Today’s Headlines:

INTERROGATION OF BIBLE SOCIETY WORKER IN IRAQ UNCOVERS TESTIMONY

87 NEW BAPTIST MISSIONARIES PRESENTED AT CHURCH CONFERENCE

U.S.-BASED ARABIC CHRISTIAN TV STATION FACES FUNDING CRISIS

NEW WEBSITE CONNECTS VISITORS WITH WEALTH OF CHRISTIAN MATERIALS

Today’s Top Stories:

INTERROGATION OF BIBLE SOCIETY WORKER IN IRAQ UNCOVERS TESTIMONY

Iraqi program coordinator for the United Bible Societies (UBS) Nabil Omeish was asked about the contents of his suitcase by an Iraqi security official. Upon seeing the children’s Bibles and Scripture calendars he was transporting, officials pulled him aside for further questioning. Two other officials were dismissed from the room, leaving Omeish alone with one man. “I explained that I distribute the Scriptures to all who want to receive them,” shared Omeish. “His tone became friendly, and he asked whether we distribute food packages along with the Bibles through various churches. When I confirmed this, he began to tell me his story.” The official then told him that when he had been unemployed, his 10-year-old son was playing near a church and noticed local families coming out with food. His family had gone four days without food, and when the boy entered the church, he received a package of food and Bibles. When the official went to thank the pastor the next day, he was given another Bible and more food. He began reading it and listening to Trans World Radio’s broadcasts, soon putting his faith in Christ. With tears in his eyes he asked Omeish to pray with him adding, “Remember you have a brother here.” (Trans World Radio/United Bible Societies)

87 NEW BAPTIST MISSIONARIES PRESENTED AT CHURCH CONFERENCE

Eight-seven new Southern Baptist missionaries were presented at a ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 13, at First Baptist North Spartanburg in Spartanburg, S.C., led by International Missions Board (IMB) Chairman John Floyd. This is the eighth largest group of new missionaries to be appointed in IMB’s history. The group’s final destinations cover 10 of the 11 Southern Baptist administrative regions and bring the total number of IMB missionaries to more than 5,100. “We cannot [divulge] the places most of [the new missionaries] are going,” said IMB President Jerry Rankin. “Through their professional experience, training and education, they are able to gain creative access to restricted countries to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, many with people who will be hearing it for the first time.” The event kicked off the church’s global impact missions conference that focused on South Asia this year. (Baptist Press)

U.S.-BASED ARABIC CHRISTIAN TV STATION FACES FUNDING CRISIS

The first 24-hour-a-day Arabic Christian TV channel in the U.S. is facing a shutdown if it can’t raise a minimum of $200,000 by Sunday, Sept. 24. Known as Alkarma TV, the station has been running out of the southern California home of an Egyptian-born couple. A law enforcement official visited their home on Tuesday, Sept. 12, and informed them they could no longer operate from their residence and they needed to relocate in the next 10 days. The officer said there had been a complaint against them and said that “legal measures would be taken” if they didn’t move within that time. The funds are needed to complete city requirements to an available building so the ministry can relocate there. The year-old Alkarma TV, which means “The Vineyard” in Arabic, has a potential audience of 12 million Arabic speakers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. “We get lots of telephone calls from many people who accepted Christ because of viewing the programs as well as e-mails and letters from them explaining how much their lives have changed and they gave their lives to Jesus because of Alkarma TV,” the couple said. (Assist News Service)

NEW WEBSITE CONNECTS VISITORS WITH WEALTH OF CHRISTIAN MATERIALS

In contrast to the stodgy, old-world mentality often portrayed in the media, churches and ministries have shown remarkable ability to spread God’s Word via new technologies. The latest addition is eBible.com where the online social network allows visitors not only to study up to six versions of the Bible, multiple commentaries, dictionaries and reference books, but also opportunities to share comments, questions and insights with your friends on the online community. The main service is free of charge with additional reference materials available for additional costs. Bible scholars may have particular interest in the site as it allows reading multiple Bible translations in parallel. The free technology also allows visitors to tag entries, share bookmarks, post comments and meet new friends online. (WorldWide Religious News)