MANILA – He stood at the podium just as his father and his grandfather had done years ago and proclaimed that “Salvation is not a deed, a ritual or a church. Salvation is a Person, and His name is Jesus. Salvation is not based on good works. There’s nothing you can do to save yourself….
HENAN – Reports continue to stream from China regarding the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and it’s actions to eliminate Christianity from the country. Crosses have been removed from church buildings, churches have been subjected to electronic monitoring whilst others have been closed. The First Commandment has been declared illegal. The Bible is being retranslated to conform…
ORLANDO, FL – Reaching the unreached is a core mission of hundreds of faith-based organizations. Doing so is often a formidable task and requires a steadfast trust that the Lord has not left us to do it alone. He makes a way; He guides along the way; He protects as we walk in the way….
COLORADO SPRINGS – The initial mission of Entrust when it was founded 40 years ago in 1979 was to train Christians behind the Iron Curtain for ministry leadership roles based on the model given by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the…
PHOENIX, AZ – Several things make Frontiers unique among foreign missions agencies. One of those is the catalyst that led Greg Livingstone to begin the ministry in 1982. He was already heavily involved in missions, but the agency for which he worked confronted him with, “Greg, you must stop recruiting; we’re full. We’re getting swamped…
SOUTH ASIA – World Leprosy Day was observed on 27 January to raise awareness of the truth about what may be the most misunderstood disease on the planet. Having the disease is compounded by the indignities the infected must suffer. People with leprosy who have obvious deformities are relegated to isolated colonies where they are…
Poverty. You know it when you see it – but, can you define it? A World Perspective Dictionary.com defines poverty as “the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; the condition of being poor.” It defines “poor” as “having little or no money, goods, or other means of…
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) was born 40 years ago when K.P. and Gisela Yohannan felt the call of the Lord on their lives to minister to the people of Asia in His name. Even before His specific calling was clear—and every day thereafter—their commitment has been to walk in the beauty…
The Syrian Civil War has been an epic crisis as the Assad regime attempts to retain its rule whilst ISIS rebels and others seek to wrest control as part of an attempt to establish an Islamic caliphate. About half of the Christian population has disappeared from the country either by death or diaspora. Yet, despite…
EL SALVADOR – In many ways, the San Francisco Gotera prison in El Salvador is like many others in Latin America. Nearly all of the inmates are members of rival gangs including the infamous MS-13. The prison has 1,600 inmates housed in a facility designed to hold 200. Tattoos of skulls, gang logos, and demonic…
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The mission of Go To Nations (GTN) is “To serve as a “mission sending organization” which helps the body of Christ to conduct mission ministry by providing the practical and technical assistance necessary to be effective in the global harvest.” Equipping missionaries, local churches, and international ministries to reach the world with…
KUMBH MELA – The Swacch Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission was launched on October 2nd, 2014 as a major government initiative with the goal of making India ‘clean’ by the same date in 2019. When Prime Minister Modi initiated the campaign, he declared that, “A clean India would be the best tribute India could…
ATLANTA – Dr. Michael Youssef is best known for his 30 years of ministry through Leading the Way broadcasted primarily from the Church of the Apostles which he pastors in Atlanta. The 70-year preacher is leading a new project, Vision 2025, through which he hopes to engage Christians around the world to win 1,000,000 souls…
COLORADO SPRINGS – The Board of the Christian and Missionary Alliance recently published its 2018 Impact Report. The Alliance, founded over 130 years ago by A.B. Simpson, continues to express the love of Jesus Christ by sharing His Gospel with those who have yet to hear the Good News. Dr. John Stumbo, C&MA President describes…
BEIJING – Christians in China are learning what it means to fight against principalities, powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (See Ephesians 6:12) The Chinese government is continuing its concerted efforts to shut down all forms of Christian worship. Missions Box has been publishing news…
JHARKHAND – An Anganwadi[1] worker in Jharkhand recently praised a team from World Vision for its work with Jharkhand health officials to help reduce acute malnutrition in the state. Although the State of Jharkhand contains about 40% of India’s entire mineral reserves, nearly 80% of the people who live there are farmers. It is India’s…
STRASBOURG – The European Court of Human Rights has rendered a judgment against Turkey in the case of Altınkaynak and Others v. Turkey. The court ruled that Turkey had violated the rights of a group of Seventh Day Adventists in 2004 when they attempted to register their religious foundation. Although Turkey ratified the European Convention…
