Elam Ministries has been training Iranian nationals to evangelize their nation for nearly 20 years
Ministry leaders say more Iranians are coming to Christ than ever before as many become disillusioned with the fundamentalist Islamic government that has brought them war, economic chaos and a religious dictatorship.

“I believe with all my heart that millions of Iranians can be won for Christ in our generation and profoundly impact not only the character of Iran, but also the whole of the Middle East,” said Sam Yeghnazar, founder of Elam Ministries, an organization that has been evangelizing in Iran for nearly 20 years.

Christians in Iran are also optimistic, said John Reinhold, president of the American Evangelistic Association (AEA), which partners with Elam. “They are completely convinced that Iran will become a Christian nation and will be the messenger to the Islamic world, that revival will spill out of there and actually change history,” he said.

Iran is largely Muslim, and conversion from Islam is illegal. But Yeghnazar said Iranians are very open to the gospel. “[Jesus] reminds them of all that they long to see in a true hero—a man who will stand up for truth, who is willing to sacrifice Himself for others and who will return to judge the world in righteousness,” he said.

With bases in the United Kingdom and U.S., Elam has been offering leadership training in Iran since it was founded in 1988. “It’s not a Western agency working to get Westerners into Iran,” said Clive Calver, former president of the Christian humanitarian organization World Relief and senior pastor of Walnut Hill Community Church in Connecticut. “It’s basically about Iranians ministering to their own people.”

But ministering among their own people has not shielded these Christians from persecution. Iranian government officials have not only required pastors to report proselytizers to the Ministry of Information but also have been known to tap phones, send informers to services and have pastors followed, Yeghnazar said.

Church leaders have also been imprisoned, and many have been martyred. But the threat of death has not stopped Iranian Christians. Yeghnazar said Assemblies of God churches, which have faced the most opposition, have “never shrunk from proclaiming the gospel to Muslims.”

The Tehran Assemblies of God church has a huge cross outside it, Calver said, “which is just ‘in your face’ to everybody. That ‘secret’ church … [is] openly showing its commitment.”

In the midst of such danger, Yeghnazar says Elam leaders are motivated by “the conviction that every Iranian should have the opportunity to hear the gospel.”

In addition to offering ministry training, Elam publishes books, broadcasts Christian television programs and translates Scripture into the Persian language. But Reinhold said what God is doing in Iran is “mind-boggling” and can’t be attributed solely to traditional evangelism methods. “The Lord seems to be taking a shortcut to reach the Islamic culture and mind,” he said.

Reinhold said an Iranian doctor told him he accepted Christ after seeing a vision in which Jesus told him, “You are Mine; follow Me.”

Yeghnazar said he has seen God do incredible wonders in Iran, but it always moves him when young Iranian men and women embrace the call to missions. “I don’t know what will happen to them,” he said, “but I know that the Lord of the harvest has promised: ‘Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
Rachael Cox

Assemblies of God Elects New General Superintendent
George O. Wood was named general superintendent of the Assemblies of God (AG) during the denomination’s 52nd General Council meeting in Indianapolis in August. Wood, who has served as the AG’s general secretary since 1993, replaced Thomas Trask, who resigned in mid-July with two years remaining in his term. Wood was one of five men elected to the AG’s executive leadership. L. Alton Garrison, former executive director of U.S. missions, was named assistant general superintendent; John Palmer, former executive presbyter of the North Central Region, was elected general secretary; Zollie L. Smith Jr., president of the AG’s National Black Fellowship, was named executive director of U.S. missions, becoming the first African-American elected to the denomination’s executive leadership team; and L. John Bueno was re-elected to serve as executive director of world missions.

Evangelical Leaders Express Support for Two-State Solution in Middle East
In a letter to President Bush published in The New York Times July 29, influential evangelical leaders urged the Bush administration to continue efforts to negotiate a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, breaking with the exclusively pro-Israel view common among many Christians. The 34 evangelicals, including the heads of such groups as World Vision, Fuller Theological Seminary and Vineyard USA, stated they sought “to correct a serious misperception” that “all American evangelicals are opposed to a two-state solution and creation of a new Palestinian state that includes the vast majority of the West Bank.” The letter added that blessing and loving people (including Jews and the present state of Israel) does not mean withholding criticism when it is warranted.” John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, told The New York Times that “Bible-believing evangelicals” would reject the letter’s assertion and that his group is strongly “opposed to America pressuring Israel to give up more land to anyone for any reason.”

