DAWN Fridayfax 2002 #4

Germany

Normal Generation? at the Eurovision Song Contest?

On 8th January, 2002, 200 representatives of the media selected 15 singers and bands to take part in the contest to represent Germany at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. "Normal Generation?", a Christian band from Altensteig in the Black Forest, is one of those selected. 8 million people are expected to watch the contest to represent Germany, with the winner decided by viewers' telephone votes; a band generally needs around half a million votes to win. "Normal Generation?" will sing 'Hold On', and says that they were selected 'because of, not despite' the Christian values they represent. They entered the charts last year with the song 'Long For You', which was recently voted 'Song of the Year' by radio station SWR3.
Source: Normal Generation?, Postfach 1213, 72207 Altensteig, fax (+49)-7453-910166; www.normalgeneration.de ; e-mail: gebet@normalgeneration.de

England

Christian pop is in

21-year-old Daniel Bedingfield burst into the UK charts from nowhere. The media are excited about the young Christian, whose single 'Gotta Get Thru This' was recorded in his parent's bedroom in South East London for only £1,500. In 2001, he displaced the Spice Girls, Nicole Kidman and Robbie Williams from the top of the charts.
Source: English media and www.24-7prayer.com

Mozambique

Christmas returns

"During the many years of war in Mozambique, Christmas has been removed from the national calendar," reports Assemblies of God missionary Jan Hall. It is now celebrated only as 'Family Day'. In 2001, though, various mission agencies worked together to bring Christmas back to Mozambique, holding a Christmas event with a nativity play, sermon and carols in Chimoio's old bull fighting arena. Thousands attended, of which 142 decided to become Christians, according to the report.
Source: Assemblies of God news

Bolivia

Christian media boom

Family Life Network, a media agency associated with the Mennonite Brethren Churches in Manitoba, Canada, reports of a large conference for Christian radio and media representatives from 26 Latin American nations held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in October 2001. 2,500 attendees filled the surrounding hotels, with hundreds more sleeping on the pews in churches. Over 1,000 more people attended than had registered for the conference. Delbert Enns, Executive Director of Family Life Network and Program Director for the conference, was astonished by the phenomenal interest; the attendance was the highest in the 'Conference of Latin American Christian Radio and TV Producers and Broadcasters' (COICOM) ten year history. Every evening, 28,000 people attended events with thousands of artists and musicians in the stadium. The Bolivian President, impressed by the quality of the conference, ordered that the events be broadcast live on public television. "Bolivia will never be the same again," say national church leaders.
Source: Family Life Network, www.fln.ca

Northern India

New churches planted despite opposition

"Amidst all forms of persecution, beatings and discrimination, Northern India's church movement continues to grow," reports Operation Agape. Christians in Madhya Pradesh state, who have often received warnings and threats from Hindu fanatics, planted 316 new house churches in their district in the first six months of 2001 alone - a number which has probably already doubled, according to the report. In Madhya Pradesh's Malanjgani region, evangelist Mannu Lal and his team plant five new house churches each month, with the total so far standing at around 250, with 3,300 members. The gospel is also spreading with increasing speed in Punjab; in Ludhiana and surroundings, over 500 new house churches were planted in the last 10 months. Pastor Sunil Digal reports that persecution continues unabated in Orissa, which hit the headlines following the murder of missionary Graham Staines and his sons. That does not discourage Indian Christians from planting new churches: in the first half of 2001, 117 new house churches were planted in Sunil's area, with a total membership of over 1,500 new believers.
Source: Operation Agape, e-mail AlexAgapeLdh@cs.com

Nicaragua

Problems with the TV?

"When television undermines morals or endangers the family peace, a Nicaraguan Bishop recommends drastic steps," reports the Catholic news agency Kipa: "It may be necessary to shoot the television", said Bishop Abelardo Matta Guevara of Esteli during a Christmas service in the cathedral. In face of the growing juvenile crime rate, parents must do everything in their power to strengthen morals. Removing the television may be one of the necessary steps. The diocese of Esteli suffers from a high crime rate.
Source: Kipa

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