Next, Ramabai Mukti Mission is preparing for a one-day conference in the United States, April 29th. Attendees will better learn about sharing Christ in the 21rst century, short-term missions in India and the continuing ministry plans for Mukti Mission. The group is committed to making Jesus Christ known in India, often dangerous work. Recently, the mission has been growing and reaching needy villages and people groups. Some of their work includes an orphanage, schools, and a rescue home for women.
News Archives
Topping today’s news Haitian officials have shelved April 9th parliamentary elections, jeopardizing millions of dollars in aid. However, Joe Richter of Farms International says much of that aid never reaches those in need. He says that’s why they’re working there. “Farms is targeting very poor families from the central plateau and the northern coast of Haiti with income generation projects, either in agriculture or small businesses. These are people that generally would not benefit much by a government program.” Ritcher says proximity to programs and corruption restricts those benefits. He says their programs have been successful. “One of our programs reported to us that the extra tithing that came in from the program is used now for youth outreaches and youth conferences, and this wasn’t possible previously.” Richter says it costs 300-dollars to establish families in agriculture, which also empowers the church in evangelism.
Turning next to Uganda, the cult disaster is still playing itself out as authorities continue to find bodies hidden in mass graves. The horror plaguing the survivors has left a way for the true Gospel to heal, according to David Shibley of Global Advance. “Obviously, there’s a lot of confusion, certainly a lot of pain as a result of this terrible massacre. And yet, many are looking to God, but they’re looking for proper answers, some are now confused, wondering how a supposed man of God could lead so many into error.” Global Advance is holding two Frontline Shepherd’s Conference’s next month in Uganda. Shibley says for Christian leaders, this is a critical time for training…and prayer. “Most of the pastors of Uganda are good and godly men. But they need encouragement and they also need help in basic Christian doctrine so that they can keep their people free from the effects of synchrotism, of a diluting of the Gospel with error.”
Evangelism Explosion International is in the fledgling stages of a project in Mongolia. E-E’s Buddy Gaines says they are excited about the project’s potential. “We work through pastors of local churches, not outside local churches. We’ve been there before, several different times, but this is the first time that we’ve selected a pastor, trained him and the E-E work will begin in his local church before it spreads throughout Mongolia.” Gaines says their goal is to train and equip as many Christians as possible in Mongolia, but there are things that need to happen first. “Our long-range goal is not only to translate the materials, which is beginning now, to field test and use the materials, and probably, summer of next year the local church will have enough E-E trainers to be trainers for a full-fledged clinic for Mongolian pastors.”
Meanwhile, theological education is greatly needed in China. According to China Partner’s Erik Burklin over the last 20 years the evangelical church in China has seen phenomenal growth. Some say, because of the unprecedented growth, the Chinese church will out number the church in the United States. However lack of trained leaders and resources is causing an increase in cult activity, and materialism in the church. Burklin is asking peole to pray that God will help meet these incredible needs.
We begin today in Taiwan where tensions are still riding high after the people elected a pro-independence president. China has long threatened to invade if the Island declared independence. Far East Broadcasting Company has offices in Taiwan. Chinese Ministries Director Peter Chou says they’re concerned, but not making any rash decisions. “I’m saying wait and see because we really don’t know where it turns to. Too excited is not a way to handle the situation. We need to be cool. And, we are observing the situation very carefully what’s the move and deciphering every meeting. But, we can not commit ourselves to either way.” Chou says radio ministry from Taiwan will continue, despite various changes in strategy. However, people need to pray. “Because, this area is such a volatile area and such an unstable area as far as broadcasting is concerned. The situation or opportunity that we can do Gospel work is always under the shadow of one day China will no be open again. It will be closed. And, if that happened the radio ministry is more important.”
Next, Open Doors is reporting the execution of an evangelical leader in Peru. The man was executed two weeks ago, after Marxist guerrillas declared him guilty of taking part in police and military activities. He was shot to death following a “people’s trial” conducted by nearly two dozen terrorists, who identified themselves as members of the Shining Path rebel group. Open Doors says Christians in Peru’s rural communities often are targets of violence because of their refusal to choose sides in the area’s conflicts.
New Tribes Mission is reporting that between extreme rains and an epidemic of rats on the Island of Palawan (PAL-uh-wan), the Tagbanwa (Tag-BAHN-wa) people are near starvation. Local missionaries are asking prayer for God’s provision for the needs of all those suffering from a severe food shortage. NTM’s Jody Crain is visiting several Tagbanwa churches, their leaders, and missionaries working there to see how he can encourage them during this hardship. NTM asks that believers pray for not only his safety, but also that he will be able to help.
Meanwhile, Trans World Radio has expanded its ministry to reach in closer to home-to the 52 million residents of other-language-speaking households in the United States and Canada. TWR’s Glenn Sink says this month, they began airing a block of Spanish Gospel programming on a commercial AM station in Miami. “I think that as we, the church, begin to see that this growth is so massive, and that we don’t have to cross the ocean anymore to reach people who speak another language and who have another culture-today, they’re in our own backyards.” Sink says, in addition to the new broadcasts, TWR has recently pioneered a ministry initiative. “‘Languages Plus’ is designed to enable and equip and assist the local church by providing ministry material to reach those more than 42-million other-language speaking residents of the U-S.”
Topping today’s news, New Tribes Mission is keeping a close eye on increasing conflict and tensions in the Philippines. Islamic rebels on Mindanao have increased their activity against non-Muslims. NTM’s Guy Sier, says they have workers in some affected areas. “New Tribes Mission has been down in that area for quite a number of years, doing work primarily with the tribal people interior of the largest island there in Mindanao. Occasionally, we’ve had Islamic rebels come through our village, but they’ve not shown any over interest in bothering our works interior.” Sier says there is a lot to be thankful for and much to pray for, as well. “Just because rebel groups have not bothered us, doesn’t mean that this new tension created may not change that posture. Be praying for the safety of our missionaries and also for the success of their work out there. It’s very difficult to try to establish churches in the middle of areas that have been traditionally Muslim.”
