DAWN Fridayfax 2004 #03

USA

Finding Nemo: Christian values in cartoon form

In "Finding Nemo", the producers at Pixar Animation Studios have created an adventure film with wholesome values, according to film critics. Writer and director Andrew Stanton is a Christian, and says that many of the other Pixar staff also follow Jesus. "A good story and cutting-edge technology took the film to the number 1 slot in American cinemas," says Steve Jobs, Pixar's CEO.
Source: www.pixar.com

UK

Bono: only religion has the resources to fight AIDS

"World-famous rock star Bono, lead singer of the band U2, managed to convince even confessing atheist Bob Geldof that only religion has the true answer to the global AIDS epidemic," writes the British newspaper 'The Mirror'. "He is an atheist, so I told him, 'Bob, this will annoy you, but if you look at the AIDS problem and see that it is really out of control, then the synagogues, temples and churches are my only hope for Africa.' Bob turned around and said 'You know what? I think you're right!'" Bono believes that the church will play a decisive role in changing patterns of behaviour. "Without the churches, the governments will have a very hard time dealing with the problem. Alone prevention: how do you teach young girls the courage to say 'no!' to men's approaches and fight the culture of rape in ghettos all over the world? They need guiding principles right now, and you don't get those from handbooks." One year ago, Bono was sceptical about the reaction of the organised Church to AIDS. Now, he is impressed by how particularly evangelical churches in the USA are raising awareness of the problem. "The sleeping giant is awakening, and plays an important role in the work ahead of us. That is very moving," he says.
Source: The Mirror, UK

Congo

House mortgaged for evangelistic outreach

"Through two men's committment and sacrifice, a whole Pygmy tribe in the Republic of Congo has been reached with the Gospel," reports mission agency Hope Builders International. The Babangu tribe, numbering around 4,000, had previously had almost no contact to the outside world. Missionary Dwald VandenBerg and Roffin, a Congolese pastor, set off into Congo's northern jungle to bring the Gospel to the tribe, who live in trees. The first people in the tribe to find Christ were the chief and his family, which naturally opened the door to the other Babangu. The chief even sent messengers to other villages to tell them to listen to what Dwald and Roffin had to say. VandenBerg mortgaged his house to raise money for the journey.
Source: Hope Builders International, USA

Sudan

Hope in the ruins

"Muslims in northern Sudan have long tried to force Islam on the area's Christians and Animists," reported Stan Guthrie in Christianity Today shortly before Christmas 2003. Around 2 million people have been killed and over 4 million lost their homes since 1983. Guthrie spoke with Daniel Bul, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan in Renk. Bul says "The church is growing, particularly the Anglicans. The church had something over 500,000 members when the British left Sudan in 1955, at which time there were five or six Sudanese pastors. Today, there are 3,500, and around 5 million Anglicans in the country. Other churches are also growing at an astonishing rate - Catholic, Presbyterian and Pentecostal." Bus attributes this growth to the fact that the war has forced people to look for answers and a way out. "Ever more realise that God is the only answer. On top of that, many signs and wonders have happened in southern Sudan. We had neither food nor medicine, but when we prayed, the people were healed. That led them to Christ, of course. In the South, we have hardly any church buildings - people meet under trees. That also means that anyone can see what the Christians do, listen and join them. Muslims in the North are also finding Christ; I know of 100 Muslims who have found Christ in Khartoum alone," says Bul.

The fastest-growing Anglican church in the world

Bul says that the Anglican church in Sudan is the fastest-growing Anglican church in the world. Practical help for families and signs and wonders have made many previous enemies of Christianity to followers of Christ. "I am an evangelist, but now we need not only reconciliation with God, but also with each other - even with those who have done terrible things to their fellow countrymen. We have to bring the people to forgive each other," he says.
Source: Stan Guthrie, Christianity Today

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