HINDU MOB ATTACKS U.S. MISSIONARIES IN BOMBAY EU HOPES OPEN DOORS TO SPIRITUAL FREEDOM IN TURKEY BACK TO THE BIBLE CHANGES RADIO FORMAT DR. KENNETH TAYLOR, CREATOR OF THE LIVING BIBLE, DIES MEDIA MINISTRY IN U.K. LAUNCHES MOBILE PHONE PRAYER OUTREACH

Today’s News Stories:

HINDU MOB ATTACKS U.S. MISSIONARIES IN BOMBAY A mob of Hindu youths beat three American missionaries and tried to kidnap one as they held a bible study in Bombay, police said on Monday. The group of more than 30 men attacked the three, part of a group of eight, on Saturday night because they thought the missionaries were trying to convert Hindus in the Indian financial capital. The three missionaries were treated for bruises and cuts at a hospital but were not seriously injured, police said. “While this kind of attack is rare in Bombay, the police must take serious action against those responsible and send a clear message that religious intolerance will not be accepted in India,” Bombay Catholic Sabha president Dolphy D’Souza said. Christians account for about two percent of India’s more than one billion people. Religious conflicts more commonly pit Muslims — about 13 percent of the population — against Hindus, who make up about 80 percent. In 1999, a Hindu mob burned alive an Australian missionary and his two young sons in Orissa state. Last month a court reduced the ringleader’s sentence from death to life in jail. (WWRN/Reuters)

EU HOPES OPEN DOORS TO SPIRITUAL FREEDOM IN TURKEY Turkey’s bid to join the European Union has resulted in a relaxation of restrictions on Christian activity. The country is now allowing churches to register. Only 55 Protestant churches have been publicly identified as places of worship in Turkey’s major cities prior to this significant change. None of these facilities have been able to acquire formal, legal status as church buildings. But, with each registration, seven people have to identify themselves as leadership. IN Network’s Rody Rodeheaver says while that sounds good, there’s a darker side to what the registration tells the government. “We’re Christian, and these are our goals. The government will know right where to find them.” Rodeheaver explains, “In one sense, it’s a breakthrough, in another sense, it could have negative impact down the road if things would go sour.” In spite of the risk, Rodeheaver says Turkish believers are hopeful of the future. “They have raised the flag of Christianity, albeit very quietly, but they have stood their ground in a very, very difficult place. Perhaps this is a time when God is going to honor it, and allow some reaping of the seeds that have been sown.” (Mission Network News)

BACK TO THE BIBLE CHANGES RADIO FORMAT Since 1939, Back to the Bible’s programming has changed very little — one half-hour of bible teaching. Back to the Bible’s teachers are well known around the world. This role was filled first by Theodore Epp, then Warren Wiersbe and now Woodrow Kroll. Kroll’s teaching has introduced a new format to the shows. Instead of recording in an empty studio, the teaching involves a live audience. The purpose will be to create a more interactive style. “It allows me to be more natural,” Kroll said. “When I speak before an audience, I interact with the audience. I’ve always tried to be conversational, but it’s a lot more effective with a real, live audience.” Back to the Bible has more than 70 Bible teachers worldwide, with ministries in 25 languages. (Lincoln Journal Star)

DR. KENNETH TAYLOR, CREATOR OF THE LIVING BIBLE, DIES The man who helped millions of people discover they could read and understand Scripture died Friday, June 10, at age 88 in his Wheaton, Illinois home. “Making Scripture accessible for all people was my father’s passion,” said his son and Tyndale Presdient Mark Taylor. Ken Taylor is best known as the creator of The Living Bible, a paraphrase of Scripture that was embraced by Billy Graham and became the nation’s best-selling book for three years. To date it has sold more than 40 million copies. The Living Bible has also been accepted internationally, with portions or entire Bibles available in more than 100 languages. The Living Bible was born out of Taylor’s deep desire for his ten children to understand God’s Word. Taylor went on to found one of the country’s largest Christian publishing houses. (Tyndale House Press Release)

MEDIA MINISTRY IN U.K. LAUNCHES MOBILE PHONE PRAYER OUTREACH United Christian Broadcasters Limited (UCB), a leading Christian media ministry based in Stoke-on-Trent, England, has launched the first mobile phone ministry in the U.K. The service, which began on Sunday, May 1, allows users to make prayer requests and find out what the Bible says about everyday issues. Users will also be able to get a text Bible verse each day to their phone, along with the opportunity to read the Bible in a year. “The modern society in which we live is a nonstop, fast-paced environment where people have little chance to pause for reflection,” said UCB Communications Director Brian Bennett. “Now we have an opportunity, through the medium of modern technology, to touch the lives of these people. It’s very rare to meet someone who doesn’t have a mobile phone. In fact, many people have several [of them]. What better way then to spread God’s Word and offer encouragement to people as well as offer the opportunity to request prayer.” (Assist News Service) * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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