Evangelist’s Tax-Evasion Indictment Dismissed
A California judge has dismissed the tax-evasion indictment filed against evangelist Morris Cerullo in July 2005. In his Aug. 8 ruling, San Diego federal Judge Roger T. Benitez said federal prosecutors and Internal Revenue Service agents misled the grand jury on the primary legal issue in the case by not telling them that the donor’s intent determines whether money given to ministers is taxable earned income or a nontaxable gift. “The grand jury asked repeatedly how to distinguish a gift from earnings,” Benitez wrote in his decision. “… Yet, the prosecutor and the revenue agent witnesses failed to tell the grand jury that the donor’s intent is the most critical factor.” In July 2005, Cerullo was indicted for allegedly filing false tax returns between 1998 and 2000, and under-reporting his income by $550,000 during that time. Benitez said prosecutors argued that all the money Cerullo received from preaching engagements was earned income. But the givers’ intent was never determined because prosecutors didn’t interview any donors.

Imprisoned Chinese House-Church Leader Admits Guilt
The prominent founder of a house-church network in southern China has reportedly admitted some level of guilt related to his prior conviction, China Aid Association (CAA) reported in August. Pastor Gong Shengliang, founder of the underground South China Church, was arrested in 2001 in Hubei Province and sentenced to death for “organizing and utilizing a cult organization to undermine law enforcement, to intentionally cause bodily injury and to commit rape.” International pressure during his resulting high-profile trial commuted his sentence to life in prison. CAA said initially Gong was thought to be innocent of all the allegations. But the advocacy organization conducted an “extensive independent investigation” and was sent a letter in which Gong acknowledges some culpability.

David E. Schoch Dies
David E. Schoch, a prophetic minister who became prominent in the Latter Rain movement of the 1950s and 1960s, died July 19 in his Benbrook, Texas, home. He was 87. Schoch founded what is now known as City at the Cross in Long Beach, Calif., and ministered around the world during 60 years of ministry. Funeral services were held in Fort Worth, Texas, July 26. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Audene; a brother, daughter, son, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

LaMar Boschman Resigns From Worship Institute
Worship leader LaMar Boschman resigned as president of WorshipInstitute.com and the International Worship Institute, which he and his wife founded 21 years ago, after admitting to a moral failure. “I am so deeply sorry to tell all of you that I have had an ongoing problem with ambition, pride, and coveteousness,” Boschman wrote in a statement posted on the Worship Institute Web site. “My extreme narcissism has resulted in self-indulgence and a moral breakdown. I have a deep regret for the realization of how this has brought, and will continue to bring, harm and pain to those I love dearly.” Steve Fry has been named president of the organizations, which offer training in worship ministry through conferences and workshops.

Randy and Paula White are ending their marriage and splitting their ministry operations
One of the most prominent ministry couples in the United States has announced they will go their separate ways after nearly 18 years of marriage. Randy and Paula White, founders of Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., broke the news to a stunned congregation on Aug. 23 without giving details about why they are divorcing.

“It’s the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make in my entire life,” Randy White told the congregation. His wife stood by his side at the podium and promised to return to the church often to preach.

“This has been an ongoing process and journey,” Paula White said. “But God is always faithful. God always carries you through the dark places of life.”

In interviews with the Tampa Tribune, Randy White said numerous visits to counselors had not solved the problems in his marriage. He said he takes “100 percent responsibility” for the divorce—although both Whites said the breakup does not involve a third party.

“I want to apologize for the poor decisions I’ve made in my life, to my congregation and to the body of Christ,” Randy White told the Tribune. “I think I’ve let a lot of people down.”

He added that he regrets being seen in public with other women, noting that those incidents were innocent.

“It’s like hearing the news from your parents,” Without Walls member Frank Murillo told the Tribune after the divorce announcement. “They are great people. We all go through stuff. Pastor Randy will be here, and I will be here.”

Randy White plans to continue leading his 23,000-member church, which is more than $20 million in debt despite collecting $40 million in income last year. His wife will continue her multifaceted businesses and outreaches, along with her signature Paula White Today talk show, which airs on BET, CMT and other television channels.

The Whites told their congregation they had grown apart in recent years. Paula White currently spends her time in California, San Antonio and New York City, where she owns a condo in the Trump Tower and sponsors success seminars. At one time Randy White was preparing to launch a church in Malibu, Calif., a plan he is no longer pursuing.

In recent months Paula White has aligned her ministry with Rick Hawkins, founding pastor of Family Praise Center in San Antonio. She has purchased a $681,000 home there and accepted a part-time leadership position at the church, which is now led by Hawkins’ son, Dustin.

