Libya shift gradual but hopeful

Libya (MNN/ODM) ― The Libyan National Transitional council has begun making plans for a new state without Moammar Gaddafi.

Although not officially deposed, the former dictator still hasn't given up. He gave a television address on the 42nd anniversary of the coup that brought him to power, encouraging his supporters to keep fighting and "Let Libya burn!"
It's no wonder the end game in the 6 months of civil war is so messy. Pockets of violence continue to flare, but many of the international observers believe the fight is over and have moved on to accepting the new council.
  
In Paris, delegations from 60 other countries joined France and Britain to help establish the council's legitimacy and to figure out how to reconstruct the country politically and economically. That sounds really encouraging after the bleak picture we've seen over the last few months, says Carl Moeller, CEO of Open Doors USA. "There are some indications that they are highly influenced by extremists and that Sharia law as the governing law of the land is one of their objectives."

Libya is ranked No. 25 on the Open Doors 2011 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians. Indigenous Libyan Christians have mostly lived secret lives because they are often watched by security services. Anything that is "different" is cause for suspicion. Many believers have left the country. The remnant is smaller than the Christian community in Iraq.

Moeller explains that "the indigenous Christian community in Libya is tiny. By our estimates, it's far less than a thousand believers, but it's coming together to pray and to ask the world to pray for the next phase in the future of Libya."
In the midst of all the turmoil around the capture of Tripoli by the opposition forces, the churches and their members were covered by prayers from all around the world. "By God's grace and because of your prayers, we're still alive," said one of the pastors of a church in the Libyan capital of Tripoli to an Open Doors worker who contacted the pastor by telephone.

Post-war, there is a different kind of fear emerging. There are shortages of everything in the Libyan capital: lack of food, lack of drinking water and hardly-functioning healthcare. Moeller says, "There will be tremendous opportunities for Christian churches to reach out to Muslim neighbors who are suffering, who are perhaps going without food or without some of the basics of life."

That's why Open Doors co-supported the delivery of aid products with two trucks into Benghazi. Believers delivered food, cooking oil, and blankets with other aid and helped it get into the hands of people who needed it most. Although they're not typically an aid group, Moeller says in this instance, "If Open Doors and other organizations are able to come alongside those believers with the material resources they need to help, the church can actually see people truly blessed through the service of those individual Christians."

In a joint effort with other organizations, Open Doors also delivered Bibles and Christian literature, using the open frontiers with the neighboring countries during the battle in Libya. Why? "During the course of this Revolution, we've seen a ton of interest. In the first few months, several of the delivery areas where we were delivering Scriptures into Libya over the last few months have been emptied of all the Bibles that we had planned for the entire year."

A pastor added: "The most recent church services were just attended by some tens of people instead of the hundreds we were used to; there was almost no transportation. The service in Arabic was totally empty. Many of them will return, I believe." That pastor expects to have more members in church this week.

One of the greatest threats to the fragile new beginning is the diversity of the tribes. In the same way, fractures in the Body of Christ can undermine the paradoxical growth being seen now. Moeller says, "The church there is asking us to pray, and specifically to pray that they would be able to remain unified and strong."

Libya transitions into hope

Libya (MNN) ― Mop-up operations continue in Libya after six months of civil war brought about the closing chapters of a 42-year-long dictatorship.

There are still daunting challenges ahead as the rebels try to build a Libyan state from the ground up. Wayne Pederson with HCJB Global says, "The concern of many of us that have been doing ministry in that part of the world is: 'What's next?' And, 'Could it be that something worse than Gadhafi could follow?'"

The system that governed the people had few checks and balances, which brings more challenges for solidifying unity among the tribes. Without unity, there is little hope for democratic change.

Pederson explains the perspective of the ministry and their partners at this stage of the country's rebuild. "Our hope and prayer would be that there would be a democracy created and that there would be freedom of religion and an end to the persecution of believers. There's a very, very tiny church in Libya. A friend from Libya told me there's about 4500 believers that he knows of, in all of the country."

Because Gadhafi crushed any civil society groups from forming, there's not much in the way of a transitional government root. Without leadership, there is a power vacuum forming. "What is it that's going to take its place. There's so much tribalism that the big question is: 'What tribe? What faction is going to rise to power, and what's their influence going to be over the freedom of followers of Jesus to practice their faith?'"

