Exloring Life Eternal

INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE & CHURCH CLOSURES
The 6.3 magnitude quake of 26 May that hit the city of Yogyakarta in Java, Indonesia, killed over 5,700 people, injured 10,000 and damaged or destroyed over a half million homes and 269 schools. Many residents have also lost their livelihoods. Christian agencies like World Vision are among those that have diverted staff and supplies from tsunami-hit areas to bring relief. Meanwhile, Jubilee Campaign, a UK-based group that monitors children's rights and religious persecution, reports the government has closed more than 150 churches in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta and the island of Java over past months. Recent legislation has been enacted that could shut down hundreds more across the country. [MISC. sources/HCJB, 9 June'06]

IRANIAN PRESSURE FAILS TO STOP CHURCH GROWTH
Christians around the world remain concerned about Iran's threats against Christianity that has caused many believers to leave the country. However, Sargon Daniali, who lived in Iran for a time, says despite the persecution church growth continues through radio, television and internet evangelism as well as 'political protest.' "Because [Iranians] are upset with Islam, they go on purpose and chose other religions, one of them [is] Christianity." Daniali believes the government oppression continues under Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "They hate Christianity and they are committed to destroying Christianity; to stop Christianity in the country because Christianity is growing." Many Christian Iranians like Daniali who have fled their homeland are now actively involved in evangelism and church planting in other areas. A 40 days of prayer for Iran focus is now on. More information can be found at www.prayforiran.com. [MNN, 8 June '06]

ERITREA: PETITION LAUNCHED
A multi-agency petition has been launched to protest against widespread religious repression in Eritrea and the hundreds of evangelical believers now in prison. The petition is supported by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, Release International and Release Eritrea and will be handed to the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK, Negasse Sengal. Supporters are encouraged to download the petition from the CSW website www.csw.org.uk

BAPTISTS RESIST REGISTRATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
Following a fine on one of their pastors of more than three times the average monthly salary for leading unregistered religious activities, the Baptist Council of Churches explained their objections to registering their churches in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. The Baptists regard such registration as "sinful" because it would require them to divulge extensive information about leaders and congregations. Information such as ethnicity, education, family status, political affiliation and "the most acute problems worrying parishioners" create a "web almost impossible to break free of," according to the Baptists. Many council members still recall the trial and imprisonment of many Baptists under Soviet rule for refusing to register. "Many were sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment and some even ended their days in prison." [FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, 9 June '06]

Debbie Meroff
Reply-To: newsbytes-owner@yahoogroups.com
N E W S * B Y T E S - February 2006
*************************************************
A Free Service of OPERATION MOBILISATION NEWS & INFORMATION*

TEL AVIV: GAY CAPITAL?
Israel tourism officials have announced that they plan on turning Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world. "Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit," said an official with the Israel Hotel Association (IHA). The idea was born when IHA Director-General Eli Ziv visited London to participate in the 2005 World Travel Market exhibition and met with representatives of the homo-lesbian travel industry. "We are drafting plans to encourage gay tourism from Germany, England and Holland," said Ziv. Tourism Ministry Director-General Eli Cohen said he would offer any financial assistance necessary. Tel Aviv hosts the largest Gay Pride Parade in Israel, drawing up to 100,000 people. [Ynetnews.com]

"YEAR OF THE FAMILY"
At its annual Partnership Conference in Cyprus, SAT-7, the Arabic Christian satellite TV channel in the Middle East and North Africa, announced the launch of the "2006 Year of the Family" Campaign. The campaign will include special programs on SAT-7, book distributions and seminars in churches with the aim of strengthening families. SAT-7 is sponsoring the event in association with local churches and Bible Societies in the Middle East. The slogan is "Together we can shape the future!" SAT-7 is also aiming to raise awareness of the needs of the disabled in the Arab world, and expanding programming for youth. [www.sat7.org/]

IRAQI CHURCHES BOMBED
A spate of car bombs exploded outside churches in Iraq on Sunday 29th January in what appears to have been a coordinated attack. The explosions occurred within a half hour period, apparently chosen to coincide with the time at which Christians would be going to church. Two churches in the northern city of Kirkuk and at least two others in the capital Baghdad were targeted. At least three people, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed and an estimated 16-20 people injured. According to some reports as many as 7 churches were bombed. On the same day, Christian students at Mosul University were beaten up by Muslim students. Many Iraqi Christians believe the events were retaliation for the Danish cartoons of Mohammed. [BARNABAS FUND 2 Feb.'06]

