AZERBAIJAN: No Fair Trial for House Church Leader

Source: World Watch Monitor, October 19, 2017

An Azerbaijani man fined for leading a “house church” without state permission has not been treated fairly during his appeal against the fine, a local source has told World Watch Monitor.

Shabanov was found guilty at a hearing in January and several appeals were rejected.

During his appeal process, the source said hearings had been held in the Azeri language, which Shabanov does not speak because he was educated in the Georgian language common to the area where he was born and where he still lives. The court also failed to provide a translator although this is required by law.

The source said the pastor was “asked repeatedly to sign documents he could neither read nor understand, both in the appeals process and police investigations, including a document that waived his rights. This is both illegal and negligent of the legal process in Azerbaijan.”

» Read full story. Another story from WWM describes several court battles over faith in Sudan, where a former Prime Minister is speaking up for the rights of the persecuted.

PHILIPPINES: From Fear to Faith

Source: Ethnos360, October 29, 2017

The Higaunon people used to live in fear. They lived in bondage, worshiping their ancestors and sacrificing pigs and chickens to appease the spirits.

And then the gospel message changed all that. Fear turned to faith.

After hearing the gospel message, the newly saved Higaunons said, “All we could talk about was what Jesus had done for us and how we could now see the truth so clearly. … We were amazed at the darkness and depth of sin that we were in before. To think that we actually worshiped God’s enemy, thinking that we were on the right track! … It was such a joyful time in our lives to be set free from the terrible bondage that the spirits had held us under through fear.”

The infant Higaunon church became burdened for their fellow Higaunons in other villages. They wondered why it took so long for the gospel to reach them.

“It seemed to us that 2,000 years was a really long time to bring the message to our place, and we didn’t want it to be a long time before it reached other Higaunon villages,” the Higaunon believers said.

They didn’t just talk about it. They did something about it. And as a result, there are churches in over 20 other Higaunon villages.

» Read full story.

» Editor’s note: This story reminded us of the one told in the video Never the Same chronicling the return of author Don Richardson and his sons to the village described in the bestselling book Peace Child.

KENYA: Former Sponsored Child Now Archbishop

Source: World Vision, October 20, 2017

For centuries, the Maasai traveled with their cattle along the Great Rift Valley in Kenya and Tanzania. Families were polygamous—men had many wives and kids. Children rarely went to school, instead helping their parents take care of animals and doing chores around the house.

This is the world into which Jackson Ole Sapit, 53, was born—with one father and 11 mothers. He’s not sure how many siblings he has but guesses more than 50. Jackson’s father died when he was young, and his mother—his father’s seventh wife—and her three children were chased away from the family home by shrewd older brothers who understood the value of land. Jackson’s mother and her children became destitute.

Maasai parents didn’t believe in education, as boys were to herd cows, and girls worked around the house. But in 1973, Jackson and the other Maasai boys in his village were forced to attend [school]. There, he began to hear about Jesus. “One of the songs [they sang],” he says, “was ‘More About Jesus.’” But he thought they were singing “moo” instead of “more.” He says, “I wondered, ‘Are they singing about cows?’” This was something he could relate to as a herder; his curiosity was piqued.

The next year, Jackson became sponsored through World Vision.

» Read full story to hear how this Maasai herder saw God change his life and became a leader to 5 million Anglicans in Kenya and read other World Vision stories from the field.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Magic Charms, Black Cats, and the Power of Jesus

Source: International Mission Board, October 30, 2017

In the US, the world of evil spirits and magic spells becomes a national obsession just once a year—during Halloween. [Then] the dark side of the supernatural realm quickly fades into the background as the focus shifts to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, spiritual forces are palpable year round. Items like charms and amulets are ever-present evidence that beliefs in the spirit world are real and affect every aspect of life. In African traditional religion the natural world is filled with spiritual forces. There’s a fine line between the physical and spiritual world—so fine, in fact, that it often seems to dissolve.

“The greatest need among African peoples is to see, know, and experience Jesus Christ as the victor over the powers and forces from which Africa knows no means of deliverance,” said Dr. John Mbiti. Join us in praying for Africans to realize that Jesus—the one victorious over death—is more powerful than any spirit, amulet, or spell.

» Full story includes some great images and prayer points.

» See also Armed for Battle, an interview with veteran missionaries about spiritual warfare, and a related video from Thailand (Pioneers).

BOOK: North American Mission Handbook

Source: William Carey Library

Looking for a mission agency? Leading mission efforts at your church? Let me suggest you get your hands on a copy of this book which just came out from Missio Nexus. This edition includes not only the most extensive, up-to-date information available on more than 900 US and Canadian-based mission organizations, but also in-depth analysis on trends in North American missions.