There's good reason for concern. A similar situation in Egypt was revealed during the "Arab Spring." Pederson says, "After Mubarak, there's even more persecution and limitations on the Christians--in particularly among the Coptics." He adds that already, "There's been more overt persecution and threats of violence against Christians. So, we don't know if this is going to make it better for believers. In some cases, it may make it worse."

And yet, there's hope. Libya's people want change. "By and large, I think you would find that followers of Islam arguably want to achieve peace, and they're looking for hope; they're seeking love." Pederson goes on to say that a common ground opens many doors of opportunity. "We are finding with our ministry and the ministries of others that are operating in that region that people are interested in Jesus as a prophet and as a great teacher, and they are intrigued by the concept that He might be the Savior of the world, the Son of God."

Libya ranks 25th on the Open Doors World Watch list of the top countries known for the persecution of Christians. Their history with believers has been a bloody one. Unfortunately, that's a trend likely to continue. "We've seen increased persecution of believers, because as the church has grown, authorities see the growth, and so they've stepped up opposition to stem the tide of Christianity."

In the drive for freedom, there is a yearning for something that frees the soul. Pederson says, "That's our task: to present Jesus in fullness, not only as a great prophet and a great teacher, but as the Son of God, the Savior of the World."
HCJB radio teams have responded by redoubling their efforts. HCJB Global added more broadcasts, more broadcast hours and more satellite coverage in order to reach more people with the Gospel. Pederson sums it up this way: "We feel that this is not the time to retreat."

An enthusiastic--albeit quiet--response provides the encouragement to keep going. Besides, Pederson says, the "bang" for the buck is huge in this region. "We know that we can reach over a million households in that part of the world with our budget of about a million dollars. It's still true that a dollar can reach a household for a year through media in that part of the world."

You can be a part of the equation for change in Libya, even as a new government forms. Pray for the freedom to follow Christ, but also pray for opportunities and open hearts.

Christian Music Festival May Have Sung its Last Tune

The Ichthus Festival, the oldest Christian music festival in the U.S., just finished its 42nd year, but there's no guarantee of a 43rd, according to CNN's Belief Blog. "What happens in August and September will determine where we go and how we look at 2012," Ichthus Ministries CEO Mark Vermilion said. For the past six years, the concert series has been losing money. Ichthus Ministries says it has no choice but to sell the 110-acre festival site at a time when the real estate market is soft. "It's not our desire to move from the land," Vermilion says. "It doesn't make sense for us to own the land when we're using it one month out of the year." Ichthus began in 1970 when a seminary professor decided Christians needed their own version of Woodstock.

Evangelicals' Image Problem

By Rusty Wright
Special to ASSIST News Service


MOUNT HERMON, CA (ANS) --

God should have sued Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for defamation, says New York Timescolumnist Nicholas Kristof.

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, the two Christian leaders ventured that America's secularists, liberals, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters had angered God, and thus deserved some of the blame.

Kristof writes, "In these polarized times, few words conjure as much distaste in liberal circles as 'evangelical Christian.'"  He notes that "the entire evangelical movement often has been pilloried among progressives as reactionary, myopic, anti-intellectual and, if anything, immoral."

Billy Graham, call your press agent.

Christians Behaving Badly

Jesus, of course, taught people to "love your neighbor as yourself," "love your enemies," and "treatpeople the same way you want them to treat you."  Sometimes, though, his followers can be downright weird.

During my university days, a friend brought an African-American student to a North Carolina church I attended.  The next Sunday, the pastor announced that "last week's racial incident" (a black person attending) had prompted church leaders to reaffirm their longstanding racial segregation policy. Thereafter, any blacks attending would be handed a note explaining the policy and asking they not return.  I was outraged and left the church.

Postscript: Thirty years later, I learned that the white church had folded and an African-American church later used the facility.  Maybe God has a sense of humor.

Shining Lights

However, genuine followers of Jesus can be shining lights.  British parliamentarian William Wilberforce led a twenty-year legislative battle that, in 1807, outlawed the slave trade.  Slave-trader-turned-pastor and "Amazing Grace" hymn writer John Newton mentored Wilberforce.

