Story number 1 for 19 Dec 2000

Topping the news, the United Nations’ Special Adviser on Africa is calling for renewed efforts to end the civil war in Angola. Authorities are asking for help in revamping the peace initiative, which has been stalled since early this year. Grace Ministries International’s Sam Vinton says the fighting has had long-reaching impact on the country’s spiritual future. “Angola is still at war near the border, so it’s very difficult to enter into that country at this time. There are other areas of ministry open to us, so we are not going to take that as a serious possibility of us starting a ministry there.” Vinton says they’re watching the peace talks with anticipation of the day when things cool off enough for them to begin work in Angola. Until then: “Pray that the heartbeat for evangelism, for meeting people’s needs, will be strongly felt by the national leaders. Our missionaries cannot carry that load, in fact, that’s one of the thrusts of GMI is to get the national church to catch the vision for missions.”