In This Issue: Nigerian Family Follows Call to Philippines
- RUSSIA: Christian Radio Almost Extinct
- PHILIPPINES: Nigerian Missionary Family Follows God’s Call
- SWITZERLAND: Christians, Muslims Mobilize Joint Crisis Group
- NORTH KOREA: Activist Speaks Out
- LIBYA: Logos Hope Visit a Success
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World News Briefs, edited by Pat Noble, are published twice a month.
RUSSIA: Christian Radio Almost Extinct
Source: Missions Network News, December 13, 2010
Religious freedom took another hit in Russia last week. One of the last remaining local Christian radio stations was shuttered by authorities.
Dan Johnson with New Life Radio Moscow says their Norilsk FM affiliate in Siberia was the target. “This is the third radio affiliate we’ve had that’s been shut down by the government under [various] pretexts.”
Johnson says this isn’t an isolated case. “We’re noticing a general decline in the ability of Christians to have access to the mass media in Russia. Those Christian radio stations that are operating [are] facing all kinds of harassment by federal authorities.”
Johnson says missionary media is something Christians need to invest in. “Russians love media, but there’s practically no Christian content on the media. So we as Christians can best help the Russian church in the area of media by supporting ministries like New Life Radio that simply gives them a tool to reach their own people.”
>> Full story with picture and prayer points. Includes information about satellite and Internet broadcasting strategies as well.
PHILIPPINES: Nigerian Missionary Family Follows God’s Call
Source: ASSIST News, November 29, 2010
Of all areas one could go to for missionary work, Apostle Success Kanayo Uchime chose the Far East; the Philippines in particular. Why the Far East? Why the Philippines?
To this question [the Nigerian missionary] responded: “This is God’s call and we have to go wherever he wants us to go. Philippines is an interesting place to be … and the only Christian nation with English [language] background in the whole of Asia.
“Philippines is an open country for mission work … we intend to use it as a stepping stone to reach other Asian nations and even beyond.”
Since he moved into Philippines with his family, Uchime confessed that it has not been easy with them. “And mind you, we’re coming from a context where the awareness for mission support is still developing. The Nigerian church is yet to come to terms with missions generally, both indigenous and foreign mission.”
He continued: “We are really facing a lot of challenges here. As you know, Philippines is a developing nation like Nigeria. There are not opportunities for tent-making work. But we must keep moving, believing God to meet us at the very point of our need.”
>> Full story with pictures.
SWITZERLAND: Christians, Muslims Mobilize Joint Crisis Group
Source: Ecumenical News International, November 4, 2010
Global Christian and Muslim leaders meeting in Switzerland have jointly called for the formation of a group which can be mobilized whenever a crisis threatens to arise in which Christians and Muslims find themselves in conflict.
In a closing statement from their November 1-4 meeting at Geneva’s Ecumenical Centre, leaders of the two faiths said, “Religion is often invoked in conflict creation, even when other factors, such as unfair resource allocation, oppression, occupation, and injustice are the real roots of conflict.”
The Geneva participants expressed “condemnation of all acts of violence that target places of worship and other sacred places, defile them, or threaten the safety and security of worshippers.”
>> Full story.
NORTH KOREA: Activist Speaks Out
Source: The Christian Post, December 9, 2010
Robert Park, a [Korean-American] Christian activist originally from Tucson, Arizona, was released from prison in February after being arrested by North Korea on Christmas Day 2009 for crossing the frozen Tumen River and entering the country without permission.
Although the then 28-year-old was ready to die for the cause when he crossed the border, he was unprepared for the type of torture he would be subjected to while in prison. Park said he could bear the violent abuse, which he expected, but another form of torture, sexual, left him broken. He requested not to talk about the torture in detail, but said that he left North Korea in “so much pain” and he attempted suicide several times after being freed.
In spite of the torture and humiliation he endured, he is back in South Korea speaking out against the regime.
“They never expected that I would speak out against them ever again,” he noted. “God was able to do what is inconceivable for man. He really did a miracle through my life for me to want to rise again … after the things that happened.”
>> Full story with pictures. Includes more information about human rights and religious liberty abuses in North Korea.
LIBYA: Logos Hope Visit a Success
Source: Operation Mobilization Headlines, December 8, 2010
The memorable first-ever visit of Logos Hope to Libya, at the beginning of the vessel’s inaugural tour of the Arab world, has come to a successful conclusion.
Logos Hope called at the three ports of Tripoli, Misurata, and Benghazi. During the five-week visit, some 134,468 people climbed the gangways to enjoy a cultural and educational experience on board. Among these, over 7,300 children came on board to experience an interactive program put together especially for them. Logos Hope’s International Café gave visitors a chance to sit down after browsing the book fair.
Good and positive interaction took place between the crew members from around the world and the local Libyan people. In discussion with crew members about different life experiences, it became obvious that the inquisitive Libyans wanted to know why Logos Hope staff were so different from the picture they had in their minds of people from Western nations. The values, standards, and morals of the crew were noticed to be positively different and left a lasting impression on many locals.
>> This story is not currently posted on the web, but other stories from the Logos Hope’s visit to Libya are. Subscribe to OM Headlines.
Thank you for the update on N Korea. It is a necessary topic that many are unaware of or lacking understanding in. I pray many will know about it and that the Church will rise up & act and not be guilty of passivity due to fear of worldly leaders.