Contemporary examples of the faithful serving society abound.  Sam Adams, Portland, Oregon's openly gay mayor, developed evangelical church partnerships involving over 26,000 volunteers tackling homelessness, sex trafficking and more.  Adams calls it "the largest, most successful. sustained. volunteer effort. the Portland region has ever seen."  

Times of London writer and former British parliamentarian Matthew Parris, a confirmed atheist, wrote, "I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes inAfrica: . secular NGOs, government projects . international aid efforts . education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good."

World Relief, a Christian organization, provides worldwide disaster relief plus self-help efforts like well-digging and agricultural training.  World Vision, the Salvation Army, and most major Christian denominations provide significant help for the poor.

The New York Times' Kristof lauds evangelicals' philanthropy and service:  "Go to the front lines, at home or abroad, in the battles against hunger, malaria, prison rape, obstetric fistula, human trafficking or genocide, and some of the bravest people you meet are evangelical Christians (or conservative Catholics, similar in many ways) who truly live their faith."

"I'm not particularly religious myself," he continues, "but I stand in awe of those I've seen risking their lives in this way - and it sickens me to see that faith mocked at New York cocktail parties."

Bad Rap and Bridge Building

So, why such a bad rap for evangelicals?  No doubt that some Christians behave badly.  But maybe some bridge building is in order, by all sides. 

Veteran leftist journalist/author Mark Pinsky, who is Jewish, says his attitude toward evangelicals changed after getting to know some as neighbors and friends:  "I encountered evangelicals simply as people, rather than as subjects or sources of quotes for my stories."  He found they were neither monolithic nor, as The Washington Post once claimed, "poor, uneducated and easy to command," but surprisingly diverse.

Get to know your intellectual and philosophical adversaries.  Take a conservative to coffee or a liberal to lunch.  You might find it eye-opening.

Copyright © 2011 Rusty Wright

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Rusty Wright is an author and lecturer who has spoken on six continents. He holds Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Master of Theology degrees from Duke and Oxford universities, respectively. His website is:RustyWright.com.

Writers, Public Encouraged to Change the Culture

By Becca Anderson
Special to ASSIST News Service



LANSDALE/LANGHORNE PA (ANS) -- From August 10-13, 2011, hundreds of writers will gather at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference at Philadelphia Biblical University, Langhorne, PA, and many of the most important sessions of the conference are open to the public free of charge.

Marlene Bagnull

"We live in a time when we need to be both encouraged and challenged," said conference director Marlene Bagnull. "The sessions open to the public address issues of transforming our culture for the better, reaching out to impact the world for the better, and sobering reports of Christian persecution worldwide."

The conference theme is "Write His Answer," taken from Habakkuk 2:2. Each day of the conference includes general sessions.
Thursday, August 11, Dr. Ted Baehr, publisher of MOVIEGUIDE® Magazine will deliver the keynote address at 8:30 a.m. entitled "You Can Help Transform the Culture."

Bestselling author, Cec Murphey

At 7:30 p.m. that evening, Liz Babbs from Great Britain will share how to "Write His Answer in an Age of Opposition." Babbs has developed innovative and effective ways to impact her culture.


Bestselling author Cec Murphey speaks at 8:30 a.m. Friday, August 12, on "Write His Answer . . . Transparently." Author of over 100 books, including 90 Minutes in Heaven, Murphey is known for his ability to write with vulnerability and truth. He will also give an encouraging message to struggling writers, "Write His Answer . . . and Don't Give Up," on Saturday at 4:00 pm.

Friday evening at 7:30, Dan Wooding, founder of the ASSIST News Service, will speak about the persecution of Christians. There are an estimated 100 million Christians worldwide who suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ. Wooding will share stories and insights into how writers can make a difference for the persecuted church.
Saturday, August 13 at 8:30 a.m., various faculty members and conferees will bring brief but important messages on "Write His Answer to Issues that Concern You."

In addition to the general sessions, seminars that are unique to this conference will focus on the issues of our day. They are open to conferees as well as the community.

Two of the speakers: Dr. Ted Baehr being interview by Dan Wooding

On Thursday from 1:00 - 4:30 pm those who are concerned about human trafficking, orphans, abortion, the poor, racism, the learning impaired, the handicapped, the hungry and so much more that is close to the heart and call of Jesus are encouraged to register for the "Who Is My Neighbor?" seminar led by Steven Lawson, Senior Editor of Regal Publishing Group.

