AP

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE RELEASES NEW BIBLE EDITION FOR TROOPS

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has unveiled a new edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible for its personnel. This marks the release of the first update in two decades. The new edition, tailored to the needs of service members in the Army, Navy and Air Force, includes prayers and content designed to support soldiers, sailors and aviators. The launch event, held on 13th March at the ADF’s headquarters in Canberra, featured a presentation by Tina King from Bible Society Australia and Major General Sue Graham, representing the chief of the Defence Force.
Tina King said: “This is not a book for a bookshelf; it is a book to be near. We hope it will be dog-eared, underlined, searched and cherished.” Chaplain Kerry Larwill spoke about the ongoing importance of spiritual resources for the military, saying: “For people who serve in Defence… it’s a source of light and hope to those who derive their meaning from a Christian perspective.” The new edition also includes a foreword from General (retired) David Hurley, former Governor-General of Australia and former patron of the Military Christian Fellowship of Australia. [Source: Australia Prayer Network.]

AN EVER INCREASING CHALLENGE FOR THE CHURCH – PROCLAIMING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE
AUSTRALIA is at a crossroads when it comes to how we value life—both at its beginning and at its end. In recent weeks, major developments across three jurisdictions have brought renewed attention to how our nation treats life at its most vulnerable. In New South Wales, Parliament passed a Greens-led abortion bill—but only after significant advocacy led to the removal of several deeply harmful provisions. In the Northern Territory, the Attorney-General has called for a reopening of the voluntary assisted dying inquiry to allow for fair and proper consultation this time around. And in Victoria, proposals are also now emerging to further expand access to voluntary assisted dying. [ACL]
In New South Wales, the Abortion Bill approved by the Upper House, did not include (i) the proposal weakening conscience protections for healthcare professionals which would require them to refer women directly for an abortion. No clinician should be compelled to act against their deeply held moral or ethical beliefs; (ii) the clause that would have granted the Health Minister powers to compel select hospitals, including faith-based institutions, to provide abortion services.
However the final bill now allows nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe abortion medication up to 9 weeks’ gestation, despite the fact that the US Ethics and Public Policy Center found that: “More than 1 in 10 women experience sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious adverse event within 45 days of taking Chemical Abortion Pills.” Studies also reveal that about half of the women who experience what’s called an “adverse event” after taking Abortion Pills, will likely end up in ‘emergency’ or hospitalized overnight leading in a number of cases to their death.
Meanwhile in its Annual Report, Planned Parenthood the largest US abortion provider, performed 402,230 abortions during that time (2024), an increase of nearly 10,000 abortions over the previous year (392,715). [A real challenge for the Church to reach out with the Gospel, and to teach what it means to have a Biblical Christian World View. Sources: Australian Christian Lobby, Student for Life Action (USA),  LifeNews.com and CBN News]

SEVEN YEARS SINCE ABDUCTED, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
The Leah Sharibu Foundation has marked the seventh year of Leah Sharibu’s captivity, describing her continued imprisonment as a “national tragedy”. Sharibu was captured along with more than 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe in 2018. Dr Gloria Puldu, president of the Foundation, made the statement during a press conference in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, reflecting on the impact of Leah’s ordeal since her abduction in 2018: “Today marks her eighth birthday spent away from her family, and it’s a painful reminder of the government’s failure to secure her release.” Puldu added: “We also call on the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and intelligence agencies to prioritise Sharibu’s case in the ongoing security operations.”
Dr Para Mallar, founder of The Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, has been actively involved in calling for the release of Leah since her abduction. He told Premier Christian News: “No contact is allowed between Leah and her family. Boko Haram has allowed other people to make contact with their families, but very strangely they have never established that kind of contact between Leah and her parents … and that tells me a lot.”
Christians are encouraged to continue to pray for the safe return of Leah, as well as others who have been abducted by Islamist forces in Nigerian and elsewhere. [Source: Premier Christian News]

