Taliban kills South Korean hostage

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev. 20:4

Mon Jul 30, 12:50 PM ET

GHAZNI, Afghanistan (AFP) - Afghanistan's Taliban militia said it shot dead a South Korean hostage late Monday after its deadlines expired for the government to free prisoners in jail.

"We set several deadlines and the Afghan government did not pay attention to our deadlines," spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP. "Finally tonight at 8:30 we killed one of the Koreans named Sung Sin with AK-47 gunshots."

Related Video





Latest militant deadline on Korean hostages expires

CBC.ca






Taliban issue new hostage deadline

Reuters

» All news video

Keep a Cool Head... and Stay Alert!

Todd Rhodes authors a blog that comes into my email box every Monday morning. Monday Morning Insight is the very practical name he's given his blog and the articles are useful and thought provoking.

Today's article was simple; a message to church leaders from Peter from Eugene Peterson's translation of the New Testament. Peterson's translation captures the fatherly and pastorly tone the Apostle Peter no doubt wished to convey.

Keep a Cool Head... and Stay Alert!

I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.

When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for-

God has had it with the proud,
But takes delight in just plain people.

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ - eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

I've written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God's generous truth; embrace it with both arms!

I Peter 5:1-10; 12 - The Message

Have a great week!

Source: MMI: email

Short Term Trip to Kenya

Ed Compean had the below photos and text posted over on his blog. I get no greater joy than learning about teams going onto th mission field to connect with the missionaries that live there.

We were recently blessed to have a few visitors from Canyon View Christian Fellowship in California. Their time here was a real blessing for both us personally and for the body at Calvary International Fellowship. With the group was Joy Sutera who besides being an oncology nurse with the practice Kelli left to go to the field is a serious photographer. It was really cool to see her photos and thought we would post a few here. These are posted not only as a selection of the great photos Joy took, but also so that you may get a different view of the work here.

Pastor Shot

A couple of days ago I pointed you to the story of the Korean Missionaries kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The South Korean victim was found with 10 bullet holes in his head, chest and stomach in Ghazni province, the region where 23 South Koreans were kidnapped last week, said police officer Abdul Rahman. A police official who asked not to be identified said militants told him the hostage was shot because he was sick and couldn't walk. A South Korean broadcaster, KBS, identified him as pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, 42. (link to rest of the story)

Source: South Korean kidnapped by Taliban found shot dead - Newsday.com

Korean Missionaries Kidnapped

This is a story to follow and lift up in prayer. It's a fine line we walk as people with a missionary heart and a commission from the Lord to reach the world with the gospel. Is personal safety the priority or following the stirring of the Holy Spirit to go anywhere whether safe or unsafe? It's not a question that will be answered here, but many have believers have a heart to follow Paul the Apostles example to anywhere that needs to hear the Gospel.

SEOUL, July 20 (UPI) -- About 20 South Korean evangelists who ignored their government's warning against traveling to Afghanistan appear to have been abducted by the Taliban.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Friday it was trying to confirm through various channels intelligence reports it received that the South Koreans, including young women, were kidnapped by Taliban insurgents earlier in the day.

"Given a variety of circumstantial evidence, chances are high that the report is true," the ministry said in a statement. They may have been abducted from a bus that was traveling in southern Afghanistan, ministry officials said.

The South Koreans mostly belong to a church south of Seoul. According to the ministry, some 120 South Koreans are engaged in evangelica [sic], activities in Afghanistan, where the Taliban's insurgent activities have been on the rise in this conservative Muslim Central Asian country.

The South Korean government has warned its citizens against traveling to Afghanistan, citing fears of possible abductions.

Source: United Press International - International Intelligence - Briefing

more reading on the subject:
http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/22/1984974.htm?section=justin
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QGFK280&show_article=1&cat=0
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6220524.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070721/ap_on_re_as/afghan_kidnappings

Calvary Chapel Boynton Beach Costa Rica Outreach

It's been just a couple of years since Mike and Revae Lawrence of Calvary Chapel Boynton Beach either sold or gave away all of their worldly possessions and launched ministry to the people of Jaco, Costa Rica.

This Friday, July 20, Mike Jones will lead a team from CC Boynton Beach to Jaco on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast to minister alongside of Mike and Revae through Saturday July 28. This short-term missions team is heading down to serve the Revaes and the community, but most likely, the biggest work God will accomplish will not be through this team, but in this team. People lives will be turned in-side out. Count on it.

Mike has a few things to ask you all to pray for as he and the team prepare to leave:

1. Pray for everyone on the team would get their passports. At this late date, God's merciful intervention is required.
2. Purity for the team so that God would be able to work through the team mightily (Joshua 3:5... "And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.")
3. Faith to call on the Lord to do wonders. (Matt 7:20... "So Jesus said to them, because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.")

Haircuts for Jaco fundraiser

Italian Dinner fundraiser

Prayer for team last Sunday

Coffee Anyone?

This came into my email inbox from John Bonner down in Peru. Bonner runs the Calvary Chapel Bible College down there. In addition to running the Bible College many other outreach endeavors are launched under Bonners tutelage. 

If you are a kid lover and a coffee lover, too, we have a great combo for you! A local gourmet coffee manufacturer is offering us fresh ground (and whole bean) Peruvian coffee at cost so we can distribute it, on our own label (see attachment), to generate income for our orphanage. For years many visiting teams and individuals have had us order, and re-order, this delicious coffee for them to take back home. Some say it is the best they have ever tasted! And the price is right, too. We will deliver it to your door for $8.88 for an 8.8 ounce bag, or $22.22 for a 2.2 pound bag (shipping included). If you would like, you can even "subscribe" and we will have the bag of your choice delivered monthly. 