From 1:00 - 4:30 pm on Friday, Rick Marschall, author or editor of more than 60 books and a columnist for the ASSIST News Service, will talk about how we are living during a time of unprecedented moral decay and decline in the biblical standards our nation was founded upon. Participants in his "Help Save Our Nation!" seminar will be challenged and equipped to defend our cultural and spiritual heritage.

Rick Marschall

Saturday, from 10:30 am to noon, Dan Wooding will bring up-to-date news from the world's hot spots of Christian persecution and encourage attendees to become "a voice for the voiceless." 


This will include an interview by Dan for his "Front Page Radio" who with C. Hope Flinchbaugh about North Korea, which is known as the "World's West Persecutor of Christians by Open Doors World Watch List.

For 28 years, the GPCWC has offered an intensive education packed into a few days for writers throughout the tri-state area and beyond. In addition to general sessions and the eight continuing sessions, attendees will select from among 60 workshops on topics ranging from marketing to technique, getting published, issues inherent in the writer's life, and writing fiction and nonfiction books and articles for adults and children.
Earlybird Workshops on Wednesday, August 10, include a two-part clinic with web designer Jerry Thompson on creating a website. Attendees will leave the sessions with a website ready to use. (Additional cost and advance preparation needed for this clinic.) Other Earlybird workshops include sessions on making money by blogging, E-publishing, ethics in non-fiction writing, and how writers can make the most of meetings at the conference with editors and publishers.

Face-to-face meetings between writers and those who are in the market for what they produce are invaluable in opening publication doors. GPCWC emphasizes such meetings, with each full-conference attendee having four 15-minute appointments to pitch their work to editors, agents and publisher representatives. Many published writers trace their first big sale back to a meeting at a conference. A roster of 65 faculty members will share their hard-won wisdom.

Full details regarding the conference are available on the website, www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia, including information on costs, housing, biographies of all faculty members and their current editorial needs, and descriptions of all sessions. A brochure can be printed from the website, or writers can call 484-991-8581.
To see Cec Murphey's introduction to the conference, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsK3JWz8cq4&feature=youtu.be

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Becca Anderson is a freelance writer from East Texas. She can be reached via her website,www.beccathewriter.com.

Norway terrorist claims Christianity, but Darwinism too

USA (MNN) ― The world continues to grieve for the country of Norway, after a bombing in Oslo's City Center and subsequent shooting that left 92 dead Friday.

32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik of Oslo is in custody after allegedly detonating a bomb which targeted government buildings, including the Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's office. Seven people were killed there.

Then he traveled to the Island of Utoya to attack a youth summer camp. Oslo police say more than 80 people were killed at the camp organized by the governing Norwegian Labor party, most of them youth.

RK Ulrich is the founder of The Bridge International based in Florida. However, RK was born and raised in Norway. She says the church has responded. "There was an immediate response from all church levels, from all Christian levels. They just all poured in with their compassion."

While the majority of Norwegians claim to be Christians because the state sponsored Lutheran church, Ulrich says many may not have a relationship with Christ. "When you're born, you're born into the church automatically. You get baptized. You go for confirmation and all those things are part of your Christian heritage." Ulrich continues, "A lot of people are defined at Christians in Norway, but they may never have seriously read the Bible or have a relationship with God."

That should help you understand why Breivik claims to be a conservative Christian. Ulrich spent much of the weekend looking through Breivik's Facebook and other blogs, including his 1,500 page manifesto.

She says Breivik had been planning this attack for nine years, wanting to punish his national leadership for being so multicultural and Muslim friendly. Ulich says, "He states he wants to support the Christian principles culturally, but there's nothing in his blog that even indicated that he even has any personal relationship with Jesus or understands salvation or leading a Christian life."

In his manifesto he says he's not religious, has doubts about God's existence, does not pray, but does assert the primacy of Europe's "Christian culture" as well as his own pagan Nordic culture. Breivik instead hails Charles Darwin, whose evolutionary theories stand in contrast to the claims of the Bible, and affirms: "As for the Church and science, it is essential that science takes an undisputed precedence over biblical teachings. Europe has always been the cradle of science, and it must always continue to be that way. Regarding my personal relationship with God, I guess I'm not an excessively religious man. I am first and foremost a man of logic. However, I am a supporter of a monocultural Christian Europe."

