Day: October 21, 2015

Missions Catalyst News Briefs 10.21.15

1. USA: Drawing Attention to the Word of God with Music
2. PAKISTAN: Supreme Court’s Landmark Judgment
3. TANZANIA: Seven Churches Attacked by Arsonists
4. MYANMAR: Doors Open for Mission Aviation
5. EGYPT: Broadcast Ministry Requests Prayer

A Christian youth festival in Egypt, the sixth annual OneThing festival, took place in Wadi el Natroun October 1-3 with around 7,000 people attending each day and more watching broadcasts (SAT-7).

Greetings!

In last week’s edition of Missions Catalyst, Shane Bennett mentioned that his social media feeds predict “the imminent demise of civilization or at least the destruction of all good people.” Mine, too! Consider, though, that Heaven may not measure progress on Earth the way we often do.

When I am overwhelmed with the news of Earth I am always encouraged by the stories of the spread of God’s Word. Though stifled in some places, overall it is gaining, growing, and glorious in its progress. As this week’s stories remind us, the Word is spreading in print, song, and through the testimonies of believers; as Paul said, “you are our epistle” (2 Corinthians 3:2).

A collection of more than a dozen good news stories about caring for refugees really inspired me, so much so that I think I might go serve them myself!

Want to know where the refugees are going week by week? Check out this interactive map from the International Office of Migration.

His truth is marching on!
Pat

Source: United Bible Societies, October 8, 2015

At the United Bible Societies we love the Bible. We are working towards the day when everyone can access the Bible in the language and medium of their choice. With “Your Word,” Scripture is shared through music in many languages.

It all started with a Facebook message this summer from Billy Dorsey, a multi-award winning musician from USA. We connected immediately, sharing the same passion for the Bible. We shared Billy’s story, how he grew from being homeless to a success in a music industry.

Following that article, Billy wrote “Your Word,” a Scripture-based worship song. But it’s more than a worship song. Thanks to musicians and Bible Societies partnering together, net revenues from the online release on iTunes will be dedicated to Bible translation. “Your Word” will help people to receive the Word of God in their languages [through] crowd funding.

The song will be released at the end of November, but already today you’re invited behind the scenes at the recording of the song in the first six languages.

» Read full story. And rejoice with heaven (and UBS) on the publication of Words That Changed the World, a beautiful book in Arabic with the illustrated text of the Sermon on the Mount.

» For more stories about the Word going forth in song, see Justin Bieber of Nepal Converts to Christianity (Christianity Today) and check out this Cairo group’s beautiful song in Arabic, Master of the Universe (Global Worship).

Source: World Watch Monitor, October 14, 2015

In a landmark judgment on October 7, the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the death sentence of Malik Mumtaz Qadri, 30, who murdered the former Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, a liberal Muslim, because of Taseer’s views on the country’s controversial blasphemy laws.

Liberal Muslims and minority groups welcomed the courageous decision of the Supreme Court’s judges, which affirmed democratic values, including the rule of law, and rejected religious fanaticism in the public sphere.

Human rights activists and minorities have been demanding the repeal of blasphemy laws as these laws have been widely used as a tool against minorities, especially against Christians and Ahmadis.

Former Governor Taseer was murdered for defending an illiterate and poor Pakistani Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who was convicted and received the death sentence under the blasphemy law. Her appeal is still pending in the Supreme Court.

» Read full story, and see how this ruling is affecting Asia Bibi (DAWN.com).

» You might also be interested in the plight of hundreds of Pakistani Christian asylum-seekers arrested in Bangkok (Jubilee Campaign) and the Peshawar women fighting the Taliban (The Guardian).

Source: Voice of the Martyrs, October 9, 2015

In late September, Muslim extremists burned seven churches within a week in northwestern Tanzania. Three churches were burned on September 22 and four more on September 27. One church, the Living Water International Church, suffered its third arson attack in two years. Each time the 70-member church attempts to upgrade its tin structure to a cement building, it is set on fire and forced to start over.

» Add your prayers. See related story with additional detail (World Watch Monitor).

Source: Mission Network News, October 15, 2015

[Burma/Myanmar] is among the poorest nations in the world. In rural communities, healthcare and education are all but non-existent. Hunger and poverty are extreme. The geography works against development. “Around the edges of the country are a lot of mountains and isolated people who do not have capabilities of travel,” explains Ron Wismer with Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Today, MAF Myanmar is registered in the country and developing the necessary permissions to commence a flight operation.

The MAF presence will support a vibrant local church, too: flight will speed anything that local church needs to do. Some of the isolated communities are already excited about the thought of what MAF can offer them. “Praise God for this good news,” said villagers at Lailenpi. “We hope and pray that the Lord will continue to guide MAF until all the remaining steps are met with success and joy.”

» Read full story.

» You might also be interested in a story about efforts to empower Myanmar’s rural villagers to offer guidance for community development projects (Global Voices).

Source: SAT-7, October 12, 2015

On Saturday October 10, officers from Egypt’s Censorship Department came to the SAT-7 studios with a search warrant and removed items of equipment, including cameras and computers used for editing. The Office Director, Mr. Farid Samir, was detained for six hours but then released. He faces four charges relating to operating a satellite TV channel without the necessary licenses, although the SAT-7 Egypt office is a program production facility and not a satellite broadcast center for any of the SAT-7 channels.

A hearing was held Sunday October 11 at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, during which it became clear that all charges are based on a lack of and/or incorrect information. A decision will be [made] by the Public Prosecutor in the next few days concerning whether this case will go to court.

In the meantime, the confiscated equipment remains in police custody and the normal activities of SAT-7 in Egypt are severely disrupted.

The work of SAT-7 Egypt is carried out under the legal umbrella of the Coptic Evangelical Church but its services are in support of all the Church denominations in Egypt.

Though facing challenges, the SAT-7 team in Egypt remain encouraged by the love and support they have received. As Farid Samir wrote [October 12], “Unite with us in prayer so that we can complete our ministry—one based on love and which aims to serve our beloved country.”

» Read full story and please pray for the SAT-7 Egypt team. See also a most encouraging story about a Christian youth festival in Egypt that attracted about 7,000 people a day, and pray for another youth event planned for November 6-8.