News Archives

Story number 4 for 19 Apr 2000

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While the mudslides in Venezuela are over, the people of that South American country are still suffering from the aftereffects. Latin America Mission is looking for 20 to 30 volunteers to help on a short term missions team from July 17th to July 29th. LAM’s Polly MacHarg. “We’re going to be working at a distribution center. Sorting, getting things — the goods together so that they can be distributed. For example there are supplies like clothing, medicines that are still continuing to come in and those need to be gotten out.” MacHarg says tract distribution will accompany this outreach. She says while the mudslide happened in December, help is still needed. “There’s still a great deal of work that needs to be done. And, it’s an area, because it was so long ago in December we don’t want to forget them because they are still victims and we still need to do a lot of work in that area.”

Story number 1 for 18 Apr 2000

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Headlining today’s news, Madagascar is reeling after three cyclones have hit that island nation. Harold Mitchell is with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. He describes the devastation. “Buildings were destroyed mainly, and inland villages were destroyed. A lot of the damage is to rice crops which is the main source of diet to the Madagascar people. We anticipate there will be hunger needs for as much as six months.” The IMB is helping with food aid, but much more is needed. Mitchell says as they distribute badly needed food, they’re pointing people to Christ. “We have partnered with this small evangelical church and so we’ve gone with their evangelists and we’re able to share the Gospel every we’ve had a program. People are told why we’ve come and the reason that Jesus Christ loves them.” Mitchell says this is the worst disaster in five years.

Story number 2 for 18 Apr 2000

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Next, a new cease-fire is in effect in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In an emotional speech at the Group of 77 summit, DRC’s foreign minister asked Third World leaders to help end the war tearing his country apart. Grace Ministries International’s Sam Vinton explains his outlook for peace in the country. “Most of us have become sort of cynical, but I have to tell you, in all honesty, my prayer is becoming more and more that for the sake of the people in that country, that the Lord would work something out to where these people either will get tired of fighting or somewhere along the line, they will be willing to talk, so that peace can be restored.” The U.N. Security Council plans to deploy a 5,500-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission to monitor the disengagement within months, but Vinton says their work will continue. “We’ve had some very good reports from the hospital, within the school systems, except we have very few supplies able to get into the area. And our missionaries, we are yet not feeling that we can send them into the interior because of lack of security.”

Story number 3 for 18 Apr 2000

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One-point-two million dollars is being invested into seeing people come to Christ in the United States. According to Religion Today, every home in Palm Beach County Florida will receive a copy of the Jesus Film in the mail this week. The video depicts the story of Christ. More than 100 churches joined together to spearhead the project. The campaign will be accompanied by several prayer meetings. Organizers hope that by watching the videos people will be persuaded to put their faith in Christ.

Story number 4 for 18 Apr 2000

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Meanwhile, SIM reports that evangelical missionaries serving around the world are seeing success in their work on spreading the Christian faith. Mission Network News’ Greg Yoder has details. “Throughout the world, missionaries face the task of bringing the truth of the Gospel to people who may have been taught lies about Christians. Millions are turning to God and discovering He is a personal, loving God. SIM’s Les Unruh (UN-roo) shares what God is doing in the church in Central and South America. “It’s exciting to see what is transpiring in the country of Guatemala, but not only Guatemala, but also some of the other South American countries. I believe in the next few years, we’re going to see a tremendous movement out of Central and South America. It’s exciting to see what God is doing, and it’s especially encouraging as we think of the fact, now we’re seeing Central and South America become a sending force.” SIM adds, although front-line missionaries are needed, there is also a need for behind-the-lines support and prayer. Reporting for Mission Network News, I’m Greg Yoder.”

Story number 1 for 17 Apr 2000

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Headlining today’s news, evangelical relief agencies are puzzled why the famine in Ethiopia isn’t getting much press in the United States. Food for the Hungry’s Dave Evans says the images from the European press are sobering. “Some of the news reports have be showing a lot of camel carcasses. The camel is basically the last thing to die and when that starts to happen you’re in trouble because they’re able to live under the harshest conditions without food or water for a long period of time. The skeleton frames of young children and especially older women.” Evans says financial assistance is needed so they can deliver food through Ethiopian churches. “That first objective in our vision is to see churches reaching out to meet needs. And, we see that not only as spiritual needs, but also physical needs. As the scriptures teach us to reach out with bread and the Gospel.”

Story number 2 for 17 Apr 2000

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We turn next to the Middle East, where having failed to achieve a breakthrough in peace talks with Syria, the Israeli government has lifted restrictions on Jewish settlement building in the Syrian-claimed Golan Heights. Christians For Israel’s Willem (VIL-uhm) Glashouwer explains the significance of this move. “To continue building there is, as far as I’m concerned, fully within the Biblical rights that Israel has. There has never so much peace in that area since Israel is on the Golan. Before that, Syria occupied the Golan and started shooting into Israel.” Glashouwer adds that the Exobus Project has been largely isolated from the talks. However, he says there is still a need. “People should pray-that’s the motor of our work. Pray that the doors will still be open. Pray for the young Christian volunteers who are driving these buses who speak to the hearts of the Jewish people.”

Story number 3 for 17 Apr 2000

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A huge evangelistic crusade in South Korea is just days away and organizers are asking people to pray for the event. Manmin World Mission’s Johnny Kim says the evangelism extravaganza begins May 8th. He says because of satellite television and the internet, thousands and maybe millions, will hear the Gospel. “More than 10 countries, the people will get together to participate in this special revival meeting including Pakistan, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Mongolia even from (the) United States of America.” The meetings feature Doctor Lee Jay Rock, pastor of the Manmin Joongang (joong-AHNG) Church in Seoul. Kim says they’ll be using orchestra, Korean dancing and other cultural events to lead people to Christ. “Through (these) kinds of cultural events we’d like to open the hearts of the people, especially first comers and unbelievers so that they can easily except the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Story number 4 for 17 Apr 2000

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Elsewhere, Uganda’s Parliament wants closer scrutiny of religious sects and more restrictions on non-governmental organizations. In response to this, Baptist World Alliance reports that more than 80 pastors met recently to discuss the tragedy and to denounce the actions of a deadly cult. The pastors threatened to sue the government for harassment and infringement of their rights, fearing a return to the days of dictator Idi Amin when the churches were closed. Please pray for believers in Uganda.