In This Issue: Pakistan, Philippines, Czech Republic, and More
- PAKISTAN – Christian Families among the 300,000 Fleeing
- CZECH REPUBLIC – New Bible Translation in Modern-Day Czech
- EUROPE – Researchers Respond to Muslim Demographics Video
- VIETNAM – Authorities Turn Blind Eye to Assaults on Christians
- PHILIPPINES – The Water and the Word
- EVENTS – Serving Internationals, Refugees, Indigenous Ministries, and More
Missions Catalyst is a free, weekly electronic digest of mission news and resources designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide for global ministry. Use it to fuel your prayers, find tips and opportunities, and stay in touch with how God is building his kingdom all over the world. Please forward it freely!
World News Briefs, edited by Pat Noble, are published twice a month.
PAKISTAN – Christians Families among the 300,000 Fleeing
Source: ASSIST News Service, May 14, 2009
Christians and Sikhs are among tens of thousands who have fled the four war-plagued districts of [Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province] including Swat, formerly a tourist paradise. The Taliban began enforcing Sharia (Islamic) Law in Swat after striking a deal with the Pakistan government in February of this year.
The arrangement proved short-lived, however, when in April the Taliban occupied Buner, a nearby district of Swat, prompting the Pakistan military to launch an offensive against the Taliban to curb their advance towards the capital city, Islamabad, only 60 miles from Buner.
It said that approximately 300,000 people have left their homes; 120,000 are registered and living in the refugee camps, while more than 200,000 have been staying with their friends and relatives. It is feared about one million people could be displaced within days.
At least 60 Christian families have taken refuge in Rasalpur, near Peshawar.
Editor’s note: The BBC has created an interactive map of the conflict. As predicted the number of displaced people has surpassed 1.45 million (UNHCR, May 19).
While you are praying for displaced people, please remember Sri Lankans. This week’s announcement of the end of the rebel insurgency is encouraging, but many have been trapped between opposing forces and suffered greatly for years. See the Human Rights Watch slide show Sri Lankan Boat People Recount Horrors.
CZECH REPUBLIC – New Bible Translation in Modern-Day Czech
Source: Joel News International, JNI 684, May 8, 2009
After more than 15 years of hard work, a new translation of the Bible in modern-day Czech was released [April 9] and unexpectedly sold out completely within a month.
A large crowd gathered for an official launch on April 9 at Betlemska Chapel, best known as the place where Jan Hus used to preach in the Czech local language.
More than 80 Czech cities had public Bible readings over the Easter holiday weekend. Some held events in which the Bible was read in its entirety, which takes three consecutive days and nights. The scholarly community is also taking note.
“Many ambassadors and leaders from various nations attended the launch, which was an artistic and cultural restorational event,” [reported a Christian leader who attended]. “The Bible was read by famous Czech actors who wanted to participate in the cultural renaissance. It was just so powerful to bear witness to this gift of the Czech people, and to feel the dignity being restored to them as they reclaim their own cultural heritage.”
Subscribe to Joel News.
Editor’s note: See also the project’s website, which includes an inspiring video.
EUROPE – Researchers Respond to Muslim Demographics Video
Source: Pat Noble, May 18, 2009
“Islam will overwhelm Christendom unless Christians recognize the demographic realities, begin reproducing again, and share the gospel with Muslims,” states the caption to the YouTube video Muslim Demographics, now viewed by millions.
If you’ve seen it, you should also read the responses of five missions researchers at the Network for Strategic Missions website.
Thanks to Justin Long for this collection of responses from Jason Mandryk (Operation World), Jim Haney (International Mission Board), Peter Crossing (World Christian Database), Patrick Johnstone (Operation World), and Bert Hickman (Center for the Global Study of Christianity, World Christian Database).
See also: Anti-Muslim Immigration Video Spreads Fear, Distorts Truth and a detailed analysis.
VIETNAM – Authorities Turn Blind Eye to Assaults on Christians
Source: Compass Direct, May 11, 2009
A Hmong man in Vietnam’s Northwest Mountainous Region murdered his mother in February because she had become a Christian [and now] has assaulted another Christian, leaving him critically wounded, according to area Christian sources.
According to a local church leader, on April 25 Lao Lia Po allegedly attacked Koua Lo because he had become a Christian. Koua sustained severe head injuries. According to witnesses his head was split open in two places. Koua was taken to a hospital, but after three days doctors said they could do nothing more for him and sent him home. As his injuries were life-threatening, those close to Koua did not expect him to recover.
The alleged attacker, Lao, is still at large and has not been charged.
On February 3, local Christians said, Lao murdered his mother in a similarly brutal fashion, smashing her head until she died. Police only held him overnight before releasing him without charge. The day he was released, local sources said, he again threatened Christians with death.
A Vietnamese pastor petitioned the government to investigate, with no result.
In the same area two years ago, a 74-year-old woman became the first Christian in the village. Today there are about 100 families who follow Christ.
>> Full story.
See also: Vietnam – Massive Christian Celebration Allowed.
PHILIPPINES – The Water and the Word
Source: New Tribes Mission, May 6, 2009
For the Tala Andig people of the Philippines, the New Testament has finally been translated into their language. It’s being printed for the first time and water is helping make it happen.
That’s because in the neighboring Higaunon tribe, their printer is running on water.
The missionaries to the Higaunon people have constructed a hydroelectric plant that harnesses the power of a nearby river.
Normally a New Testament is printed and bound in a city far from the tribe. But now, with the water providing enough electricity to power a large printer, God’s Word is being put into book form right in the middle of the jungle.
The Higaunon believers are helping their Tala Andig brothers and sisters by binding the printed copies. The goal is to finish 100 copies of the Tala Andig New Testament in less than a month.
Soon the Tala Andig believers will be reading the New Testament in their own language.
>> Full story.
EVENTS – Serving Internationals, Refugees, Indigenous Ministries, and More
Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar
Recently added to our 2009 events calendar:
May 28 to June 1 – Association of Christians Ministering Among Internationals (Los Angeles, CA, USA). Annual equipping conference for ministries and volunteers reaching out to international students in the US and Canada.
June 13 – Crossing Cultures (Englewood, CO, USA). This workshop is like a mission trip in a weekend, focused on local ethnic communities. Facilitated by Caleb Resources.
June 15 to 17 – Coalition on the Support of Indigenous Ministries (Grand Rapids, MI, USA). Annual conference. Topic is “Sailing Together through Changing Winds: Surviving and Thriving in Cross-Cultural Partnerships.”
June 21 – World Refugee Sunday (International). Join the Refugee Highway Partnership, World Evangelical Alliance, and churches around the world in praying for refugees and internally displaced people.
July 23 to 25 – North American Refugee Ministry Consultation (Chicago, IL, USA). Also sponsored by the Refugee Highway.
November 10 to 13 – Innovative Evangelism Conference (Portland, OR, USA). Luis Palau Association; this year including a track on Internet evangelism.