PALU, Indonesia – On Friday, September 28, 2018, Icose Mafella awakened with an unsettling feeling that would not go away. A devout follower of Jesus, he knew that he needed to stay calm so that he could hear the voice of God. 140 fewer people died in the Indonesia earthquake that day because he did.… Continue reading I’ll Fly Away – Christian Pilot Listens to God Saves 140 from Indonesian Quake
News
Marketplace Missions Movement Honored for Innovative Approach to World Evangelization
Operation Mobilization USA’s creative Scatter Global initiative recognized for opening doors for Christian professionals in countries closed to the gospel ATLANTA, Ga. – An innovative movement that is breaking new ground in world evangelization through its unique job-market approach for reaching unreached nations has been honored by missions leaders. Scatter Global inspires, equips and places Christian… Continue reading Marketplace Missions Movement Honored for Innovative Approach to World Evangelization
Pakistan Expels 18 Foreign Aid Groups
ISLAMABAD – The Interior Ministry of Pakistan has given 18 international foreign aid groups 60 days to shut down their operations and leave the country. All 18 agencies had filed appeals in response to an earlier notice from the IM. The first agency to report the news was ActionAid, a Johannesburg-based, international that aims to… Continue reading Pakistan Expels 18 Foreign Aid Groups
GFA-supported Relief Help Needed More Than Ever as Drought, Earthworm Crises Follow Kerala Flooding
Supplies, encouragement and relief-camp-wedding meal remind flood victims that ‘God has not forgotten you’ WILLS POINT, Texas — With thousands still reeling from the impact of historic flooding, a second major crisis drying up wells and killing helpful earthworms has heightened the need for GFA’s (Gospel for Asia) ongoing relief help in India’s Kerala state.… Continue reading GFA-supported Relief Help Needed More Than Ever as Drought, Earthworm Crises Follow Kerala Flooding
The Shameful Truth About Modern Slavery
WILLS POINT – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified in 1948, seventy years ago. Article 4 of the Declaration says, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” A large number of people in the United States – perhaps most… Continue reading The Shameful Truth About Modern Slavery
Manipur Woman Wins Prestigious Humanitarian Award
MANIPUR – Manipur native, Binalakshmi Nepram is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Anna Politkovskaya Award. The award is presented annually by the organization, Reach All Women in WAR (RAW in WAR) to a woman who has stood up to victims in areas of conflict and who have demonstrated “courage and truth-telling in the face… Continue reading Manipur Woman Wins Prestigious Humanitarian Award
Literacy Will Change Their Worlds
INDIA – September 8th was International Literacy Day. With so many days set aside to draw attention to causes, we rarely take a look back to recognize what we have done to meet the needs of the cause beyond memorializing the day. Illiteracy is a significant issue in South Asia and other areas of the… Continue reading Literacy Will Change Their Worlds
Render Unto Caesar in China
WASHINGTON DC – People need to be seriously aware that Jesus said more than “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” in Mark 12:17. He also said, “And to God the things that are God’s.” Christians and evangelical churches around the globe are feeling the oppression of officials whose desire is to bring the… Continue reading Render Unto Caesar in China
Reaching a Captive Audience
IRAN – Mojtaba Hosseini was arrested for being a threat to the national security of his home country of Iran. His crime was being a leader of a house church group. When he was originally arrested, he was placed on probation and warned to cease his church activities. I wonder what I would have done… Continue reading Reaching a Captive Audience
Indian Woman Appointed Chief Economist at IMF
WASHINGTON DC – The International Monetary Fund has appointed India-born Gita Gopinath as its next chief economist, replacing Maurice Obstfeld who will be retiring at the end of 2018. Dr. Gopinath was born in Kolkata in 1971. She earned her BA at the University of Delhi, followed by a double Master’s degree in economics from… Continue reading Indian Woman Appointed Chief Economist at IMF
Good News from Sudan!
SUDAN – Good news is getting hard to find. It just doesn’t seem to be sensational enough to make compelling headlines. Missions Box News is seeking to change that by reporting the good news that Christians should know. Some exceptionally good news has come out of Sudan over the last several days. Sudan is currently… Continue reading Good News from Sudan!
