Meanwhile, Colombia continues to struggle in the throes of birthing a peace process. Christians have been experiencing more violence against them causing their work to suffer. But, Back to the Bible’s Dave Hansen says: “We’re dealing with a civil war that’s been going on for forty years and some say as many as 35-thousand people have been killed in the last decade. It’s in that turmoil that ministry is taking place-there are those that are working among prisons…Back to the Bible’s Spanish ministry is transmitting programs on 199 stations throughout Latin America.” Hansen compares the spiritual climate in Colombia to that of another persecuted church. “It’s a little bit like China. While turmoil is taking place, God is at work. There obviously is fear, but at the same time, at least among the nationals, I’m finding that it is a church that has taken advantage of the opportunities and has had great response.”
News Archives
U.S. President Bill Clinton has signed a bill giving him the power to send food aid to Sudanese rebels. For 16 years, Sudan’s Islamic government in the north has been fighting Christians in the South, plaguing the country with economic and political problems. Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton shares his thoughts on the change. “As the details of how the food will be delivered and so forth, is worked out, we’ll have a lot clearer picture of what it’ll actually mean for John Q. Christian in South Sudan. Already the United Nations has expressed some concern that their planes and their aid people will become targets because they’ll get confused with Americans who are providing aid to soldiers.” So, Nettleton asks for prayer as the events continue to unfold. “There is a lot of repercussions that could happen. In the past, the northern government has controlled the delivery of aid and used it as a weapon against different parts of the country. We feel like it’s definitely a positive step to help the Christians in south Sudan.”
Elsewhere, a return to Cambodia’s infamous “Killing Fields” has provided an evangelistic ministry with a new field. Medical Ambassadors International’s Dr. Paul Calhoun explains. “This is a people who are in post-war trauma. We have a team of [Filipino] nationals who are called to Cambodia. We have a preventative health care coupled with evangelism, which is done in a community development style where the community takes ownership for participating in their own healing process.” Calhoun says the Cambodian team’s approach to their work is the basis on which the organization helps in other areas, as well. “We train evangelists and health workers within the community. We work with very fundamental things like teaching agriculture techniques, and micro-enterprise. It’s just very exciting for us to see how God is growing His kingdom throughout the world.”
Intense fighting in Sri Lanka has been fierce as of late in a16-year-old conflict that has claimed more than 58,000 lives. Trans World Radio’s Richard Greene says despite that: “We have been very fortunate at Trans World Radio to have been blessed with protection of our staff as well as our facilities that we utilize in island nation. We’re very thankful to the Lord for how He has given us a continued ministry without hindrance from Sri Lanka to the vast continent of India.” In fact, Greene adds that there are new developments. “We’re going to be dedicating a new transmitter and a new antennae system on December 9th and we certainly praise the Lord that He’s provided this system so that we can have a stronger, more effective ministry to India.”
Next, new drama and radio programs have proven an effective tool in reaching Russian children with the Gospel. Far East Broadcasting Company helped to produce the radio drama “Twelve Adventures in Staritsa”, following the adventures of three Russian children as they deal with issues such as friendships, school and faith. The drama series is the first of its kind in Russia to mix a variety of social and spiritual topics with a strong underlying Christian theme. Its popularity has resulted in a book and plans for future radio programs.
We begin today in China where the persecution of outspoken Christians is nearly as prominent as those preaching the Gospel. Voice of the Martyr’s Todd Nettleton just returned from a trip to China. He gives more details. “Pastor Li (De Xian) was arrested on Tuesday as he was preaching again at the village service in Huadu. This time, he has been transferred to the prison in Guangzhou, which is a lot more serious.” Nettleton says Pastor Li, along with many other believers, is not discouraged by suffering. He compared him to the Apostle Paul. “There’s a man who’s dead to self and alive in Christ. He was totally unbowed by the thought of going to jail the next day. His attitude was if they took him to jail, he’d preach in the jail, and if they let him go, he’d preach at the service. When we said, “What can Americans do?”, every one of the pastors, the first thing out of their mouth was, “Pray for us.”‘
Next, Mission Network News’ Greg Yoder has been in Tibet investigating the status of the church there and how the western church can help lead more Tibetans to Christ. Greg, what have you learned? “Peter, there are virtually no Tibetan Christians in what’s called the autonomous region of Tibet which really a Chinese military occupation. You can probably count them on two hands. However, I’ve been traveling with International Aid Incorporated and they’ve been touching base with tent making ministries here and it looks like they’re going to assist these ministries, through special initiatives, in leading Tibetans to Christ.” Greg, have you seen any evidence that the Chinese don’t want you there. “It’s been unreal. I’ve had my phone tapped, internet filtered, computer pilfered, I’ve been followed by secret police, who weren’t too secret. But, though it all we know God will prevail, but we need people to pray for Tibet.” MNN’s Greg Yoder speaking from Tibet.
Physical problems will temporarily sideline the ministry of a noted evangelist. God’s Love in Action’s Sammy Tippit has been experiencing difficulties with his throat and has discovered severe vocal cord problems. Doctors warn that if rest and medication doesn’t improve the situation, then surgery will be needed. As a result, Tippit has been forced to postpone meetings in England and Armenia. Tippit is asking for prayer for his growing ministry and that God would uniquely impact his life during this time.
Elsewhere, Pocket Testament League volunteers sowed many seeds in Spain while on a short-term trip recently. The team reports success with the evangelistic presentation of “Treasure Island”, geared toward the local children. In addition, team members spent time each day distributing flyers and sharing the Gospel of John with area residents. As a result of this and many other Gospel distribution campaigns around the world, the League reports that many decisions have been made for Christ.
We begin today with a continued look at evangelical ministry in Tibet with a look at persecution facing Tibetans and Christians in the country. MNN’s Greg Yoder is in Tibet and files this report. “Chinese occupation is having both positive and negative implications when it comes to ministry in Tibet. International Aid’s Ralph Plumb says the Chinese military are everywhere. “Every meal at this hotel that we stayed at had someone at our elbow listening. Many of us had phones and computer email traffic monitored or affected somehow. All of our ministry contacts that we have were hyper cautious about their work here and they told stories of Christians being expelled from the country.” However, Plumb says this could actually be good for this country steeped in Buddhism. “In this last generation, because of the Chinese occupation, they’ve raise the last generation under atheistic communism. It’s left a kink in the armor of the Buddhist world view and so it really is in fact a very opportune time for Christian witness in Tibet.” Greg Yoder, Mission Network News, Tibet.”
