ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º Ûßßßßß Û Û ÛßßßßÛ Û Ûßßßßß ßßßÛßßß Û ÛßßßßÛ ÛßßßßÛ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ º º Û ÛÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÛÜÜÜÜÜ Û Û ÛÜÜÜÜÛ Û Û ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ º º Û Û Û Û ßÜ Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ º º ÛÜÜÜÜÜ Û Û Û Û Û ÜÜÜÜÜÛ Û Û Û Û Û Û ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ º º º º Provided by this BBS and Christian BBS ÛßßßßÛ Ûßßßß Û Û Ûßßßßß º º Abba II 619-487-7746 (San Diego, California) Û Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û Û ÛÜÜÜÜÜ º º CompuServe Mail: 76450,601. GEnie: A.HEIN Û Û Û Û Û Û Û º º Member of the Evangelical Press Assocation Û Û ÛÜÜÜÜ ÛÜÛÜÛ ÜÜÜÜÜÛ º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ Last Updated: November 14 - 12:00 Noon In this issue: þ Main Article: Little Change Made In Congress; Ballot Issues Have Mixed Results. (See "Main Story" Bulletin) þ Fallwell May Reactivate "Moral Majority" þ Russian Orthodox Church Against Western Religious Organizations þ US Supreme Court Considers Religious Animal Sacrifice þ Outreach in Spain Continues þ More Bible Translations Needed in Africa þ News Shorts From Around The World þ National News Shorts þ COME-BACK FOR "MORAL MAJORITY"? @LYNCHBURG, Va. (EP) -- The Rev. Jerry Falwell says he may reactivate the Moral Majority if president-elect Bill Clinton proves to be "the reincarnation of Jimmy Carter." The Moral Majority registered millions of voters to defeat Carter and put Ronald Reagan in the White House in 1980. Falwell suspended the organization's work in 1989, saying most of its goals had been achieved during the Reagan administration. Falwell said he will be watching Clinton to see if the former Arkansas governor pushes a liberal agenda on such issues as abortion and homosexual rights. þ RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AGAINST WESTERN RELIGIOUS GROUPS WASHINGTON, D.C. (EP) -- New rules may be imposed in Russia in 1993 that could make legal registration of Western religious groups difficult or impossible, according to a Washington law firm that advises such groups. The registration is required for religious meetings, education, publishing, broadcasting, property purchase and other activities. "Heavy pressure from the Russian Orthodox Church is mounting to keep Western religious organizations out of Russia," said attorney Lauren Homer. þ CHRISTIAN VILLAGE ATTACKED BY MUSLIM FUNDAMENTALISTS DHAKA, Bangladesh (EP) -- Muslim fundamentalists joined by local robbers savagely attacked a Christian village in southern Bangladesh on Friday, October 23. They burned down the church building and seven homes, and created further panic by destroying the interiors, furniture, and personal belongings of more than 10 other homes. Because of the large number of people involved, local police were unable to curb the destruction. No one on either side was seriously injured, although a number of Christians, police, and attackers sustained minor injuries. The mob made a frontal attack on the nearby Memorial Christian Hospital, operated by the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. This time the augmented police force succeeded in repulsing the attackers and arrested 24 rioters. Muslim leaders of political parties have reportedly expressed their grief over the loss sustained by the Christian community, and have stated that although Muslims were responsible for the attack, what they did was both un-Islamic and against the laws of the land. Memorial Christian Hospitals' hastily organized Crisis Control Committee said the attacks were motivated by anger among some Muslims groups for some recent conversions to Christianity. "The precipitating cause of the problem was a misunderstanding," said a statement by the committee. "These Christian believers traveled to another town for a fellowship and Bible study conference. The false rumor flashed around the countryside that this was a 'conversion' conference and that Muslims would be converted and baptized at this meeting. This led to an unruly procession and frenzied speeches over loudspeakers in our local bazaar. When the crowd was worked up to fever pitch, the command was given to attack the Christians and the church building." The committee says that the government of Bangladesh has responded extremely well. "The local government administration not only brought the crisis under control, but declare the church and mission innocent of any wrongdoing. Then, in small group discussions and in a great mass meeting, the officials gave the people vigorous instruction about the rule of law and the full religious freedom guaranteed by the Bangladesh Constitution. They declared that people may believe any religion they choose -- and they have a perfect right to change their religion if they desire to do