Today’s Headlines:

CHURCH GROWTH IN ETHIOPIA, SUDAN AMAZES NAZARENE MISSIONARY

MUSLIM GROUP THREATENS CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA

VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES INCREASE PRESSURE ON HMONG CHRISTIANS

CHURCH GROWTH IN ETHIOPIA, SUDAN AMAZES NAZARENE MISSIONARY

Explosive church growth and evangelism in Ethiopia and Sudan has caused Nazarene missionary Howie Shute to call this “the greatest movement of God that I have seen in my lifetime. Churches are planting churches that are planting churches.” The Nazarene south central district (including Ethiopia and Sudan) reported 200 churches in the last one-and-a-half years. In addition, more than 50 Bible study groups are in the process of becoming churches. “There are evangelists on the road and in the bush everywhere, all planting Bible studies and churches,” he said. “They continue despite a lack of money.” The denomination expects to plant more than 400 new churches this year while the Ethiopian leadership has a target of 1,000 new churches. “Pastors and congregations are being persecuted, but they are faithful to God’s call to preach this message,” Shute said. “The great miracle of Pentecost was 3,000 new believers in one day, but we have had 20,000 in one day praying for their sins to be forgiven!” (Evangelical News/http://www.thehoanaznews.org)

MUSLIM GROUP THREATENS CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA

A Muslim community group called Majlis Taklim entered the premises of a Christian social institution in West Java, Indonesia, Sunday, April 9, demanding its closure for the fifth time this year. The Apostolic Nation Building Foundation (ABB) operates from a residential building in West Java’s West Bekasi district. About 70 Majlis Taklim members came to the ABB headquarters and told the foundation to cease all activities, accusing them of running an “illegal church” and trying to “Christianize” the community. Staff immediately called the police, and some officers arrived to monitor the situation and prevent any violence. Majlis Taklim coordinator Radesman Saragih said church members should take the warning seriously or be prepared to face unspecified negative consequences. (Compass Direct)

VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES INCREASE PRESSURE ON HMONG CHRISTIANS

At least 22 Hmong Christian leaders are being sought after by Vietnamese police for evangelizing outside official structures, reported the Center of Religious Freedom. Other worshipers are being threatened to force them to recant; some have been expelled from their homes and villages. The charges are based on original documents and information that the human rights organization obtained from Vietnam. One document titled, “The Plan on Assigning Forces to Fight and Control the Individuals Who Lead Illegal Religious Propagation” lists the names and addresses of 22 Christian leaders being sought by local authorities. In March, Giang A. Teng, a Hmong Christian from Vi Lau village, said police and border guards tried to force him to abandon his faith and to return to his ancestral cult. When he refused, the police expelled him from his home and land. (WorldWide Religious News/AsiaNews)