However, the international news media continues to call him a Christian fundamentalist. Ulrich says that could fuel anti-Christian propaganda around the world. "It's such a great opportunity for someone in opposition to the whole Judeo-Christian worldview to say, 'look, these are crazy people. To become a Christian, you become like him.'"

She's asking Christians worldwide to pray that doesn't happen. Ulrich is also asking Christians to, "Pray for the Norwegian people that the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ will be echoed through the country for many, many who perhaps never have heard it clearly, will hear the clear biblical Gospel."

Why are 'Christians' so angry, and sometimes downright hateful?

This kind of hatred and bigotry can even result in the kind of mass killings we have just seen in Norway

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

LAKE FOREST, CA (ANS) -- I have been a Christian now for more than 50 years and I still can't get over the fact that so many fellow believers in the West appear to be so angry and even hateful in their blogs and messages about others that they don't agree with.

This banner says it all!

I have been attacked many times, but recently I was the subject of the worst kind of vilification I have ever been at the receiving end of. The portrayal of myself was character assassination at its highest level; most alarmingly alleged by a fellow Christian against another. Character assassination, in any form, whether in a Christian or secular forum, is unacceptable.

We read the words of Jesus in John 13:35 (New King James Version), who said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

But where is the love in these times? I am regularly attacked in what I call the "The Wild, Wild West of the blogosphere" though this latest attack beats anything I have read before.

To me, it is so strange that I gave up a well-paid career in the secular media in London, England, to become a voice for the persecuted church around the world and, for more than 21 years now, my wife Norma, and myself, have not received a regular salary for running ASSIST Ministries and the ASSIST News Service, but have led a life of faith that the Lord would supply all of our needs, which He always has!

In my days in the tabloids, I never received such hate messages as I do today. I regularly I receive anger-filled e-mails that are forwarded to me attacking other Christians and a plethora of other things and people. Most are Urban Legends that have not been checked, but they still get sent. Recently I received an e-mail from a man who wanted to know if I could recommend a local church that "spoke out against" Rick Warren and Chuck Smith, my own pastor. Note, not a church that preached the Gospel!

A cottage industry has sprung up on the Internet of individuals and groups that spend most of their time in an attack mode. I call it the "Wild, Wild West of the Blogosphere."

Anders Behring Breivik

There are lesser degrees of hatred, but all are interrelated and now we have just witnessed in Norway where hate speech can go when taken to the extreme. This resulted in the deaths of at least 93 people in Norway's twin attacks by 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik who, according a Facebook page attributed to him, describes himself as a "Christian," something that I know that all Bible-believing Christians will reject.

Anders Behring Breivik is reported as claiming that multiculturalism, the erosion of "Christian values" and accommodation to Islam in Norway and Europe had generally "gone too far."

One of our readers pointed that although Breivik claimed to be a Christian, that doesn't mean he was. He wrote: "Just because you say you are a donut, doesn't make you a donut." I certainly have to agree with that.

Hate speech in London

Of course, there is also plenty of hate speech spread on the Internet and in public, by other groups, including Muslims, as witnessed recently in London which featured some shocking posters.

But back to Norway: According to a story written by Andrew Hough in Britain's Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk) the Norwegian "appears to have quoted verbatim large sections from the preaching of Theodore Kaczynski in his 1500 page online rant."

Hough went on to say, "Breivik had 'copied and pasted' almost a dozen key passages from the 69 year-old's 35,000 manifesto, only changing particular words such as 'leftist' with 'cultural Marxist.

'

"It remains unclear what his motivations were, but experts said it appeared he had taken 'inspiration' from Kaczynski whose two decade parcel-bomb terror campaign killed three people and 29 injured others.

"Despite meticulous university thesis-style referencing through the manifesto, Norwegian bloggers discovered that passages quoting Kaczynski were not credited.

"His 'martyrdom operation' diary, titled '2083: A European Declaration of Independence,' discloses that he started preparing for the attacks for nearly two years."

A result of hate speech. A young victim is helped in the center of Oslo, Friday July 22, 2011

One thing is clear and that is that words have consequences and when people like Breivik begin by spreading their messages of hate on the Internet, the eventual results can be (and have been) catastrophic.

