to Christ.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5827

AIDS rescue centers are leading children to Christ in Zambia Zambia (MNN) — 17 million people have died of AIDS since the 70’s in Africa. Those deaths have left some 13-million orphaned children. Teen Missions International[3] is building AIDS Rescue Centers as part of their AIDS, Orphans and Street Children ministry. Teen Mission’s Bob Bland says it helps sustain them physically with basic medical needs, and children are flocking to them. “They are there because there’s no one there to care for them. The unit becomes there mother and father in a sense because they have no one else to care for them. It’s the only place of hope. And, most of these little AIDS orphans that come will receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.” Bland says Teen Missions needs volunteers to build more, which also helps with vision casting. “The Scripture says where there’s no vision, people perish. These people come back with a vision. And, many of these people are coming back and praying and really working to help us reach out to hundreds more.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5830

CRWRC relief responds to the crisis in Uganda. Uganda (MNN)–Next, the violence in Uganda could slide into genocide. Families have had to flee from their homes and villages to find safety. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee[4] is responding through a partnership with indigenous churches. In April, teams will provide seed, food, and tools to 2,300 families in the Teso area. These items will meet the needs of families who had lived in relative peace until the LRA attacked their villages last June. CRWRC’s staff work to meet physical needs in order to share the love of Christ to a people in need. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5826

A new program launch in Niger opens doors for ministry in rural areas. Niger (MNN)–And, FARMS International[5] is initiating a loan program through an indigenous church in Niger. During a recent visit, FARMS’ staff trained eleven people in the program’s principles and operations. The program begins with students of the area Bible School and then expands into other indigenous churches. Participants exemplify the principles of stewardship and self-support within their churches and community. The financial freedom allows them to work in evangelism and discipleship. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5828

[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=HGP [2] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WHP [3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=TMI [4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRWRC [5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=FARMS

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