FIRST-EVER TURKISH CHRISTIAN SATELLITE TV CHANNEL
A broad coalition of sending organisations and Turkish local churches are pooling resources to start TURK-7 TV, the country's first Christian satellite TV channel. Programs were scheduled to begin airing in January on the same frequency as SAT-7, the successful Christian TV broadcasters for the Arab-speaking world. Initially TURK-7 will be on for 2 hours each Tuesday and Thursday, but it is hoped the channel will eventually have 24/7 programming. Follow-up (audience relations) will be an important part of the effort. Says one leading Turkish pastor, "Television is a very effective method for communicating across the entire nation. The most exciting thing is that TURK-7 is helping Turks to proclaim Christian truths to their own people, in their own language". [www.sat7.org/ ]

BIBLE GROUPS IN ETHIOPIA
Starting at zero four years ago, Ethiopia's capital Addis Adaba now has 185 Bible listening groups meeting regularly to listen to audio cassettes of the Bible and talk about the Scriptures. The groups are part of the Bible Society's "Faith comes by hearing" project. "Many participants have told us how listening to God's Word has changed their lives," states the project director. He says the people come together for fellowship and nourishment from the Scriptures. [BIBLE SOCIETY, EN 1/06]

YOUNG PEOPLE JAILED FOR READING BIBLE
Eritrean military authorities have jailed 75 Protestant Christians at the Sawa Military Training Camp for "reading Bibles and praying during their free time," local sources in the small East Africa nation confirmed. Most of the newly arrested evangelicals, 37 of them women, are student youths doing their compulsory national military service at Sawa, a remote center near Eritrea's mountainous western border with Sudan. The young conscripts had not attempted to conduct a Christian meeting or transgressed any other military law. Muslim conscripts are allowed to have their own copy of the Quran and pray 5 times a day. Since May 2002, the repressive regime of President Isaias Afwerki has closed down all independent evangelical churches and refused to allow their members to meet anywhere for worship. [COMPASS 2 Feb.'06]

RESPONSE TO CHRISTIAN RADIO IN INDONESIA TRIPLES
The coast of Indonesia is being rebuilt after the December 2004 tsunami, although survivors are still dealing emotionally and spiritually with their loss. A new radio station was launched in November by Back to the Bible in North Sumatra, one of the worst-hit areas. The station was launched through relief funds that came into Back to the Bible after the tsunami hit. Several programs are being aired, including a live call-in program. In the future, Aceh-language programming will be added to reach the hard-hit and spiritually needy area of Banda Aceh. The message of hope is resonating with listeners, many of whom write asking difficult questions. Response has nearly tripled since November. [MNN 2 Feb.'06]

INCREASE IN MISSION INTEREST BY STUDENTS
Jerry Rankin of the USA's Southern Baptist International Mission Board says more and more students are showing interest in missions. In 2001 and 2002, the board has seen more candidates than they have ever had in their history, with over 1,000 missionaries dispatched to fields in each of those years. "Even though we have a higher number of retirements," he said, "we're seeing the highest [number] of missionary appointments." This past year, over 3,000 people applied as candidates to be apprentice missionaries, expressing a sense of call to missions. And "these are candidates for our long-term service, accentuated Rankin, "not our short-term service." [CHRISTIAN POST 6 Feb.'06]

USA [TRADITIONAL] CHURCHES LOSING ATTRACTION [YET HUNGER REMAINS]
A growing number of Americans no longer view a local church as their primary religious meeting place. A study by the Barna Group shows that new forms of religious experience, such as house churches, marketplace ministries, and cyberchurches, are becoming the norm for millions. Discontent with traditional churches, changes in lifestyle and a desire to get closer to God have spurred a megashift. 2/3 of adults have internet access and the internet now serves as the foundation for faith experiences for more than 1 in 10 adults, although most also use it in tandem with another form of corporate religious experience. [RELIGION TODAY]

SHOCKWAVE! [PERSECUTED CHURCH]
For the fifth year, a prayer initiative organised by Open Doors International's youth branch, "Underground," will involve thousands of youths worldwide in praying for persecuted Christians. The March 3-5 event kicks off in New Zealand and travels across all time zones, both online and in other creative ways such as all-night events or prayer breakfasts. For more information in various languages or to obtain resources visit:
http://www.odshockwave.org/

RESOURCES:
TO ENCOURAGE CHRISTIAN WORKERS, especially those working in difficult or dangerous places, a new 15 minute daily radio program produced by Trans World Radio. For details see www.memcarebyradio.com Audio of programs also available on the web.