Sadly, much of the rage being spread far and wide is by people who claim the name of Christ and I find this to be really disturbing. I am not sure what non-Christians make of all this. It certainly doesn't reflect well on the Body of Christ. The Internet is filled today with thousands of blogs written by alleged Christians who attack others and I believe now is the time for us to call a halt to all of this and instead show the love of Christ to the world at large.

Having said that, however, I have to admit that in my early days as a believer, I too, was guilty of great anger. I remember that when my first book was about to be published, a group of Christian businessmen and pastors in Birmingham, England, threatened to sue me for something I wrote in the manuscript. Fortunately, the publisher stood by me and they withdrew their unscriptural threat against a fellow Christian.

Then, back in the late sixties, after a year of working for The Christian, Billy Graham's British newspaper, the whole staff was fired and we were all put out on the streets. We got two-week's wages in severance and I had a wife and two sons to support.

If that wasn't enough, a Christian musician asked me to write his life story and then, after six months of hard work, decided he didn't want the book published and refused to pay me a penny for my work.

There were many more bad incidents that are too numerous to recount here, done to me by so-called believers who caused me so much anguish that I eventually lost my faith and went after some of their via the large circulation newspapers I worked for and I know I caused them great pain.

Book cover

But then it all changed, when in a drunken stupor in the Stab-in-the-Back pub just off Fleet Street in London, I was led back to a faith in Christ by a wonderful Irish-Canadian called Ray Barnett, who then asked me to work with him on a book called "Uganda Holocaust," which was about the courageous Christians who survived Idi Amin's reign of terror during which some 300,000 of their fellow believers were murdered.

While in Uganda, I met some of the most loving Christians I have ever met and not one of them showed any anger towards Amin for what he did. In fact, they told me they were praying that he would find Christ.

When I got back to England, I contacted many of those people that I felt had done me wrong and apologized to them. I even wrote up this story for Guideposts magazine and it was used as their cover story.

As soon as I did this, the anger went and I realized that it had been harming me far more than the people I had directed it at.

I soon began a campaign to help persecuted Christians around the world, none of who showed any anger about their situation, but instead felt it was an honor to serve the Lord through their suffering. They don't waste their precious time attacking others, but spend that time instead in sharing their faith, even though it could cost them their very lives. What a difference for much of what passes for Christianity in the Western Church.

As I said earlier, I have been deeply affected with what Jesus told his disciples; that other people would know that they were His disciples because of their love for one another (John 13:35). He was telling them about the main characteristic of a true Christian and I knew that I had been using the perceived faults of others as an excuse for my bad behavior.

So I am hoping that those of you who read this will also examine yourself and your anger and stop this constant barrage of hate messages via e-mail and on the many web sites. I know from first-hand experience, that this kind of behavior eats away at your faith, joy, and spiritual walk.

The Apostle Paul, writing in Galatians 5:22-23 (New King James Version) said, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

"

Why not give it a try? Apologize to those who you believe have harmed you. Let go of your anger towards them, and then you too, will begin to experience what the Apostle Paul was talking about.

You have nothing to lose - but your anger.

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Dan Wooding, 70, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 48 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. He now hosts the weekly "Front Page Radio" show on KWVE in Southern California which is also carried throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK and also in Belize and South Africa. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 200 countries. You can follow Dan on Facebook under his name there or at ASSIST News Service. He is the author of some 44 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, has also recently released his first novel "Red Dagger" which is available this link.

Other News from Oslo

By Rick Marschall
Special to ASSIST News Service

SWARTZ CREEK MI (ANS) -- Is there something new under the Midnight Sun? "Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more."

The horrific events in Oslo this week are different from similar atrocities, perhaps in severity and maybe in scope, than others in the news. These bizarre acts of violence occur with more frequency, but are inevitable in a decaying world culture where Jesus is less welcome all the time.

No doubt the news media and the "world system" will cite the gunman's claims to Christianity as proof of this or that -- not his own imbalance, but (watch, here it comes) something inherently wrong with Christianity. If he indeed includes "Christian" as one of his secret identities, it reminds me of Abe Lincoln's characterization of an opponent's tortured use of phrasing, that a "chestnut horse" bears no resemblance to a "horse chestnut."