Fish & Faith – Surviving 49 Days Stranded at Sea
INDONESIA – People all over the world have heard the story of Aldi Novel Adilang. Most won’t remember his name. They will remember him only as the Indonesian teenager who was survived being stranded at sea for 49 days in a wooden fishing hut. Most mainstream media has told the story of how the 18-year-old… Continue reading Fish & Faith – Surviving 49 Days Stranded at Sea
Access to Clean Water for Siksa
SIKSA, Pakistan – The World Health Organization estimates that more than a third of the people in Pakistan lack access to safe drinking water. It is a problem all too common for countries in South Asia and the 10/40 window. The village of Siksa is an example of how things change when clean water becomes… Continue reading Access to Clean Water for Siksa
Making Sense of Myanmar – The Chin, Kachin, Shan, and Wa States
YANGON – Myanmar, formerly Burma, may best be described a line from Rogers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I” in which the king exclaims, “It’s a puzzlement.” In a recent article, we related the story of a Christian pastor in a small village in the Chin state in northwest Myanmar. The gist of the story… Continue reading Making Sense of Myanmar – The Chin, Kachin, Shan, and Wa States
25% of the World Will Live in Slums by 2030
LONDON – The independent think tank, Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has released a shocking report that indicates that 25% of the world population – 40% of all urban dwellers – will live in slums by 2030. This is only one of the failures to achieve adequate progress on the UN’s list of 17 Sustainable Development… Continue reading 25% of the World Will Live in Slums by 2030
Insight into Being an Outsider – Christians in Myanmar
RANGOON – Most Western people still know Myanmar as Burma – a country somewhere in South Asia. Situated east of the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar borders Bangladesh, India, China, and Thailand. Myanmar, then Burma, was evangelized in the early 1800s by Adoniram Judson who also completed the first Burmese language Bible. In 1950, there were… Continue reading Insight into Being an Outsider – Christians in Myanmar
Earthworms Die, Kerala Fears Drought
Kerala, India, now faces continued tragedy as water wells across the state appear to be drying up. According to the latest news from the flood-affected state, reported by the Times of India “A series of issues including soaring mercury levels, unprecedented dip in water level of rivers, sudden drying up of wells, and depletion of… Continue reading Earthworms Die, Kerala Fears Drought
Humanitarian Agencies in India Open Grain Banks to Poor
ALLAHABAD – The monsoon and post-monsoon seasons are hard on the poor in India, particularly those who work in the fields. A consortium of over 400 humanitarian aid agencies has come together to help during these difficult times this year. The consortium has established grain banks in over 100 villages across northern India in expectation… Continue reading Humanitarian Agencies in India Open Grain Banks to Poor
Controversial ‘Third Wave Missions’ Book Marks Major Four-Million-Copy Milestone
Gospel for Asia founder KP Yohannan’s “Revolution in World Missions” has helped spark growth of indigenous-Christian-worker movement. WILLS POINT, Texas—A book first met with controversy but now widely credited with helping change the face of modern missions is marking a major milestone—more than four million copies in print. Since it was published in 1986, Dr.… Continue reading Controversial ‘Third Wave Missions’ Book Marks Major Four-Million-Copy Milestone
SGA Building Bridges in Eastern Ukraine
KIEV – Ukraine (fka “the Ukraine) presents many conundrums. Because of the Russian annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, many measurements and statistics must be listed and compared as “including Crimea” or “not including Crimea” – an issue that remains a point of contention for Ukraine. Although Ukraine is the largest nation located entirely… Continue reading SGA Building Bridges in Eastern Ukraine
Harvest-time Spotlight for Texas Church’s Volunteer Garden Helping Plant More Feeding Programs
Congregations across country replicate Denton Bible Church’s Community Garden — nation’s largest — growing fruits and vegetables for the homeless and hungry DENTON, Texas — As fall harvest season approaches, a green-fingered Texas church is teaching other congregations how to be fruitful—literally—just as the Bible says. Churches across the country are replicating Denton Bible Church’s… Continue reading Harvest-time Spotlight for Texas Church’s Volunteer Garden Helping Plant More Feeding Programs
Wealthiest Man in Singapore Puts His Trust in Christ Alone
