Amazing, shocking, glorious! God did what He said He would do - He sent the Holy Spirit upon those timid, backwoods believers. It happened on Pentecost. That is the feast Jewish believers continue to celebrate today. A wave offering of grain was made before the altar of the Temple. The harvest would be good, for they gave the first fruits (grain, in this case) to God! Little did those people know what was going to happen. (Acts 2).

Pilgrims from around their world gathered for just another Pentecost. But stumbling into the street, Galileans shouted the praises of God in languages not their own. A Pentecostal pastor once told me, "They did not have the gift of tongues. The people who were in the streets had the gift of hearing!" Quite true!

Some thought the joyful disciples were drunk. But others wanted to know more. So, Peter stood up and gave his first sermon. Results? 3000 persons stepped up to welcome Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! They heard that God loved them and came to die for them. His name was Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God!

That message continues to circle the globe. Printed word, film, radio, television, and missionaries take this good news to the nations. They go skilled in education, medicine, farming, with business and computer skills and the love of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16, 17 have been the sum and substance of the good news to the nations. God loved the world. He offered the world the best gift He could give - His own Son. Believe in Him - receive eternal life! Jesus came to save the world. We bring judgment on ourselves, if we reject His gift. Around the world, some nations welcomed the news. Other nations have tried to keep the news of God away from their people.

Today, you will hear a report of resisting and rejoicing. The Holy Spirit continues to move. God will not be stopped. All people will have the chance to hear of the love of God. The following are just a sample of the good news to the nations.

During the 20^th century, the number of Christians in Turkey dropped in numbers very significantly. The influence of the Muslim faith continues to rise. Turkey is one of the most unreached nations in the world. Of its 55-million people, only a small percentage have heard the gospel. For the few who dare to profess Christ, life can be dangerous. Believers are harassed, threatened, and jailed for faith in Christ.

Evangelizing is difficult, because Turkish nationals tend to think of Christians in the same category as Armenian terrorists and Jehovah Witnesses. But there are some bright spots of His love in this nation. Among the Christian witnesses stand John and Diane Fowler, Presbyterians serving in Izmir since 1990.

John Fowler, a medical doctor, has taught emergency medicine and run the emergency department at a university medical school. Diane Fowler, an educator, has been involved in the community through sports and coaching. The hospital has invested in a large van containing essential medical equipment and supplies to help educate Turkish practitioners and thus improve the level of emergency care for the Turkish people.

Another bright spot comes in Bible Correspondence Courses, set up by several denominations, including some Presbyterians. Since 1992, over 500 letters each month come to the office of the missionaries in Cyprus, in response to their general "Good News Letter." They want to be enrolled in a "Holy Book Research Study."

Christian radio stations such as TWR and FEBA, broadcast the message of Christ in the Turkish language. And mission groups such as World Evangelization Crusade (WEC), and Operation Mobilization (OM), reach out to the more than 2.5 million Turks and Kurds in Western Europe.

Vietnam:

This nation has always been a hotbed of struggle. France tried to rule them, but

failed. The war between North and South Vietnam brought their struggle to our nation, too. In 1975 we witnessed the reuniting of the North and South. Many Christians fled at this time. But those who have remained have not allowed persecution to stop them from following Christ.

Believers are harassed, beaten, and imprisoned for preaching illegally or having unapproved evangelistic meetings. Instead of being weakened, the Christians in Vietnam grow stronger in their faith and in their resolve to live for Christ.

Our Presbyterian Church continues to work with the Evangelical Church of Vietnam. We had worked for years with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, until 1975. Now, with the C&MA and the national church, we join where we can in the areas of education, medicine, agriculture and business. Bibles continue to be a highly desired gift, since they are not allowed into the country in large quantities.

Some great success in reaching one tribe for Christ is among the hill people called Hmong. Here is one way to measure success: a report came to Church World Service, that almost 23 pastors from the Hmong Tribe, are now in prison. The work that they started, continues growing! Most gatherings are in house churches. They government cannot watch every house. Their numbers are growing.

Radio FEBC and FEBA continue broadcast Bible readings, messages of encouragement and teaching of God’s Word.

