News headlines for September 9th 2004
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Believers ready tons of emergency relief for hurricane-ravaged Florida.
USA (MNN)--We begin today in Florida, where President Bush has signed a
two-billion dollar emergency aid bill to deliver disaster relief to areas
reeling from two hurricanes,    International Aid's[1]  Myles Fish says
they've joined a growing number of faith-based humanitarian aid groups
working to meet needs in the worst-hit areas.   "We were able to get in
there right after Hurricane Charley, and we have trucks that are being
loaded right now to get down there that we believe are going to be able to
get down there without being effected by Ivan."    Fish says their
response also includes mobilizing volunteers to do clean up and
reconstruction projects.   It's also an opportunity for International Aid
to demonstrate Christ’s love to those who are in great need.   "The first
strategy is that we are always partnering with local churches, and it's
our intent to use whatever support we have, be it volunteers or supplies
in an effort to support that local church in their effort to reach their
community."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6437
 
Russian Christians reaching out during this time of mourning
Russia (MNN) -- We begin today in Russia, where an Christian groups are
rushing to the aid of the hundreds of victims of the terrorists kidnapping
and bombing in Beslan.   Slavic Gospel Association[2]  is the official
representative of the Union of Evangelical Christians Baptists in North
America.  SGA's Joel Griffith says they will be working through one of
their churches. "This church is only located a very short distance from
the actual school.  And, there were a lot of children from this Beslan
Baptist church that were attending this school.  And, also their Sunday
school had quite an outreach to children." Griffith says incredible thing
about this tragic event is that the church is responding.  "Even while
they're grieving and even while they're burying their dead, at the same
time they realize that this is an opportunity to show the love of Christ
and the hope of the Gospel.  They want to try to help tangibly, but also
what best way can they provide spiritual comfort and direction and the
hope of the Gospel to these people."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6433
 
Leadership training for Farsi pastors underway
Middle East (MNN) -- Pastors from a country that's hostile to the Gospel
are receiving unprecedented pastoral training from an American evangelist.
Evangelist  Sammy Tippit[3]  and team members are in the Middle East today
for two weeks of specialized training.  Tippit says many of these pastors
have never had any formal training and this initiative will give these
pastors the tools they need to help feed their flock and reach the lost in
these difficult areas.  Video is also being shot during the conference
that will provide similar training on Farsi satellite television.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6436
 
The compassion of Christ to be shared in West Africa.
Burkina Faso (MNN)--The ministry of   Compassion International[4]  is
spreading its arms of love to one of the poorest countries of the world.
The West African country of Burkina Faso will be the sixth African
country, and the 23rd country worldwide to become part of the Compassion
program. This is the second new country Compassion had added this year,
and the expansion comes after many years of invitations from churches in
Burkina Faso.  In Africa alone, Compassion partners with local churches to
serve more than 168-thousand poor children, providing not only for
physical and educational needs but spiritual needs as well. Burkina Faso
has many needs. The lack of healthcare and the overwhelming poverty are
just two of those. President and CEO of Compassion International, Wess
Stafford says, “Compassion works with one child at a time to make a
difference.”  Through Compassion’s work delivered through local church
partners, children in Burkina Faso will get regular medical and dental
care, hygiene training, supplemental nutrition, and educational
opportunities.  Pray for the great ministry opportunities for Compassion
and the evangelical churches in Burkina Faso.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6432
 
Ministry to the Romani people grows.
Bulgaria (MNN)--And, Words of Hope's Lee DeYoung says they're broadcasting
the hope of Christ to the Romani people of Bulgaria.  They are ministering
to a migrant group of people who face mistrust and ethnic tensions
throughout the country.  However, DeYoung says this outreach is seeing a
lot of fruit, despite the challenges.     "The programs have led directly
to some churches that have been started as a result of that.  It seems as
if Gypsy people are quite open to the Gospel. They're often treated as
second-class citizens in places where they are." DeYoung says they're
hoping to expand their broadcasts to the Romani as early as this fall
because of the enthusiastic response.   "The majority population often
doesn’t view them very favorably, and when they hear that God really loves
them, and Jesus Christ died for them, it comes as shocking good news.
There's been encouraging response to that, and we believe that with the
expansion of the broadcast plan, that it'll help even more."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6434
 
 
[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IAI
[2] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=SGA
[3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=STM
[4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CMP
 
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