"France 2006," 40 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING DAYS FOR FRANCE, will take place from March 1st to April 9th. Prayer guides, promotional leaflets, and a new DVD called "God in France" can be ordered online. See www.objectiffrance.org

KIDS OF COURAGE website helps kids, parents and teachers link up with
mission prayer and projects worldwide: http://www.linkingup.com/

EZINE FOR MOBILIZERS "Missions Catalyst" by Caleb Project is a weekly
bulletin designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide to be a voice
for strategic ministry.
See http://tinyurl.com/ar8ac
email info@cproject.com

==========

NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information
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PAKISTAN: MESSIANIC MUSLIM CONTINUES LONELY MARCH
From: ASSIST News Service - February 3, 2006

By Mark Ellis

His houses along the Pakistan and Afghanistan border have been sprayed with bullets. Yet his unconventional approach to reach Muslims is winning converts. “It’s been an uphill battle,” says Brother John, a full-blooded Pashtun, and founder of a ministry devoted to presenting biblical Christianity within an Islamic context. His houses near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan are lined with prayer rugs and have the feel of an Eastern worship center.

... “The moment I say he’s the one and only, God Almighty in human
flesh, the trouble begins,” John says. “You have to take things
one step at a time.” Many Christians will not understand John’s strategy because it sounds like compromise. “To some degree it is,” he admits. At
the same time, he emphasizes his main thrust is to prove that
Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. “We worship him as the Creator
and the Savior.”

Full story here (http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s06020013.htm).

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ERITREA: MILITARY JAILS 75 PROTESTANT CONSCRIPTS
from: Compass Direct - February 2, 2006

Eritrean military authorities jailed 75 Protestant Christians
yesterday (February 1, 2006) at the Sawa Military Training Camp
for “reading Bibles and praying during their free time,” local
sources in the small East Africa nation confirmed. Most of the
newly arrested evangelicals, 37 of them women, are students doing
their compulsory national military service at Sawa, a remote
center near Eritrea’s mountainous western border with Sudan.

... The jailed Protestants are routinely subjected to physical beatings
and severe psychological pressure to deny their religious beliefs.
Police and military authorities continue to demand that the prisoners
return to one of the three “official” Christian denominations
recognized by the government.

Full story here
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/newslongen.php?idelement=4184

===
Excerpts from

Missions Catalyst News Briefs: WORLD NEWS BRIEFS --
Wed Feb 15, 2006 -- Edited by Pat Noble <mcnews@cproject.com>
Published by Caleb Project --
Equipping the Church to Reach the Nations -- http://www.calebproject.org

ERITREA: CHRISTMAS RAIDS ON CHRISTIAN BUSINESS OWNERS
from: Release Eritrea (http://www.release-eritrea.org.uk) - December
26, 2005

Release Eritrea has been informed by sources in Asmara that,
over the last few days, the government of Eritrea conducted a
series of raids on Eritrean businesses owned by evangelical Christians,
arresting owners and staff and closing establishments.

Many other people including Mr. Berhane, the director of industrial
issues, are reported to have gone missing. Mr. Berhane was at
work in the ministry of trade and industry at the time of his
disappearance. Our sources indicate that many unknown people
have also gone missing from their homes, work places, and streets.
It is estimated that as many as 150 people could have fallen
victims of this latest purge on Eritrean Christians.

A source close to many of those arrested stated, “In this Christmas
many people are celebrating their freedom in different churches
around the world for the birth of Jesus Christ, but for the Eritrean
Christians this is a dark day.”

Eritrean Christians have urged Release Eritrea to let the world
know what is happening to them. One such sentiment was expressed
in the brother who told us, “Let the world know what is happening
in this suffocated nation without press and democracy. Many families
are in danger. Please pray for us.”

Full story here (http://www.release-eritrea.org.uk/node/41).

