Today’s Headlines:

BAPTIST VOLUNTEERS RESPOND AFTER TORNADO HITS NORTH CAROLINA

DRUNKEN MUSLIM MOB VANDALIZES NAZARENE CHURCH IN PAKISTAN

JONI AND FRIENDS PROGRAM URGES CHURCHES TO REACH THE DISABLED

CHURCH OPENS NEW BUILDING FOR CHRISTIAN PUBLIC LIBRARY IN GAZA

METHODISTS JOIN CAMPAIGN TO HELP PREVENT MALARIA IN AFRICA

An actor handpicked by Chairman Mao’s wife to star in several Chinese movies in the 1970s is the featured guest on the weekly program, “World Radio,” produced by HCJB World Radio-Australia. The actor later became a Christian, and now he and his wife lead a thriving church in Beijing.

Podcast or listen online to the second half of this interview by checking the following link: http://www.hcjb.org/worldwide/australia/world_radio_programme.html

Today’s Top Stories:

BAPTIST VOLUNTEERS RESPOND AFTER TORNADO HITS NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Baptists were quick to respond when the state’s second-deadliest tornado in 50 years swept through a small community, killing eight people, injuring 20 and destroying dozens of homes. “We are running a small feeding operation and have some disaster relief chaplains in place, and we’ll be assisting the survivors with going through the debris that was left by the storm,” said Gaylon Moss, disaster relief director for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. The feeding unit is set up at Riegelwood Baptist Church, about 20 miles west of Wilmington. A 1,000-foot-wide tornado struck Riegelwood early Thursday, Nov. 16, carving a path more than a half a mile wide and almost a mile long. “There was no warning. There was no time. It just came out from nowhere,” Cissy Kennedy, who lives in an affected neighborhood, told the Star-News. The tornado was part of a strong system of storms that moved through the South, leaving 12 people dead in two days. Offering physical aid has opened doors to provide spiritual counseling among survivors. (Evangelical News/Baptist Press)

DRUNKEN MUSLIM MOB VANDALIZES NAZARENE CHURCH IN PAKISTAN

Armed, drunken Muslims struck two greeters at an evening service at a church outside of Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 12, then returned to pelt the building with stones and bricks. Led by Zulifiqar Akbar Jutt and Asif Ramzan, 10 men broke fluorescent lights and a cross on the outer gate of the Church of the Nazarene in the village of Talab Sarai.

Pastor Rafiq Masih told the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) that the Muslim men began to hit greeters who had earlier stopped them from harassing Christian women. The congregation of about 40 families quickly exited the church, halting the attacks. The Muslim men “had every intention to use the firearms,” said CLAAS coordinator Wasim Muntizar. “But because the Christians didn’t respond angrily, the situation did not get worse.”

After fully assessing the damage to the church and interviewing many villagers, the CLAAS team went to the Manga Mandi Police Station to lodge a complaint, but authorities refused to accept it.

Most local villagers work in the brick kiln industry, and the Muslim kiln owners often force the believers to work on Sundays, so church services don’t begin until 6 p.m. The Christian families are often besieged by Muslims who threaten and bully them; young girls are especially susceptible to attacks and harassment.

Last Christmas during worship a young man threw fireworks into the church, causing a stampede and mass confusion among the congregation. This incident was resolved by talks between the police and the villagers. (Compass Direct News/Jubilee Campaign)

* HCJB World Radio sent two medical teams from Ecuador to Pakistan following the Oct. 8, 2005, earthquake that left tens of thousands dead and thousands more injured and homeless. Staff members helped SIM International with relief efforts.

JONI AND FRIENDS PROGRAM URGES CHURCHES TO REACH THE DISABLED

James Rene of Joni and Friends says his organization is seeking to meet the great needs of the disabled community. “There are 54 million people affected by disability [in the U.S.], and many of them are unchurched,” he said. Studies indicated that 85 percent of churches do not feel equipped or have any kind of ministry or outreach to the disabled. Joni and Friends is helping to fill that gap with its “Through the Roof” training program for churches. Based on the story in Luke 14:21-23 about the four friends who carried their disabled friend to Jesus, the ministry’s goal is to share the vision and the mandate to reach out to the disability community. Plans are to build awareness and training, equip churches with resources and provide leadership and ongoing support. (Mission Network News)

CHURCH OPENS NEW BUILDING FOR CHRISTIAN PUBLIC LIBRARY IN GAZA

On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Gaza Baptist Church inaugurated a new building that houses the Gaza Strip’s only Christian public library. Both Christian and non-Christian books can be borrowed from the large collection of books on the first two floors of the building. About 250 people were present for the ceremony, including some 30 international guests involved with the Christian community in Gaza, Israel. Among those present was Open Doors’ founder Brother Andrew who encouraged the believers. “It’s great to take care of the body, great to take care of their minds by giving them good books,” he said. “But it’s even better to take care of their souls and spread the gospel of Jesus . . . to show them Jesus.” Open Doors USA President Carl Moeller added, “It’s a beautiful building that was built with the investment of the Palestinian Bible Society and others that have invested into a place where the Christian community can have a witness in a hostile environment.” The six-story building also houses a community healthcare facility for women, an outreach center for the church, a guesthouse and a worship hall. The library has helped build the Baptist church’s reputation as positive influence in the community. The library first opened in 1968 with just 200 books. (Open Doors)

METHODISTS JOIN CAMPAIGN TO HELP PREVENT MALARIA IN AFRICA

The United Methodist Church participated in the official kickoff of a malaria prevention campaign called “Nothing but Nets,” reported the United Methodist News Service. The campaign is designed to encourage donations for malaria nets for African families. Bishop Thomas Bickerton said one of the campaign’s most appealing aspects is that fact that “anyone, anywhere” can forge this lifesaving link with children in Africa. “It all fits into the whole issue of eradicating poverty,” added Bickerton, president of United Methodist Communications. “A million people are dying of malaria every year, 75 percent of them children.” Other partners in the campaign include the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, the National Basketball Association’s foundation NBA Cares, Millennium Promise and the Measles Initiative. (Religion Today/United Methodist News Service)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which it reports.