Ro4mission

Guatemala (MNN) — Because of a home-building ministry, God is growing the church in rural Guatemala. Paradise Bound Ministries began by building homes for needy people through work teams who also shared the Gospel. Paradise Bound’s Dan Smith says as people came to Christ, opportunities for discipleship training emerged. Then something miraculous happened. “Discipleship groups began to grow and turn into church plants without us really specifically engineering a church plant. It automatically happened as they began to grab hold of the Gospel themselves.” Next surfaced the need for leadership training. That program started with 22 students in October. “We actually send our vehicles out to villages on a quarterly basis, pick up the pastors, bring them to our facility, then take them back after that weekend event. It’s costs about $250 per training session, per pastor.” Financial help is needed. We’ll connect you at our Web site.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16725

India (MNN) — God is moving in a big way in Northwest India. Evangelist Sammy Tippit just wrapped up a week of evangelistic meetings, training, and a Pastors’ Conference. The evangelistic meetings were the largest Tippit has ever held India’s Punjab State. Pastors there typically don’t have the chance to attend leadership conferences, and many who came were new believers. The crowds increased nightly, and the response to the Gospel also grew. Pray that new believers would grow in their faith. There’s more online.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16560

Cuba (MNN) — Baseball is having a profound impact on the church and government leadership. Global Baseball is a ministry that’s dedicated to using baseball as a way to spread the Gospel and plant churches around the world. President of Global Baseball Jeff Siegel says baseball is growing in popularity around the world. “Actually, in some countries it’s like the king in their country. For example, in Cuba, baseball is the king.” Global Baseball holds baseball clinics in countries, working with the local church which helps plant churches. Global Baseball has been going into Cuba for several years. Siegal says, “A famous national team player named Raul Valdez got saved. Now we were going from 4 house churches to 8, 8 to 16, and 16 to 20, and he introduced me to the second-youngest son of Fidel Castro.” This son came to Christ. Government relationships allow Global Baseball to take aid into Cuba. Get more information on Global Baseball at our Web site.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16532

Nigeria (MNN) ― Christians in Nigeria are saying, “Enough is enough.”The Christian Association of Nigeria convened an emergency meeting this week in response to the Boko Haram’s latest violence.What’s clear is that the fanatical sect is growing bolder. Todd Nettleton withVoice of the Martyrs says, “They have sort of expanded their territory. They have gone after a United Nations office. They have gone after government buildings. So they really have become  a significant threat in Nigeria.” Having declared a holy war, the question became “Is Boko Haram a threat?” Nettleton says all indications say “Yes” — not only to Nigeria’s stability and security, but also to the religious freedoms of non-Muslims.  “They absolutely want Nigeria to be under Sharia law. The term ‘Boko Haram’ means ‘Western education is a sin,’ so they clearly want to return the entire country of Nigeria to what they would see as the traditional Muslim way–that is, for Sharia to be in place for the whole country.” Full article here
Mission Network News

Iran (MNN) — The plight of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani could come as early as today. Nadarkhani, called a cult leader by some, was charged and convicted of apostasy and could face the death penalty. While Mission Network News has been talking about this case for a couple of years, Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says the world is just now waking up. “Secular media organizations have covered it. U.S. government officials–including the White House–have spoken out about it. Other officials in other countries have spoken out on his behalf.” Now the government’s bring false charges against him. But why? Nettleton thinks he knows. “The government of Iran is petrified by the growth of the church in Iran. They are shocked and appalled at the amount of people leaving Islam to follow Jesus Christ. I think there is an element of: ‘We need to make an example of this guy.’”
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16326

India (MNN) — The wife of a missionary supported by Gospel for Asia died Sunday when an earthquake struck Sikkim, India. The 6.9 magnitude quake hit while Pastor Tamag and his wife, Nirmala, were eating dinner with church members and two Bridge of Hope workers in their home. As the building started shaking, they tried to escape, but Nirmala was crushed by falling walls. The others sustained major injuries and are hospitalized. Tamang’s church and others were destroyed. At least 56 people lost their lives.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16249

“South Asia (GFA/MNN) — A South Asia missionary acquitted of false charges is back on the frontlines. Roshan Kuma, a missionary supported by Gospel for Asia was arrested a year ago under the pretense of helping the Maoist rebels. Anti-Christian extremists, unhappy about the growth of the church in the region, concocted the plan to stop him. However, even while behind bars, he shared the Gospel and started prayer meetings. The believers in Roshan’s village continually prayed for their pastor while he was in prison; the congregation grew in number and now has about 125 people attending worship each week. The congregation is in the midst of constructing a new church building, which they plan to dedicate this fall. Keep praying for Roshan’s brother, M.T. Joshri. There has been no new word on his case.”
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16164