Persecution against Christians continues to escalate in Eritrea

The brutal crackdown against evangelical Christians in Eritrea seems set to continue. Since the start of the year, hundreds of believers have been arrested, subjected to interrogations, food deprivation and torture - with many being ordered to sign documents renouncing their faith.
...
"The president of Eritrea, he has basically made the evangelical church enemy number one of the state and is going about on a ruthless campaign to try to eradicate and shut her down," said Kevin Turner, president of Strategic World Impact, a ministry assisting persecuted Christians worldwide.

Pray for:
* The people of Eritrea need deliverance. Continue to pray for either a change of heart or the removal of the Eritrean government.
* The nearly 1,800 Christians imprisoned, that their faith in Christ would grow during their time in prison, and that their trials would produce lasting growth in the Eritrean Church. Pray that God would strengthen and encourage all those in prison and be especially close to those who are suffering any kind of torture. Pray also that He would convict their torturers and cause them to repent.
* The families of the 26 pastors in prison who have had their bank accounts frozen. Ask God to provide supernaturally for these families. Pray also that the families of prisoners will be able to visit their loved ones. Pray that the congregations of the 26 imprisoned pastors will continue their ministry and reach out to others.
* Freedom of worship to be granted to people of all faiths.
* The total healing of pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimonot, who has just been released after 10 months in detention during which he suffered a mental breakdown as a result of hard labor, solitary confinement and other mental and physical deprivations.
* God to strengthen and encourage the Orthodox Patriarch, Abune Antonious, who has been stripped of his administrative powers and placed under house arrest.
* The safety of all the people who are fleeing Eritrea. Many have died attempting to cross the desert and the Red Sea. Others have drowned in the Mediterranean as they seek to reach Europe.
* The E-Petition Campaign for Eritrea to put pressure on the Eritrean government to release the Christian prisoners.
* Violence in the country to decrease, especially against Christians.
* Christians to be able to worship in freedom and in peace in all regions of the country.
* A great spiritual awakening among Muslims to have a revelation and encounter with the LORD.
Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, International Christian Concern.

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Arrests Made Over Sulawesi Christian Schoolgirl Beheadings

Five men have been arrested in connection with the recent beheadings of three Christian schoolgirls in Indonesia. The Indonesian military said the men, including a former or retired soldier, were being held for questioning, the British Broadcasting Corporation said, Assist News Service reported.
...
"It is clear this latest attack on an innocent schoolgirl is designed to provoke further religious violence on Sulawesi," CSW's advocacy director Tina Lambert said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their daughter. We urge the Indonesian government to do more to protect the innocent and prevent a return to widespread inter-religious violence."

Pray for:
* Thank the LORD that the five perpetrators of the beheadings of the three girls have been caught. Pray that true justice will prevail. Pray that everyone associated with these brutal murders are also arrested.
* Thank the LORD for the good recovery of Noviana, the fourth girl in the beheadings attack who escaped, fleeing with slash wounds across her face.
* The government to have wisdom and strength in dealing with radicals who promote violence and persecution. Pray that the government will protect all of its citizens regardless of their religion, wisdom and conviction.
* Ivon's recovery. Pray for God's comfort and strength for her family, as well as Siti's family.
* The testimony of the Poso Christians to hold strong and to demonstrate Christ's love in the midst of the terror they are facing.
* The murders to not deter Christians and Muslims from being friends, loving and caring for one another in Poso and throughout Indonesia.

Source: IndonesiaWatch
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Iraq's Constitution Adopted

The vote on the constitution was 78.59 percent for ratification and 21.41 percent against, the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq said. The charter required a simple majority nationwide with the provision that if two-thirds of the voters in any three provinces rejected it, the constitution would be defeated.
...

Some 9.8 million Iraqis cast ballots, or 63 percent of registered voters.
...
Pray for:
* Assyrian and Chaldean churches, which are meeting with the Vatican over concerns for the future of the national Iraqi Church.
* The new constitution to be recognized by all and be effective to protect religious liberty for all despite concerns that it will not.
* God to continue to move mightily in Iraq and for many to encounter Christ.
* God's protection for peacekeeping forces in Iraq. Pray for the plans of insurgents to be thwarted and for the violence to stop.
* Terrorists hiding out in Iraq or in any other country to be found and brought to justice. Pray Mark 4:22.
* Iraq to fulfill her destiny and the purpose God has in His heart for Iraq and the nation's people.