TUCKER, GA – The Ambassadors for Christ ministry began in 1948 as the fruition of the vision of Australian evangelist John Ridley to raise up Christian leaders who would establish churches “to penetrate Australia’s secular society.” Today, the ministry reaches into 22 countries on six continents. As the impact of the ministry, then known as…
ISLAMABAD – Heavy security surrounded the Pakistani high court as the world awaited the judges’ decision on whether to proceed with the appeal against her recent acquittal on blasphemy charges. Paramilitary troops and quick response units deployed in sensitive areas in the capital as radical Muslim had called for protests. Just a few hours ago,…
KINSHASA – When Missions Box News last reported on the outbreak of the Ebola virus on 15 December 2018, the deadly epidemic had already become the second-largest outbreak of the disease in history. At that time, 425 people were known to have contracted the Ebola virus and nearly 250 had perished – double the numbers…
ISLAMABAD – Asia Bibi’s acquittal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan was on October 2018, on charges of blasphemy after being held on death row for eight years. The judges ruled that the prosecution had “categorically failed” to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, that the evidence against her was flimsy, the complainant was not…
When Christians read reports from nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia some may wonder why missionaries have not reached out to the unreached long ago. We can easily operate on a false assumption that the current number of unreached and underserved is an indicator of the past failure of others to go and…
DELHI – Officials in India are completing final preparations for the 70th annual Republic Day on Saturday, January 26th. This year’s celebration will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, “Father of the Nation.” Wednesday, January 23, 2019, preparations included a full-dress rehearsal for the annual parade at Rajpath. The entire…
LAHORE – Pervaiz Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was arrested in 2015 on charges of blaspheming the Muslim prophet Mohammed. In an unusual turn of events, he was released on bail after serving only 20 days in prison. On January 15th a district court ruled in favor of his acquittal. Pervaiz is an independent contractor who,…
SONORA – Had I not known better, I would have thought that the story I was reading in the Calvary Chapel Magazine was about a ministry in South Asia. Being evangelical is considered turning on one’s own culture and family traditions, and people make fun of those who profess Christ. Many people, especially men and…
In February 2018, Dr. Graham exchanged his earthly rewards for his heavenly rewards, marking the first time since 1955 that he was not included in the annual Gallup poll of American’s most admired men. Sadly, the 2018 poll of the most trusted Americans by occupation also witnessed a continuing decline in the respect afforded to…
DAVOS – Three thousand world leaders are expected to meet at the World Economic Forum in this Swiss community from January 22nd through the 25th. The theme of this year’s forum is “Trust: The world’s currency.” Immediately preceding the event, Oxfam released a 40-page research report entitled “Public Good or Private Wealth.” Oxfam is an…
WILLS POINT, TX The last Sunday in January is set aside to observe World Leprosy Day. Gospel for Asia (GFA) has released a Special Report examining the problem of leprosy. Across the globe, leprosy charities and partners join together to raise awareness of this disease that many people believe to be extinct, when in fact…
Religious freedom, i.e., the separation of church and state appears to be gaining greater legal standing around the globe. Yet, according to the latest Open Doors World Watch List, persecution of Christians is on the rise. Christians are not the only ones being persecuted. People of any faith who are in the minority are increasingly…
PENANG – During the recent testing of lighting fixtures at a residential high-rise under construction in the city of Penang, a local Muslim mufti complained to local authorities because the resulting pattern was in the shape of a cross. The mufti insisted that the authorities investigate why the lights had been arranged as a cross…
CANBERRA – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison published an open letter this week to “Australians of all faiths.” The catalyst for the letter is the parliamentary debate on freedom of religion versus discrimination against sexual orientation in religious schools and institutions. A Missions Box report published on October 17, 2018, asked the question, “Australia: Can…
GAFFNEY, SC – The closure, censure, and prohibition of churches, whether as congregations or as church buildings has become a regular theme in news from countries around the world. It is reasonable to expect the trend to continue and, eventually, to overflow into the home of the free and the brave. This writer, having once…
SANTA ANA, CA – According to its website, “For over 60 years, Open Doors has worked in the world’s most oppressive countries, empowering Christians who are persecuted for their beliefs. Open Doors equips persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries through programs like Bible & Gospel Development, Women & Children Advancement, and Christian Community Restoration.”…
