Pakistan: Christians are Witnessing! | 31st Jan 2010

“I belong to a Muslim family”, says Irfan L: “In 1998 I accepted Jesus Christ and became a believer. After Salvation I attended Bible seminary at FGA Bible College, Lahore, in 2006. Now I’m working for God as FGA Church Pastor in Abottabad, (NWFP), Pakistan. God is using me for His work and Glory especially among Afghan Refugees. I do Evangelism among Muslims and distribute Bibles and Christian Literature to them. Running two Evening Schools for 25 Afghan Refugees children, who work in day time and get education in evening.”

Source: Short Notes-mailing

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 44:20-22

PRAISE: God His work progresses in spite of trials.

Pakistan: Christians are Witnessing! | 31st Dec 09

“I belong to a Muslim family”, says Irfan L: “In 1998 I accepted Jesus Christ and became a believer. After Salvation I attended Bible seminary at FGA Bible College, Lahore, in 2006. Now I’m working for God as FGA Church Pastor in Abottabad, (NWFP), Pakistan. God is using me for His work and Glory especially among Afghan Refugees. I do Evangelism among Muslims and distribute Bibles and Christian Literature to them. Running two Evening Schools for 25 Afghan Refugees children, who work in day time and get education in evening.”

Source: Short Notes-mailing

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 44:20-22

PRAISE: God His work progresses in spite of trials.

Radio Points Turkey to Christ | 2nd Nov 09

In Turkey’s capital city Ankara Radio Shema FM 98 is doing something that is rarely allowed in a Muslim country. “We openly talk about Jesus Christ and read the Bible,” said Soner Tufan, Radio Shema’s general manager. Tufan explained that the radio station has become a powerful tool in changing people’s perception of Christianity. “People here have deep suspicions about Christianity – they view it as a form of imperialism and a faith that belongs to Westerners,” But Tufan said, “They really love the songs we play. We are able to communicate the truth about God and His love for mankind. And this is helping to change people’s idea about Jesus.”

Today, Christians make up only 0.6 of the population of Turkey. Tufan used to be a Muslim until he had his own personal encounter with Jesus Christ. “There is a growing fascination with religion and spirituality in general,” he explained. “What we are doing is planting the seed in the hope that it will find deep ground,” said one of Radio Shema’s on-air announcers. Shema Radio needs a license to function as an entity, and so far they have not had any challenges getting that license each year. But the people who operate the station said sharing the Gospel can be challenging. “We get threats from radical Muslims who say that this is an Islamic country and that we have no right talking about Christ,” Tufan said. “But this is nothing new for Christians living in Turkey today.”

Those caught sharing the Gospel without permission are often detained. And those who convert to Christianity are accused of betraying their Turkish heritage. “It’s not easy trying to convince people that having faith in Jesus doesn’t mean that we are a threat to Turkish society,” one announcer said. “That’s why reading the Bible on-air and teaching people about God allows people to know more about what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
Turkey is a secular republic and the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Still, Christians face discrimination. Non-Muslims are barred from joining the police force or the military. Top government positions are off limits to them. But the team at Radio Shema hopes their efforts will help change people’s attitudes about the faith. “We are careful not to talk against or to attack other people’s beliefs,” Tufan told CBN News. “We just share the truth about Jesus. And we believe that is sufficient to reach people with the Gospel message.”
Source: Christian World News

Bible Study: Luke 8:4-15

Day 1 – PRAISE: God that Christians are boldly speaking up for Christ, despite hostility.
Day 2 – PRAY: That many Muslims will find Christ through the radio programmes.

Radio Points Turkey to Christ | 1 Nov 09

In Turkey’s capital city Ankara Radio Shema FM 98 is doing something that is rarely allowed in a Muslim country. “We openly talk about Jesus Christ and read the Bible,” said Soner Tufan, Radio Shema’s general manager. Tufan explained that the radio station has become a powerful tool in changing people’s perception of Christianity. “People here have deep suspicions about Christianity – they view it as a form of imperialism and a faith that belongs to Westerners,” But Tufan said, “They really love the songs we play. We are able to communicate the truth about God and His love for mankind. And this is helping to change people’s idea about Jesus.”

Today, Christians make up only 0.6 of the population of Turkey. Tufan used to be a Muslim until he had his own personal encounter with Jesus Christ. “There is a growing fascination with religion and spirituality in general,” he explained. “What we are doing is planting the seed in the hope that it will find deep ground,” said one of Radio Shema’s on-air announcers. Shema Radio needs a license to function as an entity, and so far they have not had any challenges getting that license each year. But the people who operate the station said sharing the Gospel can be challenging. “We get threats from radical Muslims who say that this is an Islamic country and that we have no right talking about Christ,” Tufan said. “But this is nothing new for Christians living in Turkey today.”