Norway, like other Scandinavian countries, indeed much or Europe and now North America, recently makes the news for episodes of anti-Christian persecution. This year alone, a Norwegian evangelist was arrested for evangelizing Norwegians during Independence Day and Pride parades. The prominent preacher Petar Keseljevic was careful not to block traffic or obstruct pedestrians, but sharing the gospel, louder than a whisper, on street corners, is an offense.

Earlier this year, a refugee from North Ossetia was deported from Norway. The region will be remembered as the site where a school in Beslan was stormed by Islamic militants, and ultimately hundreds died in the systematic hostage shootings and the storming of the school. The young lady, known as Maria Amelie, is Eastern Orthodox and was in Norway without papers. Unlike many illegal Muslims, she was deported, despite having learned the language, pursued an education, and written a book. Illegally Norwegian was a best-seller, and last year a major news magazine named her Norwegian Woman of the Year.

So illegal immigration, citizens' rights, and social tensions have been rising throughout Europe. Norway is a small country. Back when I was writing comics, I was told that some of the comic books where they appeared sold 250,000 copies in the Norwegian market, which did not overly impress me until I realized that the country's population was about 4-million. A good percentage.

A bad percentage, however, is "religious adherence." About 20 per cent of Norwegians claim that religious faith plays an important role in their lives -- a lower ratio (with its neighbors Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia) than any countries in the world. Only about two percent of the population attends church regularly.

Yet a remarkable group of Norwegians has been countering those trends. They gather as the Oslo Gospel Choir. They sing their own songs and gospel songs of the American church. They look like a blonde Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The leader Tore Aas assembled the singers from house churches and local fellowships about 20 years ago. The group performs locally, across Europe, and has been to America. They have released many albums and videos. Andrae Crouch and Albertina Walker have performed with the choir, and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has sung solo with them on two Christmas albums.

Recent appearances in Switzerland and the Netherlands were before huge conclaves of Pentecostals, and were televised widely. Gospel? Huge? Tours? Sales? Audiences? Europe? Is there something new under the sun? -- something stirring?

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

So Matthew 5:12-14 reminds us. And we should be reminded that Oslo, the city called Christiana a century ago, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, and identified with things like the Oslo Accords, is more than that bundle of associations; and cannot now be defined by the violent acts of a lone madman. It might be coming into the light; something new under the Midnight Sun. To a growing number of people around the world who are mightily blessed, Norway is becoming known as the home of that great Oslo Gospel Choir. Seeds can take root anywhere, even the rocky coasts of Norway.

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Here is a video of the Choir singing the classic God Will Make a Way in Oslo.
Click: God Will Make a Way

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Rick Marschall is the author of 65 books and hundreds of magazine articles in many fields, from popular culture (Bostonia Magazine called him "perhaps America's foremost authority on popular culture") to history and criticism; country music, television history, biography and children's books. He is a former political cartoonist, editor of Marvel Comics, and writer for Disney comics. For 10 years he has been active in the Christian field, writing devotionals; co-author of The Secret Revealed with Dr Jim Garlow. His biography of Johann Sebastian Bach for the "Christian Encounters" series (Thomas Nelson) was released in April, 2011. His history of cartoon Advertising, Drawing Power, will be published in July 2011 by the Marschall Books imprint of fantagraphics Books. In October his major biography of Theodore Roosevelt, BULLY!, will be publ;ished by Regnery History of Washington DC. He is currently working on a One-Year CDevotional for Tyndale House; and edits the the reissue of Harper's Weekly -- the Civil War Ye ars for NOVOink e-books. Rick is a former Director of Product Development for Youth Specialties. He is recipient of the 2008 "Christian Writer of the Year" award from the Greater Philadelphia Writer's Conference, and produces a weekly e-mail devotional, "Monday Morning Music Ministry." His e-mail address is: RickMarschall@gmail.com.

Samaritan's Purse Arrives with Big Rigs and Volunteers to Help North Dakota Flood Victims

Crews Scheduled to Begin Working on Damaged Homes in Minot Saturday Morning

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BOONE, N.C. (ANS) -- Weeks after record flooding that damaged more than 4,000 homes in Minot, N.D., the Souris River has finally receded enough for residents to start returning to their waterlogged houses.

