Do you know who needs help this Christmas?

Gift Guide 2011: Christian Aid Helps Native Missions Reach the Lost and Hungry

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (November 29, 2011) - This year, Christian Aid Mission is asking Americans to include indigenous ministries in their holiday giving. The Mission has set up an online Indigenous Missions Gift Guide to help native missions in five areas with desperate needs. CLICK HERE to see the 2011 Gift Guideand learn more. “You, your family, or your church can send missionary offerings through Christian Aid to over 800 ministries with 80,000 workers that have no other source of outside support,” says Bob Finley, Founder and President of the nearly 60-year-old mission. Christian Aid helps native ministries and missions reach people who are lost, hungry and hurting – usually in situations of desperate poverty.”We are praying that thousands will respond to this opportunity during the 2011 gift-giving season,” says Development Director Bill Bray, “either as an individual, as a family or a church group.” In addition to the online Gift Guide, the mission has established a telephone hot line to accept donations during the busy days through Christmas and onto the end of the year. Concerned friends may call 800-977-5650 during office hours to make contributions using credit cards.

Founded in 1953 to help local native missions establish a witness in all nations through indigenous efforts, Christian Aid staff visit and evaluate all 800 missions now being supported with help from the mission. The 2011 Christian Aid Gift Guide will enable concerned Christians in the United States to support a native missionary, build a house church center, support a Bible institute, sponsor evangelism efforts and provide for the transportation needs of native missionaries.

Christian Aid is the oldest and most trusted indigenous mission agency in the USA, and is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Bob Finley is author of the classic book on indigenous outreach, Reformation in Foreign Missions.

Lebanese ministries helping Syrian Refugees

LEBANON (November 8, 2011)- Indigenous missionaries here in northern Lebanon are asking for emergency help to feed and care for hundreds of Syrian refugees who have fled the terror and violence across the border in Syria. About 6000 refugees have streamed out of Syria so far in what amounts to a “secret exodus” – and the Christian community here is being pressed to give shelter and emergency aid.

Indigenous Missionaries Plead to Feed Starving Victims as Famine is Officially Declared in Kenya

“We appeal for your prayers and any emergency assistance to save these lives in distress.”

Christian Aid Africa Director Rae Burnett explains, “Everything Christian Aid does is for the purpose of making the name of the Lord Jesus known, especially in areas as yet unreached with the gospel. There is famine in both Kenya and Somalia. Because Christian Aid is not a humanitarian agency, but a missions board, and at the present time we do not know any native missionaries inside Somalia, we are focused on helping indigenous Kenyan ministries that we know will use this terrible disaster as an opportunity to minister the gospel among the unreached.”

Four Christians Murdered in Nigeria Tribal Clashes

Yola, NIGERIA-

A feud between the Kona and Mumuye tribes in Nigeria has thus far resulted in the deaths of 100 people and the displacement of more than 1000.

Riding behind field leader David Okpipi, Africa Director Rae Burnett visits Missionary Crusaders Ministries missionaries in Kona villages.

Indigenous missionaries of Christian Aid-supported Missionary Crusaders Ministries live among and share the gospel with both of these unreached people groups. Four of the dead are believers brought to Christ by MCM. Entire villages have been burned, including the homes of 25 native Christians.

Worst Fears Coming True in Egypt – Attacks on Christians Rise

CAIRO, Egypt (April 6, 2011) – According to observers on the ground here, a disturbing pattern of increased violence and persecution against minorities has occurred over the past month. After the “Day of Rage” revolution forced the resignation of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the Army took over the peace keeping role from police. At first this was viewed with caution by evangelical and Coptic Christians, who make up 12.8% of the population here.

During and after the demonstrations, Christian Aid received a few reports from supported indigenous ministries, of Christians and Muslims banding together to protect neighborhood property as they shared in a common hope for free elections and increased liberty. However, it is clear that the Army is upholding the beliefs and desires of Islamic extremists such as the Muslim Brotherhood. What at first seemed to be isolated incidents of anti-Christian hatred have now clearly developed into staged incidents designed to falsely accuse Christians and create civil disorder. These orchestrated riots all too often turn deadly.

As a result, the Christian Aid Mission based in Charlottesville, Virginia is collecting more funds to help provide emergency assistance to five widows and eight orphans left without their fathers after recent anti-Christian rioting at the Mokattam Garbage Village. Certainly there will be more. Christian Aid Director for Africa, Rae Burnett, established the fund for survivors when the current wave of persecution began just before Christmas. Now, after Muslim Friday prayers each week, the pattern of organized attacks against innocent Christians is being repeated.

Most Japanese Quake Victims May Never Go Home Again – Will Have to Rebuild Lives Elsewhere

FUKUSHIMA, Japan (March 30, 2011) – Christian survivors of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that devastated their homes and churches here are slowly beginning to realize they may never go home again. Not only have they lost everything, but now they will probably have to start their lives over in new cities far away from the deadly radiation of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant which started to leak plutonium yesterday.

“More than anything else,” says one weeping survivor, “the worst is that I’ve lost my church – but I won’t be defeated. I won’t give up. I must leave the safety of the ark for a while, but I will definitely return.”

