Story number 1 for 7 Jun 2001

(Philippines)–Headlining today’s news, a radio report out of the Philippines suggests New Tribes Missionary Martin Burnham has been injured. Spokesmen for the Muslim group Abu Sabaya (sah-BY-ah) said Burnham suffered shrapnel wounds from a grenade fired by troops during one of several firefights between the rebel group and government troops. However, New Tribes Mission’s Scott Ross doesn’t believe it. “Abu Sabaya gave two or three different accounts on how this wounding took place. Throughout this kidnapping he has indicated that the hostages were separated, when in fact we know that they were never separated. So, there is just no way to know that this report is a credible report.” Ross says while this is a tragic situation, the need for evangelism is being recognized. “With the multiple interviews that we’re doing here thousands and thousands of people are being exposed to the need for world evangelization. The need for reaching remote language groups with the Gospel.”