Persecuted Bride

News headlines for March 10th 2005
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Christians watch Lebanon's rallies with hope.
Lebanon (MNN)--We begin today in Lebanon where the selection of a new
prime minister is underway, as Syria's troops begin withdrawal.   The
streets are filled with demonstrating Lebanese, some former enemies
unified under a common adversary. Words of Hope's[1] Lee DeYoung was an
eye-witness to several of these demonstrations.    "There was not only no
evidence of violence in the ones I was at, which involved thousands of
participants, but also, the mood was upbeat, constructive, hopeful, almost
as if it were a rally."   Pro-Syrian Hezbollah supporters are now making
their voices heard. But overall, DeYoung says, there is a sense of
optimism for the future of the country and ministry.   "As far as
Christians are concerned, if there is independence, there really is no
fear that there would be any kind of repression or negative impact on a
church. In fact, there is a hope that the number of Christians would
increase as a result of that kind of development."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7086

World Vision teams share a cup of cold water in Jesus' name in the Congo.
Congo--Kinshasa (MNN)--Elsewhere,   World Vision[2] took clean water last
week to 25-thousand people displaced by fierce fighting in the eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo. There are plans in the works to
rehabilitate five springs, and cap 15 new springs in the area. They will
also provide survival kits to 3900 families. Many of these people fled
their homes in December when conflict erupted between area militias and
the newly integrated army. A humanitarian group, WVI teams minister by
sharing a cup of cold water in Jesus' name.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7085

A new aircraft could revolutionize missionary aviation.
USA (MNN) -- Quest Aircraft isn't well-known yet, but it could be the buzz
for missionary aviation soon. Quest has designed a new aircraft called
the "Kodiak," a 10-seater, single engine, turbo prop that can fly more
cargo and people and it won't cost as much.   Mission Avaiation
Fellowship's[3] Kevin Swanson says they're buying eight of them. "The
Cessna has been the backbone of our fleet for probably 40 years. But,
there's a changing world out there. One of the primary things that we're
seeing changing (is) the fuel that they use is less and less available in
the underdeveloped parts of the world and that of course you know is where
God has called us to serve." Since the Kodiak uses cheaper jet fuel, 9 to
14-dollar a gallon fuel bills will end. Swanson says the increased
payloads shouldn't change their operations at all. "It is designed to
take off and land in the same length airstrip that the Cessna 206 will.
So, the same strips that we're using around the world are going to service
us with the Kodiak, but we'll be able to take twice as much in every
load."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7088

Godman Project gearing up in India.
India (MNN) -- Meanwhile, the Book of Hope[4] has been a great tool to
get God's Word into the hands of children all over the world. 63-million
will get it this year, but the number hearing and seeing the Book of Hope
in 3D animation could top one-billion. Book of Hope's Chad Causey says
their India version of the "Godman" project will do just that. "The India
version will be a story line that is created in India with all Indian
actors with Indian bridge material that is to respond to an Indian world
view and contextualize the Gospel presentation." Causey says this will
help the Indian people understand the story better.   "(To) 98-percent of
the people who will be exposed to the movie, Jesus is foreign to them in
so many ways. The idea of who He is, His story, everything from His
teaching to the world view and the fundamental aspects of what He brings
as being a single creator God, it's all totally foreign." They hope to be
finished by the end of the year.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7087

New projects for Trans World Radio in the United Kingdom increase
outreach.
United Kingdom (MNN)--And finally, Trans World Radio-United Kingdom[5]
began its Internet simulcast project last month. Audiences can now tune in
24-hours a day to hear live broadcasts by visiting the UK Web site and
clicking on "Listen Live." This brings a whole new audience to TWR.
Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can now access Bible
teaching, praise, mission, youth programs and much more. TWR-UK is also
moving forward with plans to launch a digital service next year.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7084

[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WOH
[2] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI
[3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=MAF
[4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOH
[5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=TWR

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Mission Network News Daily, a service of Cornerstone University of
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Questions:
1159 E. Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 USA
(800) 284-9361 or mnn@mnnonline.org