Again, with the tragedy of war came the wave of refugees to the United States. Many Christian denominations, including us Presbyterians, welcomed many of the displaced families from Vietnam. Because of love given in the name of Christ, many of these people not only found a new nation on earth, but a heavenly nation through Jesus Christ.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates:

We hear of Saudi and some of the Emirates mentioned in the news all the time, (like Dubai, and Abu Dahbi), come into the news regularly. The UAE can be found on the eastern side of Saudi Arabia, next to the Persian Gulf. The UAE does allow some Christian agencies in the area of medicine to work there. But Saudi Arabia continues to be closed to anyone who openly declares themselves Christian.

Believe it or not, until about the 8^th century, a strong Christian community grew in Saudi. Not now. Any person who does mission work or converts a Muslim faces jail, expulsion, or execution. Even expatriate Christians working in Saudi can be expelled if found with others in a worship setting. Since 1992, more than 360 cases have been documented, where people have been expelled for this reason.

But in spite of this, Saudi nationals who are Christian meet together regularly. Yes, they are very careful, for it could mean death, but it is happening. Thanks to concerned Presbyterians, who have joined with other evangelical groups, a steady stream of Christian radio, tapes and printed material find their way to eager seekers. The video, Jesus, with Arabic spoken, has been smuggled into the country and seen widely.

Bangladesh:

Formerly East Pakistan, this very young nation has shown both hostility to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a genuine eagerness to learn the truth that will make them free indeed. Until 1988, Bangladesh declared itself a secular state. After 1988, Islam was declared the official religion. A strong Hindu presence has made the political situation volatile and therefore open to the gospel. Persecution of Christians has occurred and caused much heartache. But the gospel continues to be proclaimed in wonderful ways.

For example, the Presbyterian Church makes itself known there. Christian Mission Hospital in Rajshahi (Rawj-shaw-hee) operates with missionary doctors of a husband-and-wife team of Leslie and Cynthia Morgan. Together with the Church of Bangladesh and the government, they offer basic medical services, health screening, and nutrition guidance. They are especially helpful to the young girls of the community. Girls are not considered worth anything, and are often left to die. Christian mission agencies, like World Vision, and several agencies of Baptist and Pentecostal churches, offer much needed help to the poorest of the poor. Because women and girls receive special care, whole families are beginning to respond to the gospel, Hindu and Moslem alike.

New churches are being formed in houses, with much of the leadership coming from those who are just maturing in Christ. The Christian Discipleship Centre and the Dhaka United Theological Seminary, are staffed by many Presbyterian professors who give their time in short-term studies. Many of the students take what they have learned at the Centre and Seminary to the small villages where pastors and elders live. Called Theological Education by Extension, (TEE), they have been able to strengthen the leaders in their faith and resolve to stand up to persecution with the love of God. Our church works with all Christians to promote the wonder-working power of Jesus Christ.

Torn apart by guerilla wars and drug cartels, the lives of many Christian workers have been lost. The various armed groups take hostages to extract money from their families or agencies. They also use them to drive home their own political agendas. Some of you might recall the missionary, Chet Bitterman, of the United States, who was taken hostage in the mid 1970's. He died at the hands of such people. He and his family gave of themselves in education and medicine to the Indian tribes in the hard-to-reach hill country. But that death has not stopped the gospel!

The Presbyterian Church makes an impact especially in education in Colombia. "There is at least one Presbyterian school," reports Alice Winters, "wherever we have a church." She gives of her time and talent as a co-mission worker with the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. They make an effort to reach the children in the most basic of learning: reading and writing. Their materials are limited, so they find the Bible the greatest source of teaching. And churches are growing! The evangelical church has grown from about 3% in 1960, to almost 20% of the population in 1995. Now, more converts are coming from the middle class of people. The government pays more attention to their leadership, even as the Christians risk their lives each day.

What can we do? Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit who came upon us so long ago. Pray! Even here, the gospel still needs to be heard. Pray! Pray like it is life or death! I call on you to PRAY! God will continue to bring into His Kingdom people just like you!