Meanwhile, CAM International is praising God for providing them with additional radio frequencies to help further the Gospel in Guatemala. Officials say they were able to purchase a radio station in San Marcos in western Guatemala for much less than what was anticipated. They also purchased one in the north. CAM workers say they even had money left over to buy equipment. Continue to pray for a frequency in western Guatemala for ministry to the Cakchiquel (KAHCH-ah-KEEL) speaking people.
News Archives
We begin today’s newscast with a look at the impact of Mongolia’s harshest winter in 30 years. The conditions are worsening from the countryside to cities, where high food prices are likely to squeeze already tight urban incomes. The Christian and Missionary Alliance’s Robert Niklaus says the work they have focuses on meeting both physical and spiritual needs. “Right now, we are very much involved in the northern part with not only church planting, but community development. In a sense, Mongolia is having a new day, and we have an opportunity of showing a people there’s more to surviving than just staying alive…staying alive to know God and to enjoy Him.” Niklaus adds people are really responding. “We do believe that the ministry to the body is a part of the whole ministry to the Gospel. People are open when they find others have compassion on them, and to find out that there’s not some commercial, or other kind of motive, save just to help them.”
Evangelism Explosion International is continuing their work to unreached areas. E-E wants to encourage the spread of the Gospel internationally. E-E’s Paul Jackson explains more of their vision through “Tri-M”, or Mobile Modular Ministries. “It’s an opportunity for leadership training, primarily in countries where we are not able to put resident missionaries-involving men who are pastoring churches with absolutely no or very, very little training.” Jackson asks for continued prayer because: “We have a team right now in southeast Asia, in a Communist-controlled country-one of things that we’re praying for is simply that God would allow protection for some of our folks, who frankly are putting themselves in some situations which can be challenging in order to come alongside some very precious brothers and sisters in Christ…so that we can help equip them to reach their own people for Christ.”
Next, Audio Scriptures International is reporting the successful recording of the Old Testament in Russian. The recording was hand-carried safely from Moscow to California, where teams are now working on mastering the audio to ready it for distribution. ASI hopes to complete the project within the next few weeks and make it available in Real Audio, and MP3 on their website, along with the standard cassette and CD.
Topping the news today, missionary radio broadcasters in Russia are wondering how the election of Vladimir Putin to the presidency will affect their work in the country. Far East Broadcasting Company’s Victor Akterov says Putin’s policies could have a direct impact on them. “Nobody really knows what’s going to happen to religious freedom. We have two licenses pending one in Moscow and one Izhevsk for getting new frequencies and all the paperwork ready, but everyone is waiting to see what Putin is going to say. Nobody’s really sure about what’s going to happen.” According to Akterov, Putin’s election should concern many Christians. “There is no democracy in Russia. The real opposition to Putin is the communist party right now. The Democrats are no where to be seen. And, this is a huge problem for us because if we don’t have democracy we don’t have religious freedom. That’s the concern that we have.”
Next, poor economic conditions are having an impact on evangelism in Latin America. That’s the word from the President of Latin America Mission’s David Befus. Befus says as monetary values go down, hope fades. However, he says that actually helps mission groups. “In an environment where they have no hope materially and economically, it actually becomes more advantageous to a mission organization because people are really looking for something to have hope in. And, so it creates a good foundation to talk about the hope that is eternal, the hope that is in Christ.” Inflation and unemployment are in double digits in many countries. Befus says that’s creating problems for the local church. “In absolute terms the offerings for the church in local currency are greater, but in terms of what that can buy it’s less. Where you really see it is with the Latin American Missions movement. They’re not able to sustain their missionaries overseas that they were able to before.”
Since the Pope’s visit, many evangelistic groups were hoping to see a change for the better in Cuba. Among them was the Christian Reformed World Mission. One missionary, whom we’ll call ‘Dorothy’ says the Gospel is still going forward, although they still struggle with poverty and the Communist government. “As far as open worship, that we are allowed. There are some problems getting buildings registered and so on…we’ve been evicted a couple times from certain places, but the worship services themselves may be held within our designated building.” “Dorothy” says despite the church’s needs, believers are on a mission. “It’s the people-you look at their faces; it’s just a complete blank hopelessness, but they see that our church people have something and they start asking ‘What is it?’ and they come to church to try to find out. We’re just praying for a lot more openings and for the government to loosen up on some of the restrictions that are placed on the churches.”
Meanwhile, as part of its relief and rehabilitation effort, Food for the Hungry will provide replacement farm supplies to families in Mozambique. Devastating flooding destroyed the crops, and the group is working to ensure that families will have food to harvest in a few months. FH is seeking help with funding for the agricultural and household assistance packets which will cost around $30 each. Through this, team members will be able to share their faith as they meet the people’s needs.
Topping the news today, Vladimir Putin handily won victory in Russia’s presidential election over the weekend. He’s already considering government changes along with economic reforms for his bankrupt country. Russian Ministries’ Peter Deyneka says a good economy will help the evangelical church. “To this point, 60-70-percent of all of the income that Christians have earned has gone to frankly just stay alive – for food and clothing. Economic stability would allow Christians themselves to participate more in funding the evangelization of their country.” However, Deyneka says there is some concern that religious freedom will be curtailed. “The last four months where Putin has favored the Russian Orthodox Church more will not develop further. In general the Russian people feel that this will be a time of new stability and accelerate the growth of Russia, economical politically, but for Christians, spiritually.”
Elsewhere, there are growing concerns over violence against believers in Dehli. One indigenous mission group fears India’s government is patterning itself after a nearby world power. This could signal an increased conflict coming for the church. For security reasons, the group will remain nameless and we’ve changed our source’s name to ‘Mike’. “I think there’s possibly some parallels here with China. India has been a strong socialist country and now they are beginning to restrict the freedoms, both in religious areas as well as political areas, so I’m wondering if India is following the model of China.” Mike says there’s a lot at stake for ministry. “It’s very, very crucial that there be some serious prayer going on, I believe for India. I think we’re at a crossroads, so we need prayer that there would be continued and increased freedom of religion, freedom of thought and freedom of expression-and I believe that this is indicative of the spiritual battle going on.”
