Algeria: Quiet Advance of the Gospel | 309 | Report 27 & 28

Algeria is one of the most unreached nations in the world for the Gospel. The mostly Muslim North African country is comprised of only 0.1% evangelical Christians, according to the Joshua Project. Operation World says Algeria is home to 41 people groups, 85% of whom are unreached. It might seem hopeless upon first glance, but behind the scenes, the Gospel is moving at exponential rates. “What God is doing in Algeria today is totally unique in history,” says Operation Mobilization Algeria Field Leader, Youssef. “We have seen the power of God coming in amazing ways.”

Since Youssef and his wife, Hee Tee, from Malaysia, began the ministry of the House of Hope in Algeria in 1996, they have witnessed God change hundreds of lives. The country has one of the fastest-growing churches in the Muslim World. The church has a great deal of work to do, but Youssef and his team are making significant headway. Youssef himself comes from a conservative Muslim background, as do many of those who work with him, allowing them to relate easily with the demographic they are trying to reach.

After 15 years in Algeria, Youssef has been able to gather 40 adults to serve in the House of Hope’s 10 ministries. This group seeks to bring the Truth they’ve found to people around the country through radio and satellite television, sports ministry, church planting, training, and micro-enterprise business, among other things. While Christian witness is limited and literature is not widely available, radio and television reach nearly everyone. Some of the House of Hope teammates came to Christ themselves through TV and radio.

Several hundred seekers and new believers contact the team every month, often getting in touch through the phone number given during the radio or television programmes. Though offering a telephone number via satellite TV invites trouble, the team has been able to hear stories of how God is reaching people who might otherwise never have heard the Good News. The media work started in 2001 by filming seminars at the Bible school. Now, the media team produces over 200 radio programmes in local dialects and almost 200 television programmes with testimonies and teaching.

Many have heard about Christ for the first time from these programmes, and others have had visions of Jesus confirmed as they watch. “When I look back since 1996, the Lord has done great things,” says Youssef. “The team is doing a wonderful job, and God is moving in amazing ways. It is a dangerous mission. Algeria is ranked 22 on the Open Doors World Watch List for the persecuted church. Youssef and Hee Tee have been threatened by terrorists to cease their work.

Source:Open Doors; Mission Network News

BIBLE STUDY: Matthew 13:30-34

Report 27 – PRAISE: God that the Gospel is changing amid such challenging and perilous circumstances.
Report 28 – PRAY: That Youssef and his team will be upheld and encouraged daily in their vital work.

Uganda: Gospel TV in Own Language | 305 | Report 25

A television station in Africa is making it possible for people to watch Christian television programming in their own language. In March, Nile Broadcasting Services began airing the Christian Broadcasting Network programs The 700 Club and Turning Point in Uganda’s primary language, Luganda. More than 10 million people speak the language. The goal is to help viewers better understand the programs. Turning Point features docudramas, thought-provoking interviews on critical global issues, and inspirational music.
With several Christian radio stations and this new TV station, the Luganda speakers have many opportunities to hear the message of Jesus together with practical teaching about family life, health advice, and many other topics that will aid their development.
With its population of 35 millions, Ugandans are having an increasing exposure to the Gospel. But ancestral religious ties remain strong and clearly taught sound doctrine is needed to create a new generation of Christian leaders who can help lead the Ugandan Church to be true followers of Jesus Christ, who make a real difference to their nation.

Source: CBN News; Revival Media; CIA Factbook

BIBLE STUDY: Revelation 5:9

PRAISE: God for the ample opportunities to proclaim the Gospel in Uganda. Pray for a renewed revival of holiness and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Christian Radio Still Vital to Iraq | 303 | Report 28

Supported by FEBA Radio, Iraq FM is a Christian “family” station operating amidst the uncertainties. Programmes focus on Bible basics, especially the person of Jesus Christ, the validity of the Bible, the love and forgiveness of God and other misconceptions that Muslim listeners may have. Iraq FM also provides much needed programming on health and the family, and has just begun a 15-minute daily English lesson, realising that young people want to learn English. “God is leading us and we are doing this for His glory. I believe that our station is touching the people who are hurting,” says one producer.

Source: FEBA Radio

BIBLE STUDY: Proverbs 20:12

PRAY: That Iraq FM may effectively present Jesus.

