NewsBytes - March 2009

OM International

SRI LANKA; DOUBLE TROUBLE
FRANKLIN GRAHAM FACEOFF WITH SUDAN’S PRESIDENT
MALAWI: HUNDREDS SAVED THROUGH PREACHING POINTS
LIBYA TORTURES CHRISTIAN CONVERTS FROM ISLAM
MISSION PLANE STILL MISSING IN VENEZUELA
CHURCH CLOSURES IN BURMA
CHECHEN WOMEN VICTIMS OF STRICT ISLAMIC RULE
CHRISTIANS RAIDED IN CHINA'S EARTHQUAKE AREAS
“UNDERGROUND UNIVERSITY” FOR NORTH KOREAN CHRISTIANS
ARAB VISION: 2 NEW TV PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN & TEENS
ERITREAN BELIEVERS UNDER SIEGE
GAZA: BIBLE SOCIETY & OPEN DOORS PROVIDE RELIEF
MEXICAN ‘PRISON POWER EXPLOSION’
MEGA CROWDS AT LOUIS PALAU FESTIVAL, GUATEMALA CITY
USA: THE GROWTH OF THE ‘NONES’
YOUTH PRAYER ACROSS TIME-ZONES
IN FACT: TOP MURDER RATES WORLDWIDE
RESOURCES:
* New Christian World News Website * Mission DVDs * Internet Evangelism Day * Travel Website

1. SRI LANKA; DOUBLE TROUBLE

The Sri Lankan Army has continued its relentless march north and east of the island, gaining control of territory formerly held by the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). The Red Cross warns that a humanitarian disaster is looming as the LTTE is holding a UN-estimated 200,000 civilians as human shields. Some have been killed as they have tried to flee into the area controlled by government soldiers. Thousands more Tamil families suffer unhygienic conditions in overcrowded camps for the displaced where they will likely have to stay at least 2 years. 5 Christian NGO’s have government permission to work in the camps and a hospital. Meanwhile, Christians are very concerned that legislation against “unethical conversion” in Sri Lanka has been presented again by the Buddhist majority. Activists accuse Christians of offering jobs or money in order to get people to convert to Christianity. [FIELD REPORTS]

2. FRANKLIN GRAHAM FACEOFF WITH SUDAN’S PRESIDENT

The International Criminal Court this month issued an arrest warrant against President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan for crimes against humanity in Darfur. Sudan responded by ordering at least 10 humanitarian groups expelled from Darfur. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, had met with Bashir a few days previously. Says Graham, "In 16 years of relief work in Sudan, I have witnessed much of the violence that [Bashir’s] government has inflicted. An estimated 300,000 people in Darfur have died and 2.5 million people have fled their homes in the wake of fighting among rebels, government forces and their allied Janjaweed militias. Nor does the destruction stop there: Our organization has identified nearly 500 churches that were destroyed by Mr. Bashir’s forces.” Although Graham agrees there is just cause for the president’s arrest, he fears it will further destabilize the country. He is urging U.S. President Obama to appoint a special envoy to Sudan and work toward full diplomatic relations; he also appeals to Christians worldwide to pray for peace." [ASSIST, March 4 ‘09]

3. MALAWI: HUNDREDS SAVED THROUGH PREACHING POINTS

Grace Ministries International is following Paul’s model in the Book of Acts by sending other African missionaries into Malawi to begin ‘preaching points.' Missionaries start ministries in different areas (usually through connections from friends and family) in which a group of believers meet, elders are appointed, and the Word of God is preached. They are encouraged to reach out to villages around them because they are not considered churches until they start another church of their own. There are now 80 "preaching points" in Malawi, which have had a large evangelical impact on local communities. A Tanzanian pastor has been heading up the outreaches, helping other "lay" pastors begin to minister to the people around them. This typically includes the creation of Bible studies and evangelistic crusades. The last group crusade outreach resulted in over 300 people dedicating their lives to Christ. These people were then encouraged to join discipleship groups. [MISSION NETWORK NEWS, 6 March ‘09]

4. LIBYA TORTURES CHRISTIAN CONVERTS FROM ISLAM

Libyan intelligence officials have detained and tortured 4 Christians for converting from Islam. According to International Christian Concern (ICC), a Christian human rights group, the Christians have been imprisoned for the past 7 weeks in Tripoli, Libya's capital. Libya's External Security Organization is believed to be behind the detention and torture of the Christians. Security agents have barred the families from visiting the detained converts and are putting severe physical and psychological pressure on the Christians in order to force them to reveal the names of other converts. Fearing for their lives, other converts from Islam are on the run. The international community has previously imposed sanctions on Libya for its involvement in the bombing of an American airliner, which killed 270 people. [ASSIST, 9 March ‘09]