“Iraq (MNN) — An Iraqi pastor has been kidnapped and will likely face death. Voice of the Martyrs, Canada reports that the house church leader’s daughter recently witnessed her dad’s capture when men broke into their home. It’s believed that the pastor was targeted for leading many Muslims to Christ. Many fear that the militants who took the church leader will kill him. Pray for the pastor and his family, and pray that Iraqi believers wouldn’t stop preaching the Truth no matter what.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16014

“Malawi (MNN) — A few weeks ago we told you about a radio station in Michigan who took a team to Malawi on a medical missions/evangelism trip. They’re back, and according to their Mid-Morning Music Break host Pete Lathrop, God blessed as the team not only provided medical aid, but they shared the Gospel. “For over six days we were able to see over 2,000 Malawian people. And during their stay at the clinic, we were able to minister to them the Gospel.” WLJN partnered with Finish Line Ministries, which has established more than 300 churches in and around Malawi. “We estimate that between 500 and 600 people came to Christ and found salvation through the message of the Gospel during our stay in Malawi,” says Lathrop. Since the clinics were held next to the local church, for “those who received Christ and made a profession of faith, we introduced them to the pastor of the church already established in their village.” Pray that these new believers will grow in their faith.”
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/15717

“USA (MNN) — Following the devastating tornadoes that ripped through the southeast United States, many ministries have responded. But ironically, one key effort is often overlooked, says Sues Hess with Biblica. “A lot of groups like to talk about doing holistic ministry, and yet the reality is: most of them kind of ignore the emotional, spiritual needs that surface following a disaster like this. And it’s actually the emotional, spiritual needs that take the longest to heal.” So Biblica hasn’t wasted one minute. “We come alongside our partners and help equip them with God’s Word. When people are facing a disaster like this, when their whole world is turned upside down, they need to know where they can find hope, where they can find comfort.” The Gospel will be key to long-term–even eternal–healing. Learn more through our Web site.”
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/15696

Asia (MNN) — Anti-Christian militants recently rushed at a film team in Asia. A local pastor supported by Gospel for Asia had joined hands with a film team leader to bring a movie of Jesus’ life to his village. 150 people showed up for the event, singing with excitement. About an hour into the film, six extremists began accusing the believers of forcing Christianity on the crowd. The film went on until the radicals rushed at believers. Leaders fled to protect the local church. Pray for transformation despite disruption.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/15622

“USA (MNN) — Are you or a student you know looking for a summer internship? College students and recent graduates now have the opportunity to do more than file papers. World Hope International is offering several opportunities this summer and fall. Interns are needed for Hope Corps research and spiritual formation, children’s programs with degrees from journalism to business. Your participation is one step toward ensuring the Gospel goes out to many. Our Web site has details.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/15587

Pakistan (MNN) — Two believers were killed and two others severely injured for defending Christian women Open Doors, USA confirms. Muslims started harassing young Christian women outside a church anniversary celebration. When four men stepped in, the Muslims left, came back with guns, and shot the men, killing two. Police have barely responded. That makes four Pakistani Christians killed for their faith this month. Pray for believers to remain bold in Christ.

Source: Mission Network News

Iran (MNN) — Iranians are taking action against Muslim-background Christians. More than 70 Christians  have been arrested since Christmas. House churches have been raided to quash what’s being called a “cultural invasion” in the country. President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller says Iranians are coming to Christ in large numbers as an underground revival is taking place. “The government is deeply concerned that this is a movement that’s reaching significant numbers of Iranians. It’s more evidence of the fact that this revival is taking place.” So what does this mean for the future? Moeller says, “As it’s growing, it’s causing more and more opposition and persecution by the extremists who would seek to stamp out Christianity in that country. This is a movement by the Holy Spirit that they cannot defeat.” Moeller is asking people to do two things. Pray for those arrested who face torture and death for their faith. And, financially support them through Open Doors. You can find a link at our Web site or Facebook page.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/15236

International (MNN) — People of all ages gathered in the last days of 2010 to consider what part they will play in God’s story in the New Year. Matt Green with PIONEERS says that people at the Story ‘10 conference learned about the missions field from people who were there recently. “We’ve brought missionaries from around the world to Orlando and given them an opportunity to connect with people that are interested in investing their lives in the Great Commission. The primary purpose of this event is to connect people that are interested in missions with people that are actually doing it.” Pray that God will use Story ‘10 to call people to go to the mission field, invest in missions, and learn the power of prayer for missions. “We’ll spend the last three hours of 2010 in prayer and worship, specifically praying for different parts of the world that are very needy, particularly the 10-40 Window.”
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/15170