News Archives

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.”

Next, an evangelical group is asking people to pray for the salvation of Japan’s crown prince Naruhitu and Princess Masako. Manmin World Mission’s Johny Kim just returned from that country where evangelistic meetings were held. He says the Royal family is highly respected. He says if that family came to Christ it would encourage many. “The Emperor is very important to the Japanese people. So, if Naruhitu experienced the wonderful blessing of God, then he will affect tremendously Christianity to evangelize the Japanese people.” Kim says idolatry runs rampant through Japan. “More than 8 million idols are in Japan. Japanese people worship many, many idols. So, Rev. Doctor Lee preached about why only Jesus Christ is our Savior. They came to understand that God is living, and the Bible is true, according to the message they have heard.”

A health program is assisting an evangelical mission agency in sharing Christ in counties closed to the Gospel. Medical Ambassadors International’s Terry Dalrimple says Community Health Evangelism, or CHE (chay), is a program they’re using in 42 countries. “It’s a strategy for bringing God’s love and truth to poor and unreached people around the world. It’s a health education program that teaches people how they can be healthy physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. It’s also an evangelistic program that ministers to the needs of people by introducing them to Jesus Christ.” Dalrimple says their program is receiving favorable response. “Through CHE we’ve been able to work in areas that are otherwise closed to Christian witness, where missionaries can’t otherwise go. Community health is a concern to most governments in the developing world.” Dalrimple says since 1989, 170-thousand people have come to Christ through the program.

Elsewhere, native missionaries in India are reportedly taking the Gospel to the Hindu strongholds of central and northern India. Several evangelistic groups report that despite hostilities, many are open to hearing the Gospel. FEBA Radio, an outgrowth of the Voice of Friendship, works in partnership with HCJB World Radio. Together, they air weekly Christian programs to eastern India from Seychelles in three languages. Please pray that the people will continue to respond to the Gospel.

Voice of the Martyrs reports the arrest of three Ethiopian evangelists by Somaliland authorities. According to sources within Ethiopia, the group was taken into custody on proselytizing charges. The same three have been previously expelled by Somaliland authorities because of their evangelistic work, but they returned, believing that God has called them to minister in this Islamic region. VOM says there is only one church in the capital city of Somaliland, with only 9 Somali believers in attendance. Please pray for these the Christians in the area.