Does your church have a coffee bar, or regularly offer coffee at its services? We appreciate you helping us get the word out! Our coffee would also make great birthday and Christmas gifts. We will begin shipping this week, and we are eager to have you try our "Granos del Cielo" Peruvian gourmet coffee from the Andes Mountains to help sponsor our children's home. 

To order, email John Bonner. and this fresh coffee will arrive to your home in just a few days. 

Thank you for your prayers and also for your thoughtfulness! 

John Bonner 

I would like to order
___ small 8.8 oz bag(s) of ground coffee at $8.88 each. 
I would like to order
___ small 8.8 oz bag(s) of whole coffee at $8.88 each. 

I would like to order
___ large 2.2 pound bag(s) of ground coffee at $22.22 each. 

I would like to order
___ large 2.2 pound bag(s) of whole coffee at $22.22 each. ___ Do contact me about a monthly subscription.

Ship to:
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone:
Email Address:

Checks can be mailed to:
"Friends of Calvary Chapel Bible College Peru"
1771 E. Palomar St.
Chula Vista, CA 91913 

download order form pdf

Shepherd's Staff Reading List for Missionaries and the Missionary Curious

The below reading list was clipped from the Shepherd's Staff website.

MISSIONS THEOLOGY:

• Let the Nations be Glad! by John Piper
• A Vision for Missions by Tom Wells
• A Biblical Theology of Missions by Peters
• Unveiled at Last by Bob Sjogren

CULTURE:

• Anthropological Insights for Missionaries by Hiebert
• Ministering Cross-culturally by Lingenfelter
• Strange Virtues by Adeney
• Christianity Confronts Culture by Mayers
• Cross-cultural Conflict by Elmer

MISSIONS HISTORY:

• A Concise History of the Christian Mission by Kane
• From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya by Ruth Tucker
• A History of Missions by Stephen Neill

SUPPORT RAISING:

• Friend Raising by Betty Barnett
• People Raising by Dillon
• Getting Sent by Pete Sommer

BIOGRAPHIES:

• Bruchko by Bruce Olson
• Lords of the Earth by Don Richardson
• Peace Child by Don Richardson
• A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot
• Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
• Jungle Pilot by Russell T. Hitt

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Master plan of evangelism by Robert Coleman
• Discipling Nations by Darrow Miller (worldview and development in developing nations)
• Missionary Methods, St. Paul’s or Ours? by Roland Allen
• Spontaneous Expansion of the Church by Roland Allen
• Serving as Senders by Neal Pirolo
• The Re-entry Team by Neal Pirolo
• Re-entry by Peter Jordan
• On Being a Missionary by Thomas Hale

New Blogger

Uber Christ Follower Jeff Jackson is now blogging. Jeff Jackson is director of Shepherd Staff Mission Facilitators and one of my mentors. He's a great communicator, teacher and story teller so check out his blog. There's no doubt you'll learn something new every time you read it.

Why the Surprise?

Jeff Jackson had this follow up post from a previous post about speaking to a group of transplants from overseas.

The Lord has told us to go into all the world, but sometimes, "all the world" moves into our backyard. Let's follow Jeff's example and maximize the opportunity. 

The pastor had been in a refugee camp in Thailand up until 10 months ago and as the service unfolded the reality of what he's facing hit me. Talk about a challenge. Pastoring alone is a huge challenge, how much greater is the task when you and everyone in your congregation have been dropped into a location on the other side of the world that not only doesn't speak your language or navigate according to your cultural norms, but is in many ways the exact opposite of everything you've ever been exposed to. Your young people are going to public schools with more than a thousand other students and the adults are traveling far away to work in factories which are the only jobs available because of the language barrier everyone is trying to overcome. He's trying to improve his English at the same time everyone in his congregation is doing the same. Talk about a daunting task.

Read the entre post here: (link)

Source: Back from the edge meanderings

A Unique Opportunity by Jeff Jackson

Jeff Jackson posted the following on his blog this morning. Give it a read. Jeff is full of wisdom and experience when it comes to reaching across from one culture to another.

I'm in Phoenix right now at the home of some very close friends. In less than three hours I'll be speaking at a local church here that houses a small church made up of refugees from a country in Southeast Asia. The vast majority of these precious people have spent at least the last 10 to 15 years or more living in refugee camps inside Thailand--and now they live in America!

I've spent time with many of the Karen people in the largest of those refugee camps in Thailand and there is a possibility that I may be given the blessing of actually meeting some of the ones I met over there. It's incredibily surreal.

Since I discovered a few days ago that I would have this opportunity, I've been begging the Lord for just the right words from Him to share with them. Having factored in some of the huge challenges they are facing with their transition to life in this country and the reality that they may be here the rest of their lives, I've concluded that He would have me speak to them from that letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to his own people who had been taken from their land and were then living in exile in a very foreign and strange country.

One of the verses from God's word that is commonly used as a word of encouragement is Jeremiah 29:11, (check it out.) That particular verse is actually just a portion of the letter that I mentioned above. I'm going to share with my Karen brothers and sisters what Jeremiah had written to these people regarding the attitude they should have, what they should be doing, and what they should be seeking and praying for as they were forced to adjust to life in a place that they never dreamed they'd be living in. The world has come up with a summary phrase for what Jeremiah instructs them to do: "Bloom where you're planted."

If the world gets the concept and the Word of God certainly teaches the concept, have we gotten a handle on it yet? Just wondering.

HT: Jeff Jackson