SINGAPORE – Matthew and Mark both record Jesus describing the danger of being a rich man. He told those gathered around him that “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) Jesus was explaining his previous… Continue reading Wealthiest Man in Singapore Puts His Trust in Christ Alone
Ebola Still Threatening the Democratic Republic of Congo
KINSHASA – When last Missions Box News reported on the reemergence of the Ebola virus on August 20th, the estimated number of deaths over the previous 10 days had risen from “at least 20” to 55. Yesterday, September 17th, UNICEF issued their latest Ebola Situation Report indicating that the death toll has reached 97. As… Continue reading Ebola Still Threatening the Democratic Republic of Congo
India Overtaking China for Largest Population
NEW DELHI – Asia Times may have best summarized recent reports about the continuing population growth in India. “Top demographers feel that within three to five years, India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country.” While the population growth rate has been on the decline in China, India’s population continues to advance at… Continue reading India Overtaking China for Largest Population
India Celebrates PM Modi’s 68th Birthday
DELHI – Celebrations were held across India today to honor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 68th birthday. PM Modi is the MP (Member of Parliament) for Varanasi. His party’s election in 2016 was the first majority party election in India since 1984. He is India’s 14th Prime Minister. Monday, September 17th, actually began an entire week… Continue reading India Celebrates PM Modi’s 68th Birthday
Simple Story of Village Reconciliation Offers ‘Pathway to Peace’ for Divided World
GFA (Gospel for Asia) shares example of reconciliation to mark International Day of Peace and inspire more peacemakers to prayer and action WILLS POINT, Texas—As political and religious divisions widen and deepen around the world, GFA (Gospel for Asia) hopes that a simple story of reconciliation and forgiveness will inspire more people to pray and… Continue reading Simple Story of Village Reconciliation Offers ‘Pathway to Peace’ for Divided World
Humanitarian Aid Being Hindered in Yemen: Millions of People at Risk
SANA, Yemen – “More than 25 percent of children (1.8 million) are malnourished; 900,000 people in the governorate are desperate for food and 90,000 pregnant women are at enormous risk. Families need everything–food, cash, health care, water, sanitation, emergency supplies, specialized support, and many need shelter. It’s heart-breaking to see so many people who need… Continue reading Humanitarian Aid Being Hindered in Yemen: Millions of People at Risk
The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel
LOS ANGELES – Last week, more than 3,000 evangelical Christians and churches became signatories along with Dr. John MacArthur to The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel. The statement grew out of a series of messages by Dr. MacArthur in which he named the growth of “social justice” as a leading threat to the… Continue reading The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel
2018 UN Report on The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World
NEW YORK – From 2005 through 2013, it appeared that we were making progress on the global war against hunger. Today, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released its 202-page report on The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. The results indicate that, since 2014, “the war against hunger… Continue reading 2018 UN Report on The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World
How to Pray for Those Affected by Hurricane Florence
This morning [Friday], Hurricane Florence reached the coast of North Carolina as a Category 1 storm, quickly flooding many coastal areas in North Carolina. Photo Source: NASA (with adaptations) Five deaths have been reported due to trees collapsing and other incidents. Thankfully most people had already evacuated and further evacuations and rescues are taking place… Continue reading How to Pray for Those Affected by Hurricane Florence
Pastor Robert Jeffress Calls on Christians to Join Him in Prayer for Those Facing the Ferocity of Hurricane Florence
“God does not always promise to deliver us out of the storm, but He promises to lead us through the storm” — Dr. Robert Jeffress DALLAS — Dr. Robert Jeffress, the pastor of the 13,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas issues the following statement calling for prayer for those threatened by Hurricane Florence, which is… Continue reading Pastor Robert Jeffress Calls on Christians to Join Him in Prayer for Those Facing the Ferocity of Hurricane Florence
