Today’s Headlines:

ISRAEL TO RECEIVE CHRISTIAN TV STATION

ANTI-RUSSIAN COMMENTS TRICKLE DOWN TO MINISTRY

‘LAB IN A SUITCASE’ AIDS MEDICAL MISSIONS, HELPS CURTAIL BIRD FLU

CHRISTIAN SOCIAL WORKER IN INDIA ACCUSED OF ‘CONVERTING CHILDREN’

TRINIDAD MISSIONARY COUPLE AVERT DEATH AFTER BEING SHOT BY THIEVES

Today’s Top Stories:

ISRAEL TO RECEIVE CHRISTIAN TV STATION

Daystar Television Network announced a new contract allowing them to become the first TV channel to broadcast 100 percent Christian programming into every home in Israel. Daystar, which owns and operates 50 US television stations, is excited about the opportunity. President Marcus D. Lamb commented on the pioneering project saying, “Up until now, it has either been illegal, impossible, or impractical. The message of the Gospel will now be going into every home in Israel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This is a moment in time that we will always remember.” The contract came after a year of negotiations and a six-month trial period featuring popular shows “Celebration” and “The Joni Show.” Daystar’s global purpose is to reach as many people with the good news of the Gospel through an extensive blend of interdenominational and multi-cultural programming. (ASSIST New Service)

ANTI-RUSSIAN COMMENTS TRICKLE DOWN TO MINISTRY

Comments by US Vice President Dick Cheney claiming Russia uses energy resources to intimidate or blackmail neighboring countries are causing trouble for ministries in Russia. The comments angered high level officials and the average Russian on the street. The Vice President of Russian Ministries, Sergey Rakhuba, reports ministry difficulties result because Christian ministry is equated with Western influence and money. Rakhuba also notes that media restrictions and “the brain washing campaign” are causing citizens to react harshly because they don’t know what’s going on. A recent law restricting foreign non-governmental organizations also contributes to ministry woes. Despite this Rakhuba reports, “If western missionaries will be forced out of Russia, we will continue supporting Russian church leaders, Russian evangelical church. We will continue training the next generation to take the baton of faithfulness from the previous generation.” (Mission Network News)

‘LAB IN A SUITCASE’ AIDS MEDICAL MISSIONS, HELPS CURTAIL BIRD FLU

International Aid’s “lab in a suitcase” is a unique tool among medical missions, says spokesman Myles Fish. This portable, compact, inexpensive lab kit provides 85 percent of the basic diagnostics for the most common diseases. With the threat of avian flu in several countries, a quick diagnosis can help curtail the spread that could lead to a pandemic virus. “Our preference is to work through local Christian hospitals, and Christian doctors,” Fish said. He notes that their partnership furthers the evangelistic work because the tool “enables them to have the tools that they need to provide for the health care needs while at the same time developing the relationship that’s necessary for them to share their faith in Christ.” (Mission Network News)

CHRISTIAN SOCIAL WORKER IN INDIA ACCUSED OF ‘CONVERTING CHILDREN’

A social worker in Jabalpur, India, was recently arrested for “forcible” conversion of children, despite questionable evidence. On Monday, May 1, Sunil Kumar Raow, a social worker with the Child Labor Project, was interrupted by police while teaching a class to laborer’s children. Initial searches of his class materials and personal bag failed to reveal any illegal items. In the police station, after Hindu extremists arrived, “evidence,” including incriminating Christian materials, was discovered in his previously searched bag. “I do not know from where those things came,” Raow said. Further evidence of Hindu extremism also occurred this week as a 60-year-old pastor with a heart condition was slapped repeatedly for distributing Christian literature and a young Indian couple was beaten for attempting a marriage that under Indian law would require the young woman to convert from Hinduism to Christianity after marriage to her Christian husband. (Compass Direct)

TRINIDAD MISSIONARY COUPLE AVERT DEATH AFTER BEING SHOT BY THIEVES

Youth with a Mission missionaries Kevin and Susan Prince, formerly from Texas and Michigan, were shot by thieves in the driveway of their rented home in central Trinidad. The couple was returning from church around 5 p.m. Sunday, April 30, when they were attacked and shot after resisting the robbery. Their injuries are not life threatening, and the police have launched a nationwide manhunt for the five men involved in the shooting. At least two of the attackers are believed to be teenagers. (Mission Network News)

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