Brazilian Men Study Family
June 26, 2008
SÃO PAULO (BNc)- Forty-two men spent the day together Saturday, June 21, for a conference on the family. Read more
Japanese Church Raises Funds for Building
June 25, 2008
by Dave Dugan
LAWTON, Okla. (BNc)- The Yokota, Japan, congregation is nearing the end of its fund-raising for a new building. Read more
Peru Campaign Produces 48 Baptisms
June 18, 2008
by Kim Higginbotham
ICA, Peru (BNc)- A large group of Americans just returned from a medical campaign in this city wracked last year by a massive earthquake.
On May 30 and June 6, a total group of 106 Americans left the U.S for Ica, Peru. The group was led by Jack Farber, of Latin American Missions, Valdosta, Ga.
Ica, an already impoverished area, was further devastated by an 8.0 magnitude earthquake last August.
The campaign was a medical and evangelistic effort, with people of all ages and walks of life participating, from young teenagers to those in their seventies.
During the campaign, a medical clinic was set up with doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists seeing to the townspeople’s physical needs. After each person came through the clinic, a Bible study was offered to any who would like to participate.
During the two-week campaign, 573 Bible studies were conducted, resulting in 48 baptisms.
A congregation of approximately 40 Christians already exists in Ica. They have a full-time evangelist, as well as a full-time intern from the school of preaching in Lima.
These men will be busy following up the contacts made during the mission effort. While many of the Peruvians were initially drawn to the medical clinic, it was clear to all that the campaign’s focus was not to cure bodies, but souls.
During the daytime while the clinic saw patients, other team members were door-knocking, conducting Bible studies, teaching classes to children, ladies, men and new converts and visiting local schools to teach Bible stories.
During the evening, there were classes for children and teenagers, while the adults participated in an evening service.
While this was my first campaign, I certainly hope it won’t my last. I was so impressed with all that I saw. What impressed me most is that I saw people who were truly “hungering and thirsting” for the Word of God.
While I went with some of the groups that went door to door inviting people to worship services and offering Bible studies, I noticed that it was so different from trying to do the same thing in a typical neighborhood in the United States. Nearly everyone seemed to appreciate the invitation, and many would invite those in our group to study with them right there on the doorstep.
To sum up the purpose and events from the week, there was a favorite story from one of our members on the campaign.
While she was door-knocking, she saw a house where there was a lady with her face pressed against the window, watching the campaign members as they knocked doors and talked to her neighbors. This campaign member, seeing that the lady was home and watching them, went to her house to hand her an invitation. The woman opened the door and said, “I’ve been waiting for you.” She not only accepted the invitation, but also a Bible study and was later baptized into Christ.
Very simply, that is what our week was all about.
Retreat Considers Effective Missions
June 16, 2008
by Wayne and Janet Barrier
Editor’s Note: This report got stuck somewhere on the equator, but we’re glad to release it now.
Hamilton, Ala. (BNc)- Over 100 people interested in missions attended the second annual May Missionary Retreat held at Maywood Christian Camp May 1-3. Read more
Saint among Scouts killed in Iowa storm
June 13, 2008
By Joe May
Associatie Editor
One of the Lord’s saints was among four Boy Scouts who were killed Wednesday when an EF 2 tornado touched down near Little Sioux, Iowa.
The four were among several Scouts at the 1,800 acre primitive camp that features mostly tents near the Iowa city. Ironically, the campers had practiced severe weather drills the day before, but the camp lacked any basements or secure buildings constructed to withstand a tornado.
Officials have said that 48 people, many of them children, were injured in the storm.
Sam Thomsen, 13, of Omaha, Nebraska, was among the dead in the camp. He was a member of Omaha’s Southwest congregation, newspaper reports stated. He was the son of long-time Christians Larry and Sharon Thomsen of Omaha.
His Facebook page lists his interests as “Jesus, football, the Huskers, Xbox video games and the Roadrunners” , a basketball team for home-schooled children.
“Sam was probably one of the nicest kids you could ever be around,” Sandy Glenn, his basketball coach stated. “He was just enthusiastic, eager to learn, real coachable.”
“He’s just a great kid,” said Dr. Jim White, the evangelist for the Southwest body. ”He was a typical teenager, always has a smile on his face.”
To read more about Sam, including a semon he wrote, click on this link: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10356234
Goats Change Community
June 9, 2008
Filipino preacher describes outreach to community through a new breed of goat. Read more
Myanmar Relief Under the Radar
June 1, 2008
YANGOON, Myanmar (BNc)- A number of brethren are helping and are even on the ground in Myanar to help with relief efforts after the cyclone has devastated the country. Read more