NAIROBI, Kenya /Christian Newswire/ — Continuing its efforts to relieve suffering in the developing world, Crossroad Bible Institute announces the opening of yet another international distribution center, this one in Kenya. This is the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based ministry’s twelfth distribution center worldwide and its fourth in Africa.

In Kenya, as in many African countries, prisons are [...]]]> NAIROBI, Kenya /Christian Newswire/ — Continuing its efforts to relieve suffering in the developing world, Crossroad Bible Institute announces the opening of yet another international distribution center, this one in Kenya. This is the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based ministry’s twelfth distribution center worldwide and its fourth in Africa.

In Kenya, as in many African countries, prisons are dirty, overcrowded, plagued by disease and lacking adequate health care. Due to these factors, a 2008 report stated, approximately forty-six prisoners die monthly. Mothers often raise their babies or young children in these dangerous conditions.

The CBI program will begin operation in the Naivasha Prison, a tightly regulated facility with 3,000 inmates, and four other prisons. Kenya has approximately 50,000 people behind bars.

The director of CBI Kenya is Jefferson Gathu, who also heads Cistern Materials Translation and Publishing Center, an organization that provides Christian literature for native tribes of Kenya and other parts of Africa. As in other developing nations, CBI Instructors not only hand-deliver the Bible study lessons and letters of discipleship to the students in prison but also provide inmates with basic necessities like food, medical supplies, blankets, soap and toilet paper. Gathu also heads efforts to organize medical camps, construct prison libraries and aid in reentry.

Director Gathu is assisted by Samuel Chege, who notes the importance of the CBI discipleship program, explaining, “Imprisoned people have heavy burdens of loneliness, guilt, bitterness, depression or confusion. We want inmates to know that they are capable, appreciated and doing a good job.”

CBI’s international program director, Cynthia Williams, recently attended the official CBI Kenya grand opening. Among the 120 guests were senior prison officials and chaplains, bishops, pastors and a representative from the Office of the Commissioner, all of them highly supportive of CBI.

CBI President Dr. David Schuringa remarks, “We are grateful for the shared vision of our Kenyan brothers and sisters and enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with them to serve God’s people in prison and reentering society in their home country.”

Falahow refused to surrender the book and reminded them that they were living in Addis Ababa and not in Mogadishu, and [...]]]> Washington, D.C., International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned on July 16 five Somali Muslim men assaulted and seriously injured a Christian man in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for reading a book critical of the Prophet Muhammad.

Falahow refused to surrender the book and reminded them that they were living in Addis Ababa and not in Mogadishu, and therefore had religious freedom.

One of the Muslim men attempted to seize the book from Falahow’s grasp, but when he failed, he proceeded to punch and kick Falahow. Fourother Muslim men joined in, ganging up on Falahow and beating him mercilessly.

Falahow suffered injuries that included a broken leg and cuts to his face. Currently, he is recovering in a safe house provided by the Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa. The incident has been reported to the police.

A Somali church leader in Addis Ababa spoke to ICC, describing the attacks as ‘a brutal attempt to subdue the growing Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa’

This is not the first time that Somali Muslims have attacked Somalis who converted to Christianity in Addis Ababa. However, this is the first time that such an attack took place in a crowded public place.

Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said “Several Somali Christians have been killed by Islamic radicals in Somalia and many have left their country due to the persecution they face. Sadly, they don’t escape from persecution even after they leave their country. We urge Ethiopian authorities to stop the attempt by Islamists to import their violent ideologies from Somalia. The mistreatment of Christian converts will get worse unless the authorities take action against the individuals responsible for attacking Falahow.”

Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris, a Christian convert from Islam, was traveling by land from Kalafo, an Ethiopian border town, to visit [...]]]> Washington, D.C. — International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that members of the Al-Qaeda linked Somali Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, publicly executed a Christian convert from Islam in the in Hudur district, Somalia on July 1st.

Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris, a Christian convert from Islam, was traveling by land from Kalafo, an Ethiopian border town, to visit his mother in Mogadishu.

A fellow passenger recognized his Christian background and asked him if he thought the prophet Muhammad was a genuine messenger from God. Idiris responded by saying, “If I thought so, I would have believed in him instead of the Messiah.”

Once they reached the Hudur district, a stronghold of the Al- Shabaab terror network, the Muslim man reported Idiris to Al-Shabaab and had him detained on June 27th. Idiris was accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad. It is a serious sin to consider Muhammad not to be a genuine prophet and it warrants the death penalty.

