News Archives

In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than one million civilians have now been forced to flee their homes by the fighting. Security issues mean that little outside help reaches the worst-affected areas, which also impact missions outreach. Grace Ministries International’s Jim Molenkamp. “We have a large number of churches in the affected area, and our churches are still going. We get reports that things are moving along very well, but our missionaries themselves, we have not allowed to go back into the interior because of safety concerns.” Molenkamp says while a ceasefire is technically on, a low-level conflict rumbles. He adds, because doors are opening, believers need to pray. “There are certain areas where people are still living out in the forest, because they’re afraid to go back into the towns because things aren’t safe there. But, we actually have had some areas that have report several new church plantings.”

Next, International Needs is excited about a new program in Romania that they believe with have an impact on the Great Commission and families across the region. International Needs’ David Culross says they’re starting a counseling program for abused women. He says women in that society aren’t regarded very highly. “Our leadership in Romania told us that the only real answer to this is the Biblical understanding of Jesus Christ and the family unit as a whole. And, Biblical principles will be the answer to this serious problem in their society.” Culross says as they look for Romanian counselors they’re confident this ministry will ultimately help the church. “The Lord spoke to us in His word about the church being the bride of Christ and the whole family unit as a model for how we should relate to Jesus Christ. And, as this understand of the Biblical relationship to Jesus Christ is enhanced it will certainly strengthen the home and then in turn strengthen the church as well.”

And finally, Nicaragua’s First Lady publicly thanked Operation Blessing International and The Flying Hospital, for their recent work on a medical mission. The groups successfully completed its two-week mission to provide free medical and surgical care thousands of Nicaraguans in need. The international volunteer team of medical professionals provided close to twelve hundred surgeries and medical procedures. The mission allowed the teams to share God’s love by helping first, then evangelizing.

Meanwhile, Christian radio is changing the lives of people in the United Kingdom. A listener to the only radio stations that airing Insight for Living in the U-K says she had purchased a message from Chuck Swindoll and it was instrumental in leading someone to Christ. “I lent him the tape, which was the trials and crucifixion of the Lord. And, two days after I had lent him the tape he phoned me and told he had been to church that day, during his lunch hour. He had gone into a place on his own and prayed and asked God’s forgiveness.” She says the international ministry of Insight for Living is having an impact on personal evangelism. She says the ministry encouraged her to do something with her faith. “It caused me to be a witness apart from not.” Pray that many others in the U-K will be moved to share their faith.

And finally, AMG International is getting into the Olympic fever. As the Opening Ceremonies are slated to get underway in Sydney, Australia on Friday, AMG’s Muriel Lovestrand explains how they’re involved. “We’re sending a team from Greece to minister especially to Greeks who come and also Greeks in Australia. One of the other things we’re doing to take advantage of the Olympics is, on Sunday the 17th, we’re going to place a sports-related ad in newspapers in major cities around the world. In response to that ad, the people will get a booklet. The Gospel is very clear in this booklet.” Lovestrand adds that this effort needs prayer: “…that the Holy Spirit will prepare hearts of those who should receive the Gospel message at that time, realizing that many of these people come from countries where the Gospel hasn’t penetrated.”

Christian education in southern Africa is getting a much-needed shot in the arm. Doctor Phillip Renicks is with the Association of Christian Schools International and was there recently hosting an All Africa Conference. “The thing that it did was, really united the Christian school movement across sub Sahara Africa. There was just a sense of God’s presence there. There was a sense of feeling that we have a goal, a task that needs to be completed and we want to work toward that.” Renicks says as governments in Africa struggle to fund and staff schools, they’re providing need educational opportunities with one thing in mind. “The Christian school is the greatest tool for evangelism and discipleship that the church has today. Evangelism is a very key part of what we would consider to be important in Christian education in southern Africa.”