CHINA: CHRISTIANS DETAINED FOR HELPING QUAKE VICTIMS
On June 1, Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers disrupted a house church meeting and forcefully detained seven believers during their Sunday service in Taikang county, Henan province. According to China Aid Association, "Approximately six PSB officials disrupted the house church meeting and forcefully detained seven of the participants. Police officials did not state the reason for the detention. During interrogation, police officials questioned the members as to who would be taking donations to the earthquake disaster area. One woman and her child were released; however the others remain in detention under a charge of sending money to a disaster area in the name of a house church." According to reports, PSB officials have said they will not release those detained until they pay a fine. Pray for believers in China who are facing difficulties practicing their faith. Ask God to give them boldness to serve Him and for Him to give them the ability to forgive their persecutors. (Source: China Aid Association)

ERITREA: CHURCH MEETING RAIDED, CHRISTIANS ARRESTED
On May 28, Eritrean police arrested 34 evangelical Christians in the city of Keren, Eritrea. According to Compass Direct News, “The Christians, who are members of the Light of Life Church, were meeting in a private home for prayer and fellowship. All 24 men and 10 women present in the meeting were taken to prison, with their children left behind. The next day security officials transferred the women prisoners to the Adi-Abeyto Military Confinement facility on the outskirts of the capital city of Asmara.” Pray for the release of Eritrean Christians who are imprisoned for the sake of Christ. Ask God to strengthen and comfort their families, especially the children. Pray that the Eritrean government will respect the rights of Christians to freely worship their Lord. (Source: VOM)

UZBEKISTAN: GOVERNMENT AIRS TV PROGRAM AIMED TO INCITE RELIGIOUS HATRED  Earlier this week, Uzbekistan's state-run TV station showed a film which Christians and other religious minorities believe will incite religious hatred. According to Forum 18 News, the film entitled “In the clutches of ignorance,” was shown before live coverage of the Euro 2008 football championship to attract the largest possible audience. F18 News reported, “The first broadcast of the film made some members of religious minorities ‘afraid to go out on the street where they live for fear of being persecuted.’ A member of a religious organization not attacked in the film stressed that members of their community are disturbed ‘that members of religious minorities are cast in such a negative perspective.’” A Protestant attacked in the film told F18 after the second showing, “The government is trying to stir up Muslims against Christians.” F18 News added, “Following the first showing, a Baptist congregation which has been attacked elsewhere in the state-run mass media was raided and banned from meeting. One Baptist complained that ‘broadcasting such a film amounts to incitement of religious hatred in our country.’” Pray God protects Christians in Uzbekistan. Ask God to stop any attacks that the enemy has planned against believers as a result of this film. Pray Christians in Uzbekistan will show their persecutors the love of Christ. (Source: F18 News)

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WORLDVENTURE APPOINTEES AVAILABLE FOR PULPIT SUPPLY
WorldVenture has a number of appointees currently engaged in support discovery and pre-field ministry here in the Central region. These appointees are available for pulpit supply this summer and fall as their schedules allow and your church may have need. Please contact Suzanne if you would like to invite one of these appointees to fill your pulpit, and she will put you in touch with them. (Click on the name to learn more about the appointee and their anticipated ministry on the field.)

Jon Flaa, Appointee to Austria
Based in Twin Cities | Available June thru August & October thru November

Jamie Pund, Appointee to Italy
Based in Twin Cities | Available beginning August 24th thru November

Greg Swenson, Appointee to Japan
Based on Twin Cities | Available July, early August, September & October

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TOP 25 BUSINESS AS MISSION BOOKS
The Business as Mission Network has posted a list of the top 25 books that deal with "business as mission," running a "Great Commission company," or doing "transformational business"--all fairly synonymous terms that encompass the idea of doing business God's way, turning "good business into great ministry." You can view the list--and find links to lots of other business as mission resources--here.

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