News headlines for March 7th 2005
======================================================
Mission Network News is brought to you in part by MTS TRAVEL and LUFTHANSA,
leaders in providing special fare airline tickets for the missions
community. To receive a free airfare quote for your short-term missions
group or individual missions travel, please visit http://www.mtstravel.com
and click MISSION FARE SAMPLER or MTS TRAVEL Offices to contact one
of our 10 nationwide Travel Service Centers. Sign up for free Missions
Travel enewsletter at http://www.mtstravel.com/newsletter/index.html

North Korea retains its number one ranking in the world for persecution.
International (MNN)--Topping the news, for the third straight year,
communist North Korea tops the 2005 Open Doors'[1] World Watch list for
their brutal persecution of Christians. They're followed by Saudi Arabia,
Vietnam, Laos and Iran. "There's a lot of factors that go into the list.
Obviously, the ability to practice your faith in these countries, the
degree of persecution, the freedom of religion, whether you can worship or
not."    That's Open Doors' Jerry Dykstra. This year, five of the top 10
are Islamic-dominated countries, four have communist regimes in power, and
one country, Bhutan, is dominated by Buddhism. The purpose for the list?
"It's really a reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in these
countries and we need to keep that in mind daily, in our prayers. So,
these are reminders of what is happening in those countries and how we can
pray for them."   The World Watch List is based on information from Open
Doors' indigenous contacts, field workers and from members of the
persecuted church.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7072
[2]

Tsunami survivors to get Christian radio in Indonesia
Indonesia (MNN) -- Next, more than 122-thousand dead and a half-million
displaced. Those are the latest statistics from the tsunami in Indonesia
alone. The number of hopeless people is countless. Back to the Bible[3]
wants to start a Christian radio station there to give them someone to
lean on, Jesus Christ. Back to the Bible's Dave Hansen. "It's the only
station that people will listen to. Keep in mind we're talking about
building a station in the area that was hit hard by the tsunami. While
people have received food and water and things of that nature and
eventually houses will be rebuilt, true hope comes through Jesus Christ,
hope that lasts forever." Hansen says this station could have a tremendous
impact on the predominately Muslim population, but funding is needed.
"We're anticipating about $75,000 to purchase the land, build a small
building for the office, studio and transmitter and then we anticipate
about $15,000 a year to operate."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7073

JESUS Film reaching billions -- hundreds of languages
International (MNN) -- And finally, the JESUS film continues to increase
the number of translations available to the world. The JESUS Film
Project[4] distributes the two hour docu-drama about the life of Christ
based on the Gospel of Luke. Since 1979 five-point-9 billion people have
seen the story and it's been translated into 887 different languages. 237
more translations are in process. Since 1979, 197-million people have
indicated decisions for Christ because of it.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7070

Short-term work warms up the reception for missionaries at home.
International (MNN)--We turn next to a new trend facing missionaries and
their support network at home.   Evangelical Free Church of America's[5]
Sherrie Johnson says over the last couple of years, there's been a change
in the church response toward the missionary families they support.
"Churches now are very interested in having more hands-on contact with
their missionaries overseas, because I think more people are going over
short-term. We have a lot of early retirees who give of their time and
their energy. They come back and they stir up their local church."
Johnson says the hands-on participation means relationships have been
built for the missionaries to come home to.    "There's a great deal more
understanding of their everyday life, what they live through, as far as
the political situations in a lot of countries, and just the stresses and
joys of missionary work. It's not a second-hand thing, a thing that comes
in a letter anymore. It's more real."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7071

Children's series focuses on Christian heroes.
USA (MNN) -- And, Christian History Institute in association with
International Films and The Voice of the Martyrs, USA[6] announce the
release of their new children's adventure series, "The Torchlighters."
This new series tells the story of Christian heroes who have risked their
lives to bring the message of Christ to an antagonistic world. The first
episode's about martyred missionary Jim Elliott, killed by Auca Indians in
Ecuador. Go to our web site for information.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/7074

[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM
[2] http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-07-05jerrydykstra.rm
[3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BTTB
[4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP
[5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=EFCA
[6] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM

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Mission Network News Daily, a service of Cornerstone University of
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Questions:
1159 E. Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 USA
(800) 284-9361 or mnn@mnnonline.org