so." The government also warned the public that those involved in the attack would be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent allowed by law. þ U.S. SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS RELIGIOUS ANIMAL SACRIFICE WASHINGTON, D.C. (EP) -- The animal sacrifice rites of the Santeria religion seem remote from mainstream American religious life. But the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on a Florida ordinance banning animal sacrifice could affect the power of municipalities to outlaw religious practices. The Court heard arguments in the case, Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. Hialeah, on Nov. 5. At issue are city ordinances passed in 1987 in Hialeah, Florida, after members of the Santeria religion tried to open a church in the Miami suburb. Santeria, which means "saint worship," is an African-based religion that came to the U.S. by way of the Caribbean and Cuba. Practitioners kill goats, chickens, and other animals during religious ceremonies. The animals are often eaten, and the animal blood is saved for other rituals. Santeria has an estimated 56,000 followers in the Miami area. The ordinance may give the Court a chance to revisit its ruling in Employment Division v. Smith, a 1990 case involving the use of peyote in Indian rites. That ruling weakened the first amendment protection which "free exercise" of religion enjoys, by holding that religious practices can be restricted if they violate "neutral" laws with general purposes. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled last year that city ordinances banning the practice served the general practice of protecting public health and animal welfare. But the Santerians contend that the regulation is unconstitutional, because it singles out a religious practice, and does not ban killing for food, sport, medical research, or to eliminate stray animals. Kosher slaughter of animals is also exempted. "This is a case about open discrimination against a minority religion," University of Texas law professor Douglas Laycock, who represents the church, told the Court. "They don't ban killing animals for convenience or pleasure. They only ban it for religion," notes Ernesto Pichardo, a Santeria priest. "I could kill a chicken for no reason, but if I do it for religion, it's illegal." Richard Garrett, representing the city, contends that the city ordinance bans all animal sacrifice, by both religious and secular groups. Satanists, witches, and college fraternities were suggested as groups that might sacrifice animals. The city contends that the ordinance doesn't target religion, even though it contains references to "sacrifice" and "ritual" slaughter. Laycock disagrees. "If this ordinance is good enough to be neutral, than any ordinance is neutral," he says. Santeria supporters argue that equally "neutral" laws protecting public health could be passed against Kosher slaughter of animals, drinking ceremonial wine from a common cup, or circumcision of infants. But supporters of the anti-sacrifice law note that the government already bans same activities favored by religious groups, such as polygamy, snake-handling, and use of narcotics. Justices grilled the city's lawyers during oral arguments, asking if the ordinance covered non-religious animal slaughter, such as trapping rodents, or boiling live lobsters. Garrett said rodent trapping would not be covered because it is not sacrifice; no clear answer was given regarding lobster cooking. A decision is expected by July. In other Supreme Court news: The Court will not review the case of Spear v. Town of West Hartford, which began when newspaper editor John Spear wrote an editorial criticizing town police for their brutal treatment of pro-life rescuers. The town sued Spear under a federal racketeering statute, charging that his editorial was a criminal attempt to "extort a less diligent or softened response from the West Hartford Police Department to future protest activities." The town dropped the suit five months later, but Spear sued the town, alleging that the frivolous suit had forced him to incur expenses and suffer mental anguish. Spear's suit was dismissed by a federal district court, which ruled that the town had not violated Spear's constitutional rights. Free Speech Associates attorney Walter M. Weber said, "We're certainly disappointed. One can hardly imagine a more flagrant violation of free speech than bringing a RICO suit on the basis of a newspaper editorial." But in another "frivolous litigation" ruling, the Court left intact a ruling that the Christic Institute, attorney Daniel Sheehan, and writers Martha Honey and Tony Avirgan must pay $400,000 to people they unsuccessfully sued over a 1984 bombing in Nicaragua. þ OLYMPIC OUTREACH IN SPAIN IS FAR FROM FINISHED, HELP IS NEEDED BARCELONA, Spain (EP) --Teams from missionary groups and churches all