In This Issue: Execution Delayed, Stories in Henna, and More
- IRAN: Temporary Delay in Execution of Pastor
- INDIA: Bible Stories in Henna
- UZBEKISTAN: Massive Fine for Owning a JESUS Film
- USA: Partnership of Small, Rural Churches in New York
- INDONESIA: Christian Villages at Heart of Triple Disaster
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.
Dear Readers,
Just filling in for our chief news sleuth, Pat Noble, this week. Before we get to news briefs, though, we both agreed it might be helpful to remind you of a couple of upcoming prayer-oriented events scheduled for November.
1. On November 9, you can attend (from your computer screen) an interactive event to pray together and celebrate the launch of the new Operation World. The Operation World Global Prayer Celebration will include Christians from around the world and will air twice during the day.
2. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, an annual event will be observed by some churches on November 7; by others on November 14. View the several IDOP videos posted on YouTube; websites in various countries also include downloads, Scriptures to read, materials for children, etc.
Blessings,
Marti Smith | publisher and managing editor
IRAN: Temporary Delay in Execution of Pastor
Source: ASSIST News, October 24, 2010
Sources inside Iran say the scheduled execution of an Iranian pastor accused of “thought crimes” has been delayed, according to Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries.
“Our sources have confirmed that a written verdict has not yet been delivered to brother Youcef Nadarkhani’s attorney.”
DeMars says Nadarkhani is currently under a sentence of death, but authorities are delaying the delivery of the verdict in order to put more pressure on him to turn away from Christ.
“Once the written verdict is delivered, there will be 20 days to appeal to the Supreme Court,” DeMars said.
Currently, Nadarkhani’s attorney is being denied any access to him, DeMars told ANS.
“However, security officials have informed the courts to temporarily delay his execution until further notice. Youcef is being kept in a security prison in Lakan, Iran, which is just south of Rasht, his hometown,” said DeMars.
DeMars said that supporters of Pastor Nadarkhani are “currently (maintaining) our course of action … to continue in prayer for Youcef to have strength to endure this pressure and suffering, and that he would soon be delivered from the hand of his enemies. Pray for the safety and wisdom of his attorney. Our greatest weapon is prayer.”
>> Full story. See also the inspiring Letter from Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Prison in Iran (International Christian Concern) and some helpful background on this story (Present Truth).
INDIA: Bible Stories in Henna
Source: South Asian News, Southern Baptist International Mission Board, October 2010
Wanting to share the truth of Jesus with her new Indian friends and a gifted artist, [two-year missionary] Audrey Kesner was particularly interested in the henna designs. She practiced drawing designs for hands and eventually transferred this art form to canvas. Having learned a number of the symbols and shapes used in the designs, Kesner incorporated these symbols into representations of Bible stories. She experimented with paints, colors, and designs to communicate the gospel through art.
Kesner went to work to complete a series of drawings based on the henna designs that depicted the stories from God’s Word that she had been sharing with her Indian friends. Stories of creation, God’s promise of a Savior, and the woman at the well came to life through the henna symbols in brilliant colors.
This beautiful Indian art, painted by a young woman desiring to communicate in a way that would speak to an Indian heart, soon hung on the walls of the gallery. Next to each painting was its story written in English and Hindi. During the three-day art show, more than 300 people streamed through the small gallery. Kesner and her team walked several people through the gallery, telling the stories from God’s Word along the way.
>> Editor’s note: Recently we invited you to pray for Muslims going on haj this month (November 14-17). Perhaps you would also want to pray for Hindus, as they celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights (November 5-10).
UZBEKISTAN: Massive Fine for Owning a JESUS Film
Source: Forum 18 News Service, October 25, 2010
Uzbekistan has imposed a massive fine on a Protestant for owning a Christian film. Murat Jalalov was fined – apparently on the instructions of the NSS secret police – after police raided his home. The national Religious Affairs Committee said that the JESUS Film “could be used among local ethnicities for missionary purposes” and was therefore not recognized as being allowed for import into and distribution within Uzbekistan.
All the confiscated material was ordered to be destroyed. Such fines, confiscations and destructions, even of texts such as the Bible and Koran, are common.
Fines for unregistered religious worship are [also] frequent. In defiance of its international human rights commitments, Uzbekistan bans religious activity that does not have state permission.
>> Full story.
>> Editor’s note: Another source suggests Jalalov’s fine is equivalent to seven years’ salary; his passport was also confiscated (Asia News). These films do tend to elicit strong reactions. See also Christian in Bhutan Imprisoned for Showing Film on Christ (Worthy News) and, on a more positive note, Chilean Miners Glorify God (The JESUS Film Project).
USA: Partnership of Small, Rural Churches in New York
Source: Power of Connecting Partnership eNewsletter, October 2010
Ministries in the North Country (MINC) is a mostly volunteer, mostly lay organization of small rural churches in northern New York that “shares the good news … while serving neighbors.” MINC targets both spiritual as well as the physical needs of the surrounding communities. For example, MINC supports the small churches with curriculum, materials, and coordination for Christian education and vacation Bible schools. MINC also helps with donations at Christmas to benefit foster children in the area. A farm committee distributes low-cost seeds to individuals and community gardens.
During the summer MINC oversees an extensive housing rehabilitation program to make homes safer, warmer, and drier for needy or disabled homeowners. Two paid coordinators maintain contact with homeowners to avert any food, fuel, and power emergencies during the harsh winter months.
At the conclusion of every job, MINC leaves a Bible at each home – “a reminder of God’s continuing love.”
Since 1989, MINC has demonstrated what small rural churches, working cooperatively, can do. Originally Presbyterian, MINC now includes other denominations.
INDONESIA: Christian Villages at Heart of Triple Disaster
Source: Barnabas Aid, October 28, 2010
Mainly Christian islands are at the heart of the three-fold disaster of earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic eruption that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands in Indonesia. Rescuers are struggling to reach the worst-affected communities following the tsunami, which swept away 13 villages.
Partners in Indonesia expressed fears about how the Christian population may be affected in the aftermath of the tsunami. Our partners said there is a pattern of increasing Muslim presence following disasters across Indonesia. For example, the Christian population of Nias island off North Sumatra was reduced from almost 100 to 70 per cent in only two years after the major earthquake in 2005.
A church leader in Padang, West Sumatra, appealed for our prayers: “As we see the pictures and hear the stories of lost homes and missing or dead loved ones, [the] churches feel the hurt, and listen to cries out for help. The pain, the sadness, the loss, the devastation, it’s almost too much to watch, even from a distance. Yet there are hundreds or thousands who are living this nightmare. And God, we pray for them with all of our hearts and souls.”
>> Full story with picture and prayer points. Another source says that the population of Mentawi, the area that suffered the most damage from the tsunami, “is 90% Christian and extremely poor” (Partners International).
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