Today’s Headlines:

CHRISTIANS PROTEST ATTACKS BY HINDU RADICALS ON CHURCHES IN INDIA

COURT ORDERS NEW PHYSICAL EXAM FOR INJURED TURKISH CHRISTIAN

AMBITIOUS WHEELCHAIR OUTREACH CATCHES ATTENTION OF U.S. PRESIDENT

25,000+ AUSTRALIANS GATHER TO HEAR EVANGELIST GREG LAURIE

LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO HELP REBUILD HURRICANE-DAMAGED CHURCHES

Today’s Top Stories:

CHRISTIANS PROTEST ATTACKS BY HINDU RADICALS ON CHURCHES IN INDIA

Christians in east-central India’s Chattisgarh state organized a five-day rally last week to protest increased attacks on churches in the area. About 80 Christian leaders attended the rally, coordinated by Arun Pannalal of the Church of North India, following violence in Raipur Sunday, Sept. 11. In the attack Hindu extremists destroyed property at one church and struck worshipers at another. The mob stormed into the Teacher Disciple Vineyard Church in Jagannath Nagar, Raipur, tearing the cross off the building and throwing it into a septic tank. The same day, members of the same Hindu extremist group punched and verbally harassed members of a Christian Evangelist Assembly Full Gospel Church. (Compass)

* Radio programs in 11 languages (English, Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, Chattisgarhi, Bangla, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Marwari, Marathi and Santhali) air to India from HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra. The programs are produced at the ministry’s studios in New Delhi, India.

COURT ORDERS NEW PHYSICAL EXAM FOR INJURED TURKISH CHRISTIAN

On July 8 a hearing was held at the Orhangazi Criminal Court in Turkey regarding the physical examination of Yakup Cindilli, a Turkish Christian who was beaten by three attackers 15 months earlier. The examination concluded that Cindilli had not fully recovered from his extensive physical injuries and psychological trauma. However, defense lawyers for the attackers objected to the medical findings, and the judge called for further tests to be conducted and presented at the next court hearing set for Friday, Oct. 6. Cindilli was not present at the July hearing, and his whereabouts are unclear. His family confirmed that he left their home and has not returned or contacted them. Since Cindilli did not attend the July 8 hearing, he may not know that the court ordered that he be re-examined. Although the three attackers still face serious charges of battery and assault, Ismail Kulakcioglu, pastor of the Bursa Protestant Church that Cindilli sometimes attended, said Cindilli was under considerable pressure from his family to drop the case. (Compass)

AMBITIOUS WHEELCHAIR OUTREACH CATCHES ATTENTION OF U.S. PRESIDENT

Don Schoendorfer, founder of Free Wheelchair Mission, caught the eye of the Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, and within a week he was standing in President George W. Bush’s office, demonstrating his innovative wheelchair. Since 1999 Free Wheelchair Mission and its partners have given the gift of mobility to more than 70,000 disabled people in 46 countries. The organization hopes to distribute 20 million wheelchairs by 2010 to the poorest of the poor in developing countries. Most wheelchairs start in the $500 range, but Schoendorfer’s simplified version is manufactured in China for about $40. All the wheelchairs are given to needy recipients at no cost. Schoendorfer’s vision for the wheelchairs started almost 30 years ago on a trip to Morocco when he and his wife, Laurie, watched a disabled woman pull herself across a dirt street with her hands and arms, her fingernails clawing the dusty road. He began tinkering in his garage in his free time in the late 1990s. He found out about a short-term medical mission to a predominantly Hindu village in India sponsored by his church and went along with four wheelchairs. “The medical team hadn’t been welcome in this community before,” Schoendorfer said. One member of the medical team began sharing from the Scriptures about Jesus’ compassion for the disabled while a group of people gathered around the wheelchairs. “People were fascinated and wanted to listen,” Schoendorfer said. “Suddenly the lights went on — that these wheelchairs could open doors.” (Assist News Service)

25,000+ AUSTRALIANS GATHER TO HEAR EVANGELIST GREG LAURIE

Greg Laurie, the California-based evangelist and founder of Harvest Ministries USA, made his second visit to Newcastle, Australia, for Harvest ’05 Sept. 8-11. His last visit was in 2003. More than 200 churches were involved in the event, held at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Some 25,400 people went to hear Laurie speak on the theme, “Down to Earth Talk About Heaven,” with 2,074 asking for more information. In addition, a S.W.A.T. (Students with a Testimony) team visited local young people’s gathering places throughout Newcastle, inviting others to come to the meetings as well as leading many to the Lord. More than 198 conversions were reported on the first day. There was also a “Youth Jam,” featuring contemporary Christian music. (Assist News service)

LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO HELP REBUILD HURRICANE-DAMAGED CHURCHES

The North American Mission Board (NAMB) will provide low-interest loans of up to $100,000 to Southern Baptist churches damaged by Hurricane Katrina. NAMB is designating a total of $10 million to the disaster loan effort. “We want to help churches get back on their feet as quickly as possible so they can fulfill their Acts 1:8 calling to be a worldwide mission center,” said NAMB President Bob Reccord. “The loans — which will require minimal paperwork — are just one way we can help them do that,” he said. Disaster relief loans are available to Southern Baptist churches for repair of church facilities, replacement of equipment or materials, or to cover expenses while a church is displaced, said Karl Dietz, director of NAMB’s church finance ministry team. Dietz said the application process will be simple and can be made by contacting one of NAMB’s church finance consultants prior to Dec. 1. (Religion Today/Baptist Press)