5. MISSION PLANE STILL MISSING IN VENEZUELA

An American missionary pilot whose own father was killed while piloting a missionary plane three decades ago, plus 6 six others, are feared dead after their plane disappeared in Venezuela Feb. 16. Bob Norton, 48, director of Adventist Medical Aviation Venezuela, was flying the aircraft when it probably crashed in the dense jungles. Also aboard was Norton’s wife, Neiba (a registered nurse), 2 adults accompanying 2 sick children, and Adventist missionary Gladis Zerpa. Norton’s mother said her son “grew up with a missionary spirit” and was carrying on for his dad, Elwin, who was killed while piloting a mission plane that crashed 29 years ago in Mexico. The National Civil Aviation Institute and several air rescue groups searched for 3 days after the plane was reported missing and chances are slim that anyone survived. [ASSOC. PRESS/HUNTSVILLE TIMES/HCJB 3/09]

6. CHURCH CLOSURES IN BURMA

Burmese authorities have increased restrictions on Christian activity in the capital city of Rangoon and surrounding areas. Orders issued on Jan. 5 had already forced many Christians meeting in residential homes or apartments to cease gathering for worship. In the late 1990s authorities stopped issuing permits for land purchase or the construction of new churches, leading many Burmese Christians to conduct services in rented apartments or office buildings. Now officials have asked pastors of more than 100 Rangoon churches to a meeting where they were told to sign documents pledging to cease operation of their churches. The documents threatened punishment, including potential jail terms and the sealing of church facilities, for pastors who refused to obey the closure orders. Another online news source, the Democratic Voice of Burma, claimed officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs have also summoned the owners of buildings where churches met and ordered them not to rent their properties to religious groups. [COMPASS, 21 Jan.’09]

7. CHECHEN WOMEN VICTIMS OF STRICT ISLAMIC RULE

President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov told journalists that 7 young women who had been shot in the head and whose bodies were found dumped by the roadside deserved to die. He explained they had "loose morals" and were rightfully shot by male relatives in honour killings. "If a woman runs around and if a man runs around with her, both of them are killed," said Mr. Kadyrov. The 32-year-old former militia leader is carrying out a campaign to impose Islamic values in this predominantly Muslim country. Some say he is violating the Russian Constitution, which gives equal rights to women, but the president has the staunch backing of the Kremlin. The southern Russian region of more than 1 million people is only now emerging from the devastation of two wars in the past 15 years. [WASHINGTON POST, 2 March’09]

8. CHRISTIANS RAIDED IN CHINA'S EARTHQUAKE AREAS

Police are reported to have raided four households in the Sichuan earthquake disaster area because of the help they received from Christians. On the afternoon of December 24, as the earthquake victims and Christian volunteers were re-constructing a danaged building were rested on the construction site, more than 40 policemen and an estimated 10 police vehicles viciously attacked. The policemen, untidy and reeking with alcohol, beat, swore at and insulted the earthquake victims, threatening to demolish the newly-built house. They also seized Bibles, hymnals, televisions, motorcycles and many other items owned by the Christians. Most of the survivors in this remote area are still living in simple and crude shacks. In cold and snowy weather, where the temperature is 4-5 degrees below zero, it is extremely difficult for them to make it through the winter without care and assistance from the outside. Christian volunteers have continuously provided this much-appreciated aid where officials have been unwilling or unable to do so. [INTERCESSORS NETWORK]

9. “UNDERGROUND UNIVERSITY” FOR NORTH KOREAN CHRISTIANS

U.S.-based mission group Seoul USA has launched an “Underground University” to help exiled North Koreans to return and evangelize in North Korea or to spread Christianity among North Koreans in other countries, including China. The Underground University is a 12-month intensive course based in Seoul, South Korea. North Korea has topped Open Doors’ Christian persecution World Watch List for six years in a row. Open Doors reported that more than 1 million people are being held in concentration camps in North Korea, many of whom are Christians. Despite the dangers, a “return to North Korea movement” is surfacing among North Korean defectors living in South Korea, according to a spokesperson for Seoul USA. [BosNewsLife, Feb.12’09]

10. ARAB VISION: 2 NEW TV PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN & TEENS

A new television series being prepared by Arab Vision seeks to inspire and motivate Arab Christian women to continue living by faith, demonstrate Christian values in their homes and stand as examples of the love of Christ in their communities. Testimonies of women from different countries including Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, Jordan, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt will feature in each programme. Arab teens are also growing up in families and societies that are frequently conservative, leaving little room for open discussions on issues that are important to them. Lacking freedom of expression and without motivation to be creative, many Christian teens wonder about their future and search for meaning. Each episode of this new TV series provides informative, innovative, funny and challenging advice that encourages Arab teens to live out their faith. [ARAB VISION, HCJB Feb.23-7,’09]