over the world traveled to Spain during the past six months as the country celebrated a string of events putting it in the international spotlight. Major evangelism campaigns were mounted at the summer Olympics in Barcelona, and at the World Expo in Seville, which closed its doors last month. A total of 293,410 people visited the Pavilion of Promise at the Expo, hearing the gospel in a high-tech, multi-media presentation. Over 51,000 recorded first-time decisions for Christ. "Seville has changed," said Hans Barnreuther, YWAM director in the city and a member of the organizing group behind the Pavilion. "The spiritual climate is different; you can talk with people about God out on the streets now and they don't have that fear of 'Protestants' that they did in the past." In addition to the Olympics and Expo, Madrid's selection as the 1992 cultural capital of Europe, along with the 500th anniversary of Columbus's sailing to discover the New World, helped focus missionary interest and prayers on the country throughout the year. The busy summer of missionary activity -- a sort of gospel "fiesta" -- is being followed by an equally typically Spanish time of "siesta," with little apparently happening. Christians around the world should continue to pray for the country, said McKinney. The Spanish Parliament has approved cooperation between the government and Spanish Protestants in nation long dominated by Roman Catholicism. The agreement recognizes Protestantism in that society, and gives it the same legal status as Catholicism. Protestants can now establish schools, serve as military chaplains, and receive tax exemptions for contributions to churches. Missionary "marathoners" are now needed to pick up the gospel baton in the Olympic host nation, said Youth With A Mission's Spanish director, Gary McKinney. Christian workers committed to slow, long-term service in the country are needed to take on where the thousands of "sprinters" -- involved in short-term evangelism during the past few months -- have left off. "A tremendous amount of seed has been sown in Spain this year, and we are looking forward to a great harvest in the coming decade. But we need to seek a spiritual breakthrough for it to happen." "Over the summer we saw many people come to Christ through all the evangelism that was taking place. What we need now is people who are ready and willing to come and invest the time needed to see new churches established. Only one in every 20 municipalities has an evangelical church at present," reported McKinney. The Spanish Parliament has finally approved an agreement between the government and Spanish Protestants -- an important development in a nation long dominated by Roman Catholicism. The agreement recognizes Protestantism's "Manifest rootage" in society and gives it the same legal status as Catholicism. Protestants now can establish schools, serve as military chaplains and receive tax exemptions for contributions to churches. "With the signing of this law, a lot of pages are turned on the subject of religious intolerance in the history of Spain," said Tomas de la Quadra, Spain's minister of justices. Jews and Muslims have reached separate accords with the state. þ BIBLE PORTIONS IN 18 AFRICAN LANGUAGES NOT ENOUGH, SAYS KENYAN REPRESENTATIVE ATLANTA, Ga. (EP) -- As a Ugandan, Kirabo Lukwago understands the need for contemporary Bible texts in Africa. Until the release of the Luganda Living New Testament, the most widely-used African Bible text was over 100 years old and very difficult to understand. Lukwago says he has seen the Bible become an "old people's book." With the ultimate goal of seeing people's lives changed, Lukwago works with International Bible Society's Africa office in Kenya to get Scripture into the hands of people, and he shares his vision with others so they can participate in it. Lukwago was in the United States recently to attend a meeting of the International Sports Coalition in Atlanta. The Coalition is made up of 300 members from 90 countries around the globe. Their aim is to plan for the future, with the main thrust of developing a network of sports ministries around the world. Presently they are developing a strategy for the Atlanta 1996 Olympic games, as well as the '96 Superbowl. After the conference, Lukwago traveled to Colorado Springs to tour the headquarters of IBS. "Our main work is Bible translation. We've got 30 translation projects going on in Africa right now," Lukwago said. He is quick to add that translation is only part of the project. It is his responsibility, as Director of Publishing at IBS-Africa, to "package" the product. "My background is in communication design. I am more involved in how things are presented." Lukwago has a staff of 15. "We have a small staff. Throughout Africa we have 85 full-time staff." But IBS also hires part-time help. All of their translators work on a part-time