Mongolia Experiences Revival Growth | 19th May 2010

By some estimates, Mongolia has – until recently – been the least evangelized country on the face of the earth. In 1990 Mongolia renounced seventy years of Communism, and established a multiparty democracy. It is home to some 3 million persons. By recent estimates, almost 50% of the population are practicing animists; 25% are Buddhists, while Christians may number approximately 1.2%.
Seventeen of Mongolia’s 20 people groups are considered unreached. From only four known believers in 1990, the church has grown to over 40,000 today. There are now 200 churches in Ulan Bator alone, and the Gospel has spread to the other major cities. The explosive growth of the Church in Mongolia is starting to look much like what took place in South Korea during the 1970s. At least two Christian radio stations have been established in the country.
However, in some areas local government, controlled by former Communists, has evicted Christians from church buildings and has launched attacks against the Faith on radio. Nominalism is becoming a problem, cults have arisen, and Tibetan Buddhism is making a comeback.

U.S. Center for World Mission; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 145:3-6

PRAISE: God for the steady growth of Christian witness in Mongolia. Pray for the means to impart sound, Biblical teaching and strong discipleship.

http://revivalmedia.org/2010/05/18/mongolia-experiences-revival-growth-19th-may-2010/

Mongolia Experiences Revival Growth | 19th April 2010

By some estimates, Mongolia has – until recently – been the least evangelized country on the face of the earth. In 1990 Mongolia renounced seventy years of Communism, and established a multiparty democracy. It is home to some 3 million persons. By recent estimates, almost 50% of the population are practicing animists; 25% are Buddhists, while Christians may number approximately 1.2%.
Seventeen of Mongolia’s 20 people groups are considered unreached. From only four known believers in 1990, the church has grown to over 40,000 today. There are now 200 churches in Ulan Bator alone, and the Gospel has spread to the other major cities. The explosive growth of the Church in Mongolia is starting to look much like what took place in South Korea during the 1970s. At least two Christian radio stations have been established in the country.
However, in some areas local government, controlled by former Communists, has evicted Christians from church buildings and has launched attacks against the Faith on radio. Nominalism is becoming a problem, cults have arisen, and Tibetan Buddhism is making a comeback.

U.S. Center for World Mission; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 145:3-6

PRAISE: God for the steady growth of Christian witness in Mongolia. Pray for the means to impart sound, Biblical teaching and strong discipleship.

Latin America Trains Missionaries | 27th Jan 2010

The goal of HCJB Global for the Latin American region is to equip and mobilize the church to reach out with the Gospel in their region and to overseas cultures. Speaking from Ecuador, President of HCJB Global Wayne Pederson says Latin American Christians are uniquely positioned. “Latinos can get in to areas of the world that North Americans can’t. The Latin American church is a huge army of believers that if equipped and mobilized can be very effective in sharing the Gospel around the world, in addition to reaching unreached people in their own country.”
HCJB Global has already been involved in sending Latin Americans cross-culturally. “We are already training people in health care that have gone to Africa, India, and South East Asia, that are going to some of the most unreachable places on the earth because Latinos are accepted there.”
“The Christian movement has sufficiently matured in Latin America so that we can prepare our own peoples as missionaries,” says Pastor Narciso Zamora, founder of the Inter-American Missiology Ministerial School (IMMS). Thanks to the support and direction of developed countries over the last two centuries, many thousands of evangelical churches with professional ministers and lay persons now exist. Prior to 1950, evangelical Christians were scarce in Latin American. Today, 20 percent of Latin Americans are born-again Christians and almost every country is experiencing phenomenal growth year after year.

Source: Mission Network News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Isaiah 52:7-8

PRAISE: God for the growing calling of the ‘Latinos’ to missionary service overseas. Pray that they may receive the training and ongoing support they need.

Latin America Trains Missionaries | 27th Jan 2010

The goal of HCJB Global for the Latin American region is to equip and mobilize the church to reach out with the Gospel in their region and to overseas cultures. Speaking from Ecuador, President of HCJB Global Wayne Pederson says Latin American Christians are uniquely positioned. “Latinos can get in to areas of the world that North Americans can’t. The Latin American church is a huge army of believers that if equipped and mobilized can be very effective in sharing the Gospel around the world, in addition to reaching unreached people in their own country.”
HCJB Global has already been involved in sending Latin Americans cross-culturally. “We are already training people in health care that have gone to Africa, India, and South East Asia, that are going to some of the most unreachable places on the earth because Latinos are accepted there.”
“The Christian movement has sufficiently matured in Latin America so that we can prepare our own peoples as missionaries,” says Pastor Narciso Zamora, founder of the Inter-American Missiology Ministerial School (IMMS). Thanks to the support and direction of developed countries over the last two centuries, many thousands of evangelical churches with professional ministers and lay persons now exist. Prior to 1950, evangelical Christians were scarce in Latin American. Today, 20 percent of Latin Americans are born-again Christians and almost every country is experiencing phenomenal growth year after year.

