Nepal—Reaching remote mountain areas
Early this month the Nepalese Parliament voted to change the country to a federal state. This move, together with the political violence during April last year, has drastically altered Nepal’s status as the world’s only Hindu Kingdom. It is now a secular state. The king no longer is revered as the incarnation of the Hindu god and there is freedom for all religions.
The political change creates a climate of receptivity to the Gospel. “God has blessed the churches in Nepal with much growth through Bible League,” says Bible League's National Director in Nepal.
Bible League is currently the only source for Scriptures for Christians in the remote areas in central and northern Nepal. Many of these areas are only accessible by long hikes on difficult mountain trails, making it a challenge to locate and minister to churches here. Yet, Bible League is actively searching out new churches to provide them with Scriptures, Bible study materials and training. At present, Bible League is able to partner with more than 800 churches in these areas.
“Despite much difficulty, we praise the Lord that 2,649 new Philips (Bible study leaders) were trained last year. We also saw more people than we had anticipated who became members of a local church,” says the National Director. Last year, Bible League baptised a total of 7,450 new believers, trained 10,784 Bible study graduates and placed 60,000 Scriptures in Nepal.
“The local churches remain strong and optimistic. Nepali Christianity has an enthusiastically evangelistic flavour,” says the National Director. These ambassadors of Christ need God’s Word to equip them for evangelism and discipleship. Will you help expand God’s kingdom in Nepal by providing them with God’s Word? Click here to donate now.
Click Here to visit our website
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Saturday, 31 March 2007
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Bible Power
Middle East
A crack in the door
In the Middle East, many doors are tightly closed, locking Middle Easterners in with the darkness.
But Bible League-trained Christians eagerly watch for a crack in the door—a small opening through which to spread the light of the Gospel.
Sometimes the door opens on one group of people, and not another. But Middle Eastern Christians patiently wait, ready to implement careful, extra-sensitive approaches when the Spirit makes a way.
In some places, ministry is just beginning. In other places, long-suffering Christians have been glowing steadfastly for years. And despite the suffocating darkness, it is the light of God that shines through them.
The darkness comprehends it not
Islamic hostility—combined with the threat of terrorism and the added heat of international pressures—has made the Middle East an undeniably volatile mission field.
In many places, sharing the Good News about Jesus with Muslims is forbidden, and the authorities often strictly enforce laws designed to keep Christians in their place.
Brokenness and openness among Muslims, where it can be found, is often held in bondage, fearing backlash from angry neighbors, families, and friends.
Not a spirit of fear
But Christians in the Middle East long to see God illumine the darkness in their lands. They work comfortably and dynamically among their own people—in places that are tightly closed against the efforts of anyone else.
One soul at a time, the Spirit is using the Word of life to transform lives and break spiritual bonds. The body of Christ in the Middle East is growing.
While there are stories of restrictions and persecutions, there are also stories of breakthroughs over the radio airwaves and in personal relationships.
Christians face countless risks, including death, yet they continue to discreetly share Jesus with their countrymen. The "veils of mystery" surrounding God are falling away, as many come to know Jesus as their Savior.
Making dark places light
In spite of overwhelming odds, many churches have been planted. New bodies of believers are being established in areas where there were none before. And these Middle Eastern Christians are being further trained to take the Light of Jesus with them wherever they go.
Their firm conviction: Open the door a crack, and the light pours in.
A ray of hope
Please pray for the brothers and sisters seeking to establish and shepherd new bodies of believers in the Middle East, who face overwhelming persecution and resistance to the message of hope that they long to bring to their fellow countrymen. And petition God to open the doors in the hearts of Middle Eastern peoples, and to flood their weary, dark lands with His Light.
“The ‘veils of mystery’ surrounding God are falling away, as many come to know Jesus as their Savior.”
Give Now
To send Bibles to pierce the dark in the Middle East, Click Here
A crack in the door
In the Middle East, many doors are tightly closed, locking Middle Easterners in with the darkness.
But Bible League-trained Christians eagerly watch for a crack in the door—a small opening through which to spread the light of the Gospel.
Sometimes the door opens on one group of people, and not another. But Middle Eastern Christians patiently wait, ready to implement careful, extra-sensitive approaches when the Spirit makes a way.
In some places, ministry is just beginning. In other places, long-suffering Christians have been glowing steadfastly for years. And despite the suffocating darkness, it is the light of God that shines through them.
The darkness comprehends it not
Islamic hostility—combined with the threat of terrorism and the added heat of international pressures—has made the Middle East an undeniably volatile mission field.
In many places, sharing the Good News about Jesus with Muslims is forbidden, and the authorities often strictly enforce laws designed to keep Christians in their place.
Brokenness and openness among Muslims, where it can be found, is often held in bondage, fearing backlash from angry neighbors, families, and friends.
