NewsBytes - June 2010

Boy playing soccer in his village
CONTENTS:

  1. WINNING WITH WORLD CUP OUTREACHES (INTL.)
  2. STORMS STUN SRI LANKA & CENTRAL AMERICA
  3. AFGHAN BELIEVERS AT SERIOUS RISK
  4. SECOND WAVE OF DEPORTATIONS IN MOROCCO
  5. YEMEN: 2 KIDNAPPED CHILDREN FREED
  6. HOPES RISE OVER NEW NIGERIAN PRESIDENT
  7. IRANIAN WOMEN ACQUITTED AT LAST
  8. CHRISTIANS TURNED OUT OF VILLAGE IN PAKISTAN
  9. MURDERED CHRISTIAN’S WIDOW COULD LOSE HER CHILDREN (VIETNAM)
  10. TENSION GROWS IN MADAGASCAR
  11. RUSSIAN CHILDREN’S ‘CAMPS OF HOPE’
  12. RELIGIOUS ED IN UK SCHOOLS RATED UNSATISFACTORY
  13. A MILLION BRAZILIANS MARCH FOR JESUS
  14. SALVATION ARMY MOVES INTO UAE
  15. GROWTH FOR HONG KONG’S PROTESTANT CHURCHES
  16. SPEAKING TO THE HEART OF CENTRAL ASIA
  17. MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES 2 MILLION PRISON GIFT BAGS (INTL.)
  18. IN FACT: UNREACHED PEOPLE & PEOPLE GROUPS
  19. RESOURCES:
    * Printable Unreached People Prayer Cards * Interactive World Prayer Map * Downloadable Mission Books & Articles * Kid’s Resources from Leprosy Mission

1. WINNING WITH WORLD CUP OUTREACHES

Millions of people will hear the Gospel during the 2010 World Cup, thanks to the united efforts of scores of organisations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ambassadors in Sport, Athletes in Action, mission agencies and thousands of churches in South Africa and other nations. One Hope is conducting Soccer Clinics in 15 countries, using a ‘salvation soccer ball’ similar to the Worldless Book. Just one example of outreaches in South Africa is by Living Hope in the Cape Peninsula who are running games-focused sports events with a Christian perspective twice a week for children ages 4 to 17, nightly cup screenings and a competitive tournament each Friday. The centrepiece is the “Two Oceans Soccer Cup” where 5-on-5 games will be played along with both soccer skill and life skill sessions. All of this is being conducted by 4 churches in various areas, reaching up to 1,500 children during the long South African school holiday that coincides with the 30-day tournament. [MISSION NETWORK NEWS, 2 June’10; HCJB]

2. STORMS STUN SRI LANKA & CENTRAL AMERICA

The island state of Sri Lanka was hit by Tropical Cyclone Laila on May 14, causing massive flooding and displacing half a million people. Tens of thousands—including many Christian believers—have been left sick, hungry and destitute, and it is being called the worst national disaster since the 2004 Tsunami.
On May 31st Tropical Storm Agatha slammed Central America, leaving at least 179 dead in floods and mudslides. A state of emergency was declared in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras; with Guatemala, which had just suffered a volcanic eruption days before, worst hit. Churches are reaching out to victims along with international aid groups.  [MISC REPORTS, 27 May ‘10]

 

3. AFGHAN BELIEVERS AT SERIOUS RISK

The deputy secretary of the Afghan parliament has called for the public execution of Christian converts from Islam, in response to a video broadcast on the Afghan television network which showed footage of Christian men being baptized and praying. Also, hundreds of students in northern Afghanistan burned an effigy of the pope while protesting against the alleged proselytizing by 2 Christian aid groups. The government has suspended operations of U.S.-based World Church Service and Norwegian Church Aid. Proselytizing is illegal, and apostasy is punishable by death. Most Christians are secret believers, unable even to own a Bible. Because of this threat, many Afghan believers have gone into hiding while others have fled. [MISSION NETWORK NEWS, 14 June ‘10]

4. SECOND WAVE OF DEPORTATIONS IN MOROCCO

Following the expulsion of more than 40 foreign Christians last March, Moroccan officials deported another 26 men and women in May, without legal process. With only hours’ notice and forced escort to the country’s exit ports, almost none of the deportees were able to appeal their deportations. This brings the total number of Christians who have had to leave the country to about 105. Christians and expert observers are calling this a calculated effort to purge the historically moderate Muslim country of all Christian elements, both foreign and national. At least 2 Moroccan Christians were beaten in May, say sources, and police have brought other Moroccan Christians to police stations daily for ‘heavy’ interrogations. Morocco’s estimated 1,000 Christian converts are not recognized by the government. About 99% of the 33 million-plus population is Muslim. [COMPASS DIRECT NEWS, 26 May ‘10]

