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Canada passes C-250, Bible now hate literature? Canada (MNN) — We begin today in Canada where Christians may find ministry more difficult as parts of the Bible may not be legal under new legislation. Canada’s Senate overwhelmingly passed C-250. It adds sexual preference as a protected category in Canada’s hate-crimes legislation says Brian Wilkie of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. “It creates a great deal of concern for believers who want to be able to speak about issues, particularly of sexual morality. And, there’s a great deal of uncertainty created by it. And, what we’re concerned about is it will be used much more aggressively.” Wilkie expects this legislation have an impact ministries like the International Bible Society[1] and the Gideon’s. “Christians are going to be more careful and trying not to run afoul with this law. But, what we hope is that Christians will continue to do what God is calling them to do and that they will continue to distribute Scripture and that they will be willing to take that chance and take the risk.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5955

There’s a ‘New Sharia law’ in Nigeria’s Zamfara. Nigeria (MNN)–Meanwhile, there’s a new Sharia law being implemented in Nigeria’s Zamfara State. Under it, the state government has threatened to shut down all unauthorized places of worship. While believers there pray about what to do next, Christians in neighboring Abuja celebrated a new tool. The Bible League[2] dedicated the New Hausa Standard Version. They’re praying it can be used to reach Nigeria’s young people with the Gospel, in spite of a growing push toward Islam. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5954

TWR Broadcasts impact Northern Vietnam Vietnam (MNN) — Missionary radio is having an impact on church growth in Northern Vietnam. According to Trans World Radio[3] , a pastor from that area is requesting teaching materials and radio for his congregation. He and his congregation are able to listen privately to the radio broadcasts and learn about God’s Word each morning. This is incredible since it’s illegal for people to meet together openly in Northern Vietnam. His church started in 1992 with 27 members, he now has nearly 200 attending. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5956

Mission teams go to Micronesia to train Sunday School teachers. Micronesia (MNN)–Next, Christian Resources International[4] is headed for the Federated States of Micronesia. The island nation is in the South Pacific, just east of the Philippines. CRI’s Diane Lepior says they’re specifically sending teams to the island of Chuuk. One of their focuses for this trip: training church leaders in children’s outreach. “Fifty percent of their population is 18-years or less, and they also have one of the world’s largest rate of suicide; there’s such hopelessness in the generation coming up.” Lepior explains they have a dual purpose for ministry in Chuuk. “Those on the team are going specifically for Sunday School training. We are accompanying that with the pastors’ libraries. We will be able to provide them with the theological material that they need in a dignified way for them.” CRI collects new and gently used Sunday School or Christian school curriculum, concordances, devotionals, Bible studies…all of which can have new life on the mission field. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5952

A Bible Society takes the Gospel to Czech young people. Czech Republic (MNN)–And, International Bible Society’s[5] Communications Director for Europe, Pavel Novak says the Czech Republic is one of Europe’s countries with the largest concentration of unbelievers. However, because the Czech government realized their people were spiritually adrift, they welcomed IBS into the schools. “The distribution of Manna Bible is always presented along with exhibition of children’s pictures and cartoon program. This way, we are trying to introduce the Gospel to Czech schools.” IBS will give thousands of students Manna Mini Bibles and hundreds of teachers Czech New Testaments. Novak says the need is great. “Forty years is a long period of Communist ideology that negatively influenced the present middle generation. The children are most ignorant of the Bible and Christianity. So, that’s the reason why IBS organized that Manna Bible project.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5953

[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IBS [2] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BLG [3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=TWR [4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRI [5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IBS

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