park Archives - Mission Network News

Pakistani Christians arrested for reading the Bible in a park

Kevin Zeller — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:18 +0000

Pakistan (MNN) — Two Christian men were harassed and arrested in Lahore, Pakistan last week. Their crime? Reading the Bible aloud in a public park. One of the men was arrested at the scene, and the other was caught after fleeing.

A Muslim man commanded them to stop and gathered a group of others to surround them. Nehemiah of FMI says this case doesn’t even fit Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws: “Actually, the blasphemy law [only applies] if you say something against Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad, their holy book the Quran, or Allah. But the sad part is, they never said anything about those things. They were just reading the Bible there in the park.”

The plight of Pakistani Christians

Muslims regularly make bogus accusations against Pakistani Christians, often to steal property after they have been imprisoned. Many Pakistani Christians live in poverty, treated as the lowest of society.

Nehemiah says of the two Christians, “I assume that one guy was illiterate, while another guy was helping him to read the Bible. The Muslim guy who was passing by heard that they were reading some unknown book. They call Bible an ‘unholy,’ ‘unclean’ book.’”

Nehemiah says this story highlights the difficulties of any ministry work in Pakistan. “We have five pastors serving in the city. We have three sisters serving in the city. And our pastors, church planters, and overseas partners are serving in this difficult situation, where reading Bible in a park in a quiet place is so difficult.”

Ask God to strengthen His Pakistani people.

The header image shows a scene from Lahore, Pakistan. (Image by tayyab3425 from Pixabay)

Pastor Wang Yi sentenced to prison without public trial

Lyndsey Koh — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 05:00:49 +0000

China (MNN) — Pastor Wang Yi of China’s well-known Early Rain Covenant Church was sentenced to nine years in prison last week. The Chinese government never held a public trial for Pastor Wang, but charged him behind closed doors with “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business activities.”

Pastor Wang was arrested in December 2018 along with several other church members. Prior to his arrest, Pastor Wang prepared a six-page statement refuting what he guessed the government would charge him with as the leader of a popular underground church.

These latest kangaroo court proceedings are just one more nail in the coffin for religious freedom in China.

(Photo courtesy of Asian Access)

Joe Handley with Asian Access says, “In China, they’ve been hearing reports for the last two years basically of more and more crackdowns. So this forces the Church into a new era. How do we operate? We can’t operate like we have in the past. We can’t have what we would think of as a nice traditional church down the street.

“Younger generations might not know how to do this so they’re having to learn from the older generations that lived under secrecy [and] couldn’t have a public building or meet in a huge hall. So they’re having to shift altogether.”

Many Chinese churches are getting creative with how they meet, including this congregation:

“Basically, the entire church body walks in a park. They all have these headsets and they’re listening to what you and I would think of like a podcast. But in reality, one of those walkers is the pastor and he’s preaching into a microphone and they’re listening to it on their earbuds walking around the park together. So it’s just a new way to do church.”

Handley says even though believers face increasing pressure to conform to the Communist agenda, they are responding with love to their neighbors.

(Representative photo courtesy of Asian Access)

“They’re looking at societal issues and saying, ‘How can we be the hands and feet of Christ? How can we be the Body in the midst of the challenges we’re facing today?’

“So for instance, whether it’s the issues facing Hong Kong or pressures in different cities in mainland China…the Church is trying to rise to the occasion and step up in the midst of those challenges and face it to be Jesus to the people.”

This is how you can pray. Ask God to give Chinese believers wisdom and grace as they represent Jesus in their communities. Pray for more people in China to know the love of Christ as their hope above any political regimes.

Please also pray for Pastor Wang and his family, that they would sense the strength and comfort of the Holy Spirit in the midst of a heartbreaking prison sentence. Ask God to use Pastor Wang’s testimony of faithful courage to lead many others to Jesus.

Header photo of Pastor Wang Yi (far right) of Early Rain Covenant Church in front of the White House in 2006. (Header photo courtesy of ChinaAid)

CityFest West Michigan: Night one photos

Beth Stolicker — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 02:42:01 +0000

Grand Rapids, MI (MNN) — CityFest West Michigan officially opened on Saturday at 4 pm EST at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI with fun activities for the family. The evening ended with music on the main stage from The Afters, Danny Gokey, and Lecrae. A message was also given by Andrew Palau.

The fun will resume on Sunday in the same location beginning at 4 pm EST with activities for the family followed by another evening of music from City Choir, Mandisa, Mac Powell, and Toby Mac as well as a message by Luis Palau.