basis. "We have two complete Bibles, and eight New Testaments (in Africa)," he stated. The two complete Bibles are in Egbo, a language spoken in Nigeria, and Afrikaans, the tongue spoken by many South Africans. A translation of the Bible released in August was 16 years in the making. Translation generally takes eight to 10 years, he said. "We have people working on a translation (sometimes two or three), and they bring their work to a review committee." The review committee is made up of individuals with theological or language backgrounds. This review committee makes recommendations, and the translation goes back to the translators for adjustments. Again, the work is reviewed, before it is taken to various denominations for testing. "We basically translate meaning for meaning; that is our translation policy," explained Lukwago. "The truths don't change...the words change, but the truths remain the same." Lukwago addressed the needs of Africans in many turbulent countries. In Kenya, a country that is 80 percent Christian (according to Lukwago), "The government is receptive to Christian things, although there is a certain amount of resistance on the coastal region of Kenya," he said, where there is a high Arabic influence. The people are experiencing transition, and dealing with a lot of political anxiety. Because they do not know what their future holds, people are searching for answers. In Africa, in general, he said, "People are disillusioned." He said that their purpose was "to help people see that the answer comes from a transformed inner person, from a relationship with Jesus Christ. " Lukwago notes that language is constantly changing, so documents published more than 25 years ago seem dated. In Africa, where there are many political changes, the language changes even faster. Because translators are working with contemporary idioms, and are working thought for thought, "You naturally have a translation that is culturally sensitive. But we don't change the historical parts of the Bible," he said. There are a number of Bible translating organizations working in Africa. "We try to work together all the time," said Lukwago. There is a new thrust among Bible translation organizations, he said, where 17 different agencies are working together to identify some of the languages that still have needs in Bible translations and delegating these tasks among the agencies. "I think there is a new spirit of working together," said Lukwago. "We get overwhelmed by the needs. Almost every day we get letters from people asking for literature." A university recently requested 10,000 Bibles to give to students. "We can't cope with them [the requests]. That's a big challenge. We can't really cope with the needs for the Word of God." Lukwago requested prayer for the people of Africa and the work of IBS there. "That's very powerful; it's more powerful than what we realize. Sometimes we don't see results immediately, but it's a very important factor." þ NATIONAL NEWS SHORTS ROCHESTER, N.Y. (EP) -- The Judicial Commission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ruled Nov. 4 that the Rev. Jane Spahr's appointment to lead a Rochester, New York, church was inappropriate because she is a "self-affirmed, practicing homosexual." Spahr, who works with AIDS patients in California, says, "I believe my sexuality is a gift from God." Members of the church court said their action was required by denominational policy. "We did not do this as an antigay kind of thing," said the Rev. Ronald Sallade. "The Presbyterian church's policy has been very clear, that unrepentant homosexual practice is a sin." LOS ANGELES, Calif. (EP) -- 2 Live Crew rapper Luther Campbell, whose album As Nasty As They Wanna Be was pulled from music stores after being ruled obscene by a Florida judge, is being forced to defend his "art" once again. Campbell admitted on television's "A Current Affair" that he had engaged in sex acts on stage with audience members during a tour of Japan. Campbell said the act had "artistic value." The group was tried in Florida for giving an obscene performance, but was acquitted. PHOENIX, Ariz. (EP) -- Food for the Hungry presented its 1992 Two Hungers Award to evangelist Luis Palau on Oct. 29, during the Latin- born evangelist's Greater Phoenix Crusade. Ted Yamamori, president of Food for the Hungry, said, "Dr. Palau's philosophy and activities concur with the Food for the Hungry philosophy: True development cannot occur within a country until individual hearts and minds are changed." QUINCY, Mass. (EP) -- Dr. Kent R. Hill, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) has been named president of Eastern Nazarene College. Hill will continue to direct the IRD while plans for a transition are made between the ministry and the college. Hill said, "Although I am excited about the opportunity of returning to Christian higher education, the