Category: News Briefs

Dear readers,

We’re taking a break from publishing News Briefs for the month of March. We need the time to do some work behind the scenes: to evaluate our list of sources, look for those we’ve lost track of and might want to re-engage, and probably add some new ones. 

But we could also use your help! If you have some input, could you hit reply on this email?

1. What are your favorite sources for news related to:
    a. International events?
    b. Ministry stories and strategies?
    c. Issues affecting the global church?

2. What topics or content types would you like to see in News Briefs? 

3. Is there anything you’d like to see less of in News Briefs?

4. Is there a specific source you’d like to see us put on our source list? (e.g., a missionary blog or newsletter, ministry website and publication, or other source that publishes mission-related news) 

Note, we’re not planning to start writing our own news briefs from scratch; you can expect to see stories previously published elsewhere. We also expect to continue our policy of only reprinting stories from sources that have given us blanket permission to use their content rather than borrowing more freely from those who might not welcome it. We will, though, continue to include links to a variety of sources. 

Much thanks!
Marti Wade & Pat Noble

Source: Global Gates and Missio Nexus

People of many nations have landed on the shores of North America looking for refuge, community, a new home and hope. These diaspora people groups have settled in urban areas often creating sub-communities within larger cities. There are many mission agencies and churches that are engaged with direct ministry. But there is still a significant need for engagement for these people to be reached with the gospel and find true, lasting, and eternal hope.

God has brought the nations to us; will we be faithful in taking his gospel to them?

Download a “misssiographic” for New York City and a new one for Toronto. Look for data visualizations about three more cities in months to come.

Note: Looks like the New York City metro area is home to more than four million unreached people, 20% of the city’s population (roughly equal to its entire population in 1900!) Global Gates says at least 20% of the Toronto population is also unreached. 

Source: Mission Network News, February 11, 2021 

Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, saw the completion of more Bible translations in 2020 than in any other single year.

“Instead of slowing down because of COVID-19, for some national Bible translators, translation has actually accelerated,” says Tim Neu, Interim President and CEO of Wycliffe Associates.

New Testament translations were completed in 141 languages, and 8 languages now have completed translations of the Old Testament.

“I’ve been humbled to see how believers in difficult areas, some in places of intense persecution and real danger, have been absolutely unwavering in their dedication to the cause,” says Neu.

Read full story.

As we previously reported, 2020 saw big gains in digital scripture access. See also What’s A Heart Language? (The Seed Company) and a fun, four-minute video, How Many Languages Are There? (Tom Scott).

Source: Praying for Indonesia, February 3, 2021

A West Sumatra high school punished Christian students for refusing to wear a hijab during online classes. Parental outcry led to a ruling of unacceptable religious intolerance from the Education and Culture minister, and an apology from the high school.

Praise God this incident for the firm action by the Education Minister. Pray that this results in addressing general intolerance of Christians and other minorities.

Published on Facebook. The intersection of dress codes and online schooling got us thinking. But it also spurred a legal ruling: See Indonesia Bans Forced Religious Attire in Schools (BBC) and a longer article from Al Jazeera.

Also from Indonesia: Some missionaries are looking for 1,000 daily prayer partners to intercede for the people group they hope to reach. See Pray for the Banjar. There are too many similar efforts for us to curate them all, but if you have a vested interest in a specific group, look/ask around to see if there’s a prayer campaign you might want to join.

Source: Christian Aid Mission, February 11, 2021

A 19-year-old man in one area had engaged in [occult] practices for years, with sorcerers sending him to church services to carry out spiritual attacks—casting secret spells or invoking demons as he disrupted worship, a local ministry leader said.

“Once he came to our church to attack as usual, but he was caught by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word during our evening service,” the leader said. “He never went back to the dark world. He became a member of our church and is following a discipleship course in order to be baptized.”

The leader learned that the young man had been born in a rural area to destitute parents who could not afford to send him to school. An aunt who practiced a blend of Islam and witchcraft had offered to take him to a city to live with her on the false premise that she would educate him. Actually she sought to initiate him into the occult; she dedicated him to serve Satan, the leader said.

The full story acknowledges that neither witchcraft nor Islam are common in the impoverished country, where most identify as Christians, but this district is a bit different. We can pray for the three new churches there.

Please also pray for Haiti, facing a constitutional crisis (Miami Herald).

Source: Open Doors, February 1, 2021

On the morning of February 1, Christians around the world woke up to the news there had been a coup in Myanmar. The military has detained a number of opposition politicians, including the civilian leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Our sources on the ground tell us Myanmar’s new military takeover could lead to news blackouts, tightening restrictions on the church, and a resurgence of pro-Buddhist sentiment. Yet local believers in Myanmar are responding the best way they know how—through prayer.

