Missions Catalyst

1. World: Nearly Half of Migrants Are Christian, Pew Research Shows
2. Haiti: Loving Care Leads Survivors of Voodoo Boat Explosion to Christ
3. Malaysia: Proposal for Muslims to Preach in Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Challenged
4. Rwanda: Thousands of Churches Shut Down After Failed Inspections
5. USA: One High School Student Leads 895 to Christ

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Source: Religion News Service, August 19, 2024

The world’s 280 million immigrants have greater shares of Christians, Muslims, and Jews than the general population, according to a new Pew Research Center study released Monday (August 19).

“You see migrants coming to places like the U.S., Canada, different places through Western Europe, and being more religious—and sometimes more Christian in particular—than the native-born people in those countries,” said Stephanie Kramer, the study’s lead researcher.

While Christians make up about 30% of the world’s population, the world’s migrants are 47% Christian, according to the latest data collected in 2020. The study found that Muslims make up 29% of the migrant population but 25% of the world’s population. Jews, only 0.2% of the world’s population but 1% of migrants, are by far the most likely religious group to have migrated, with 20% of Jews worldwide living outside their country of birth compared to just 6% of Christians and 4% of Muslims.

Read the complete article. How should these dynamics affect our prayers and ministries?

You might enjoy an article about an opportunity Christian workers had to minister to the family of a pastor who continued to serve those around them after fleeing Pakistan (Beyond).

See also the UN’s recent interactive World Migration Report.

Source: Mission Network News, August 13, 2024

Dozens of Haitians recently survived a tragic boat explosion off the coast of northern Haiti. Roseline DeHart of For Haiti With Love says, “They are guessing there were around 80 people on the boat, but they don’t know because only 30 of them survived.”

Alcohol and fire used in a voodoo ceremony caused the explosion, leaving survivors with severe burns. Many turned to For Haiti’s burn clinic for help when they came ashore, and their treatments continue today.

“Burns are slow healing. [They] take a lot of a lot of bandages, a lot of materials,” DeHart explains.

“We had sent supplies down there just before that (accident) happened, so God had everything in place.”

Clinic workers shared the gospel with every survivor as they began initial treatments. “They were telling us their story, and we started telling them about Jesus and how Jesus is waiting for them to come to him,” DeHart says.

“They said after surviving from that (accident) they were ready for Jesus.”

Today, God is turning what the enemy meant for evil into something good. For Haiti’s burn treatments and discipleship sessions continue. “They come in every other day until they’re healed, and they will hear the gospel while they’re getting treated the whole time,” DeHart says.

“The water is still pushing bodies out; it’s a very tragic time,” DeHart says.

See the full story with prayer points and a few photos.

See also North Carolina Woman Dies During Haiti Vodou Retreat to Become Manbo Priestess (Christian News Network).

Source: International Christian Concern, August 19, 2024

A leading interfaith group in Malaysia has criticized a top Islamic official’s suggestion that Muslims be allowed to preach in churches and other non-Islamic places of worship.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST) expressed concerns that such a move could increase tensions and undermine the sanctity of other houses of worship.

The controversy erupted after Datuk Mohamad Sabri Haron, the Mufti of Terengganu, stated that Muslims have the right to enter places of worship of other faiths to spread Islam. The Mufti’s remarks sparked outrage among non-Muslim communities, who view the proposal as a direct challenge to religious freedom and interfaith harmony in the predominantly Muslim nation.

The MCCBCHST argued that the Malaysian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion but does not permit proselytizing in places of worship of other faiths. The group called on the government to clarify the legal status of the Mufti’s proposal and to take steps to protect the rights of all religious groups.

Read the full story.

We may soon have news about Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh, missing since 2017 (Mission Network News).

Source: The Christian Post, August 10, 2024

Rwanda closed more than 5,600 churches in July 2024 after nearly a third of the inspected places of worship failed to meet legal standards. The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) said that 13,000 religious institutions were inspected in collaboration with the local authorities.

RGB Chief Executive Dr. Usta Kaitesi, told Kigali-based news site IGIHE—which reported an even higher number of over 7,700 churches closed—that the board, in collaboration with local authorities, carried out the inspection over two weeks in July. She revealed that a large number of the churches affected did not have the requisite permits to operate places of worship while others could not provide the qualifications of the leaders.

Kaitesi said that faith-based organizations were given ample time to comply with the regulations. She added that a significant number of the affected churches had minor infractions, which could be rectified and their permits reinstated. A majority of places of worship impacted by the ongoing crackdown were Pentecostal churches.

Read the full story.

Several other stories about battles over churches and church buildings have come our way recently:

• Read about a new decree that makes worship difficult for persecuted Christians in Vietnam (Global Christian Relief).
• Learn why a Baptist group in Uzbekistan is frustrated at the recent demolition of two buildings under construction, evidently due to pressure from a state-appointed Muslim cleric who opposed Christian activity (Forum 18).

Source: God Reports, August 13, 2024

Abraham Aguilar was a backslidden pothead when he attended the Potter’s House Church in Palmdale, California, and felt God impress on his heart: It’s either now or never.

As a result of Abraham’s simple decision to receive Jesus at the altar, he has turned into an evangelizing machine as a senior at Palmdale High School, and 895 students gave their lives to the Lord in 2023-24.

“I thought my senior year was going to be just another year of school,” [he said]. But God had other plans.

“I just started witnessing to students, teachers and janitors,” he reports. “People were very open. During the lunch line, I would open my mouth and start boldly proclaiming God’s words.”

First, a group of 12 was saved, and they launched a Bible study on campus. By the end of the semester, 275 teens had prayed to receive the Lord. Their high attendance was 73 at the lunch Bible study. They had to move from a classroom to the gym.

In the second semester, Abraham got even bolder. He preached in the school square, and 70 students responded. By the year’s end, 895 high schoolers gave their lives to Christ.

Read the full story.

In this issue:

1. Editor’s Note: Surprising Stories and Strange Reversals
2. Nigeria: Christian Remained in Captivity to Aid Elderly Muslim Woman
3. Taiwan: Widowed Missionary Returns to the Field as a Single Mom
4. Japan: Keys to Revival in a Resistant Nation
5. UK: What Are So Many Iranians Doing Here?

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