NEWS FLASHES

PASTOR IN IRAN LEADS ENEMY TO CHRIST Authorities in Iran detained a Christian pastor and held him in solitary confinement for 28 days, interrogating him intensely. As he lay exhausted in his cell in the early morning hours, a guard who had tortured him, knocked on the door. “Tell me about Jesus,” the guard said. Tired and bitter because of his treatment, the pastor tried to put him off, but the guard persisted. “You have to tell me. You are a pastor,” he said. Four hours later, the guard professed faith in Christ. “I cried with him, because I was so full of hatred toward Muslims that I didn’t want to share the Lord’s Word with him. That night God saved me from my bitterness and showed me that you can love your enemies,” said the pastor, who now lives in the United States. Glorify God for turning to good what satan meant for evil. Pray that the Gospel of peace would sweep across Iran. (Source: Advance) HINDU PRIEST TURNS TO CHRIST A priest in the temple of Kali, Hindu goddess of destruction, watched the “Jesus” film in Calcutta, India. Deeply moved at Jesus’ sacrifice of his own life, the priest gave his heart to Christ. As he shared the good news of deliverance from sin, 86 people in his village also gave their hearts to Jesus. Shout to the Lord for delivering this man from the bondage to Kali. Pray that those he leads to Christ will become mature, effective disciple-makers. (Source: Advance) BOLD WITNESS IN MYANMAR A pastor in Myanmar was accosted by police, mercilessly beaten in front of his wife and 2-year-old daughter, and then left bound overnight in front of the village chief’s house. The next morning, he was taken to jail, where he boldly spoke to guards and inmates about Jesus. He was released after his congregation prayed for him and appealed to authorities, and he continued to proclaim Christ in the community. Twenty-three people came to Christ, and the church had to add meetings during the week to accommodate seekers. Thank God for proving Himself faithful to this believer. Pray that the witness of his suffering will draw many to Christ. (Source: Advance) JESUS APPEARS IN INDONESIA A well-informed source reports that an ex-Imam (Islamic spiritual leader) in Indonesia has led 3 000 Moslems to Jesus in a very short period. He came to believe in Christ through appearances and dreams, in which a white-robed man told him to study the Bible. His method is simple: in conversation, he asks others “Have you seen a white-robed man in your dreams recently?” If they have not, he tells them “I was just wondering. Thanks.”If they answer positively, he continues by asking whether they are interested in learning who this “man” is. And who is not interested in the identity of a mysterious person who appears in your dreams? The ex-Imam then shows them several Bible passages in which a white-clothed man is mentioned, explaining “That is Jesus. He wants to speak with you, because He wants you to follow Him.” Many Moslems have been prepared for that step by their supernatural encounters, and accept the invitation. (Source: Friday Fax) OPENNESS FOR GOSPEL IN ICY MONGOLIA A team of Mongolian believers braved strong winds and heavy snow to share the Gospel in remote areas of their country. God was faithful to draw people to Christ throughout the 3 000-mile trip. When the battery in their vehicle froze up in a mining town, a small group of men stopped to help. By the time the truck started, three of the men had accepted Christ. In another village, a family of four accepted Christ and in yet another village, an elderly couple received Jesus and was baptized. In the next village, eight teen-age boys were baptized as well. Thank God for opening these hearts to the truth of the Gospel. Pray that they would influence many others for Christ. (Source: Advance) INDONESIA: HEALING BY RADIO The life of a man in Bandung (West Java), who had been suffering from a severe illness in his lungs has been permanently changed. He had actually been expecting to die in a few days, when he was suddenly healed in front of his radio,” reports Suzette Hattingh, who had visited almost completely Muslim Bandung during the summer to evangelize. “It is astonishing to see 5 000 people cramming in one place to hear the Gospel, or listening to radio sermons,” reports one witness. “Some sat in their cars listening to the sermons via radio, then stubbed out their cigarettes, lifted their arms and prayed. Others cried openly.” Up to 50 000 people attended the evangelistic events in Manado. Many people were healed, such as one person whose crippled hand was restored, and a woman who was healed of breast cancer while listening to the radio. According to one of Hattingh’s reports, several doctors were able to immediately confirm the miracles which some of their patients experienced. (Source: Voice of the City via Friday Fax)