Sheik Adan Yare, the Al-Shabab governor of the Bakol region, spoke to the press on July 1st and said, “Our holy warriors have today, on July 1st at 11: 45 am, executed in front of angry Muslim witnesses a young man whose name was Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris who insulted our beloved prophet.”

The execution, which took place at a make-shift soccer stadium, was attended by hundreds of people, including school children who were forced to watch the execution.

The martyr had been married since January 26th and is survived by his pregnant widow.

Idiris’ paternal uncle and a Christian convert from Islam spoke to ICC from Addis Ababa, calling the Al-Shabaab execution “further evidence of Al-Shabaab’s attempt to eliminate Christianity from among Somali people in the Horn of Africa.”

Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said “We are deeply saddened by yet another execution of a Somali Christian. Al-Shabaab and Islamic extremist groups in Somalia have repeatedly vowed to wipe out Christians from Somalia. Al-Shabaab has murdered several Christians, chopped off the hands of Muslims suspected of crimes and even stoned Muslim women to death for allegedly committing adultery. The cruel and inhumane action of Al-Shabaab shows its complete disregard for human life.

Is the World Cup a [...]]]> COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /Christian Newswire/ — Excited fans on both sides of the Atlantic will gather to watch the Ghana-U.S. World Cup soccer match on Saturday. Ghana, the final African team remaining in the World Cup, beat the U.S. team 2-0 in the 2006 games and hopes to repeat history.

Is the World Cup a big deal? You bet. But soccer games and mini-tournaments throughout Africa, although less-well-attended, could have a far greater and lasting impact.

Biblica is partnering with international soccer ministry Ubabalo eAfrica to bring 1,000 disadvantaged children and teens the excitement and fun of their own soccer tournaments, along with the gospel message and valuable character-building lessons. Biblica is also conducting soccer ministry with another 14,000 children and teens in Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.

World Cup fanaticism runs deep and wide, with children and adults alike cheering on home teams for what is arguably the world’s most popular sport. With South Africa hosting the immensely popular games, children in many African nations have been given extended school holidays. Soccer ministry gives kids exercise, a constructive way to use out-of-classroom time, and access to God’s Word and character-building lessons. Biblica provides the soccer balls, Scripture resources, and training for volunteer coaches.

In Kenya, Biblica and Ubabalo soccer ministry is bringing Muslims and Christians together for games and the gospel message. In Senegal, kids from rival youth gangs put aside longstanding hostilities and learn to cooperate and work together. In South Africa, youth in impoverished rural areas are gathering to play soccer and staying for Biblica’s Scripture-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs and discussion groups.

Lives changed, lives saved, the gospel proclaimed and received. It’s a winning combination for everyone.

About Biblica
Celebrating more than 200 years in ministry, Biblica provides God’s Word to people through translation, publishing, and Bible engagement. Biblica’s ministry extends worldwide, with outreach in 55 countries. Biblica has translated the Bible in more than 100 languages and is the translation sponsor and ministry publisher of the New International Version® (NIV®) of the Bible, the most widely read and trusted contemporary English translation. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God’s Word so lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.Biblica.com.

I have a niece, Susan Clark, who is a missionary in Niger, Africa. At this moment, she is being flown by bush plane, to be transferred to a medical evacuation aircraft, and flown to Ghana. From there they plan to take her either to Germany or France for treatment. She has a respiratory illness, described [...]]]>

I have a niece, Susan Clark, who is a missionary in Niger, Africa. At this moment, she is being flown by bush plane, to be transferred to a medical evacuation aircraft, and flown to Ghana. From there they plan to take her either to Germany or France for treatment. She has a respiratory illness, described as pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome. She’s been serving all alone at her remote location in Niger, and we’re unsure about the potential outcome just now. If you think to pray for her, I would appreciate it.

-Max Elliot Anderson

• Original post: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/2009/08/prayer-for-my-niece-in-africa.html
• Updates on Susan Clark’s condition:
  • Update on Susan Clark In Africa
  • Further update on Sue
  • Email Update Sue Clark
  • Follow Sue’s progress on Max’s website: Books for Boys

Upon arrival in Africa, it was obvious that we had landed in a stunning place. The weather [...]]]> I’m sharing these stories to perhaps arrest your heart and draw your hands into sharing your love with the brokenhearted of the world. After all, who are we to “turn away from (our) own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:7

Upon arrival in Africa, it was obvious that we had landed in a stunning place. The weather was perfect, the hills and mountains were green like we never see in Australia and I can’t even begin to describe how many different beautiful flowers I saw. I was excited that one of the very first things I saw leaving the airport was a giraffe!

