Indians consult on 'Tentmaking' ministry
Two significant consultations took place in India last month for those who want to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul, sharing the gospel whilst engaged in commerce or business, "making tents". In Hyderabad Tentmakiers International brought together 100 mission and church leaders from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas for three days to share experiences, dream together and plan join strategies for tentmaker ministries. Shortly before this consultation Global Advance gathered together 200 Indian Christian business owners and entrepeneurs in Mumbai to share how they are using their God-given skills in business to become agents of the gospel within India and beyond. In the coming months Marketplace Missions is sponsoring similar consultations in Sierra Leone and Nicaragua.
Missionary to be freed by North Korea
An American missionary who walked into North Korea on Christmas Day proclaiming Christian salvation and demanding the resignation of the country's dictator, Kim Jong Il, will be released after "repenting" of his crime, according to the country's official media. The state-run Korean Central News Agency has reported that Robert Park (left), a 28-year-old US citizen of Korean descent, will soon be released six weeks after crossing into North Korea from China. Before his departure Mr Park had spoken of his wish to free the occupants of North Korea's gulags and his willingness to die in the attempt. Foreign governments and human rights organisations have repeatedly accused North Korea of suppressing freedom of religion in a country where the only tolerated faith is the personality cult of Kim Jong Il and his late father, the founding "Great Leader" Kim Il Sung.
Peace for Palestinians and Israelis?
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has just launched the "Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum" (PIEF) as a platform that rallies churches together enabling them to coordinate their efforts and initiatives for a just peace in Palestine-Israel. Their website says "the aim is to bring an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine in accordance with UN resolutions, and demonstrate commitment for inter-religious action for peace and justice that serves all the peoples of the region. The PIEF believes that non-violence and rigorous dialogue between people, regardless of religious affiliation, are the pillars around which peace, justice, and reconciliation can originate in the region."
Baptists jailed in Haiti
Ten members of a Baptist church in Idaho, USA, are now in jail in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after being charged today with child kidnapping and criminal association. The group had tried to take 33 child victims of the Haiti earthquake out of the country last month. The group’s lawyer, Edwin Coq, said that under the Haiti legal system, there will not be a public trial, rather a judge will consider the evidence. It could take the judge three months to deliver a verdict. The maximum sentence for child kidnap in Haiti is 15 years imprisonment. The leader of the group, Laura Silsby, said earlier that they were trying to take orphans and abandoned children to an orphanage in the neighboring Dominican Republic. She acknowledged they had not sought permission from Haitian officials, but said they just meant to help victims of the earthquake.
The deaf hear
In what may be an international first, the Seed Company have just unveiled a new Bible translation for the deaf community in Kenya. Until now this community of 200,000 plus have been largely unreached by the gospel. “Now they have a sign language Bible recorded as a DVD so that those who are deaf or hearing impaired can see in sign language someone signing out the Scriptures in their heart language," explains Mike Toupin of Seed Company. In common with other disabled groups, deaf people are often marginalised and have less access to the gospel than hearing people in almost every country. The Kenyan translation is not the full Bible, but it takes on the major points of the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation with a special focus on the life of Christ. Before each new topic, there is an introduction about the background of the book; at the end of each segment, questions are asked to ensure comprehension and application of the Word. The Seed Company has just introduced a similar project in India and hopes to continue these projects across the globe.
Keeping faith in Bangladesh
Cyclone Aila which ravaged Bangladesh more than eight months ago and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes has all but been forgotten by the media. With Haiti catching the headlines today there are fears that even the aid organisations will divert their resources away from Bangladesh where thousands still live with little food and no shelter. Many families still live in the jungles. The storm claimed over 300 lives, affected two million people with 40,000 losing their homes. In the aftermath of this disaster, throughout the country, more and more individuals are turning to faith in Isa (Jesus). Several churches need new buildings because they have outgrown their current premises and there is a growing need to training leaders for new communities seeking to follow Jesus. Churches within the country are continuing to supply material and spiritual assistance where they can.