Issue 44 - 15 February 2008

• This week! Major Christian training series in production
• Report from Algeria - Sustained pressure on churches
• Job Opening - Managing Director for our North African company

Dear friends,

In one of the regions of North Africa, there are now an estimated 50,000+ Christians, many of whom have recently converted from Islam through Christian broadcasts.  Some of the churches there have more than 1000 members, but many of their leaders have only become Christians in the past five years.  So it is not hard to imagine that one of the greatest needs is to give these leaders Biblical training and education to lead and nurture their fast growing flocks.

With this in mind, Arab Vision is producing a major TV series to provide good teaching and advice for the young emerging church leadership in that region.  The production begins this week and features several prominent national church leaders who are living and serving in North Africa.  Many of them are risking their own personal safety for this project because they believe it is so vital for their church.

“This is Arab Vision’s biggest North African production to date,” reported the company’s North Africa Director yesterday.  “Please pray for safe travel, a smooth production, and an untroubled return to home countries afterwards.”

A project of this size also requires significant funding.  If you or your church would like to support the development of the North African churches in this way, please contact us or go directly to our online donation page by clicking on the ‘Donate Online’ button in the left margin of this page.

A report released last week by Middle East Concern highlights some of the backlash the growing church in Algeria is receiving these days.

First, there is a sustained and intense media campaign against the church. On most days in January, major Algerian newspapers carried articles expressing concern about the growth of the church. The amount of detail in some articles suggests that informants have been attending some fellowships.

Second, seven fellowships are known to have been closed by the authorities. Several church leaders were told to bring an official license issued by a government committee that was established by legal decree in 2007, but has not yet been formed or held its first meeting.

Third, several believers have been formally charged. There were several trials in 2007 but no Christian was convicted. On 5th February, three believers accused of insulting Islam were told that they will be sentenced to three years in prison and fined 5,000 Euros. Another believer has been told to report for a further hearing on 5th March, despite the witnesses that testified against him admitting that they don't know him. He has been told that he will be imprisoned for one year and fined heavily.

 

The timing of this intense opposition is no coincidence.  It highlights the spiritual battle taking place there, with many being added to God’s Kingdom on a daily basis and the devil’s attempts to destroy what God is doing.  The local believers are keen to continue proclaiming the Gospel among their people and intensifying their efforts.

Arab Vision is also looking to recruit a Managing Director for its Country Production Company there. Candidates are preferably seconded to AV by a mission agency.  For more information, visit www.arabvision.org or click hereto go directly to the Job Description page.  Please contact us if you are interested in this opening.

Let me conclude with the words of a lady in Morocco who became a Christian after watching our programs. 

When I was converted, I faced the worst of persecutions during 15 days from my husband and other members of the family. My husband discovered my new belief and told me that he will abandon me and abandon our children. Now I praise the Lord because I am a born again believer in Christ. I have started to share my faith with other women in the neighborhood and discovered that most of them are watching your program too and many have come to faith also.  Now we are meeting together, and I am convinced that one day my house will become a church.

 

God is building His church in the Arab World!

Abu Banaat
International Director