Today’s Headlines:

PARTNERSHIP TARGETS “WORLD’S WORST” CRISIS IN DARFUR

CALEB PROJECT AND ACMC MERGE, FORM INITIATIVE360

PENTECOSTALS: ONE QUARTER OF THE WORLD’S CHRISTIANS

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM SHAPES NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

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Today’s Top Stories:

PARTNERSHIP TARGETS “WORLD’S WORST” CRISIS IN DARFUR

The United Nations has deemed the Darfur region of western Sudan the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” With millions displaced and impoverished, Operation Blessing is partnering with Humedica International, a humanitarian, non-governmental organization based in Germany, to expand medical and educational operations. The immediate goals are to reach the 10,000-person Al Salaam refugee camp in Darfur, Sudan. The partnership hopes to build a permanent medical clinic, hire a medical staff, and obtain a mobile medical unit to reach those in surrounding areas without access to medical care. In response to the poor sanitation in the camp, the medical clinic’s waiting room will be used as an opportunity to educate patients in hygiene practices. Operation Blessing’s involvement in the region is paving the way for future projects at the Al Salaam refugee camp, such as providing relief packages for families and establishing a school. (Religion Today)

CALEB PROJECT AND ACMC MERGE, FORM INITIATIVE360

Christian Mission Organizations Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment (ACMC) and Caleb Project have merged to form a new organization called Initiative360. The new organization will continue to help churches, agencies and institutions explore, discover and activate their roles in God’s mission. Initiative360 seeks to walk alongside churches with life-changing products, services, curriculum and real-time experiences. Initiative360 CEO Dr. Gregory Fritz says, “I have always been encouraged and blessed by those who take initiative with the faith that God gives them. God himself is the Divine Initiator, the One who created the world and all mankind, redeems us from our sinful existence, and sends us out with his salvation message to the peoples who have yet to receive the gospel.” This is the origin of the organization’s new name. Former CEO of ACMC and current President of Initiative360, Brent Eimer concurs. “By connecting with resources, web services, speaking and teaching services, networking frameworks, and powerful training events, Initiative360 partners will discover dramatically increased effectiveness in their missions calling!” (Evangelical News)

PENTECOSTALS: ONE QUARTER OF THE WORLD’S CHRISTIANS

A recent survey released Thursday, October 5, by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life showed the results of a 10-country survey of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians. Survey numbers show that a least a quarter of the world’s 2 billion Christians are thought to be “renewalists” (an umbrella term that includes both Pentecostals and charismatics as a group). Luis Lugo, the director of the Pew Forum said, “This survey demonstrates that Pentecostal beliefs and practices are literally reshaping the face of Christianity throughout the developing world.” In an effort to understand what this means, other survey questions addressed the renewalist views on religious, political and civic issues. Notable results point to an intensity of belief that leads a majority of renewalists in eight out of ten countries to say they share their faith with non-believers at least once a week. In nine out of ten countries, at least half of the renewalists surveyed indicate that religious groups should express their views on day-to-day social and political questions. Countries included in the survey included the United States, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, India, the Philippines and South Korea. (Pew Forum)

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM SHAPES NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

Book of Hope is using their Nomad internship program to impact the next generation of mission leaders. Designed to target college age students, the Nomad program interns serve Book of Hope by training nationals, working alongside the national church and going into new areas where Book of Hope is starting up pioneering ministries. Book of Hope’s Randy Young says the program, “affects career choices, it affects mate choices. It really is all about getting their lives centrally focused around the Great Commission.” This year more than 75 Nomad interns worked or are working with Book of Hope. And there are also more than 20 young adults who have given over two years to the ministry. Young said, “We love it because we want to just pour everything God’s given to us into them to posture them for a life of service in Christ.” (Mission Network News)