The international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse arrived in Minot this week with its Disaster Relief Units and will start sending out volunteer teams this weekend.

According to a media release, Samaritan's Purse has already received more than 500 requests for help in the Minot area. Volunteers with the organization are trained, organized into teams and then sent to flood-damaged homes to help clean out mud and debris and disinfect areas affected by mold or other contaminants. They will also help homeowners sort through and salvage what's left of their belongings.

"It's a big job for our teams," said Tommy Belisario, the Samaritan's Purse response manager in Minot. "They go into a house, remove the furniture, pull out floor coverings, take out the appliances, pump water out of basements, and treat the house for mold. People here have been through so much, and we want them to be able to get back into their homes as quickly as possible."

More volunteers are still needed. If you would like to join the Samaritan's Purse flood relief efforts in Minot or make a donation, visit www.samaritanspurse.org  or call (800) 528-1980.

Since Samaritan's Purse set up the original U.S. Disaster Relief Unit in 1998, the organization has worked in 28 states and more than 100 locations. Recent relief efforts include repairing houses hit by tornadoes in Missouri, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia, and cleaning homes of mud and debris after flooding in New Jersey. Samaritan's Purse has helped more than 19,000 families and homeowners recover and mobilized more than 35,000 volunteers.

Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situation - especially in locations where few others are working. Samaritan's Purse has worked in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

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** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter

UN Alerts The World to The 'Triangle of Death' in Africa

Photos courtesy of Food For the Hungry

Somalia (MNN) ― The United Nations is calling the regions of Somalia, Ethiopia and Northern Kenya the "Triangle of Death." Due to their proximity to one another, these countries are all dealing with similar severe drought and food insecurities that could impact up to 10 million people throughout the region.

Somalia appears to be worst hit. The United Nations has formally declared a famine in two areas of southern Somalia. Refugees are straggling cross the borders to see if there is better access in Ethiopia and Northern Kenya which are also trying to cope with the emergency.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. will provide an additional $28 million in aid. On the surface, the issue seems to be lack of food. However, for those groups trying to help, the issue is more the lack of access to food which is available.

Declaring an actual "famine" brings to mind pictures of starvation and emaciated children. It strikes the emotional heart of a donor to try and alleviate suffering. Aid groups therefore are careful with their use of the word because of potential desensitization to the crisis.

Once that bell has been rung, though, what is clear is that for those starving, defining "famine" or "food emergency" makes little difference in living through the day. Finding sustenance is all that matters.

That's where Food For the Hungry comes in. Shep Owen with FH says they implemented some long-term livestock programs in Northern Kenya two years ago because of the cyclical nature of drought. Other programs covered livelihood development, and water and sanitation.

These programs had time to mature, and they could respond to the coming trouble. "The reality is that the famine has been coming in Somalia for a while. I mean, there were pretty clear signs, even six months ago, that it would likely move this way."

Sales from those were reinvested in the local economy and the funds served as a coping mechanism to keep food access open for these communities. As a result, says Owen, "The investments from U.S. AID over the last two years in northern Kenya have allowed the communities that we've been working with to withstand this drought in ways that they wouldn't have been prior to that work." Owen adds that it proves this approach works. "It's possible to address immediate lifesaving needs with long-term approaches that don't undercut the development of the areas."

Seeing that success duplicated during an immediate crisis might be a challenge. Somali insurgents are still causing problems for those trying to help, despite promises to allow foreign aid groups in. The *Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab's policies have kept lawlessness alive. That, in turn, prevents humanitarian programs from getting started. Owen notes, "Our team had asked us as well if we were contemplating opening programs in Somalia again, and I indicated that unless you are a really massive organization that can provide security, it's a very perilous place to try to implement programs."

Al Shabaab has also been wreaking havoc outside of Somalia's borders, which creates more hesitation, says Owen.

 "Even in Kenya, we've had staff that were in our consortiums that were abducted in northern Kenya by the same group."

Pray that God would continue to use Food for the Hungry's multiple outreaches to bring relief, hope and the right kind of help to vulnerable children, families and communities. Pray for wisdom and strength for their Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and staff in affected countries. "Jesus would ask us to be right there with the widows and the orphans--those who are hungry. This is doing what the Lord would have us do, and through God's sovereign grace, we trust that His will is seen and done."

There's more here.