Former Persecutor Turned to Jesus Radically Changed
IRAN – You may have heard a story like this before. It’s a narrative about a man who devoted his life to persecuting Christians. He would have done anything in his power to eliminate them from the face of the earth. He traveled with orders to find, detain, and bring professing Christians before religious courts… Continue reading Former Persecutor Turned to Jesus Radically Changed
Outdoor Adventure Group Book Arms Parents, Teachers in Cultural ‘War on Boyhood’
As interest spikes in youth programs this fall, Trail Life USA leader challenges PC thinking BELTON, S.C.— With interest in enrollment in extra-curricular programs spiking nationwide as children return to school, Trail Life USA (www.traillifeusa.com) has released a special e-book outlining the unique learning and development needs of young males. Political correctness is failing America’s boys, according… Continue reading Outdoor Adventure Group Book Arms Parents, Teachers in Cultural ‘War on Boyhood’
Rat Fever Outbreak as Kerala Floodwaters Recede
With more than five confirmed deaths of leptospirosis, also known as “Rat Fever,” Kerala, India, suffers not only under the destruction of the floodwaters, but now a disease that is spreading across the state. Rat Fever is spread through contact with fluids from infected animals. With rotting carcasses and stagnant waters furthering the contamination, more… Continue reading Rat Fever Outbreak as Kerala Floodwaters Recede
Disease Devastating Kerala Deluge Survivors: Leptospirosis Spreading – Dengue Threatening
KOCHI – When floods are raging like the recent deluge in Kerala, survival is foremost on the minds of those trapped in their torrents. Flood survivors are often unaware they will continue to face post-inundation threats. In the case of Kerala, as we forecasted in an article on August 25th, Water and Vector-Borne Diseases [Have… Continue reading Disease Devastating Kerala Deluge Survivors: Leptospirosis Spreading – Dengue Threatening
Counting Toilets: Confusing Tasks with Completed Goals, by Gospel for Asia
NEW DELHI – The Swachh Bharat Mission has been receiving kudos from media outlets for being “The world’s biggest toilet-building spree” in the UN-affiliated global effort to eliminate open defecation. There is little debate over the progress that has been made in India. More than 80 million household toilets have been constructed since 2014 as… Continue reading Counting Toilets: Confusing Tasks with Completed Goals, by Gospel for Asia
Literacy Training—the Life-transforming Tool That Is Impacting Communities
International Literacy Day underscores how, in helping people learn to read, GFA brings practical help and spiritual hope to many on the fringes of society WILLS POINT, Texas — In many parts of the world, being unable to read isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a potentially deadly handicap that Gospel for Asia (GFA) is working hard to… Continue reading Literacy Training—the Life-transforming Tool That Is Impacting Communities
6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Is Latest Disaster to Hit Japan this Summer
HOKKAIDO – While the monsoon and flooding in the Kerala state of India have received their share of attention in recent weeks, Japan has suffered a string of natural disasters, one following another, all summer long. The latest crisis is the damage done by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the island of Hokkaido early… Continue reading 6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Is Latest Disaster to Hit Japan this Summer
Open Hearts Not the Same as Open Doors: The Existential Global Refugee Crisis
BRUSSELS – Asylum is an existential goal of every refugee. A refugee is a displaced person who has left his home country in hopes of obtaining asylum in another country. The numbers of people displaced by wars in the Middle East and Africa have created a refugee crisis of unparalleled proportions. So much so that… Continue reading Open Hearts Not the Same as Open Doors: The Existential Global Refugee Crisis
Bridge of Hope Students, Missionaries, Pastors, Locals Rally to Help Kerala
As the people of Kerala recover in the aftermath of the worst flooding in nearly 100 years, the reality of devastation is beginning to sink in—and so is the need to repair, rebuild and start over again. Many flood survivors in this southern Indian state have lost all their belongings—including their means to earn a… Continue reading Bridge of Hope Students, Missionaries, Pastors, Locals Rally to Help Kerala
India Celebrates Teachers’ Day
