India: Unique film released in Hindi
03 Jan 2013A six hour Hindi film, ‘Christayan’ (the journey of Christ) was released in Indore Madhya Pradesh in early December. It was directed by Father George, a Catholic priest, who worked seven years on it with a team of 200 amateur actors, scientists, technical staff, professors, doctors, teachers, social activists, farmers, atheists, students, media persons, priests and religious sisters. They visited 10 states including the north-eastern part of India. Ankit Sharma, a Hindu young man, acted as Jesus. Over 80% of the team were ‘friends of Jesus’. ‘Christayan’ has an eastern flavor with Indian socio-cultural backgrounds and aesthetics interwoven with various genres of Indian music by some of the best Asian singers and musicians of our time. Father George wrote the script, lyrics and also supervised makeup and costumes. He was a missionary in the interior villages of the state, and believes ‘Jesus, the living and loving God, is present with us and within us.’
Praise: God for this film; may it spread throughout India. May peoples' spiritual eyes be opened to see Jesus the Son of the Living God. (Ps.24:5)
More: http://persecutedchurch.info/2012/12/05/six-hour-long-hindi-film-on-jesus-released/
India: Two families see God’s power
26 Jan 2011
Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries Bhavi and Dipan are the pastors of two growing churches in South Asia. They have seen God’s power in the lives of many people in their congregations. Giri suffered from ongoing kidney stone problems. After six operations failed to cure him Giri didn’t know what to do. It was then that Giri heard about the church where Pastor Bhavi served. He approached with great hope, and after Pastor Bhavi and the other believers prayed, the Lord healed Giri. With great joy and thankfulness Meenu and his wife received an equally powerful miracle in their lives. After years of marriage they had no children. But when they heard of Jesus’ loving power from a Bible college student, they had new hope! They went to visit Pastor Dipan, who prayed with them and the Lord blessed them with a baby boy. Like Giri’s family, Meenu and his wife now serve the Lord wholeheartedly. Praise: God for His miraculous power that brings life to those who believe. (Dan.2:2-3)
India: The Lazarus factor
19 Oct 2013A few years ago journalist Lee Grady interviewed two people who had seen biblical-style resurrection during an evangelistic meeting in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Jyothi Pothabathula was two years old when she collapsed on the bus. The little girl had no history of illness, but she suddenly stopped breathing. The girl’s mother, Nagamani, began desperately praying for God to save her baby. The girl’s father, Suribabu, carried Jyothi’s lifeless body to Harry Gomes, an evangelist on campaign in the city. Immediately after he prayed for her, they said, Jyothi sat up and then began walking. ‘I know Jesus is a great God because he raised my daughter to life,’ Suribabu said, wiping away tears. His brother and two more of his Hindu family members converted to Jesus after they heard the story and saw the revived girl.
Praise: God for His healing power and living testimony. (Jn.16:2)
More: http://brendanwitton.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/j-lee-grady-the-lazarus-factor/
India: Gospel brought us from darkness to light
19 May 2010The Gospel has led us from darkness to light, said Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, as he heaped praise on pioneer missionaries for bringing the Good News to the northeast state. Singh recalled the sacrifice of Watkin Roberts and his family for ‘bringing the Gospel’ and said it brought peace and unity among people. The Independent Church of India (ICI) itself was founded by Watkin Roberts who along with three missionaries from the state of Mizoram ushered in the age of the Gospel among tribal groups in South Manipur in 1910. To mark this event, the ICI held a four-day celebration attended by 20,000 Christians. ICI is one of the leading churches in Southern Manipur and still exists as an indigenous Church. It is deeply rooted in the principles of self-support, self-administration and self-propagation.
Praise: God for the increased acceptance of the Gospel across the globe. ( Mt.24:14)
More: http://in.christiantoday.com/articles/gospel-brought-us-from-darkness-to-light-manipur-cm/5142.htm
India: Girls rescued out of trafficking
09 Nov 2010
Three girls from different states of India, sold off to brothels in Solapur city a few months ago, were rescued last week by Indian Rescue Mission (IRM), an organization that rescues minor girls forced into prostitution and offers justice and rehabilitation for these victims. These girls were rescued from a city hotel in a joint operation conducted by Indian Rescue Mission and Maharastra State police on October 28, 2010, after they had discovered the trafficking racket based on the investigations conducted by IRM. The police swung into action and arrested a lady brothel keeper and the lodge owner, along with other pimps who were engaged in forcing these girls into prostitution. Among the rescued girls, three were minors and were trafficked from different parts of the country. The girls told the police that they were sold to the brothels in the city and were forced to entertain clients who visited the brothel. Praise: God for the work of IRM and pray that the authorities would be granted more powers to fight this evil trade. (Mk.7:21) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8348
Sammy Tippit’s ministry has launched an ambitious programme to reach people for Christ through a broadcast series in India. The television series titled, Heart-Cry for Revival, is scheduled to go on air during May. An estimated audience of over a million people in Tamil Nadu, India, will view the programme. Sammy Tippit will host the weekly broadcasts that highlight the messages of the Heart Cry speakers. Sammy will also bring a series of messages on personal revival called ‘The Race’. Dave Tippit will have messages for this new generation of younger believers called Earthy Spirituality. These will be presented once per month, the release added. ‘We have a prime spot from 9 until 10 o'clock in the evening on secular stations throughout that whole state,’ Tippit reports. ‘A very interesting thing in that particular state is that the government, through some political manoeuvres, has put a television set in every home.’ Praise: God for this exciting new initiative that the Holy Spirit would bring enlightenment to many. (2Cor.4:6) More: http://www.christianmessenger.in/sammy-tippit%E2%80%99s-tv-program-targets-viewers-in-tamil-nadu/
India: An Afghan Church grows in Delhi
01 Aug 2013In a South Delhi neighbourhood, the sound of a man reciting Dari, a Farsi dialect spoken in Afghanistan, over a loudspeaker attached to a modest two-story building rose over the din of vegetable hawkers. The building was a church run by Afghan refugees who had converted to Christianity. The man was a young Afghan priest reading the Bible before a Sunday service in its basement. The number of Afghani coverts to Christianity increased as the US presence in Afghanistan increased after the fall of the Taliban. Today in Delhi between 200 - 250 Afghan converts from Islam to Christianity who fled persecution from authorities and Taliban have found refuge in Delhi. 2009 saw the highest number of Christians flee Afghanistan. A Delhi pastor said that 40 Afghan Christians have come to India so far in 2013. Most Afghan Christian converts have chosen India because of its proximity and their familiarity with the country.'
Praise: God for the Evangelical church in Delhi, may they touch the lives of the thousands of Muslim and Sikh Afghan refugees who have also settled in India since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. (Mk.16:15)
More: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/july282013/afghan-church.php
A new ComRes poll commissioned by Premier Christian Media has revealed that young Christians are more concerned about life issues such as abortion and euthanasia than elderly believers are. The poll surveyed Christians of all ages and denominations, asking them to rate a number of issues in terms of how important they are. The poll revealed that there was a big difference between what young and older generations of Christians regard as important issues, with life issues of greater concern to young people aged between 18-34 years compared with those over the age of 65. Almost three quarters (69%) of young people surveyed believe abortion to be very important compared to just 31% of over 65's, and two thirds (66%) of young people think that euthanasia is a very important issue, compared with just a third (33%) of over 65’s. In contrast, youth related issues were of greater concern to over 65's as compared to young people.
Praise: God for this trend and concern among the young. (1Cor.12:25)