Life Stories

Ministry's broadcast still interrupted after elections

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:00:00 -0700

Iran (MNN) -- Iranian protests formed yesterday but were violently dispersed. Crowds gathered to mark the tenth anniversary of a student uprising against the Islamic regime. Since the heated elections in June, the government is cracking down on certain civilian activities. Terry Ascott with SAT-7 says they broadcast Christian programming which offers comfort to residents of this tense region. "The truth is that many of the satellite channels, including ours, are blocked from certain parts of the country, and I'm not sure how they're doing it. It's some new technology because until now, it's not really been possible to block multiple satellite channels coming into the country without up-linking interference to the satellite." The signal interruptions happen mostly in the capital of Tehran. Ascott says that the information which does get through is being received by ready hearts. "People who are caught up in this kind of change are, perhaps, more open than ever to the Gospel of Christ." Pray for the satellite interruptions to end.

FH to eradicate intestinal worms in Burundi

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:00:00 -0700

Burundi (MNN) -- Every day, intestinal worms rob hungry children of precious nutrition. One in three people worldwide suffer from parasites. Food for the Hungry says it's what gives a child the "shape" of hunger -- distended bellies. Food for the Hungry is taking action, says Andrew Crawford. "We are delighted to have been invited by the Burundi government to attend a national health initiative and support their efforts to rid their country of intestinal parasites." Last year, Food for the Hungry funded 7.8 million treatments of deworming medicine. Because of the lack of communications infrastructure in Burundi, Crawford says the church is a strategic link. "It's estimated that about 90 to 95 percent of the people will be reached through the church. So we can pray that as people are served with medicines and are reached with the Gospel, they'll be drawn closer to Christ because of their proximity to people of faith." The government supports this approach. Your gift of $100 can treat 2,000 people.

Cases now in court, but radicals threaten witnesses

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:00:00 -0700

India (MNN) -- Death threats against Christians in India are stopping them from testifying against persecutors. Last year, Hindu radicals organized four months of attacks on Christians, according to International Christian Concern. Now that the cases have made it to court, gunmen are on the hunt for any witnesses who might testify. Some people who've promised to testify are now refusing to speak. Without their testimonies, it is unlikely a just sentence will be given. Ask God to keep these Christians from harm.

Japan's divorce rate threatens the family unit

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:00:00 -0700

Japan (MNN) -- One in every four marriages in Japan now ends in divorce. The issue has become a source of concern for a society in which families are a core strength. Tim Clark with Asian Access is working with a pilot program called "The Marriage Course" by Alpha. "Many start the course with a little bit of skepticism and hesitancy, not wanting to go deep into discussion. But both Christians and non-Christians are finding it to be a great way to ease into discussing important matters that are crucial to the health of their marriages." The Alpha Course is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. From it came a seven-week study for marriages. Clark says interest is rapidly growing, and they are beginning the Japanese translation of the course materials. "There are very few resources in Japan for strengthening marriages and families. Many churches are recognizing this need, both for church members as well as their friends and others who aren't a part of the church."

Congolese mission team trains church leaders in Kama

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:00:00 -0700

Congo (MNN)-- Discipleship is underway in Congo after an evangelistic campaign to 13 villages near Kama. The Grace Ministries team used both tracts and "The GodMan" DVD to share the Gospel, which resulted in 461 people coming to Christ. Training and teaching for church leaders took place last month at the GMI Bible College in Kindu. The school hosted a two-day seminar for pastors. Please pray for the GMI campaigns that will continue through the year.

Syria: the apostle Paul returns to Damascus

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:21:35 -0700

JNI 692 - A 77 minute docu-drama film that tells the dramatic story of Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, has been produced on location in Syria and is currently being distrubed throughout the Middle East. More than 1,100 Syrian political, religious and business leaders attended the premiere. Also in this edition: SAT-7 ministers in Iran at a time of unrest, and a new global missions strategy focuses on the 4-14 generation.

Underground churches on the rise in Aceh

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:19:30 -0700

JNI 691 - In the strongly Muslim Aceh province of northern Sumatra, where 167,000 people died in the 2004 tsunami, the underground church movement is growing and experiencing a wave of conversions and healing. And in Iraq Kurdish Christians start a radio station.

Radio used to start house churches in Yemen

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:51:52 -0700

JNI 690 - Three encouraging stories from the Middle East this week: how radio is being used to start house churches in Yemen, how 18 house churches were started among a Muslim Bedouin tribe in Lebanon, and research showed that 20 percent of Iraqis are watching Christian television. Also: prayer birthes an 'unashamedly ethical' movement among businesses in South Africa, and God is doing miracles in prayer rooms across the UK.

A precious gift arrives on a South Pacific island

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:51:39 -0700

JNI 689 - This week a beautiful story of how the Gospel reaches a remote South Pacific Island, where God had already prepared the population hundreds of years before for the arrival of missionaries. Also: church in a nightclub in Japan, and 'New Calvinism' on the rise in America, according to TIME 'one of the ten ideas that are changing the world'.

Europe and USA: Christians unite in non-stop prayer

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:49:18 -0700

JNI 688 - Three encouraging prayer initiatives in Europe and the USA: (1) 24-7 Prayer is mobilising Christians to pray for Europe in the wake of the scandals hitting the financial and political sectors, and the European elections. (2) More than 1,700 churches representing nearly a million believers kicked off the second annual One Prayer movement, hoping to accomplish more of God's work together than on their own. (3) 24-7prayer launched a new initiative called Campus America, which aims to mobilize non-stop prayer on all 2,614 university, college and seminary campuses in America in 2010.