Source: Mission Network News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Isaiah 52:7-8

PRAISE: God for the growing calling of the ‘Latinos’ to missionary service overseas. Pray that they may receive the training and ongoing support they need.

Latin America Trains Missionaries | 27th Dec 09

The goal of HCJB Global for the Latin American region is to equip and mobilize the church to reach out with the Gospel in their region and to overseas cultures. Speaking from Ecuador, President of HCJB Global Wayne Pederson says Latin American Christians are uniquely positioned. “Latinos can get in to areas of the world that North Americans can’t. The Latin American church is a huge army of believers that if equipped and mobilized can be very effective in sharing the Gospel around the world, in addition to reaching unreached people in their own country.”
HCJB Global has already been involved in sending Latin Americans cross-culturally. “We are already training people in health care that have gone to Africa, India, and South East Asia, that are going to some of the most unreachable places on the earth because Latinos are accepted there.”
“The Christian movement has sufficiently matured in Latin America so that we can prepare our own peoples as missionaries,” says Pastor Narciso Zamora, founder of the Inter-American Missiology Ministerial School (IMMS). Thanks to the support and direction of developed countries over the last two centuries, many thousands of evangelical churches with professional ministers and lay persons now exist. Prior to 1950, evangelical Christians were scarce in Latin American. Today, 20 percent of Latin Americans are born-again Christians and almost every country is experiencing phenomenal growth year after year.

Source: Mission Network News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Isaiah 52:7-8

PRAISE: God for the growing calling of the ‘Latinos’ to missionary service overseas. Pray that they may receive the training and ongoing support they need.

God is at Work Throughout Asia | 25th Nov 09

Thrilling things are happening in many of the Asian nations. According to Christian Freedom International (CFI) Nepal is now home to an estimated 800,000 believers and there are approximately 170 churches in the capital, Kathmandu. HCJB Global staff have recently worked with local partners to install two Christian radio stations in Nepal.

In the last 6 months, TWR-Korea staff have distributed 2,300 radios to North Korean house church leaders. In China, TWR’s team supplies Radio Church Kits (RCK) to listeners in the rural, mountainous areas of China. RCKs contain a Bible, shortwave radio and “Discipleship on the Air” broadcasts. RCK distribution now totals more than 81,000 kits.

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, TWR-Asia is airing five programmes over 13 FM Stations to address issues faced by church leadership, women, children and young people. TWR began ministry in Cambodia in 2000, and have a new Media Centre and 19 staff. They also work with 51 co-ordinators who manage children’s listening clubs and radio distribution. In 2008, around 600 radios were distributed.

Source: TWR Snapshots; HCJB; Listening Word

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 119:161-168

PRAISE: God that these nations are receiving the Gospel and seeing real growth of the Christian faith. Pray that the believers may know God’s strength.

Kenya: Radio Station Counters Hate | 5th Nov 09

Radio can whip up hatred; inflaming and impassioning almost an entire nation. But countering such broadcasts with messages of reconciliation can make a significant difference. Radio provides all the information, education or entertainment people in thousands of communities seek and receive. It is also well-placed to promote love and forgiveness.

Feba’s Baraka FM in Mombasa, Kenya, demonstrated the positive effect of reconciliation and forgiveness following the bloody post-election conflict in early 2008. Using a talk-show format, they brought together Muslim and Christian religious leaders and human rights activists. At the height of the Kenyan troubles, Baraka FM’s morning show appealed to listeners to forgive and support each other, rather than perpetuate bitterness.

One practical way in which listeners responded was to contact the station during an acute food shortage to provide information about shops and areas where essential food and cooking fuel could be found. Baraka FM staff found this to be a point of healing and reconciliation. Thus Christian radio provides an alternative to politically biased ‘hate media’ that promotes intolerance and incites ethnic violence.

Source: FEBA

BIBLE STUDY: 2 Corinthians 13:11

PRAISE: God for the positive role of Christian radio, both proclaiming Christ as Saviour, and promoting the peace of God that passes all understanding.

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