decision to leave the IRD has been very difficult. I thoroughly enjoy my work the the IRD. Never has the work of the IRD in advancing democracy, religious freedom, and responsible Christian involvement in society been more important. Never had the opportunities been greater nor the personnel resources of IRD better or more committed. I look forward to watching the continued development of IRD's significant work." CHICAGO, Ill. (EP) -- Women in abusive relationships are under no religious obligation to remain in such relationships, the U.S. Roman Catholic Bishops said in the church's first official statement on domestic abuse. The bishops encouraged parish priests to have a "safe place" available for women seeking protection from an abusive spouse. "Violence in any form -- physical, sexual, psychological or verbal -- is sinful," the bishops said in "When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women." MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (EP) -- A Minneapolis dentist wrongly discriminated against an HIV-positive patient by referring him to the University of Minnesota, a three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Oct. 20. Donald Clausen said he made the referral because the university's dental center had "isolation rooms" in which patients with immune deficiency problems can be treated without being exposed to diseases from other patients. In making its ruling, the appeals court panel determined that AIDS is a "disability" within the meaning of the state Human Rights Act. Clausen was ordered to pay $10,000 to the patient for mental anguish caused by the "discrimination," and $5,000 to the Minnesota Human Rights Department. PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (EP) -- Russell Hitt, former editor of Eternity magazine, died Nov. 4. He was 87. Hitt worked with Eternity in various roles from 1953 until the evangelical magazine's last issue in 1989, serving as its top editor from 1968 until his retirement in 1975. Hitt was also active in Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns and the Presbyterian Lay Committee. Hitt was the author of a number of books, including the missionary biography Jungle Pilot and How Christians Grow. Over the years Hitt served on the boards of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Greater Europe Mission, Scripture Union, the Evangelical Press Association, Associated Church Press, Evangelical Ministries, Eastern College, and Eastern Baptist Seminary, among others. Hitt was raised in the Plymouth Brethren church, but rebelled against it. He "came back to Christ" while working for the International Herald Tribune in Paris, and then worked in journalism and public relations for Moody Bible Institute, Christian Life Magazine, and Bryan College. þ WORLD NEWS SHORTS BOROKO, Papua, New Guinea (EP) -- All five passengers were killed with the pilot when a single engine Cessna 180 aircraft crashed, Saturday, November 7, seven miles north of the Kosipi Mission Station in the Woitape District, Central Province, of Papua, New Guinea. The aircraft was owned and operated by the Christian Revival Crusade (CRC) which has its Papua, New Guinea base in Port Moresby. Playing a vital role in the ministry of the C.R.C., the plane was constantly used to move missionaries and people around the country. Pilot Peter Gill, an Australian missionary pilot, and a family from Papua, New Guinea were killed in the crash. MANAGUA, Nicaragua (EP) --After 12 years of having no full-time missionary personnel in Nicaragua, the Assemblies of God Division of Foreign Missions recently sent two couples into that country. Also, Insituto Biblico Ebenezer, a Bible school in Managua, has reopened. Missionaries left Nicaragua in 1979 because of civil unrest. Raymond Jacobs, a veteran missionary who transferred to Nicaragua, said that although the economy of the nation is weak, there is an open door for ministry and evidences of revival. "Now is the time to carry the gospel to all corners of this country," he said, "while the hearts of the people are tender and seeking the Lord." HONG KONG (EP) -- The government of Myanmar (formerly Burma) has driven thousands of Christians of the Karen hill tribe from their villages into squalid camps and into forced labor, according to human rights activists. It's reportedly part of the government's systematic campaign against the Karen people. The rebel Karen National Union has fought for independence for decades. "The military government uses the rebellion as an excuse to abuse the Karen," charged Burmese Catholic Bishop Sotero Phamo. "So it dumps them in the middle of nowhere and hopes that no one will notice and that they will die." At least 90 people, mostly children and elderly, are believed to have died in two camps over the last six months. People who try to return to their villages are executed. TOYOTA, Japan (EP) -- The first service of the East Toyota Mennonite Brethren Church brought 50 Japanese to hear a Japanese sermon, and to participate in the Kid's Club. Fliers were distributed to all of the homes in Itsutsugaoka and surrounding communities prior to the service. "Without the dedication and sacrificial efforts of our core group, it would have been virtually impossible to start the East Toyota MB Church," reports church planter Laurence Hiebert. RICHMOND, Virginia (EP) -- A peace delegation, with members from the Somali Coalition for Action, has postponed its November trip, in light of attempts by Somalia's warring clans to negotiate a cease- fire. The delegation had hoped to appeal for peace directly to several of the clan leaders. The board also planned to send relief supplies with the coalition delegation. "The aim of the trip was to bring about a cease-fire for the distribution of food. That's great if that can be done without our presence, just as long as it's done," said Jim Houser, Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board associate area director for eastern and southern Africa. The Foreign Mission Board had agreed to transport the five members of the coalition, but still plan to spend more than $1.5 million in hunger and relief aid for Somalia. LUZON, Philippines (EP) -- More than 1,000 people made decisions for Christ at a recent evangelistic rally in a refugee camp on the Philippine island of Luzon. The camp housed about 2,500 refugees who lost their homes in mud flows from the eruptions of Mount Pinatubo. Food and medicine have been distributed to the displaced families. In the past year and a half, Mount Pinatubo's volcanic activities have destroyed whole villages and forced the relocation of nearly 250,000 people. WHEATON, Ill. (EP) -- Of the 286 languages spoken by 1 million or more people, 28 lack a translation of any part of the Bible, according to Wycliffe Bible Translators. Of the 28, 10 are regional dialects of Arabic, five others are spoken in China, four in India, three in Afghanistan and one each in Thailand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, and Indonesia. SYDNEY, Australia (EP) -- American William Murray received the Malcolm Muggeridge Award for International Leadership at the 1992 Annual Citizens' Dinner, held in Parliament House in Sydney. Murray presented the address of the evening, encouraging Australians not to follow America as a role model, but rather to form their own moral values, especially in schools. TABERU, Nigeria (EP) -- Christianity's fragile hold on the Fulani people of Nigeria has solidified in Taberu, where Christianity is now the majority faith for Fulani living there. Historically the Fulani have rejected the gospel and have ostracized Fulani embracing Christianity. Africa's 10 to 14 million Fulani form the world's largest nomadic society. A growing number, however, are now settling in villages in west Africa. Joseph Adam, a Fulani Christian in Taberu, worked with Southern Baptist missionary Paul Burkwall in evangelizing others in his small village of 65 people. Family members and several neighbors became Christians, but his aging father opposed Adam's actions. The father's attitude changed when Christian prayers apparently healed the elderly man of a lingering sickness. The father is now a Christian, as are 10 others who will soon be baptized. þ EVANGELIST BRINGS TOGETHER LATIN AMERICAN LEADERS TO HEAR GOSPEL MANAGUA, Nicaragua (EP) -- Evangelist Alberto Mottesi has been bringing record numbers of government and political leaders together to hear the Gospel. Recently, Nicaragua's Minister of Education organized Mottesi's visit and hosted two events. One event, in honor of Mottesi, was attended by the vice president of the country, a number of government ministers, ambassadors, and prominent personalities. The other function was attended by 1,100 sociology and social science teachers. At both events, the evangelist presented a Christian perspective of the 500th Anniversary of the conquest of America, and challenged leaders to make a new pact with God in order to construct a new Latin America for the year 2000. Said Mottesi, "It seems like a dream. It is the first time in my 30 years of ministry that a government has officially invited me to preach the Gospel." The visit to Nicaragua was part of Project 500, also known as "America 500 Years Later." This project, sponsored by the Alberto Mottesi Evangelistic Association, is dedicated to reach those in government and leadership in Latin America with the Gospel. From Aug. 2 until Dec. 20 Mottesi and his team are holding gala events to reach national leaders in more than 30 Latin American cities. These events are attracting almost all of national leadership in each city. The events includes a message by the evangelist, showing of the film "America 500 Anos Despues" (America 500 Years Later), and the