However the longer we stayed, the more we began to uncover and see with our own eyes the woundedness of the land. It is difficult to describe the extent of the brokenness we saw. Almost everyone we met had been tainted by tragedy. With our eyes we hungry children and dilapidated houses. In the news we saw daily reports of killing, murder and political violence unlike anything I’ve ever seen and. In another village we visited, the entire teenage population had died of aids. We didn’t see one teenager among them. Surely it was a broken land that we were visiting.

But it was two little girls that represented for me the despair of the country, and my own failure to give what I had to help them. (Praise God,that although these girls had had tragic histories, God had brought them food and shelter and education and His own love.)

Her name was Mercy, she was five years old. Her name alone was enough to break my heart. Mercy. Who of us had had Mercy on her? She sat in my lap and recounted that her father died as an alcoholic and her mother had died of typhoid. Do you know there’s a vaccine that prevents typhoid? Not in Africa there isn’t. Just think for a minute how precious your own Mother is to you, how much you need her. Then you will see Mercy’s own pain. And the honest truth is that it was pain that we in the West could have stopped.

Child by child, the orphans mechanically told me their horror stories…typhoid, malaria, aids, drunkenness. Their mummies and daddies had all died.

Then there was Georgina. She had just turned one. The first thing she did when she saw me was burst into tears. Immediately I scooped her up in my arms and wiped her tears and in a minute she had stopped crying. I tried to put her down but every time she would cry desperately, even when I sat down on the ground with her she was afraid I would put her down so she would cry until all I could do for literally hours was just walk around with her until she eventually fell asleep. After that, she was fine. She was crying because she just needed someone to hold her…and the hardest part of it was knowing that the next time she was crying because she needed to be held, to be loved…well that someone might not be there.

When I arrived home I was numb. That was until I made it to the bathroom and looked down to see colored toilet paper. Colored toiler paper. You have got to be kidding me. These kids don’t even get a pillow to sleep on. They eat beans and corn three times a day and we decide that we need colored toiler paper.

To be sure, the problem isn’t exactly toilet paper. How much money do we waste on meaningless junk? How much money do you waste? It makes me flipping mad!!! And me, I’m the worst of everyone, that even having met these beautiful needy children could still consider wasting money on things I don’t need.

Having looked in their eyes, the old excuses don’t do it for me anymore. “Oh practically none of the money you give to charity organizations actually goes to the kids.” “But I really need this watch (cd, clothes, entertainment, alcohol…etc)”

The problem isn’t that we don’t care, its honestly just that we’re lazy. Too lazy to budget, to weak willed to say no to ourselves. Too prone to frivolity and too allergic to responsibility. I’ll be the first to admit that I struggle with these things in myself.

But lets try to get past ourselves. Because there are people in this world who need you. Innocent little broken children who are crying out for mercy.Their needs are obvious. They need your money, for food, medicine, shelter, water and education. But maybe like, Georgina, they are asking for your physical touch. For you to be there, holding them as they cry. Maybe you could be their new mum or dad?

“What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop” Mother Teresa

by Louisa Hall

I am a bible college student in Brisbane Australia.

www.gainingfaith.blogspot.com

The event will take place Thursday, August 27th from 7-10pm at [...]]]> TAMPA, Fla. /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — One City Ministries (OCM) announced today that it will host an African-style marketplace to support the organization’s work in Uganda. The money raised through the event will help fund the ministry’s growing sustainable humanitarian work in this war-torn and impoverished country.

The event will take place Thursday, August 27th from 7-10pm at Grace Family Church, 5101 Van Dyke Road, Lutz, Fla. The evening will feature authentic food, music, and dance, presentations about One City Ministries’ projects, and the opportunity to purchase unique, hand-crafted items made by Ugandan artisans through the ministry’s Africa TrAID program. Tickets for the event are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and can be purchased at www.onecityministries.org.

“When the Lord called us to start One City Ministries, we knew our mission would be difficult, but that bringing the hope that material aid and God’s message can offer was of critical importance to the people of this neglected region,” said Debra Gilbert, who co-founded OCM with her husband Michael. “Now we are seeing medicine brought to those with grave illness, children educated with books and attending school and the local people learning ways of earning an income to feed their families where hunger once defined their lives. Our work would be impossible without the generous donations of our supporters and we are so grateful to them for continuing to help us serve the Lord.”