With their folksy, flamboyant style, the Whites have gained a strong following in both white and black churches in the United States and are known for pioneering innovative evangelism efforts, particularly in poor neighborhoods. But they also have generated controversy in recent years because of their emphasis on financial prosperity.

The Tampa Tribune reported in June that Paula White’s New York condo was valued at about $3.5 million and the couple’s Tampa home has an assessed value of $2.2 million.

The Whites’ ministry also owns a private jet and other properties. It is not clear yet how the Whites will divide their assets. The couple has four adult children, three from his first marriage and one from hers.

In an interview with Charisma, Paula White said the breakup of her marriage has been a deeply painful experience but that she will not let it stop her from fulfilling God’s purpose for her life.

“I understand that I am a public figure, but this is a very private matter,” she said. “[The divorce] is closure to a chapter, but it is not the end of the story. I’m very optimistic about the future.”

In several ways the Whites’ divorce breaks new ground in American religion because there are so few husband-and-wife teams in the nation’s pulpits. Paula White long has been viewed as the stronger preacher. Her personal ministry generates $50,000 to $80,000 a week in donations and product sales, the Tribune said. She believes audiences will still support her when she begins her solo career.

Divorced ministers sometimes step down from ministry, at least for a season of rehabilitation. But the Whites did not mention any plans to take a break. Besides her bases in San Antonio and New York—from which she will manage her Life by Design seminars—Paula White said she will maintain an office in Tampa.
J. Lee Grady

Worship from Casting Crowns, Paul Baloche
Plus New fiction releases
Loving God When You Don’t Love the Church
By Chris Jackson, Chosen, softcover, 208 pages, $13.99.

Although the title may lead one to think the author endorses leaving tradition behind for cell groups, house churches or other alternatives, Chris Jackson delivers a stirring exhortation for the body of Christ to mature. Executive pastor at Dutch Sheets’ Freedom Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jackson doesn’t gloss over the fact that some churches deal in spirit-killing legalism or function more like spiritual fraternities than loving fellowships. Yet this book forces readers to look deep within and acknowledge that their flaws and shortcomings have hurt others instead of carting around grudges for the offenses others inflict on them. Particularly insightful is the chapter titled “Ten Times Better,” in which he questions whether Christians’ marriages, job performance and integrity are 10 times better than those around them—as were the wisdom and understanding of Daniel and his friends in Babylon (see Dan. 1:19-20). Jackson emphasizes that one reason so many people are leaving the church is that there is seldom a discernible difference between Christians and the world.
Ken Walker

BOOKS

Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage
By Stormie Omartian, Harvest House Publishers, hardcover, 250 pages, $21.99.
Stormie Omartian tackles 14 of the most difficult problems that confront couples today in Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage: Protecting Your Relationship So It Will Last a Lifetime. Knowing firsthand the joys and sorrows of marriage, she shares wisdom gained from personal experience. Deftly balancing practical advice with prayer, Omartian reminds readers that the dangers to the marriage union are primarily spiritual. In lighter moments, she tells stories of her chihuahua, Wrigley, to help illustrate the importance of good communication. At other times, Omartian offers sober advice on how to cope with a spouse’s addictions and infidelities. Each chapter concludes with a prayer and selected Scripture passages for personal reflection. Omartian’s latest title will appeal to both husbands and wives and also to couples considering marriage. After years of writing her best-selling The Power of a Praying series, Omartian undoubtedly has something to say about integrating the practice of prayer into the oft-challenging marriage relationship.
David Rogers

Prophecy & Responsibility
By Graham Cooke, Brilliant Book House, softcover, 245 pages, $17.99.
Author Graham Cooke declares, “The world today desperately needs a prophetic church.” In the pages of Prophecy & Responsibility, Cooke sets forth a lesson guide in prophecy that will bring about required, and much desired, functionality and efficiency to an essential spiritual gift. To those who apply its teachings, Prophecy & Responsibility will help a prophet learn how to be “accountable,” “humble,” “safe” and “strong.” Although many churches crave the freshness of a spiritual “word” in their midst, many don’t know what prophetic ministry looks like. Still others have denied the potential for fear of error and misuse. Cooke embraces Scripture in order to define and map out a practical route to prophetic service.
James Estrada