Not a spirit of fear
But Christians in the Middle East long to see God illumine the darkness in their lands. They work comfortably and dynamically among their own people—in places that are tightly closed against the efforts of anyone else.
One soul at a time, the Spirit is using the Word of life to transform lives and break spiritual bonds. The body of Christ in the Middle East is growing.
While there are stories of restrictions and persecutions, there are also stories of breakthroughs over the radio airwaves and in personal relationships.
Christians face countless risks, including death, yet they continue to discreetly share Jesus with their countrymen. The "veils of mystery" surrounding God are falling away, as many come to know Jesus as their Savior.
Making dark places light
In spite of overwhelming odds, many churches have been planted. New bodies of believers are being established in areas where there were none before. And these Middle Eastern Christians are being further trained to take the Light of Jesus with them wherever they go.
Their firm conviction: Open the door a crack, and the light pours in.
A ray of hope
Please pray for the brothers and sisters seeking to establish and shepherd new bodies of believers in the Middle East, who face overwhelming persecution and resistance to the message of hope that they long to bring to their fellow countrymen. And petition God to open the doors in the hearts of Middle Eastern peoples, and to flood their weary, dark lands with His Light.
“The ‘veils of mystery’ surrounding God are falling away, as many come to know Jesus as their Savior.”
Give Now
To send Bibles to pierce the dark in the Middle East, Click Here
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
bible power
"He heard our fears and prayers"
Nearly two years after the establishment of anti-conversion laws, Indian Christians are celebrating the effects of their repeal. Only time will tell the long-term blessings of this legal change, but several resulting miracles have already taken place. In the first month alone, a group of 50 Indian church planters reports having baptized over 1,200 new Christians!
Christians throughout India were stunned when the pro-Hindu government was overturned in the Spring 2004 national election, and several state governments annulled local anti-conversion laws.
Said one local Bible League-trained Christian, "I praise God for enabling us to spread the Gospel in our country .He heard our fears and prayers regarding the election .God gave us an extra bonus when He made our state government remove the anti-conversion law which was in force until now. Hallelujah!"
Undeterred by fear
Indian Christians have faced many hardships in sharing the Gospel. Bible League-trained Christians in India report that they or fellow believers have faced threats, physical attacks, and jail time for sharing their faith.
Baptisms, in particular, became a significant challenge for local churches. Under the anti-conversion laws, anyone who chose to become baptized was legally obligated to seek permission from the government, as well as provide them with the name of the person performing the baptism. Fearing repercussions, many new Christians did not make this outward profession of faith until after the laws were repealed.
Still, thousands of Indians were undeterred in their faith. A local Bible League-trained Christian, while under the anti-conversion law, wrote, "We continue to encourage Christians through the Word of God. We remind them of the promises (Matthew 28:20) and the testimonies of the great martyrs . We are encouraged to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, regardless of what happens to us. We are prepared for imprisonment, punishment, and even death for the sake of Christ."
Relying on God's faithfulness
Continue to pray for the Church in India. The repeal of state anti-conversion laws has been a tremendous miracle-but challenges still remain. One state continues to uphold anti-conversion laws, and persecution persists throughout the country.
Yet God has been faithful to His children in India, and they are recognizing Him as their Savior by the thousands. Praise God for increasing opportunities to share His Word with the lost.
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Please visit our website by Clicking Here
Nearly two years after the establishment of anti-conversion laws, Indian Christians are celebrating the effects of their repeal. Only time will tell the long-term blessings of this legal change, but several resulting miracles have already taken place. In the first month alone, a group of 50 Indian church planters reports having baptized over 1,200 new Christians!
Christians throughout India were stunned when the pro-Hindu government was overturned in the Spring 2004 national election, and several state governments annulled local anti-conversion laws.
Said one local Bible League-trained Christian, "I praise God for enabling us to spread the Gospel in our country .He heard our fears and prayers regarding the election .God gave us an extra bonus when He made our state government remove the anti-conversion law which was in force until now. Hallelujah!"
Undeterred by fear
Indian Christians have faced many hardships in sharing the Gospel. Bible League-trained Christians in India report that they or fellow believers have faced threats, physical attacks, and jail time for sharing their faith.
Baptisms, in particular, became a significant challenge for local churches. Under the anti-conversion laws, anyone who chose to become baptized was legally obligated to seek permission from the government, as well as provide them with the name of the person performing the baptism. Fearing repercussions, many new Christians did not make this outward profession of faith until after the laws were repealed.
Still, thousands of Indians were undeterred in their faith. A local Bible League-trained Christian, while under the anti-conversion law, wrote, "We continue to encourage Christians through the Word of God. We remind them of the promises (Matthew 28:20) and the testimonies of the great martyrs . We are encouraged to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, regardless of what happens to us. We are prepared for imprisonment, punishment, and even death for the sake of Christ."