Japanese native missionaries describe the emergency aid they have been receiving for the victims as “essential.” It is being used to provide canned food, water and other basics.

The ruins of the Kensennuma Church building, one of the six whose congregations are being assisted through Christian Aid Mission, Charlottesville, Virginia.

“The funds you have sent means a great deal during this state of emergency,” says one leader, as snow continued to fall in the Japanese winter, “they have enough to eat – but that’s not all they need.” He said “Each church will need an average of about $200,000 for emergency relief in the next six months.”

A Japan Update



Christian Aid: Pray and Act for Suffering Japanese

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (March 18, 2011) – The Christian Aid relief co-ordinator for Japan is calling Americans to pray and collect aid this weekend for families from Fukusima who lost loved ones in last week’s killer quake.

Christian Aid Mission is sending the aid to Japanese believers working among residents evacuated from the nuclear reactor town on the northeastern coast. Fukusima is located just below the epicenter of the quake at Sendai.

“This weekend, the emphasis should be on prayer in our churches and collecting a special emergency offering,” says Stephen Van Valkenburg, the overseas director in charge of disbursements to Japanese pastors and missionaries who are delivering relief on the ground.

Contributions for the suffering survivors may be made to Christian Aid Mission and designated to Japan Disaster Relief, gift code 850DIS. Credit card donations may be made online at www.ChristianAid.org or by calling 800-977-5650.

“Your contributions to Christian Aid will be sent directly to strategic indigenous ministries in Japan that are meeting basic needs and planning for the future,” says Van Valkenburg. “Gifts are not sent through a bureaucracy or to pay for overhead, but go directly to Japanese Christian missionaries who are already physically there on the disaster scene. They are with the suffering people, reaching out to the survivors in word and deed – in the name of Christ, the one who loves and cares for them in this time of tragedy.”

Van Valkenburg listed three requests for prayer:

• Pray for the families who are burying their dead or still searching for lost loved ones. From 50-60 are still missing from one of the four chapels in Fukusima. When people face the death of loved ones and the loss of all their earthly possessions, their hearts are laid bare. Christians need the strength to face their trials and then the ability to reach out to those around them.
• Pray for believers to be used by the Lord to personally pray for the hurting ones around them. If a Buddhist and a Christian believer are together in a shelter, the believer needs special grace from the Lord to show hope.
• Pray that the authorities will get the nuclear plants under control and that these problems will turn the hearts of many in that nation to cry out to God.

“These believers need our help to reach out to the suffering in the name of Christ,” says Van Valkenburg.

“Christian Aid is sending financial assistance to provide basic needs and to give Christians the resources to reach out to the unbelievers around them. At this critical time, the Japanese people are seeking answers and looking for hope. With Christian Aid’s help, local believers are able to provide comfort, encouragement and hope through Jesus Christ.

“As physical needs are met through generous gifts sent from all over the world, there is a still special role that Christians have in enabling Japanese believers to show their fellow countrymen how to have peace with God. In times of crisis, the needs of the spirit are always far deeper than the physical needs. Even if it were possible for Japan to be totally restored, the spiritual cries of people’s hearts would remain.

“Japan has been resistant to the gospel. Pray that God will pour His love upon these people and they will come to know a love that is deeper than their present sorrow.”

Contribute Online or by Phone

Click here to donate online to our emergency fund for victims in Japan, or you may call 1-800-977-5650 to donate. Please use gift code: 850DIS.

Christian Aid Rushing Relief to Japanese Quake Survivors

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (March 15, 2011) – Christian Japanese missionary leaders in the tsunami-ravaged areas of Fukushima and Tohoku have requested emergency aid from Christian Aid Mission to help them minister to displaced quake victims of the disastrous earthquakes in their area.

Contributions may be made to Christian Aid designated to the Japan Disaster Relief Fund, gift code 850DIS. Credit card donations may be made online (see below) or by calling 800-977-5650.

“We must send help as quickly as possible – the Fukushima and Tohoku Bible chapels are in some of the hardest hit areas,” says Stephen Van Valkenburg, the overseas director serving as liaison with indigenous gospel workers in Japan.

“Christians in the four Christian chapels from Fukushima have already been evacuated because they are all situated close to the endangered nuclear power plants. There is a lot of panic and help is being distributed to refugees in emergency shelters.”

“These missionaries have some of the most effective outreaches in Japan” says Van Valkenburg, “so we know that they are sharing the love of God in both word and deed during this tragic time.”

Contribute Online or by Phone

Click here to donate online to our emergency fund for believers in Japan, or you may call 1-800-977-5650 to donate. Please use gift code: 850DIS.

Egyptian Missionaries Hopeful

Starting to Rebuild for the Future

CAIRO, Egypt (February 22) -

In 2008, Africa Director Rae Burnett visited Bible School students in Egypt, some of whom are in touch with her now.

 Violent government crackdowns on demonstrations continue in some North African countries this week. In Egypt, long-time Dictator/President Mubarak has been forced to resign. Native missionaries are concerned about the country’s unpredictable future.