Those caught sharing the Gospel without permission are often detained. And those who convert to Christianity are accused of betraying their Turkish heritage. “It’s not easy trying to convince people that having faith in Jesus doesn’t mean that we are a threat to Turkish society,” one announcer said. “That’s why reading the Bible on-air and teaching people about God allows people to know more about what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
Turkey is a secular republic and the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Still, Christians face discrimination. Non-Muslims are barred from joining the police force or the military. Top government positions are off limits to them. But the team at Radio Shema hopes their efforts will help change people’s attitudes about the faith. “We are careful not to talk against or to attack other people’s beliefs,” Tufan told CBN News. “We just share the truth about Jesus. And we believe that is sufficient to reach people with the Gospel message.”
Source: Christian World News

Bible Study: Luke 8:4-15

Day 1 – PRAISE: God that Christians are boldly speaking up for Christ, despite hostility.
Day 2 – PRAY: That many Muslims will find Christ through the radio programmes.

Radio Points Turkey to Christ | 2 Oct 09

In Turkey’s capital city Ankara Radio Shema FM 98 is doing something that is rarely allowed in a Muslim country. “We openly talk about Jesus Christ and read the Bible,” said Soner Tufan, Radio Shema’s general manager. Tufan explained that the radio station has become a powerful tool in changing people’s perception of Christianity. “People here have deep suspicions about Christianity – they view it as a form of imperialism and a faith that belongs to Westerners,” But Tufan said, “They really love the songs we play. We are able to communicate the truth about God and His love for mankind. And this is helping to change people’s idea about Jesus.”

Today, Christians make up only 0.6 of the population of Turkey. Tufan used to be a Muslim until he had his own personal encounter with Jesus Christ. “There is a growing fascination with religion and spirituality in general,” he explained. “What we are doing is planting the seed in the hope that it will find deep ground,” said one of Radio Shema’s on-air announcers. Shema Radio needs a license to function as an entity, and so far they have not had any challenges getting that license each year. But the people who operate the station said sharing the Gospel can be challenging. “We get threats from radical Muslims who say that this is an Islamic country and that we have no right talking about Christ,” Tufan said. “But this is nothing new for Christians living in Turkey today.”

Those caught sharing the Gospel without permission are often detained. And those who convert to Christianity are accused of betraying their Turkish heritage. “It’s not easy trying to convince people that having faith in Jesus doesn’t mean that we are a threat to Turkish society,” one announcer said. “That’s why reading the Bible on-air and teaching people about God allows people to know more about what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
Turkey is a secular republic and the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Still, Christians face discrimination. Non-Muslims are barred from joining the police force or the military. Top government positions are off limits to them. But the team at Radio Shema hopes their efforts will help change people’s attitudes about the faith. “We are careful not to talk against or to attack other people’s beliefs,” Tufan told CBN News. “We just share the truth about Jesus. And we believe that is sufficient to reach people with the Gospel message.”
Source: Christian World News

Bible Study: Luke 8:4-15

Day 1 – PRAISE: God that Christians are boldly speaking up for Christ, despite hostility.
Day 2 – PRAY: That many Muslims will find Christ through the radio programmes.

Radio Points Turkey to Christ | 1 Oct 09

In Turkey’s capital city Ankara Radio Shema FM 98 is doing something that is rarely allowed in a Muslim country. “We openly talk about Jesus Christ and read the Bible,” said Soner Tufan, Radio Shema’s general manager. Tufan explained that the radio station has become a powerful tool in changing people’s perception of Christianity. “People here have deep suspicions about Christianity – they view it as a form of imperialism and a faith that belongs to Westerners,” But Tufan said, “They really love the songs we play. We are able to communicate the truth about God and His love for mankind. And this is helping to change people’s idea about Jesus.”

Today, Christians make up only 0.6 of the population of Turkey. Tufan used to be a Muslim until he had his own personal encounter with Jesus Christ. “There is a growing fascination with religion and spirituality in general,” he explained. “What we are doing is planting the seed in the hope that it will find deep ground,” said one of Radio Shema’s on-air announcers. Shema Radio needs a license to function as an entity, and so far they have not had any challenges getting that license each year. But the people who operate the station said sharing the Gospel can be challenging. “We get threats from radical Muslims who say that this is an Islamic country and that we have no right talking about Christ,” Tufan said. “But this is nothing new for Christians living in Turkey today.”

Those caught sharing the Gospel without permission are often detained. And those who convert to Christianity are accused of betraying their Turkish heritage. “It’s not easy trying to convince people that having faith in Jesus doesn’t mean that we are a threat to Turkish society,” one announcer said. “That’s why reading the Bible on-air and teaching people about God allows people to know more about what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
Turkey is a secular republic and the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Still, Christians face discrimination. Non-Muslims are barred from joining the police force or the military. Top government positions are off limits to them. But the team at Radio Shema hopes their efforts will help change people’s attitudes about the faith. “We are careful not to talk against or to attack other people’s beliefs,” Tufan told CBN News. “We just share the truth about Jesus. And we believe that is sufficient to reach people with the Gospel message.”
Source: Christian World News

Bible Study: Luke 8:4-15

Day 1 – PRAISE: God that Christians are boldly speaking up for Christ, despite hostility.
Day 2 – PRAY: That many Muslims will find Christ through the radio programmes.