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE VIA THE AIR-WAVES BRINGS SALVATION TO VILLAGES
One radio listener in a hill tribe region of Myanmar tells how shortwave radio became his connection to faith during a time of violent government opposition. When his home was burned down, he prayed to the ‘God of the radio’ for help. The next day he happened to meet workers from the Christian radio program who were sharing the gospel in his area. The result was he came to a clear knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Saviour and soon began a ministry to those in his area who were in dire need. Across the border in Thailand, a similar thing happened in another hill tribe village, where a good number 

CHRISTIANS IN NORTH KOREA
There is no way to measure the number of Christians in North Korea. Figures range from fewer than 100 to more than 100,000. This does not include the number in labour camps, which is estimated at between 50,000 and 100,000. No one knows all the methods used by believers to maintain their faith or spread it, because once believers are discovered to be Christians, they are banished to labour camps and usually never heard from again.
One North Korean believer revealed that the way he and his friends maintain their readership of the Word is to split up a Bible into small sections and hide them in different secret locations. Then, if the police find any one of these torn-out portions, the others are still safely scattered around the area. At home believers might bury themselves under their blankets so no one can hear their prayers. Some believers, when wanting to have a focused time of prayer, go out to a deserted place where there is no possibility of anyone seeing them.
Mobile phones smuggled into the country by North Koreans going to China for food are sometimes used for group worship. Four or five people might meet in a room close to the border where they can get reception, but sermons and prayers must be squeezed into a few minutes to limit the risks. The North Korean government is now using electronic trackers to find these phones, so the shorter the online activity, the less chance there is of being discovered.  [Source: Back to Jerusalem]

WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF….
MALAYSIAN RESTRICTIONS – The laws of Malaysia make it illegal to evangelise ethnic Malays, or even for them to own a Bible. However, Bibles keep infiltrating Malay-majority areas, and there are small groups of believers who meet secretly in homes. Last year 1,200 Bibles and 150 Study Bibles were given to new believers and house churches where many leaders have had limited theological education. Children’s Bibles, study books and Jesus story books are also provided.   [Source: Voice of the Martyrs]

CHURCH LIFE IN TAJIKISTAN – Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia and one of the most oppressive for Christians. Children are banned from attending church and all churches must supply names of at least ten members to be officially registered. However, no new churches have been registered in more than a decade, so unregistered congregations have no option but to meet secretly. Even previously registered churches receive visits from officials who often intimidate congregations and seize church property. No religious publications may be imported or distributed without official approval. [Source: Suffering Church]

THE CHURCH IN SLOVAKIA – Slovakia, the eastern part of what used to be Czechoslovakia, has a strong Christian heritage, though both Protestant and Catholic churches suffer from widespread nominalism and low attendance. But renewal movements are growing, especially those that focus on young people and small groups. The Romani (Gypsies), often misunderstood and marginalized, are perhaps the most responsive group to the gospel. Evangelical literature in Slovak is increasing and there are many Christian bookstores. The Bible and other materials are also available on the Internet and in audio format. Christian social media and radio programs reach out 24 hours daily in the Slovak and Czech languages, both through local stations and via Internet and satellite. There is still a need for more materials and broadcasts in the Romani languages. [Source: Operation World]

TENSIONS BUILDING IN BANGLADESH – Islamist hard-liners threaten to fill a political power vacuum left in Bangladesh after the collapse of the former government. In this previously tolerant Muslim nation, popular support for traditional parties has fallen, creating an opportunity for fundamentalist groups to promote their cause. Among their targets are Christians converted from a Muslim background, prompting believers to gather often to support each other through prayer and Bible study. [Source: Mission Network News]

ONGOING CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN – Sudan, whose civil war has passed the two-year mark, now hosts the single largest internally displaced population ever reported. Yet God is bringing good from Sudan’s tragedy. Muslims in refugee camps are hearing about Christ for the first time and turning to Him for salvation. Keep praying for an end to the war and for justice with tolerance for all. [Source: Mission Network News]

– compiled by Guido Kettniss