A unique program is allowing children in third world country go to school, and point them to Christ. World Wide Christian Schools Steve Guerink says they’ve started what their calling the Covenant House project. “The Covenant House is a joint effort between a local community and World Wide Christian Schools where we’re building a house, we’re selling it, we’re then using the proceeds to build school or support schools in third world countries where the needs are great, such as in the Dominican Republic.” Guerink says this money isn’t just being used to educate these children, it’s being used to bring them to Christ. “That’s the backbone of the system is that there is a public school system available in some of these cities. But in many of these areas not only are we giving them an education, but the plus is, is that we’re giving them the knowledge of Jesus Christ through their teachers and through the curriculum they develop.” World-Wide is praying for financial support to see this program grow.
News Archives
We turn next to the Olympics where missionaries are having an impact on the lives of Australian youth through basketball clinics. Boyd Hall is with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Hall is one of the 600-plus volunteers staying at Windsor District Baptist Church’s “Tent City” Olympic village. He came to Australia as part of the South African Sports Federation. Hall says the goal is to teach kids good basketball skills, build relationships with them and then present the Gospel. He says it’s been very effective.
On December 11th, SEND International’s camp and retreat center in Japan caught fire, resulting in significant damage, but no injuries or loss of life. Since then, the repairs have been completed, and ministry continues. SEND’s Frank Severen. “The chapel has been completely rebuilt, and actually, has been improved. In Japan, wherever the fire occurs, those people are considered to be at fault. So, we put an announcement in the papers apologizing publicly for the fire, and actually, out of that, the neighbors have become much more friendly; we’ve had evangelistic meetings and many from the neighborhood have shown up.” Severen says despite the disruption: “The camping program has continued. And while there was some difficulty in facilities for a period of time, now things are back up and running at full capacity. Pray that the families would be open to sending their children. This is one of the best evangelistic thrusts in Japan.”
Next, an evangelical group is asking people to pray for the salvation of Japan’s crown prince Naruhitu and Princess Masako. Manmin World Mission’s Johny Kim just returned from that country where evangelistic meetings were held. He says the Royal family is highly respected. He says if that family came to Christ it would encourage many. “The Emperor is very important to the Japanese people. So, if Naruhitu experienced the wonderful blessing of God, then he will affect tremendously Christianity to evangelize the Japanese people.” Kim says idolatry runs rampant through Japan. “More than 8 million idols are in Japan. Japanese people worship many, many idols. So, Rev. Doctor Lee preached about why only Jesus Christ is our Savior. They came to understand that God is living, and the Bible is true, according to the message they have heard.”
Severe flooding in southeast Asia could open doors for the Gospel.
Russia’s president gives a boost to one evangelistic ministry.
A health program is assisting an evangelical mission agency in sharing Christ in counties closed to the Gospel. Medical Ambassadors International’s Terry Dalrimple says Community Health Evangelism, or CHE (chay), is a program they’re using in 42 countries. “It’s a strategy for bringing God’s love and truth to poor and unreached people around the world. It’s a health education program that teaches people how they can be healthy physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. It’s also an evangelistic program that ministers to the needs of people by introducing them to Jesus Christ.” Dalrimple says their program is receiving favorable response. “Through CHE we’ve been able to work in areas that are otherwise closed to Christian witness, where missionaries can’t otherwise go. Community health is a concern to most governments in the developing world.” Dalrimple says since 1989, 170-thousand people have come to Christ through the program.
Elsewhere, native missionaries in India are reportedly taking the Gospel to the Hindu strongholds of central and northern India. Several evangelistic groups report that despite hostilities, many are open to hearing the Gospel. FEBA Radio, an outgrowth of the Voice of Friendship, works in partnership with HCJB World Radio. Together, they air weekly Christian programs to eastern India from Seychelles in three languages. Please pray that the people will continue to respond to the Gospel.