distribution of the book by the same title. In Uraguay, an agnostic country (only one percent of its population are evangelical, while 37 percent are atheists), the evangelist was welcomed. Of the 300 guests, 70 percent were leaders who had no connection to any church. Dr. Juan Carlos Otormin, lawyer, public affairs journalist for radio and TV, and president of Uruguay's Association of Congressional Reporters, said, "The message was preached with clarity, conviction, and accuracy. These people never hear the Word of God in their own environment... This is the first time that the Gospel has been preached to government figures, business leaders, and the media." Andres Miranda, director of the newspaper El Puente, added, "Right now we can't gauge what all this means. It is the first time that political leaders of the highest level were interested in coming to an evangelical meeting. For many years we have thought these doors were closed to us. If I were to describe with what attitude they left, I would say they were positively impacted. This is the moment Christians in Uruguay have long waited for. I believe God has told us through Project 500 that we can have a greater faith and that He is willing to do even greater things than these." Similar events have been recorded in other Latin American countries, as leaders come together for the first time to hear the Word of God. Mottesi's campaign runs through December 20. þ MISSIONARIES MEET REBELS IN MOUNTAINS OF THE PHILIPPINES LUZON, Philippines (EP) --A chance encounter in a remote mountain village gave a team of missionaries an unexpected opportunity to share the gospel with a group of elusive Communist guerrillas in the Philippines. The visiting evangelists were threatened and accused of being government spies when armed Communist rebels discovered them in a small settlement in the Abra province, northern Luzon. But the soldiers, members of the illegal New People's Army who had retreated to the area after a clash with government forces, found only Bibles and tracts when they searched the team's belongings. Their "suspects" were a team on outreach from Youth With A Mission's Discipleship Training School in Baguio city, further south, evangelizing among the area's Adasen people, who mostly follow tribal and folk religions. The suspicions of the retreating squad were heightened by the presence of a foreigner -- a woman from New Zealand -- in the otherwise all- Filipino YWAM group. "They were surprised to find us there and wanted to know what we were doing, so we had an opportunity to explain we were there to tell the people about Jesus," said party leader Mariano Gahid. The YWAM group had been in the village for over a week, befriending the local people and presenting the gospel through a series of short dramas. They were planning a series of Bible studies with the villagers when the NPA men arrived. The guerrillas questioned community leaders about the visitors on the first evening, and then returned the next day to question the YWAM team themselves at length over several hours. "They claimed that the village was their territory, and at one stage they got quite angry. It made us a little anxious, but God gave us courage to speak his love to them about Jesus," said Gahid. "I told them that religion couldn't save them, only Jesus. They quoted the Bible and how it says that faith without works is dead; they said that was why they were carrying their rifles. Eventually they decided that we must just leave. The people from the village tried to support us, but there was nothing they could do. As we were leaving the next day, though, they called out that we were welcome to go back and tell them more about Jesus some time." Since the encounter -- before the summer's national elections -- members of the YWAM team have prayed for an opportunity to return to the area. þ BITS AND PIECES ABOUT FAMOUS FOLKS NASHVILLE, Tenn. (EP) -- Though the music group 4HIM has repeatedly topped the Christian charts, most recently with "The Basics of Life," they're not even considering watering down their gospel message to increase cross-over appeal to the mass market. "Nothing in our albums is candy-coated," explains 4HIM member Kirk Sullivan. "We really don't like that. You can have the greatest music and it still loses something if there's no message. If we get up and sing, and nobody is challenged or ministered to, then they can call in some secular artist to do the same thing. That's what Christian groups are about, and what Christian music is about." ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º Christian News is provided by this BBS and Christian BBS Abba II. News º º is compiled from national and international sources. Items marked (EP) º º are provided by the Evangelical Press Association (1619 Portland Ave. S., º º Minneapolis, MN 55404). 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