Lausanne World Pulse – News Briefs – January News from around the World
AROUND THE WORLD: Military BibleSticks Successful
Since July 2008, Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) has sent more than 7,600 Military BibleSticks to military chaplains around the world. The specially-designed devices are digital audio players pre-loaded with the Audio Drama New Testament. A durable device, only about the size of a pack of chewing gum, the BibleStick is intentionally inconspicuous and easily fits into a uniform pocket. (Faith Comes By Hearing)
AROUND THE WORLD: Mercy Ships Confirms New CEO
In December 2008, Mercy Ships announced the unanimous confirmation of Sam Smith as its new CEO. Smith was already serving as interim CEO for Mercy Ships, a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. He has nearly twenty years of experience in the area of brand and marketing development and previously worked with some of the largest manufacturing and retail organizations in North America. (Mercy Ships)
AROUND THE WORLD: Paraclete Announces New CEO
In November 2008, Paraclete announced Glen Volkhardt as the new CEO of the Phoenix, Arizona (USA)-based organization effective 1 January 2009. Paraclete assists mission agencies and churches in missions through its experienced consultants and senior missionaries, advising workers reaching the least-reached peoples of the world. Volkhardt previously served with HCJB Global for twenty-nine years, where he was vice president of human resources and strategic planning. He will replace Don Parrott, who will become CEO of The Finishers Project. (Paraclete)
AROUND THE WORLD: Locating Devices Key to Rescue at Sea
To help Bible translators travel safely over water, JAARS Maritime Services has developed survival packets for times of crisis. An important part of the packet is the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which can send a signal that will relay detailed search-and-rescue information. A distress signal is picked up in the United States via satellite and relayed to a local supervisor in the appropriate area of the world, who can then initiate search and rescue. The survival packets also include life jackets and ropes to hold group members and their equipment together. (JAARS Maritime Services)
AROUND THE WORLD: Project Hannah Brings Hope to Women around the World
In 1997, awareness advocate Marli Spieker founded Project Hannah (PH), a ministry of Trans World Radio. Today, PH broadcasts in forty-eight languages on 550 stations around the world in an effort to bring hope to women living under oppression and bondage. Women of Hope, a regularly broadcasted program, brings together experienced volunteers from around the world who provide fascinating topics, scripts, and interviews on a variety of health and spiritual matters. Before founding PH, Spieker ministered to women in her home country of Brazil and then later served as a Trans World Radio missionary with her husband in Asia. (Project Hannah)
CANADA: EFC President Named Secretary of WEA International Council
In November 2008, Bruce Clemenger, president of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), was named secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) International Council. Clemenger has served the EFC since 1992. In 1996, he established EFC’s Ottawa (Canada) office and was the founding director of the EFC’s Centre for Faith and Public Life. He speaks and writes on religion, culture, ethics, and politics. (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada)
INDIA: People Encouraged to Kill Christians for Rewards
It has been reported that extremists in Orissa are intensifying pressure on Christians by offering bounties for killing Christians. This includes a payment of $250 for each pastor murdered. People in India are also being offered rewards such as liquor, food, and weapons for destroying churches and Christian properties. (Assist News)
INDIA: Gospel for Asia President Does Not Want to Rush to Judgment
In December 2008, Gospel for Asia (GFA) president K.P. Yohannan expressed reluctance to blame the recent coordinated attacks in Mumbai on Muslims until investigation work is completed. Yohannan pointed out that other attacks initially blamed on Muslims were later found to be perpetrated by radical Hindu groups. Several Mumbai sites were attacked by gunmen on 29 November 2008, leaving an estimated 195 people dead and hundreds more injured. One of the victims was reported to be an anti-terrorism official who helped uncover Hindu ties to previous attacks. (Mission Network News)