Relying on God's faithfulness
Continue to pray for the Church in India. The repeal of state anti-conversion laws has been a tremendous miracle-but challenges still remain. One state continues to uphold anti-conversion laws, and persecution persists throughout the country.
Yet God has been faithful to His children in India, and they are recognizing Him as their Savior by the thousands. Praise God for increasing opportunities to share His Word with the lost.
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Please visit our website by Clicking Here
Monday, 26 March 2007
Bible Power
Cambodia
A scarred past
In Cambodia, a church might consist of 10 Christians gathered beneath a sugar palm—its trunk still bearing shrapnel scars from the battles that have been fought around it. Or it might be 40 worshippers who congregate in the house of a Bible League-trained church planter.
In either case, Cambodian Christians cannot erase the deep scars that have been left by decades of brutal violence.
Years of atrocities and political turmoil have gouged out a spiritual void in the hearts of Cambodians. It is a void that the national religion of Buddhism—with its unattainable path to enlightenment—has failed to fill.
Picking up the shards
In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Cambodia was left with socialist groups fighting for control. Millions of innocent people were executed, and civil war raged for decades.
Although a democratic government has begun with the help of the UN, the painful scars still remain. And the wounds reopen every time another mine explodes, planted years ago by the warring factions.
The vast majority of Cambodians have looked to Buddhist rites to try to heal their wounds. But Christians in Cambodia know that the peace their country aches for is a peace that only Jesus Christ can impart.
A different explosion
Eager to impart that peace to their fellow countrymen, Cambodian Christians are enthusiastically entering church planter training. And church growth is exploding.
Cambodia is the first Buddhist country in Southeast Asia to show such a mass movement toward accepting the Gospel message. In a country shrouded so long by Buddhism, it is remarkable to see hearts being opened, one by one, to the light of the truth.
The people of Cambodia are on their way to discovering that the only true refuge from turmoil and trouble is found in the saving blood of Jesus. And Bible League-trained church planters long to shepherd them with an eternal, unshakable comfort.
Fire burns their heart
Cambodian Christians have a vision for their nation and a heart for the whole world. “Fire burns in our heart!” one pastor says. “We long to bring our nation, every community, into His heavenly kingdom.”
And God is using them to do just that. As they impact their communities with the love of Jesus, their nation is changing, one soul at a time. The body of Christ is growing, as local gatherings of believers are established in areas where there were no churches before. We are excited to be a part of what God is doing in Cambodia.
“The Lord uses the Bible League here in Cambodia,” another pastor explains. “It is really a great help to our hungry nation and us. His living Word enables us to be fully fed, and will help us bring our whole nation to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord in the near future. May the Lord bless the Bible League to carry on this good ministry until we reach the whole world for Jesus. Amen!”
Cambodia’s future
As more Cambodians are brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ and His Church, please pray for the shepherds who care for this tender new flock. Pray that God would call more Christians to labor in this teeming harvest field, as the indigenous church planting movement spreads throughout the country.
Please Click Here to visit our website
A scarred past
In Cambodia, a church might consist of 10 Christians gathered beneath a sugar palm—its trunk still bearing shrapnel scars from the battles that have been fought around it. Or it might be 40 worshippers who congregate in the house of a Bible League-trained church planter.
In either case, Cambodian Christians cannot erase the deep scars that have been left by decades of brutal violence.
Years of atrocities and political turmoil have gouged out a spiritual void in the hearts of Cambodians. It is a void that the national religion of Buddhism—with its unattainable path to enlightenment—has failed to fill.
Picking up the shards
In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Cambodia was left with socialist groups fighting for control. Millions of innocent people were executed, and civil war raged for decades.
Although a democratic government has begun with the help of the UN, the painful scars still remain. And the wounds reopen every time another mine explodes, planted years ago by the warring factions.
The vast majority of Cambodians have looked to Buddhist rites to try to heal their wounds. But Christians in Cambodia know that the peace their country aches for is a peace that only Jesus Christ can impart.
A different explosion
Eager to impart that peace to their fellow countrymen, Cambodian Christians are enthusiastically entering church planter training. And church growth is exploding.
Cambodia is the first Buddhist country in Southeast Asia to show such a mass movement toward accepting the Gospel message. In a country shrouded so long by Buddhism, it is remarkable to see hearts being opened, one by one, to the light of the truth.
The people of Cambodia are on their way to discovering that the only true refuge from turmoil and trouble is found in the saving blood of Jesus. And Bible League-trained church planters long to shepherd them with an eternal, unshakable comfort.