To find more information on CityFest, click here!

People spill into Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI for CityFest West Michigan on Saturday 8, 2018.

Food trucks line the sidewalks during CityFest West Michigan in Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

People claim their seats on the lawn of Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI in front of the main stage during CityFest West Michigan on Saturday 8, 2018.

Families take time to visit the CityFest Kids area at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Kids enjoy games at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Kids enjoy games during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Veggie Tale characters welcome kids in the CityFest Kids area of CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Children watch as Veggie Tale characters welcome them to CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Children and adults watch as Veggie Tale characters welcome them to CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Children and adults watch as magician P. J. Weber uses magic acts to share the Gospel message during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Magician P. J. Weber performs a magic trick with the help of a volunteer during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Visitors line up for elephant ears, among other street food, during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

White vendor tents line the pedestrian bridge during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Radio Ondas De Vida waits as visitors make their way between tents during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Compassion International looks for interested visitors during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Compassion International team who help people find their story in a child’s life during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Compassion International pamphlets for children who are waiting someone to become apart of their story displayed during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

People check out various tents on the pedestrian bridge during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Visitors take a look inside Moody Radio’s vendor tent during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

A group stops to talk in front of vendor tents during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

People walk across the pedestrian bridge lined with white vendor tents during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

A kid stops for a photo at the Lamentation Wall during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Lamentation Wall at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018. The One West Michigan Racial Justice and Equity Team’s Lamentation Wall engages people with a conversation and contemplation about the roles of individuals and community members when it comes to racial justice and equity. The wall mimics the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, where people stuff slips of paper into the wall.

Slips of paper are provided at the Lamentation Wall for people to write a response to one of the pre-suggested questions. People can then place these slips of paper into a tight space in the wall during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Responses on the Lamentation wall at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The cross on the Lamentation Wall with notes slipped into it’s crevices at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Crowd members wait for the music festivities to begin on the main stage at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

CityFest workers snap a photo during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd grows bigger as people wait for the music festivities to begin on the main stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Host José Zayas introduces the Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss to the stage. Ms. Bliss then introduced Luis Palau and Andrew Palau during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Andrew Palau addresses the crowd from the main stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Luis Palau prays for the city of Grand Rapids during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd prays with Luis Palau during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Host José Zayas throws free T-shirts into the crowd during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Danny Gokey gives a quick backstage interview while the crowd waits for The Afters to take the stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters take the stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

A man snaps a photo of The Afters taking the stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters’ lead singer Joshua Havens sings to the crowd during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters’ bass player Dan Ostebo performs during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd swings their arms from side to side during The Afters performance during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters’ lead singer Joshua Havens during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd in front of the main stage where the music performances and message for the evening were held during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Park concert supports shoe ministry

davidvranish — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

USA (BOC/MNN) — Summertime sees a lot of bare feet–wading in water, enjoying summer grass, or kicking up some beach sand.

But when colder seasons come or the terrain isn’t so friendly, shoes are important. Particularly for needy kids, shoes can be a privileged commodity.

With Buckner International, a Dallas-based global Christian ministry, you could enjoy the outdoor summer season of bare feet while providing shoes to kids who need them.

Buckner will host "Barefoot in the Park"–a free family-friendly concert from 8:00-10:30 pm this Saturday, July 28, at Founders Plaza in Downtown Arlington, Texas.

The concert will feature Dove-Award Nominated Band MIKESCHAIR, solo artist Dara Maclean, and illusionist Jared Hall. Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics and coolers with non-alcoholic beverages to the event.

Complimentary sunglasses and glow-in-the-dark wristbands will be provided to the first 500 attendees at the event. Concessions will also be available.

Founders Plaza is located at 100 W. Abram St. at the corner of Abram and Center, directly across from City Hall. For a parking map and more details, please click here.

"Barefoot in the Park" will benefit Shoes for Orphan Souls, the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner International. Shoes for Orphan Souls provides needy children with shoes and socks.

Since 1999, Buckner has distributed more than 2.3 million pairs of new shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in the United States and 74 countries around the world.

In protecting the soles of kids’ feet with socks and shoes, Buckner also shares the Gospel message to save their eternal souls. They are founded on Christ-centered values, and they integrate those values into every area of ministry.

Click here to support Shoes for Orphan Souls. To learn more about the ways to get involved, call 1-866-774-SHOE.