I Dare You
By Joyce Meyer, FaithWords, hardcover, 256 pages, $22.99.
“If purpose is our journey and destination, then passion is the fuel that’s going to get us there.” This is just one of the many nuggets you will gain from reading Joyce Meyer’s newest book, I Dare You. This book is the missing link to many messages on purpose. Meyer positions herself as a “purpose coach,” taking readers from dream to reality with each passing chapter. With the “I Dare You” action points, readers are challenged step-by-step to move further out of their comfort zones and into their life purposes. Sections such as “Check Your Motives” and the teaching on the eight ways people extinguish their own passions will not only get readers where they want to go but will also help keep them there.
Jevon Bolden

Pray Big
By Will Davis Jr., Revell, softcover, 208 pages, $12.99.
Pastor and intercessor Will Davis Jr. believes that one of the best ways to access God’s power is through a deliberate prayer life. He offers simple tips on praying for brokenness, praying during periods of “spiritual blackout” and even praying for your prayer life. His perspective is bolstered with scriptural principles and peppered with vibrant and compelling personal encounters. In order to pray big, Davis says, one must abandon the meaningless, Christianized terms during prayer and instead pray specific, aggressive “pinpoint prayers” in understandable language. In other words, prayer should contain “no fluff, no fat, no extra words or theologically heavy terms.” Actually, Davis seems to interject this advice into his own writing style. By communicating practical truths without leaning upon elevated diction, Davis crafts a prayer manual for the everyday believer. By offering daring, concise prayers Davis helps make speaking to God “as natural as breathing.”
Jonathan Merritt

Applying the Kingdom
By Myles Munroe, Destiny Image Publishers, hardcover, 256 pages, $24.99.
Author and teacher Myles Munroe uses his third book in his Kingdom series to teach readers the importance of establishing and following through with priorities—and the top priority should be establishing the kingdom. He says that priority was never a problem with the first family in the Garden of Eden. They had all their needs met, and ruling was their top priority, not pursuing resources. All that changed after the fall. Today man’s consuming priority is in meeting personal needs. Munroe works to offer a solution to the materialism trap that is evident all around us. He provides practical principles designed to free readers from the self-destructive spirit of materialism so they can experience stress-free living above the world’s standards of success. He wraps up each chapter with a handful of principles that quickly and simply summarize the lessons taught.
Rhonda Sholar

MUSIC

Every Reason Why
By Mark Roach, Myrrh Records.
Worship leader Mark Roach delivers his debut album, Every Reason Why. His voice will soon be unmistakable to everyone, but it’s his lyrics that will stir listeners’ hearts to sing along and worship the Lord (toe-tapping or even dancing is likely to occur). Serving as worship pastor at Morning Star Church in Missouri, Roach writes music for the church. His smooth voice fits well on rousing songs such as opener “A Thousand Hallelujahs,” yet seamlessly flows straight into ballads such as “You Are,” which declares who God is. “As Long As I Have You” offers an upbeat tempo as well as faith-filled words of courage, declaring that as long as we have Him we can face anything. These songs are perfect for worship—at home or at church.
Leigh Devore

Pages
By Shane & Shane, Inpop Records.
After more than three years Shane & Shane are back with a new release. The songs came directly from the pages of Shane Barnard’s journal—hence the title, Pages. “Beg” does just that—it’s a cry for God to break through and cause us to love Him more. “Burn Us Up” speaks of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s trust in God and willingness to surrender. “We Love You Jesus” is a rousing song about love but also about death and how Jesus takes away the sting. “Holiday” is a pleasant, upbeat song that declares that Jesus is “my favorite part of me.” This duo continues to offer the acoustic-based melodies and reflective lyrics fans have come to expect and relish.
Leigh Devore

Our God Saves
By Paul Baloche, Integrity Music.
Singer-songwriter Paul Baloche demonstrates again why he is one of the most prominent names in praise and worship music with his latest album, Our God Saves. In keeping with the genre, Baloche writes emotive, lyrically repetitive songs that build to a crescendo. But unlike many of his colleagues, he never gets too comfortable with any one style, as this latest album demonstrates. Incorporating moments of rock, pop and even country, Baloche gives listeners more than a dozen songs, which collectively clock in at just over an hour in length. The disc is a comprehensive worship experience, from “Beyond Us (Only True God),” a soaring duet with Kathryn Scott, to the rock song “Your Love Came Down,” a surprisingly powerful number with arresting lyrics (“Your blood ran down from Your head to Your face, from Your hands to Your feet”). Nice moments on the album also include Baloche’s beautiful arrangement of “Rock of Ages,” as well as his duet with worship leader Matt Redman (“I Cling to the Cross”). “The Kingdom of God” and “Our God Saves,” the title track, are both fairly standard. Baloche is best when he’s doing something a little out of the ordinary. Yet, even when he’s not, his songs are catchy—and likely coming to a church near you.
Cameron Conant

