Today’s Headlines:

INDONESIAN EVANGELIST AWAITS TRIAL ON CHARGE OF ‘DEFAMING ISLAM’

SERBIAN PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL RELIGION LAW

U.S. EVANGELIST LAUNCHES GLOBAL OUTREACH FOR ‘TECHIES’

WESTERN CHURCH WAKING UP TO NEEDS OF WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

Today’s Top Stories:

INDONESIAN EVANGELIST AWAITS TRIAL ON CHARGE OF ‘DEFAMING ISLAM’

An evangelist affiliated with Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta, an Indonesian church, is awaiting trial at the Tasikmalaya Provincial Court after being accused of “defaming Islam.” His arrest came after a violent incident on Wednesday, March 8, when hundreds of Muslim radicals beat the 55-year-old man in front of his house.

The incident began when he heard a commotion outside of his house and asked the people who had gathered, “What’s happening? Who are you looking for?” When he told them his name, the mob threw him on the ground and started beating him up. The evangelist, who asked not to be named, suffered wounds in his head and ears and fell unconscious. The attack stopped when police officers intervened and brought him to a detention cell to be “protected from those who wanted to harm him.” He was later transferred to a local prison where he remains.

The evangelist was initially charged with “doing a displeasing act,” but the local prosecutor later accused him of “defaming Islam,” a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail. Representatives of the Indonesian Council of Clerics have visited him regularly in the prison, trying to convince him to return to Islam.

“They knew that I used to be a Muslim,” he explained. “I accepted Christ as my Savior in 1998 after a pastor came to me and miraculously healed my stroke. Since then, I dedicated my life to following Jesus by being an evangelist in my hometown. I won’t leave Jesus now.” (Open Doors)

Rev. Samuel Thomas, president of the Emmanuel Mission International (EMI), was released from the Kota Central Jail Tuesday, May 2, after the Rajasthan High Court granted him interim bail for three months. The Supreme Court had previously granted anticipatory bail to his father, EMI founder M.A. Thomas, who has been in hiding since authorities issued an arrest warrant for him in a Hindu extremist-backed attack on EMI ministries. EMI has been accused of publishing a book, Haqeeqat, that allegedly denigrates Hindu gods — a charge the ministry denies. Samuel Thomas was arrested on March 16 in Noida, a town near Delhi, while he was on his way to his attorney’s residence to discuss bail for his father. He was kept in a separate cell in Kota’s jail on request from the court to ensure his protection amid fears that Hindu extremists were planning to attack him. (Compass Direct)

SERBIAN PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL RELIGION LAW

On Thursday, April 27, Serbian President Boris Tadic signed into law the “Law on Churches and Religious Communities” even though he expressed concerns about its “shortcomings.” In a letter to the Serbian legislature, Tadic wrote, “I believe that it is imperative that the Serbian Legislature urgently adopt amendments to the law so as to eliminate its shortcomings.” However, he gave no indication on how he intends to expedite those amendments and has acknowledged that the law in its present form violates the European Convention on Human Rights. According to the new legislation, all but seven officially recognized “traditional” faiths will lose their legal and tax-exempt status and will have to reapply for legal recognition. Those stripped of their registered status include the Church of the Nazarene, Baptists and Seventh-Day Adventists, all of which have been in the country for more than 100 years. (Voice of the Martyrs)

U.S. EVANGELIST LAUNCHES GLOBAL OUTREACH FOR ‘TECHIES’

U.S. evangelist Sammy Tippit is launching a new ministry aimed at the technologically savvy. Beginning this week he’s offering a live webcast and podcast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Broadcasts on Tuesday highlight a discussion on spiritual renewal with thoughts from Christian leaders in countries such as South Africa, Russia, Uganda and Iran. There are also interviews with people such as Henry Blackaby, Dave Butts and Crawford Loritts. Wednesday’s topics cover family life issues. Tippit says the outreach is aimed at busy people globally who might not be otherwise join the community of believers. (Mission Network News)

WESTERN CHURCH WAKING UP TO NEEDS OF WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

Western churches are “gearing for action” and poised to play their part in the next great move of fulfilling the Great Commission, said New Zealand missionary to China Julie Bell in a story from Assist News Service. While the churches are often criticized for inaction and selfishness, Bell believes if that was ever the case then the tide has turned. “As missionaries, we feel like the church is gearing for action,” said Bell, who with her husband, Doug McGowan, lead the Autumn Rain ministry that supplies China’s underground churches with Bibles and teaching materials. “There is a mobilization taking place,” she said. “Christians are restless and sick of ‘playing church.’ People are willing to eject themselves from out of the comfort zone and more and more people are saying, ‘Yes, I want in.’ They are increasingly aware that we are called to be global Christians — to accept our destiny for our day and generation. It’s not something we want to miss or shortchange ourselves with.” (Religion Today)