News Archives

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.

On December 11th, SEND International’s camp and retreat center in Japan caught fire, resulting in significant damage, but no injuries or loss of life. Since then, the repairs have been completed, and ministry continues. SEND’s Frank Severen. “The chapel has been completely rebuilt, and actually, has been improved. In Japan, wherever the fire occurs, those people are considered to be at fault. So, we put an announcement in the papers apologizing publicly for the fire, and actually, out of that, the neighbors have become much more friendly; we’ve had evangelistic meetings and many from the neighborhood have shown up.” Severen says despite the disruption: “The camping program has continued. And while there was some difficulty in facilities for a period of time, now things are back up and running at full capacity. Pray that the families would be open to sending their children. This is one of the best evangelistic thrusts in Japan.”