A steady stream of reports from indigenous ministry leaders is coming to Rae Burnett, Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission. “Christian missions are definitely on the move in Egypt, and they need our prayers and help.” she says. “They ask us to pray for the future leadership of the country. There are deep concerns over who will rule Egypt next. The door will be open to all political and religious ideologies, including extremists. Christians are concerned that the new regime may be even more restrictive than under Mubarak.”

“Our desire,” writes one ministry leader, “is to spread the Word of God in Egypt!” He said native missionaries are working in their homes to create Gospel cassettes, tracts and fliers which address the themes of the demonstrators from a biblical perspective.

“Communications have been re-established. Grateful indigenous missionary ministry leaders are sending a flood of thanks for global prayer and financial support, and they are letting us know how we can help them go forward from here,” says Burnett. Emergency funds are needed for burial aid, clothing, food, medical treatment and security items such as fencing and repairs to damaged doors, windows and walls. Prices have skyrocketed since the upheaval. Missionary sponsorships are available to provide regular monthly support badly need by gospel workers who live by faith. Contact rae@christianaid.org if you would like to sponsor a native Egyptian missionary.

Contributions may be made online at ChristianAid.org or sent to the headquarters of Christian Aid in Charlottesville, Virginia or by calling 800-977-5650 for credit card contributions. Please use gift code: 500IUCN.

Burnett says that one of the most active mission teams is moving ahead on four fronts: (1) helping the poor by giving them clothes, food, money for medical attention, or any other practical assistance they can; (2) joining Muslim neighbors in neighborhood clean-up and joint security efforts. These two open doors for them to be able to (3) provide cassette tapes with a biblical interpretation of current events to their fellow Egyptians; (4) publish and distribute a new series of tracts and pamphlets biblically based on the themes and aspirations of the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, as Burnett travels in Africa in February and March, she is in communication with indigenous missionaries throughout the North African region to collect accurate reports of damage and injuries for the Christian Aid Emergency Fund to Help Needy Christians in Arabic-speaking Lands (Gift Code 500-IUCN).

Serious security concerns continue. With the fall of the Mubarak regime and Army take-over of security, Christians are hoping that the organized anti-Christian violence of the Christmas and New Year period has ceased.

“The events that happened have created good links between Christians and Muslims, as neighbors stood together to protect homes and families” says one leading native missionary. “This enables us to share the good news of Christ’s message with them.”

Each night, when security breaks down in the neighborhoods, the ministry workers help Christian and Muslim men work together to set up barricades and road blocks to protect their area from roaming gangs of criminals. “There is no safety yet,” says the missionary leader, “there is a lack of police presence and 15,000 escaped prisoners, many of them terrorists, are still roaming the streets.”

During the day, he says that the mission has organized five community service programs to:
(1) Clean streets, repair damages and restore buildings defaced in the riots and demonstrations;
(2) Publish and distribute tracts calling on the population to display moral behavior;
(3) Collecting and distributing food and clothes for the poor;
(4) Exhort and encourage people to trust God for safety;
(5) Individually distribute Bibles, evangelistic booklets and share the gospel one on one.

International tourism has, of course, shut down, greatly harming the economy. The famous Arab Book Fair held every January in Cairo has been postponed, not only in Egypt but also in Bahrain, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen, which are all facing civil unrest. This has traditionally been the most public opportunity native missionaries have to distribute Christian books in Egypt.

“Pray for wisdom and creativity as to how to provide the appropriate message. We are planning several strategies,” says a missionary leader who must remain anonymous for security reasons.

“Because we know you are standing with us to reach Egyptians with the gospel, we unashamedly ask you to help us financially during this time of crisis and opportunity. We do not want to let our people down. But, we cannot begin producing and distributing all these materials before we have the financial help to do it.

“Please pray for anointed creativity and effective approaches to spread God’s Word in Egypt.”

Email: rae@christianaid.org

Contact Rae by phone: 434-977-5650

Contribute Online or by Phone

Click here to donate online to our emergency fund for believers in Egypt, or you may call 1-800-977-5650 to donate. Please use gift code: 500IUCN.

 

Persecution Alert: Egypt Aflame!

Egypt Aflame!

Let’s Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ

The whole world is watching as violent protests escalate. Thousands of Egyptians are calling for President Mubarak’s resignation. No one can predict the outcome.

Pray that, whatever happens, Christians will be safeguarded and not put in even more danger than they have been under the present regime. Pray that coming changes will not interfere with the work of Christ’s kingdom.

Both internet and cell phone access have been blocked, so Christian Aid is waiting to hear how the lives and work of native missionary ministries we help there are being affected. Christians are certainly not the target at present, but may be in danger from the ultimate outcome of the unrest.

In the mean time, as we continue to pray, Christian Aid is receiving contributions so we will be ready to help our fellow believers when communication is restored.

Click here to donate online to our emergency fund for believers in Egypt, or you may call 1-800-977-5650 to donate. Please use gift code: 500IUCN.

Email: Rae@Christianaid.org

Contact Rae by phone: 434-977-5650