Swine flu stats worry, Pope urges morality at G8, and Muslim teacher banned because of veil

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to freelance journalist Hazel Southam, (pictured) about the latest news from a Christian standpoint. Today,  should we be worried about the vast numbers of people expected to get Swine Flu?  Will anyone take notice of the Pope when he speaks out at the G8, and is there too much fuss about Muslims and the veil?

(apologies for the poor sound quality in this week’s edition)

Story Links:

Swine flu:

telegraph.co.uk  Cases of swine flu ‘could top 100,000 a day by August’

guardian.co.uk Uk Swine Flu can no longer be contained

direct.gov.uk  Official advice site

Pope and G8:

cafod.org.uk Pope and rock stars call on G8

timesonline.co.uk Pope’s new encyclical date may be delayed until the start of G8

Muslim veil:

dailymail.co.uk Catholic school bans Muslim teacher

telegraph.co.uk Muslim pupils and teacher ordered to remove veils

Christians and Muslims Live in Peace | 13

In the southern Philippines, the army is fi ghting a group of Muslim rebels – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front – that wants parts of the island of Mindanao declared a Muslim enclave. In the midst of the violence, a Muslim village that used to be a haven for rebels is now sowing peace. Before the year 2000, the residents hated all Christians, especially after soldiers burned down their houses in an all out war against the MILF.

But then the Christian organization, Project I.S.L.A.M., acronym for I Sincerely Love All Muslims, helped the Muslim villagers rebuild their houses and their lives. Pastor Lad is Project I.S.L.A.M.’s dedicated worker in Delabayan. “Our desire is to help the Muslims, to reach out to them in love and by doing so bring reconciliation between the Christians and the Muslims,” he said.

Meanwhile, Muslim village leader Sultan Kamlon Moner strongly believes that their children should be educated. This is why he is very grateful for the free college education that the youth in Delabayan receive through Project I.S.L.A.M. His daughter, Jasmin was one of its scholars and is now working as a social worker in a Christian school. Because of Jasmine’s success, her brother Margani, who was an MILF rebel, decided to leave the renegade group and join mainstream society. He is now a scholar of Project I.S.L.A.M, taking up criminology. “It was in a youth camp of Project I.S.L.A.M. that I learned to forgive my Christian brothers,” Margani said. “I chose this course because I want to help maintain the peace and order in our community.”

Source: Christian World News

Bible Study: Matthew 5:1-12

PRAISE: God for this extraordinary example of love of Christ’s people building bridges of peace.

Five Christians Acquitted in Pakistan | 3

Five Christians charged with “blasphemy” against Islam during April 2007 religious holidays were released in January. Their acquittal and release came through out-of-court meetings between Muslim leaders and a Christian organization.

“This is a wonderful sign that has made history,” said Shahzad Kamran, a case worker for Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan (SLMP), which negotiated with the Muslim leaders. “This case can set a precedent for future blasphemy cases against Christians.” Rather than attempt to settle the matter in court, the legal advocacy group sought out Muslim leaders directly to persuade them that the accused were innocent; the Islamic clerics then compelled area Muslims to drop their charges.

The case began over a quarrel between the 12 year old younger brother of one of the accused and a Muslim child named Sunny. In the course of the argument, a sticker fell off Sunny’s shirt that bore the words Yah Rasool Allah, a reference to Muhammad as God’s messenger. The Christian children were accused of blasphemy, violence soon broke out, and police eventually arrested the five men on charges of insulting Islam. But, through the mediation, the Islamic clergymen agreed to issue a fatwa declaring the accused men innocent of blasphemy. The Muslim witnesses withdrew their testimony, and the District Judge acquitted the fi ve men.

The legal advocates involved in the case said they would employ reconciliation in future cases of false blasphemy charges. They said that battling such cases in court can still free innocent people, but it does not help to solve sectarian strife that leads to violence and false charges.

Source: Compass Direct News

PRAISE: God for the peaceful resolution of this case. Pray this will strengthen peace between communities.

Credit crunch could mean good news for churches, Sony video game double standard, and athiest ad welcomed by churches

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.

Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, editor of Inspire Magazine,   about the latest news from a Christian perspective.  Today,  the credit squeeze on the retail trade could mean good news for churches, Sony’s new video game is delayed out of respect for Muslims, but not the one that offended Christians, and Richard Dawkins’ athiest adverts on buses are welcomed by the Methodist Church.

Story Links:

Retail squeeze at Christmas:

guardian.co.uk Credit crunch may mar shoppers’ Christmas

channel4.com Christmas credit crisis

cofe.anglican.org Matter of Life and Debt

Sony’s video game:

bbc.co.uk  Game delayed over Korean phrases

churchtimes.co.uk  Sony refuses to withdraw game

Athiest adverts:

inspiremagazine.org Methodists thank Dawkins for putting God on the buses

ekklesia.co.uk Athiest evangelism campaign

athiestcampaign.org  official site