One City Ministries has accomplished much in just ten months in Uganda, including building a health clinic and latrines; the establishment of economic development programs like Africa TrAID, and a chicken farm; trainings in health and hygiene, marriage, and First Response, and a scholarship program. Their next goal is to establish a permanent model village, which will include a children’s home, a medical clinic with a specialized women’s center, and a training center for the economic development programs. The village will also feature a tilapia farm, beekeeping facility, a church, a school, and the Light Fuel project, offering environmentally friendly and healthy cooking fuel alternatives.

“I have gotten to know Mike and Deb Gilbert very well these past five years and have observed their love and concern for others. One City Ministries is their heart and soul. Spend only 10 minutes with them and your heart will also be with the people of Uganda,” said Grace Family Church Pastor Fritz G. Ruhe’. “The vision that God has given them is an amazing one, and I am anxiously watching it unfold in the lives of the people they have touched in their first year in that oppressed nation. It is with great joy and excitement that I join them in bringing forth their vision to the people of Uganda.” Original art and vacation packages will be up for auction at the event. Musical highlights will include the GFC Band and Choir with special guests Planet Collective. The GFC band had been a part of Grace Family Church for 15 years under the direction of Al Hurley. Planet Collective is a group of singers and musicians from many different countries and cultural backgrounds playing a wide variety of World music.

To learn more about One City Ministries, to buy tickets for the event or to make a donation, please visit www.onecityministries.org.

Christian persecution started with Jesus himself. He was asked directly at trial, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus left no room for ambiguity – His first two words were “I am.” The religious elite in Jerusalem knew what Jesus was saying – It [...]]]> Christian Persecution: Dramatic Evidence Supporting the Early Church

Christian persecution started with Jesus himself. He was asked directly at trial, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus left no room for ambiguity – His first two words were “I am.” The religious elite in Jerusalem knew what Jesus was saying – It was very clear to them that He was claiming to be God. As such, Jesus was put to death on a Roman cross for the crime of blasphemy, thus becoming the first martyr for what would become the Christian Church.

Christian Persecution: Many of the Early Disciples Died for their Faith

Christian persecution was a dramatic part of early church history. For anyone who holds that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a man-made hoax conspired by a group of disciples should check out the legacy of martyrdom. Eleven of the 12 apostles, and many of the other early disciples, died for their adherence to this story. This is dramatic, since they all witnessed the alleged events of Jesus and still went to their deaths defending their faith. Why is this dramatic, when many throughout history have died martyred deaths for a religious belief? Because people don’t die for a lie. Look at human nature throughout history. No conspiracy can be maintained when life or liberty is at stake. Dying for a belief is one thing, but numerous eye-witnesses dying for a known lie is quite another.

Christian Persecution: A list of Early Martyrs Who Were Witnesses to the Life of Jesus

Here is an account of early Christian persecution, as compiled from numerous sources outside the Bible, the most-famous of which is Foxes’ Christian Martyrs of the World:

Around 34 A.D., one year after the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen was thrown out of Jerusalem and stoned to death. Approximately 2,000 Christians suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem during this period. About 10 years later, James, the son of Zebedee and the elder brother of John, was killed when Herod Agrippa arrived as governor of Judea. Agrippa detested the Christian sect of Jews, and many early disciples were martyred under his rule, including Timon and Parmenas. Around 54 A.D., Philip, a disciple from Bethsaida, in Galilee, suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified. About six years later, Matthew, the tax-collector from Nazareth who wrote his gospel in Hebrew, was preaching in Ethiopia when he suffered martyrdom by the sword. James, the brother of Jesus, administered the early church in Jerusalem and was the author of an Epistle by his name. At age 94, he was beat and stoned, and finally had his brains bashed out with a fuller’s club. Matthias was the apostle who filled the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded. Andrew was the brother of Peter who preached the gospel throughout Asia. On his arrival at Edessa, he was arrested and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground (this is where we get the term, St. Andrew’s Cross). Mark was converted to Christianity by Peter, and then transcribed Peter’s account of Jesus in his Gospel. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of Serapis, their pagan idol. It appears Peter was condemned to death and crucified at Rome. Jerome holds that Peter was crucified upside down, at his own request, because he said he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. Paul suffered in the first persecution under Nero. Paul’s faith was so dramatic in the face of martyrdom, that the authorities removed him to a private place for execution by the sword.