DELHI – For a great many people around the world, the most influential person in their lives has been a teacher. India celebrates Teachers’ Day every September 5th and has done so since its commencement in 1962. Scholar, philosopher, and teacher, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, suggested that the country establish the annual event. Dr. Radhakrishnan had… Continue reading India Celebrates Teachers’ Day
The Wedding that Happened at a Flood Relief Camp
They fled their flooded homes but the rains could not stop their love. The rains came down incessantly causing severe flooding in southern Indian state of Kerala. Whole villages and towns were destroyed in a matter of days. Partnered with the Indian government, Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported relief camps provided food, shelter, and basic supplies… Continue reading The Wedding that Happened at a Flood Relief Camp
Heartache and Discrimination in Widowhood Still Facing Millions of ‘Invisible Women’
Gospel for Asia (GFA) calls attention to plight of widows worldwide who need help to face tragedy and overcome the many indignations of widowhood. WILLS POINT, Texas — More than seven years after the United Nations formally called attention to the plight of widows, millions of bereaved women \still find themselves subjected to abuse, humiliation, ostracism… Continue reading Heartache and Discrimination in Widowhood Still Facing Millions of ‘Invisible Women’
Merku Thodarchi Malai: Indian Movie Reveals the Plight of Tea Estate Workers
KERALA – Merku Thodarchi Malai is a made-in-India Tamil language film that chronicles the daily lives and the continuing plight of tea estate workers in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The English title of the film is The Western Ghats. The Western Ghats is 62,000 square miles of the mountain range that runs parallel to the… Continue reading Merku Thodarchi Malai: Indian Movie Reveals the Plight of Tea Estate Workers
Firsthand Reflections of Flooding in Kerala, India
Dr. Daniel, director of Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported medical ministry in Asia, reflects on the flood situation in Kerala and his trips to rescue people who were stranded. “It is easy for me to sit back at home and watch the television and see the different things that are happening. But on the first day… Continue reading Firsthand Reflections of Flooding in Kerala, India
GFA Makes ‘Loaves and Fishes’ Appeal for Help in Kerala State Flood Relief Efforts
Desperate need inspires sacrificial giving, as GFA-supported teams work through night to assist relief efforts of government officials ready emergency supplies WILLS POINT, Texas — Gospel for Asia (GFA) has issued a “loaves and fishes” appeal for support in bringing help and hope to some of the tens of thousands devastated by historic flooding in… Continue reading GFA Makes ‘Loaves and Fishes’ Appeal for Help in Kerala State Flood Relief Efforts
“Churches’ Indispensable Role” in India Evident After Kerala Flooding
CHENNAI – Vijay Jayaraj holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia in Great Britain. He is a native of India and a resident of Chennai. In a recent op-ed to published by the Christian Post, he lauded the immediate and substantial aid by Christians following the Kerala… Continue reading “Churches’ Indispensable Role” in India Evident After Kerala Flooding
Presence in Time of Trouble | In Person at the Kerala Floods
KERALA – There is one emotion common to anyone caught in a major flood. Fear. It is a fear that comes, like the water, in waves. The first wave of fear begins with the initial awareness that a flood is possible. This fear is allayed by the hope that “Maybe it won’t affect me.” The… Continue reading Presence in Time of Trouble | In Person at the Kerala Floods
NFL Stars Team Up with Biblica for Sports-Themed Outreach, Game of Life, in South Asia
Former Chicago Bears back ‘Game of Life’ distribution to fans of ‘the other football’ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four NFL veterans have teamed up with Biblica, the International Bible Society (www.biblica.com), to throw their weight behind a sports outreach that aims to score with thousands of young people in South Asia through “the other football.”… Continue reading NFL Stars Team Up with Biblica for Sports-Themed Outreach, Game of Life, in South Asia
Handicrafts, Donation Boxes Aid Flood Relief
As flood relief efforts continually take place in Kerala, India, Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers serving in various locations are raising funds for their brothers and sisters in immediate need. “When I heard the flood situation of Kerala, I felt very sad and immediately visited the mission fields to make contribution for Kerala relief work,”… Continue reading Handicrafts, Donation Boxes Aid Flood Relief