 

5. YEMEN: 2 KIDNAPPED CHILDREN FREED

Two children belonging to a German Christian family, kidnapped in North Yemen by Shiite rebels 11 months ago, have been freed by Saudi Arabian special military forces. The family and a British engineer were seized during an outing with 2 German Bible school students and a South Korean teacher, who were found slain on 12 June 2009. The 9 Christians had been working at the Al Jumhuri hospital in Saada. The 2 girls, Lydia, aged 6, and Anna, 4, are reported to be in ‘reasonable condition’. The fate of their parents, Johannes and Sabine Hentschel, both 38, is uncertain. Their youngest son Simon, 2, is believed to be dead. [ENI, 18 May ‘10]

6. HOPES RISE OVER NEW NIGERIAN PRESIDENT

Church leaders in Nigeria are seeing the instalment of a new president as a ‘divine’ opportunity for reform and overcoming violence. Baptist Convention leader Rev. Dr. Solomon Ishola said Nigeria had been in ‘political limbo’ during the illness of the previous president, who died early in May. New president Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, this week pledged his ‘total commitment to good governance, electoral reform and the fight against corruption’. The new president will have just 12 months to make his mark before the end of the 8-year presidential cycle. In 2010 alone hundreds of people have died and many churches were burned in northern Nigeria.  [Baptist Times, Church Times 14 May’10]

 

7. IRANIAN WOMEN ACQUITTED AT LAST

Fourteen months after they were arrested for their Christian faith and activities, Maryam Rostampour (28) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (31) have been acquitted of all charges by Iranian judicial authorities. But warned that any future Christian activity will be seriously dealt with, the women have left Iran to serve the Lord in another country. Maryam and Marzieh have expressed deep gratitude for the international prayers that sustained them during their harsh months of imprisonment in Iran’s worst prison, when both became ill. Open Doors’ World Watch List ranks Iran as the No. 2 persecutor of Christians with North Korea holding the No. 1 position. [OPEN DOORS, 24 May ‘10]

8. CHRISTIANS TURNED OUT OF VILLAGE IN PAKISTAN

The head of a Muslim village last week ordered 250 Christian families to leave their homes in Khanewal district, Punjab Province after Christian residents objected too strenuously to sexual assaults by Muslims on Christian girls and women. Most of the village’s Christian men work in the fields of Muslim land owners, while most of the Christian women and girls work as servants in the homes of Muslim families, said a man in the village who added that the impoverished Christians were living in appalling conditions. The Muslim employers reportedly used their positions of power to routinely assault Christian females. When four relatives confronted the Muslims, all Christians were ordered to leave. Christians had originally settled the colony, but became a minority after an influx of Muslims. [COMPASS, 7 June ‘10]

 

9. MURDERED CHRISTIAN’S WIDOW COULD LOSE HER CHILDREN

The widow of a Montagnard Christian in Vietnam who died from internal bleeding sustained through torture in March, is being pressured to hand over her two children to government custody. 31-year-old K’pa Lot was detained for publicly expressing his Christian faith and fighting for religious rights. According to a spokesman for Montagnard Foundation Incorporated (MFI) which represents Montagnard Christians in Vietnam's Central Highlands, police tried for 6 hours to force Lot’s wife to sign a document releasing her children. Vietnamese authorities have been cracking down on Montagnard Christians operating outside the state-run churches, Christians say. The incident comes amid concerns about reports that Vietnam has stepped up surveillance of mobile phones of those considered to be enemies of the Communist state.  [ASSIST NEWS SERVICE, 25 May ‘10]

10. TENSION GROWS IN MADAGASCAR

A movement of over 100 clergymen that began in January 2010 is rallying tens of thousands of people to pray and denounce what they call the injustice, lies and manipulation exercised by the government that has ruled the island since March 2009. On the 20th of May the movement organized a meeting considered illegal by the government, but supported by one faction of the army. Clashes broke out between the two army factions and two soldiers were killed. About 10 civilians were also injured, including a pastor who later died. Another pastor was jailed along with 8 journalists and technicians who work with a Christian radio station that was accused of inciting unrest and ordered to close. Protestors say that President Andry Rajoelina’s government, rejected by international powers, has suspended the constitution, the National Assembly and the Senate. Christians are asked to pray that the Malagasy church will respond to this crisis in godly ways. [FIELD REPORT]

 

11. RUSSIAN CHILDREN’S ‘CAMPS OF HOPE’

At former communist campgrounds that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union this summer will be introduced to Christ. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in 100 or more ‘camps of hope’ coordinated by Russian Ministries. Since 1999, these camps have been offered to street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. For more info see www.russian-ministries.org [ANS, 28 May’10]