11. ERITREAN BELIEVERS UNDER SIEGE

Mass arrests of Christians in Eritrea are raising concerns for the welfare of the church. According to Glenn Penner with Voice of the Martyrs Canada, “Eritrea is probably the most closed country in Africa today.” In the past few months over 100 Christians have been detained and transferred to a military facility. Reports indicate that some have been severely mistreated and a number may have died due to untreated injuries sustained while in detention. Authorities continue to insist that those arrested are behind bars for reasons other than practicing their faith. The government stands behind its 2004 statement that “no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion.” Yet, in May 2002, the government banned and closed all independent churches not operating under the umbrella of the Orthodox, Lutheran, Catholic, and Muslim religious structures. [VOICE OF THE MARTYRS]

12. GAZA: BIBLE SOCIETY & OPEN DOORS PROVIDE RELIEF

According to the Palestinian Bible Society (PBS), many residents of the Gaza Strip suffer from psychological problems because of the aggression of the governing forces, lack of jobs, isolation from the outside world, and a feeling of insecurity. Bible Societies in Israel and Palestinian areas have launched a joint initiative called "Standing in the Gap," offering practical as well as spiritual relief for the suffering Gazan people. Open Doors is co-supporting a part of the program called "Love your Neighbor/Comfort my People." This immediate relief is for both Christians and Muslims. [MNN, 2 Feb.’09]

13. MEXICAN ‘PRISON POWER EXPLOSION’

Some 928 prisoners in Mexico responded to an invitation to receive or renew their relationship with Christ after attending evangelistic shows that included spectacular sports stunts and some preaching. The Tom Flaskerud Evangelistic Association and The Freedom Team conducted 'Prison Power Explosion' programs in 8 Mexico Prisons across Sonora State, with support of the government. More than half of the inmates (489) indicated a first time acceptance of Jesus Christ. American Pastor Flaskerud, who founded The Freedom Team, was himself a motorcycle gang "outlaw", but eventually became a Christian at the age of 30 after kidnapping his wife's little sister. The evangelists said they are "systematically working their way" through the prisons of Mexico. [BosNewsLife, March 4’09]

14. MEGA CROWDS AT LOUIS PALAU FESTIVAL, GUATEMALA CITY

One of the largest evangelistic campaigns in the history of Guatemala, the Luis Palau Festival in Guatemala City on March 13-14 is part of a 10-day campaign that will feature 25 separate events, including meetings with the Guatemalan president and his cabinet, senate, Supreme Court, military personnel, judges, mayors and dignitaries. With the support of the Luis Palau Association, some 3,200 local churches and 25,000 trained volunteers are working together in an effort to push Guatemala to become the first Latin American nation with a majority of evangelicals. An estimated 48% of the population is evangelical. Live broadcasts of the festival, aired throughout the Spanish-speaking world via radio, television and online, will reach millions more with the gospel message. [CHRISTIAN NEWSWIRE]

15. USA: THE GROWTH OF THE ‘NONES’

The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS), released this March, shows that the percentage of people who claim no religion has nearly doubled since 1990, while the percentage of Christians is on the decline. Additionally, the survey found that the non-religious population, or "Nones", has shifted away from the Pacific Northwest to northern New England. Vermont has become the least religious state in the country with 34% of "Nones", leading all other states by 9 percentage points. Despite a small proportion (1.6 per cent) of Americans calling themselves atheist or agnostic, a review of stated beliefs shows that 12% are deistic (believe in a higher power but not a personal God), and 12% are atheist (no God) or agnostic (unsure). The survey found that over the past 7 years, the number of outright atheists has nearly doubled, from 900,000 to 1.6 million. While the general Christian population has declined, some segments, including those who identify themselves as “Evangelical/Born Again”, or “non-denominational Christian", are on the rise. [CHRISTIAN POST, 9 March ‘09]

16. YOUTH PRAYER ACROSS TIME-ZONES

On March 6, New Zealand youth kicked off an annual 72-hour global prayer event called “Shockwave” that moved through at least 30 countries worldwide, including Australia, India, Malaysia, Japan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Brazil, Canada, UK and USA. During the prayer initiative youth groups and student ministries organized young Christians to pray for persecuted Christians in Shockwave chat rooms, prayer meetings, at churches, and in homes. Some events took place all night, while others used the evening or a prayer breakfast. Shockwave is organized by Underground, the youth and student ministry of Open Doors. [CHRISTIAN POST, 5 March ‘09]

17. IN FACT:

10 Countries with most murders per capita, from the top—Colombia, then South Africa, Jamaica, Venezuela, Russia, Mexico, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus. [NationMaster]

18. RESOURCES

A new website www.faithtelegraph.com aims to keep readers in touch with daily Christian world news as well as missions news and international evangelism worldwide.
CREATE Emerge has produced a set of 2 DVDs focusing on telling the story of what God is doing worldwide and motivating people for missions. For use in church services, mission conferences or small groups. Segments includes several music videos, slide shows, PDFs with facts. Can be ordered from www.createinternational.com/store/index.php
Internet Evangelism Day (April 26th) is the annual worldwide focus day to equip Christians for online outreach. See www.internetevangelismday.com
www.go2serve.com –new travel website for missions/charity travellers

NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM International, 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:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it