» Learn more or purchase for US$27.99 from William Carey Library (or elsewhere). Paperback only; no electronic version.

SERVICE: Here’s Who Can Map Your Message

Source: cartoMission

Looking for maps to inform and inspire mission efforts?

The cartoMission website features custom maps with data related to religious affiliation, population, life expectantly, migration, and other topics. CartoMission has designed maps for the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Operation World, Joshua Project, Every Home for Christ, the Traveling Team, and other ministries. They’re beautiful.

» Take a look, and follow cartoMission on Twitter or Facebook. Have data to map? Contact them for help communicating your vision.

CURRICULUM: Mission Mobilization for the Global Church

Source: Storyline

Looking for a study to use in awakening or equipping a small group or class for God’s global purpose? This eight-lesson study includes short articles to read, introductory videos, scripture to explore, and discussion questions to give participants perspective and excitement about God and his work around the world.

The 70-page booklet and related videos are available in Russian, Ukranian, English, and Spanish.You may recognize the topics and themes from similar resources:

  • The Bible tells one continuous story of God as a missionary God.
  • God’s people are God’s method to complete the Great Commission.
  • God has different roles for his people to play in reaching the world.
  • How ordinary people have joined God’s missionary story throughout history.
  • The difference between reached and unreached people groups and other key mission vocabulary and terms.

» Purchase the Storyline Study for US$11.99; bulk discounts available. Get a taste by watching the videos.

» The Storyline Podcast features interviews with mission leaders focused on raising up a globalized work force. You can also find Storyline on social media channels and follow their blog.

RESOURCE ROUNDUP: Seen Around the Internet

Sources: Various

1. Missionary care: Got people serving internationally? Almost every Friday the missionary-care ministry Paracletos publishes a curated list of links to articles, events, and other resources related to missionary care. Read the latest and subscribe or follow social media streams for more.

3. Crossing cultures: Taking a team overseas? Read about Demon Possession, Missions, and the Power of Jesus’ Name. Want to be an effective cross-cultural evangelist? Try these Three Steps to Sharing the Gospel in Any Language (IMB).

3. New books: Working in or with a church? Several recent offerings are designed to help local churches engage in missions.

EVENTS: Upcoming Conferences, Courses, and More

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

November 2 to December 7, Foundations of Media Strategy (online). Mentored course on using social media for deeper conversations and disciple-making. Offered by Mission Media U.

November 2-4, Open B4T Expo (San Jose, CA, USA). Transforming nations through business; reaching the unreached to know and love Jesus.

November 2-4, Ethnic Ministries Summit (Charlotte, NC, USA). Organized by the Ethnic America Network.

November 2-4, Crescent Project National Conference (Raleigh-Durham, NC, USA).

November 3, Student ConneXion (Portland, OR, USA). Student missions conference geared towards students ages 10-20.

November 3-4, Check-IT-Out Fall 2017 Conference (Waxhaw, NC, USA). For IT professionals and students to explore using their skills in support of Bible translation.

November 4, Heart for Muslims Conference (New York City, NY, USA).

November 5, International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (global). An annual event, also observed November 12.

November 5-17, Second Language Acquisition Course (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided by the Center for Intercultural Training.

November 6 to March 18, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Course (online). Provided by the Perspectives Study Program.

November 8-11, Vulnerable Missions Conference (Ambridge, PA, USA). Moving beyond post-colonial dependency.

November 9-11, Global Missions Health Conference (Louisville, KY, USA). Annual event focused on medical missions.

November 10-11, The Journey Deepens (Waxhaw, NC, USA). Explore becoming a missionary. Sponsored by MissionNext.

November 13-14, Support Raising Bootcamp (Brea, CA, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

November 13-15, North American Central Asia Forum (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

November 15-16, Standards Introductory Workshop presented by Standards of Excellence in Short-term Missions (Peoria, IL, USA). A pre-conference workshop at the International Conference on Missions.

November 16, Missionary Accountability and Missionary Care (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

November 16-19, International Conference on Missions (Peoria, IL, USA). Conference of the Christian Church/Churches of Christ.

November 28-30, Your FOCUS on the World Coach Training (Minneapolis, MN, USA). Church mission coaching training from Catalyst Services.

December 5-7, Finishing the Task Conference (Lake Forest, CA, USA).

December 12-13, Support Raising Bootcamp (Orlando, FL, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.

December 26-29, Chinese Mission Convention (Ontario, CA, USA).

» View the complete calendar. Please let us know about mistakes or omissions. For more about a specific event, though, you should contact the event organizers.