Story number 1 for 31 Mar 2000

We begin today’s newscast in Indonesia where violence against Christians is continuing, leaving people dead and churches destroyed. John Norvell is the Director of World Missions for the Pentecostal Church of God. Norvell says radical Muslims have destroyed 39 church, and killed seven pastors with their mission. “Some while they were kneeling in prayer in their church. Some were even grandchildren and family members of the pastors. It seems as there’s been a target of pastors particularly and it’s been indicated that there’s been a 15-million rupee price on the head of all of the pastors.” Norvell says the violence is concentrated on the Island of Morotai (mohr-AH-tee). He’s confident it will all work out for the good. “When Martyrs blood is shed God moves in the heavens and we’re confident that there will be many who come to Christ as a consequence. But, our prayer is that God will honor the blood of those who have given their lives for the sake of the Gospel and that their murderers and all associated with them will come to know Christ.”