Reports from local church contacts have been trickling in. “Pastors are admonishing their members to pray and intercede for the country in their homes,” shares [a partner named] Daisy. “In less restricted areas, some pastors and believers have gathered for prayer meetings in their churches.”

“The majority of our contacts across Myanmar are still out of reach, but despite the absence of communication, there is confidence that the Holy Spirit will give the church leaders wisdom for such a time as this.”

» Full story and a followup story include more on-the-ground reports and prayer points. A story from Mission Network News includes similar language, saying the national church sees this as a time to pray as in the days of Queen Esther (see Esther 4:16).

» For background and continuing coverage of events in Myanmar, see coverage from the BBC.

» You might also be interested in The Case for Multi-Ethnic Churches in Multi-Cultural Myanmar (OMF International). It’s part of Mission Roundtable, OMF’s “journal for reflective practitioners.”

Source: International Mission Board, January 26, 2021

Amita tells her story: how her family’s travels as refugees had been riddled with harrowing difficulties since leaving Afghanistan. Her father’s declining health added to her daily burden. Amita’s brother, a recent convert to Christianity, told her of a hope that went beyond this natural world. Struggling to understand, she found it difficult to believe. She was lonely, scared, and tired.

Over the weeks, Amita thought about her brother’s words. Little by little light broke into her darkness and she soon started to think this must be true. Jesus must be reaching out for her. She talked with her brother again and asked how she, too, could follow Jesus.

Upon arriving in Europe, after watching God deliver her father not only from earthly death, but also eternal death, Amita and her family sought out a believing community [and] started attending gatherings regularly.

As this desire grew in Amita’s heart, an IMB worker and a national partner also began praying that God would gather a group of Afghan teen girls, an often overlooked demographic in circles of new believers. As God answered this prayer, Amita agreed to invite other girls and bring her 14-year-old sister along.

Today Amita passionately shares what God has done for her. Never missing a meeting, she encourages girls who have not yet committed to follow Jesus to seek his Word and trust him with their lives. Will you ask God to extend her influence among this young generation of Afghan girls, orchestrating a spread of the gospel and changed lives?

» Full story includes a short video providing a good introduction to greater Central Asia.

» For other articles related to refugees and immigrants, see Jordan Becomes First Country to Vaccinate Refugees (INcontext Ministries) and US Travel Ban Lifted, New Mission Field Takes Shape (Mission Network News).

Source: Open Doors, January 29, 2021

Our Africa services team is reporting that Nigeria’s army has reportedly rescued hundreds of people abducted by Boko Haram—including at least one of the 112 still-missing Chibok girls kidnapped in April 2014 in an attack on a girls’ finishing school in the northeastern Nigerian village of Chibok.

A military source told Nigerian news publication The Cable that the rescue followed a series of military operations in the Sambisa Forest where hundreds of captives are being freed.

“For a month now, troops have been bombarding the Sambisa forest and Boko Haram hideouts, and many civilians are being rescued,” a military source said. “When the enemies are neutralized, those they have captured regain freedom.” Among those freed is a Chibok girl, Hauwa Halima Maigana, rescued after her captors’ hideout was cleared.

According to CNN, Maigana called her father to say she and others had managed to flee Boko Haram militants Thursday. Her father told CNN, “She asked me, ‘Is this my daddy? Is this my daddy?’ and she started crying. The crying was [so] much and I couldn’t hear her very well. I was crying too. I never expected to hear from her again.”

» Read full story. Let’s pray for Maigana, her family, and Nigeria.

» See also Kidnapped Christian Professor in Nigeria Released, Sources Say and Christians Leaders Killed in Middle Belt of Nigeria (Morning Star News).

Source: Beyond, January 30, 2021

In North India, a young follower of Jesus tutors in the home of a neighboring Sikh family. She learned that one of the boys could not hear or speak and that the family was being ostracized. Because of their “cursed son,” extended family members would not let them visit.

The boy’s parents had spent a lot of money trying to heal him, but nothing worked. They felt deep shame. The father had tried to kill himself several times. The whole family even ingested poison once, attempting to end it all.

For weeks, the young woman prayed with the family. Then her father, Sanjay, went to their home and read the story of creation: how God created mankind. He explained that as God’s creation, it wasn’t right for them to try to kill themselves.

The family began visiting a nearby house church and listened to the testimonies. After six weeks, they asked to learn how to start a Bible study group in their home. Their lives improved in many ways! The son began responding to his name, and now even says “Mama” and “Dada.” Though some of their extended family members still reject them, they are strong in Jesus.

» Read full story.