In about 72 A.D., Jude, the brother of James who was commonly called Thaddeus, was crucified at Edessa. Bartholomew preached in several countries and translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India. He was cruelly beaten and then crucified by idolaters there. Thomas, called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear. Luke was the author of the Gospel under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree by idolatrous priests in Greece. Barnabas, of Cyprus, was killed without many known facts in about 73 A.D. Simon, surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, where he was crucified in about 74 A.D. John, the “beloved disciple,” was the brother of James. From Ephesus he was ordered to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.

Christian Persecution: The Church Grew Dramatically Despite the Horrible Deaths

Christian persecution didn’t slow the growth of the Christian faith during the first few centuries after Christ. Even as its early leaders died horrible deaths, Christianity flourished throughout the Roman Empire. How can this historical record of martyrdom be viewed as anything but dramatic evidence for the absolute truth of the Christian faith – a faith, unlike any other, founded on historical events and eye-witness testimony.

by William Hannaford
http://crossfaithministry.org

/Christian Newswire/ — Six explosive bands will be performing LIVE on GOD TV this weekend as the Angel Mission Benefit Concert is broadcast around the globe. This far-reaching initiative aims to raise support for desperately needed clean water wells in [...]]]>

Through Angel Mission wells, $5 can provide clean water for a person for 20 years

/Christian Newswire/ — Six explosive bands will be performing LIVE on GOD TV this weekend as the Angel Mission Benefit Concert is broadcast around the globe. This far-reaching initiative aims to raise support for desperately needed clean water wells in Africa – literally saving lives that would otherwise be lost to the global water crisis.

The Angel Mission Benefit Concert forms the climax of a full day’s line-up at the ‘I Love America’ Celebration in Springfield, Missouri. This grand scale event will be televised LIVE on GOD TV from 6pm (ET) on Friday July 3rd, with an edited version broadcast on Independence Day, July 4 at 1pm.
The featured artists include the cross-cultural worship style of Israel Houghton & New Breed ( www.newbreedmusic.com); Leeland, the alternative and progressive rock band from Texas ( www.leelandonline.com); and Press Play, which captivates its growing fan-base with pop/rock, rap and urban sounds ( www.thisispressplay.tv).
Also featured are: The Afters, a Dove Award winning band famous for pounding out beats that change gear from pop to ballad to alternative rock (www.theafters.com); Vicky Beeching an anointed worship leader from the UK who sings words of deep adoration ( www.vickybeeching.com); and Live Out Loud: an alternative rock duo from Zimbabwe who create inspirational rock tones with lyrics that tackle the issues facing Africa. ( www.myspace.com/liveoutloud5).
The public is invited to participate in this event. Those wanting to get involved can attend in person, watch on GOD TV, watch the webcast at www.5dollarwater.com or donate $5 by texting the word WATER to 90999.

“884 million people do not have access to safe water and 1.4 million children die each year because of this. That is 4,000 children per day,” said GOD TV / Angel Mission co-founder Rory Alec. “Africa faces a desperate need for clean water, but through Angel Mission’s drilling of community water wells as little as $5 can help provide a single person with sufficient water for 20 years. This means everyone can be part of helping revive entire communities in this vast continent.”
Net proceeds for the Angel Mission Benefit Concert will go to 25 water projects in the West Pokot region of Kenya. And, with so many top bands performing for such a worthy cause, viewers are in for some unsurpassed musical entertainment.
Angel Mission, a ministry outreach of GOD TV, is a Christian international development organization, bringing help and hope to poor communities. Partnering with the Church and other organizations, it seeks to find sustainable ways to help alleviate poverty and share God’s love with all people.

GOD TV can be accessed via channel 365 of DIRECTV or online at www.god.tv/stream. The Angel Mission Benefit Concert will also be broadcast LIVE at www.5dollarwater.com and made available for video on demand viewing at www.god.tv/god.
About GOD TV and Angel Mission:
Birthed in the UK in 1995, GOD TV is an international media network broadcasting Christian television programming to more than 155 million homes in more than 200 nations.  The network follows founders Rory and Wendy Alec’s vision to air more live programming from revival hotspots than any other broadcaster, reaching a younger demographic than Christian television traditionally reaches.   GOD TV sets aside a percentage of all donations to Angel Mission, its humanitarian relief and development ministry.  Angel Mission provides clean water and sanitation, and develops Life Centers that combat poverty in seven strategic ways.  For more information, visit www.god.tv and www.angel-mission.org.