Story number 1 for 19 Mar 2002

(Pakistan)–Headlining today’s news, at least five Christians died and a dozen were wounded when a church was bombed in Pakistan over the weekend. According to reports, a man stormed the Protestant International Church in Islamabad. Operation Mobilization’s Lane Powell says one of their workers was in the church at the time. “We did get word that we have one staff member who was in the church at the time of the explosion. She received a minor shrapnel wound – was checked out at the hospital and sent back to her home there locally.” Meanwhile, Christian Aid Mission supports indigenous workers in Pakistan. Christian Aid’s Mike Clinton says the attack isn’t the first. “They’ve been facing persecution, facing death for a long time and it’s only increased in recent days – recent years. So, I don’t think this is going to hinder any Gospel message going out. I think, actually, it’s going to propel the Christians to move forward faster. I will slow down public meetings.”