News Archives

Christians from the Kogui (koh-GOOEY) tribe are facing severe persecution from Colombian guerrillas. New Tribes Mission reports that a heavily armed group burned all the New Testament translations, readers and hymnbooks in the Kogui language. The guerillas had been looking for believers all week in their initial search. Those who did not deny Jesus Christ were expelled from town and their houses were burned down. 33 Kogui Christians have left. Please pray for their safety and continued testimony.

Elsewhere, International Aid has sent still more food and medicines to Ethiopia. The group also added a portable lab kit and hygiene kits to help with the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Nearly 10-million people are suffering from the effects of a three-year drought and food shortage. Emergency relief coordinators say because of quick action, a major famine has been averted, but there are millions who remain vulnerable. I-A is committed to not only meeting physical needs, but also to sharing the Gospel.

Meanwhile, Keston News is reporting that nine Christians in Uzbekistan have been detained, beaten and forced to write statements dictated by the police. In a second raid on their meeting place immediately following the men’s release, police said they had been ordered to expel all visiting Baptists from Tashkent. Recent reports from Open Doors confirm a separate recent raiding of two other churches in the area and the continued refusal to register the Greater Grace congregation.

The Dalai Lama is warning that a cultural genocide is under way in Tibet under the guise of Chinese-led development programs. Reports indicate national Chinese now outnumber Tibetans, and their Buddhist traditions are quickly being forgotten. Words of Hope’s Lee DeYoung says their Christian radio program is sensitive to that. “We try to preserve a cultural heritage of the listeners in the Tibetan language. But, then included among the day’s segments, is always approximately half the program, which talks about matters that are rooted in Biblical teaching.” DeYoung doesn’t anticipate any changes in Words of Hope programming. “I don’t see the recent perceptions, observations of the Dalai Lama pushing us in a new direction, but rather confirming the direction that’s already in place regarding Christian broadcasts and World By Radio and the Tibetan broadcast of Words of Hope over FEBA radio.” Many believe this cultural shift will open hearts to the Gospel.

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.

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.