12. RELIGIOUS ED IN UK SCHOOLS RATED UNSATISFACTORY

Schools are failing in their obligation to educate children in the core beliefs of Christianity, reveals a new UK government Ofsted report. The schools inspectorate found a sharp decline in the quality of religious education teaching, especially in secondary schools, over the last 3 years. The report said, ‘In the sample of [94] primary schools … not enough was of good quality. The quality of RE in the [89] secondary schools visited was worse than in the schools involved in the 2007 survey.’ Inspectors found that the experience of pupils ‘engaged in Christian practice’ was often ignored. ‘This sometimes contrasted sharply with the more careful attention paid to the experiences of pupils from other religious traditions.’  [SUNDAY TIMES, 6 June’10]

 

13. A MILLION BRAZILIANS MARCH FOR JESUS

At least 1 million evangelical Christians rallied in Sao Paulo on June 3rd for the annual "March for Jesus," an event that unites the faithful from hundreds of Protestant churches in the world's largest Roman Catholic country. Now in its 18th year, the 4 km march underscores evangelicals' increasing influence in Brazil. According to the latest figures available, the percentage of Catholics in Brazil dropped from 84 percent in 1995 to 74 percent in 2000. At the same time, the number of evangelicals went from 9 to 15 percent. [ASSOCIATED PRESS, 3 June ‘10]

14. SALVATION ARMY MOVES INTO UAE

The Salvation Army has been given the go-ahead to officially start work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 1 June. The decision comes less than 2 years after the Army began its ministry in neighbouring Kuwait. Leaders’ residency permits have already been obtained and premises found for regular meetings in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, where significant groups of Tamil-speaking Salvationists live. The Army is also building relationships with the government and diplomatic and legal communities in the UAE as it works to become part of daily life in the Middle East. This development and service organisation now works in 121 countries. [THE SALVATIONIST, 29 MAY ‘10]

 

15. GROWTH FOR HONG KONG’S PROTESTANT CHURCHES

Protestant churches in Hong Kong have enjoyed an annual growth rate 6.2 percent over the last 5 years, according to the results of a new survey released by the Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement. The number of practising Protestants in the former British colony surpassed 290,000 in 2009 out of a total population of 7 million. The growth in the number of young people attending a Protestant church in Hong Kong was particularly significant, rising from 11,000+ in 2004 to nearly 25,000 in 2009. The number of Catholics in the city stands at 353,000. [CHRISTIAN TODAY, 1 June ‘10]

16. SPEAKING TO THE HEART OF CENTRAL ASIA

After only 5 months on the air the radio program, “Heart Companion” is getting an impressive response from listeners. A partnership of Christian broadcasters FEBA Radio and HCJB Global Voice launched the 30-minute program in January. It’s heard 5 days-a-week and is designed to encourage believers in an area where they are persecuted and isolated. “The programme’s goal is not just to help Christians keep going, but to help the church grow, stimulating believers to share their faith in a relevant, non-confrontational way,” commented Peter Philips of FEBA. [HCJB, 30 May ‘10]

 

17. MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES 2 MILLION PRISON GIFT BAGS

Joyce Meyer Ministries’ Hand of Hope prison work reached a milestone with the distribution of its 2 millionth prison gift bag, distributed in Harare Central Prison, Zimbabwe. The event coincided with the ministry's "Festival of Life" conference which was held June 4-6 in Zimbabwe. During the prison visit, Joyce spoke to approximately 400 inmates about having hope in Christ. Since 1998, prison teams from Hand of Hope have visited more than 2,300 prisons in 32 countries worldwide, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and distributing gift bags which include personal care items and a Joyce Meyer book. More than 88,000 inmates have responded by praying to accept Christ into their lives. [EARNED MEDIA, 9 June ‘10]

18: IN FACT:

Total of world people groups: 16,465. Total unreached with gospel: 6,759. World population: 6.73 billion. Unreached people: 2.74 billion (40.7 percent)  [JOSHUA PROJECT]

 

19: RESOURCES

NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of Operation Mobilisation, based in London, England. HTML version and back copies available from www.om.org/en/news/newsbytes Material may be freely copied and forwarded. Items do not necessarily reflect OM’s position and questions should be directed to the original news source. For a free e-mail subscription send a ‘subscribe’ message to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     

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About NewsBytes

NewsBytes is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of Operation Mobilisation, based in London, England.  Material may be freely copied and forwarded. Items do not necessarily reflect OM’s position and questions should be directed to the original news source. For a free e-mail subscription send a ‘subscribe’ message to newsbytes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

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