Fire burns their heart
Cambodian Christians have a vision for their nation and a heart for the whole world. “Fire burns in our heart!” one pastor says. “We long to bring our nation, every community, into His heavenly kingdom.”
And God is using them to do just that. As they impact their communities with the love of Jesus, their nation is changing, one soul at a time. The body of Christ is growing, as local gatherings of believers are established in areas where there were no churches before. We are excited to be a part of what God is doing in Cambodia.
“The Lord uses the Bible League here in Cambodia,” another pastor explains. “It is really a great help to our hungry nation and us. His living Word enables us to be fully fed, and will help us bring our whole nation to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord in the near future. May the Lord bless the Bible League to carry on this good ministry until we reach the whole world for Jesus. Amen!”
Cambodia’s future
As more Cambodians are brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ and His Church, please pray for the shepherds who care for this tender new flock. Pray that God would call more Christians to labor in this teeming harvest field, as the indigenous church planting movement spreads throughout the country.
Please Click Here to visit our website
Bible Power
We talk a lot about the power of the Bible, so here is a verse and a short comment on the Word.
Galatians 2:20 -- I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (NLT)
When you feel overwhelmed and everything seems out of control, remember that Jesus lives in you. He loved you enough to die in your place, and He is strong enough to save you each day. When did you first trust Jesus?
Please do take a moment to visit our website by Clicking Here
Galatians 2:20 -- I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (NLT)
When you feel overwhelmed and everything seems out of control, remember that Jesus lives in you. He loved you enough to die in your place, and He is strong enough to save you each day. When did you first trust Jesus?
Please do take a moment to visit our website by Clicking Here
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Bible Power
Church Planting
Bible League often works with trained Christians who take our evangelism and discipleship Bible studies into church-less areas. When people come together to study God’s Word, and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, a need for worship is born. That’s why Bible League provides church planter training—so people desiring to worship together will have a pastor to lead them.
This unique, hands-on training program is designed for lay Christians. Local believers, chosen by their churches, become empowered through training and Scripture materials to establish new churches in church-less communities.
In 2006, Bible League helped local Christians establish 5,807 new churches worldwide. And, over the years, we have published and placed Scriptures in more than 450 languages in countries from the Arctic to the jungles of Africa and the Amazon.
To visit our website, Click Here
Bible League often works with trained Christians who take our evangelism and discipleship Bible studies into church-less areas. When people come together to study God’s Word, and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, a need for worship is born. That’s why Bible League provides church planter training—so people desiring to worship together will have a pastor to lead them.
This unique, hands-on training program is designed for lay Christians. Local believers, chosen by their churches, become empowered through training and Scripture materials to establish new churches in church-less communities.
In 2006, Bible League helped local Christians establish 5,807 new churches worldwide. And, over the years, we have published and placed Scriptures in more than 450 languages in countries from the Arctic to the jungles of Africa and the Amazon.
To visit our website, Click Here
Friday, 23 March 2007
Bible Power
Spring is here! But in a season bursting with new life, consider this stark contrast—and your response. 30,000 people in India will die today.* And in this land where people worship millions of Hindu gods, how many of them knew the one true God? When you give Bibles, you introduce them to Jesus.
They Want to Know Him
Millions of Indians are open to the Gospel, yet few encounter it. However, many who do come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. God’s Word is transforming lives in India today.
Be Part of the Action
You can help people across India discover Christ right where they are—today—without ever leaving your home. You can send God’s Word into action in India! You can send Bibles!
Double Your Impact
Right now, for a limited time, you can send two Bibles to India for the cost of one. Every $4 you give will place God’s Word into the hands of two people.
Bring New Life to India
This spring, let God’s love burst forth from hearts when they encounter His Word. Millions of people in India long for the hope and joy of the Gospel. You’ll give someone new life in Christ when you give a Bible. And remember, right now, for a limited time, every $4 you provide will provide two Bibles to two people.
Please Click Here to go to our website to make your donation
*Based on 2005 UNICEF death rates.
They Want to Know Him
Millions of Indians are open to the Gospel, yet few encounter it. However, many who do come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. God’s Word is transforming lives in India today.
Be Part of the Action
You can help people across India discover Christ right where they are—today—without ever leaving your home. You can send God’s Word into action in India! You can send Bibles!
Double Your Impact
Right now, for a limited time, you can send two Bibles to India for the cost of one. Every $4 you give will place God’s Word into the hands of two people.
Bring New Life to India
This spring, let God’s love burst forth from hearts when they encounter His Word. Millions of people in India long for the hope and joy of the Gospel. You’ll give someone new life in Christ when you give a Bible. And remember, right now, for a limited time, every $4 you provide will provide two Bibles to two people.
Please Click Here to go to our website to make your donation
*Based on 2005 UNICEF death rates.
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