INDONESIAN POLICE ARREST 13 SUSPECTS FOLLOWING DEADLY BOMBING

ISLAMIC ORGANIZATION DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR DESECRATION OF KORAN

COALITION AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY LAUNCHES CHURCH OUTREACH

AUTHOR: FOREIGN MISSION BOARDS ARE IN ‘DIRE NEED OF REFORMATION’

‘TALKING BIBLES’ BRING GOD’S WORD TO THOSE IN INDIA WHO CAN’T READ

Today’s News Stories:

INDONESIAN POLICE ARREST 13 SUSPECTS FOLLOWING DEADLY BOMBING Indonesian police have arrested a total of 13 suspects following a double bombing in the predominantly Christian refugee town of Tentena Saturday, May 28, that left 21 people dead and 74 injured. Despite the attack, Muslims and Christians have agreed to maintain peace in their community. On Wednesday, June 1, police arrested Abdul Kadir Sidik and Elvis, former government officials in the Poso district, in connection with the bombing. The two men were previously convicted of embezzling 2.3 billion rupiahs (US$242,105) in relief funds earmarked for refugees, but were granted an early release from prison. Police also questioned Andi Makkasau, Ahmad Laparigi and Anwar Ali, prisoners convicted in the same embezzlement case. Makkasau and Laparigi were also accused of involvement in the Nov. 4, 2004, beheading of Sarminalis Ndele, 48, a Christian pastor and chief of Pinedapa village in Poso Pesisir district. By Thursday, June 2, police had arrested 13 people. The bomb blasts may have been an attempt to cover up the corruption scandal, but others say the bombs were aimed at re-igniting sectarian conflicts in the region. (Compass)

* HCJB World Radio has worked with local partners to establish up to 10 local Christian radio stations across Indonesia since 2004. Broadcasts from HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station, “Voice of the Great Southland,” also encourage listeners nationwide. In addition, HCJB World Radio has helped with relief efforts since the Dec. 26 earthquake/tsunami and subsequent quakes that have devastated parts of Indonesia.

ISLAMIC ORGANIZATION DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR DESECRATION OF KORAN The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has demanded that the U.S. bring those responsible for the desecration of the Koran at Guantanamo Bay to justice. However, OIC is saying nothing about allegations that Saudi Arabia customs officials routinely confiscate Bibles and in some cases put them through a paper shredder. Bruce Smith, president of Wycliffe Associates, points out a reason for the seeming one-sidedness. “Muslims view the Koran as dictated in Arabic by God, so that the words themselves are God’s words. But we view Scripture as inspired by God [so it can] be translated into every language to effectively communicate His truth.” Smith explains that this difference triggers different responses to desecration of the Bible and the Koran. Although this is bringing even more tension to what is viewed by the world as a Muslim-Christian conflict, Smith says he expects the issue will open doors to share Christ with the Muslim world. (Mission Network News)

COALITION AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY LAUNCHES CHURCH OUTREACH A coalition involving nearly every faith group in the U.S. has launched a campaign to equip pastors and churches in the fight against pornography as the best hope to reverse the direction of an increasingly sexualized society. “Research reveals that 40 percent of pastors are wrestling with pornography,” said Dr. Jerry Kirk, founder of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families. “I believe it’s probably 50 to 60 percent of men struggling with pornography in every church.” Young people are being affected by sexualized images at earlier and earlier ages. In 2002 an estimated 3 million young people downloaded pornography from multiple adult sites in a one-month period. In response, the coalition is initiating a campaign to assist Christian leaders within their churches. “Our desire is to come alongside them . . . to assist when requested in educational and discipleship programs specific to each congregation,” Kirk said. “There is no revival without righteousness, and there is no righteousness without sexual purity.” The coalition’s video and written materials have won numerous awards. (Assist News Service)

AUTHOR: FOREIGN MISSION BOARDS ARE IN ‘DIRE NEED OF REFORMATION’ After serving 60 years as a missionary evangelist in many parts of the world, author Bob Finley is convinced that contemporary missionary operations are in “dire need of reformation.” In a new book titled Reformation in Foreign Missions, he calls for the withdrawal of all missionaries from industrialized countries who are residing in poorer countries. He maintains that their presence is generally counterproductive because it tends to identify the gospel of Christ with foreign governments or alien cultures. He added that the foreigners appear to be much richer than the people with whom they are working. Finley said their presence only “breeds covetousness and undermines the will of local Christians to be self-sufficient.” He also cautioned against mission boards competing with each other and hiring workers away from indigenous missions. While paying high tribute to the pioneers of the past, Finley says a new day has come, and traditional operations should be discontinued. He said that indigenous missionaries are doing 90 percent of the work with less than 10 percent of the total funds given to missions worldwide. He urges believers in wealthier countries to increase giving to the more than 300,000 native missionaries who often serve with almost no financial support. (Christian Aid Mission)

‘TALKING BIBLES’ BRING GOD’S WORD TO THOSE IN INDIA WHO CAN’T READ Talking Bibles International (TBI) is producing a device for people around the world who can’t read or write. TBI’s board of trustees recently approved an initiative to distribute 100,000 “Talking Bibles” to needy families across India in the next three years. “We’re gearing up to work with our partners . . . Talking Bibles-India, to prepare the units,” said TBI’s Paul Hoekstra. The Talking Bibles, manufactured in India to keep costs low, are empowering the last wave of missionaries. “The illiterate people — the traditionally oral society people — are the last group of people to be reached with the Scriptures,” he said. “[Christians] are being empowered to go out and reach their neighbors.” The Talking Bibles are distributed primarily via local churches. (Mission Network News)

* Radio programs in nine languages (English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Nepali, Malayalam, Chattisgarhi, Hmar and Meeitei) are produced at HCJB World Radio’s studio in New Delhi. These are aired from the “Voice of the Great Southland,” the shortwave station operated by HCJB World Radio-Australia. Programs also air to India via FEBA Radio’s transmitters in three languages (Bhojpuri, Chattisgarhi and Mundari).

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