Contrary to popular belief among many Americans, radio is not a relic of the past. Once again, we are victims of our own isolation and our preoccupation with the ever-emerging technologies that seem to have relegated radio to the recollection of retirees. Then, there is the virtual demise of the once ubiquitous Radio Shack. The…
VIENNA – January 2019 is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. According to the United Nations 2018 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons released this month, human trafficking has “taken on horrific dimensions.” The report, which compiles data from 142 countries, was published in two booklets. The first is typical of the annual report from a global…
MANAGUA – Chosen Children Ministries is a faith-based, non-profit organization focused on reaching families and communities in Nicaragua. Its methodology is unique in that the organization has field staff in two locations within the country through which it utilizes teams of volunteers from evangelical churches, schools, universities, and businesses to expand its outreach. Because Nicaragua…
KAMPALA – Being a pastor is a difficult life at the best of times. Pastors commit to a life of serving the Lord and reaching out to others, often at great personal sacrifice, to help them carry their burdens. Being a pastor in developing countries in Africa has got to be even more difficult, especially…
A Special Report published in February 2018 by Gospel for Asia (GFA) revealed that more than 40 million people around the world are currently living in some form of slavery. The report added that 25 million of those are enslaved in Asia and the Pacific. Seeking Justice and Defending Human Rights Wherever Poverty and Oppression…
NAIROBI – A joint report released last year by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicated that the sub-Saharan nation of Kenya is one of the countries facing an urgent need to overcome the problem of open defecation. Nearly 30% of the people in Kenya defecate in the open,…
Modern missions pioneer and advocate, Don Richardson, passed away on December 23, 2018, at the age of 83. In 1952 at the age of 17, the young Canadian from Prince Edward Island gave his life to Jesus Christ at a Youth for Christ rally. In 1962, after graduation from Prairie Bible Institute and Wycliffe Bible…
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” – Colossians 3:16 Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs have always been a part of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul refers…
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the leading cause of death in the world in 2018 claimed the lives of 42 million people. That’s more than the number who died from cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol, and traffic accidents combined. Worldometers estimates that there was a total of 59 million deaths globally during the…
ISLAMABAD – News agencies out of Pakistan reported today that a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court requesting the imposition of Sharia Law as the governing law in Pakistan. Meanwhile, 500 senior Muslim leaders signed the Islamabad Declaration which denounces Islamic terrorism, violence committed in the name of religion, and fatwas issued by…
CHENNAI – About 45 million workers are employed in India’s thriving textile and garment industry. The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has introduced a new code of conduct to protect the safety of the largest group employed in the garment industry workforce – women. According to Thomson Reuters, “Numerous studies have shown that low pay,…
HENAN PROVINCE – On November 30, 2018, Chinese communist authorities ordered a church in Henan Province to remove its display of the first commandment of the Ten Commandments. The directive came during a regular inspection of a church affiliated with the government-approved Three-Self church movement. Freedom of religion in China has been a consistent and…
AMSTERDAM – Although relatively unknown to Americans, Leo Habets was a leader among evangelicals in Europe. He passed from this life into the presence of Jesus, the Savior whom he served, on Wednesday, January 2nd. Habets was 70 years old. He succumbed to a two-year battle with colon cancer. He is survived by his wife,…
“For China’s Christians, these are desperate times.” That was a comment made by U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence in October 2018 in a speech where he described the Chinese Communist Party as “avowedly atheist.” Perspective Magazine, which covers U.S. foreign policy from a Christian perspective observed that “in 2018, China’s religious repression has reached ‘a sustained…
It has been said that Americans think everyone in the world has access to a copy of the Bible. It would be nice if everyone did. The truth is that millions of people have no access to Bibles—the most important thing they need. One of the first lessons that the Lord taught the children of…
Missions Box News recently published a report about GFA-supported pastors and missionaries who had visited an orphanage in which all 28 boys have lost their parents to AIDS and are themselves infected with the dread disease. The pastors and missionaries undertook this effort to assist and encourage the boys and educate them about the HIV…
LONDON – Great Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, ordered a review today into the escalation of persecution of Christians around the world. Current estimates are that 250 Christians die every month as a result of persecution-related violence. The aim of the reviews is to determine what the UK can do aid what is now more…