The Altar and the Door
By Casting Crowns, Reunion Records.
Casting Crowns return with their third album, The Altar and the Door. This collection is packed with faith-filled, heart-stirring lyrics that will challenge and encourage listeners and bring glory and honor to God. Opener “What the World Needs” offers hard-hitting truth that Christians have to care more about the inside than appearances, and we have to stop being so like the world that the world can’t see a difference in us. The title track is based on how easy it is to know right from wrong when spending time with Him. But somewhere between “the altar and the door” we can lose sight of the lines. “I Know You’re There” is an album highlight with Megan Garrett taking lead vocals. She declares: “I know You’re there / I know You see me / You’re the air I breathe / You are the ground beneath me / I know You’re there / I know you hear me / I can find You anywhere.” This group continues to create music that helps usher listeners into God’s presence.
Leigh Devore

Fiction

SUPERNATURAL

Angel
By Alton Gansky, Realms, softcover, 304 pages, $12.99.
California has a new visitor. Aster speaks with wisdom and makes promises—and miracles happen all around him. People are drawn to him: Politicians look to him for advice, and religious leaders befriend him. It seems only one person is leery of this stranger. Priscilla Simms, an investigative journalist, is determined to find out if Aster is too good to be true. She could lose everything, even her life, in uncovering the truth.

ROMANCE

A Family in Full
By Vanessa Del Fabbro, Steeple Hill, softcover, 331 pages, $13.95.
Monica Brunett’s life seems idyllic in Lady Helen, South Africa. She has two adopted sons, a meaningful career, great friends and a beau. But things aren’t perfect. A young girl holds a grudge against Monica, a friend is filled with grief and criminals are wreaking havoc on the village. But Monica has the faith to know that love is worth any risk.

CONTEMPORARY

A Promise to Remember
By Kathryn Cushman, Bethany House Publishers, softcover, 320 pages, $13.95.
Two women’s lives collide when their teenage sons are killed in a car accident. Melanie Johnston, a single mom, feels the rich boy is getting more attention from the press. Andie Phelps, the wealthy son’s mother, and her husband feel partly responsible for the boys’ deaths. Melanie is determined to keep her son’s legacy alive and sues the Phelps, dividing the church, friends and the community.

New On DVD

3:16 Stories of Hope
Lionsgate $19.98
This companion DVD to Max Lucado’s new book, 3:16 the Numbers of Hope, features Lucado’s teaching on the message of John 3:16. He also wrote the story for the short film included, which has themes of rebellion and consequences, forgiveness, and unconditional love. This DVD has a running time of 75 minutes.

Buzby and the Grumble Bees
Thomas Nelson $14.99
Hermie and Friends are back. Buzby’s niece and nephew come for a visit and everyone gets a rude awakening when the two youngsters misbehave. Buzby’s friends devise a plan to teach them the importance of cleaning up after themselves, using good table manners and getting enough sleep. Victoria Jackson (Saturday Night Live) joins the cast as Beebee.

Travel the Road Season 2
Challenge for Christ Ministries $49.99
Follow along as missionaries Tim Scott and Will Decker travel from Borneo to the Himalayan Mountains to Tibet. The pair shares the gospel wherever they go. Season two is now available on DVD, and the 14 episodes add up to more than 500 minutes of footage. Also included are commentary, deleted scenes, maps, photo galleries, country profiles and much more.

Watch and Pray

Mike Bickle’s worship-driven prayer movement partners with GOD TV.

In July, GOD TV moved its cameras into the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, Mo., transmitting to more than 200 countries live footage of a worship-fueled prayer room that has burned day and night since September 1999.
“Our vision with GOD TV is to [work together] to establish 100,000 houses of prayer [worldwide],” says Mike Bickle, founder and director of IHOP. “We are not establishing an IHOP network. … We do not want them to be called IHOP, but rather to use whatever name the Lord gives them.”

Bickle’s partnership with GOD TV formed after the network’s founders, Rory and Wendy Alec, interviewed him last October during GOD TV’s initial U.S. launch. He now heads GOD TV’s global division of prayer and hosts a daily one-hour devotional program. GOD TV also airs three hours of IHOP’s prayer room live every day and streams it 24-7 over its Web site, god.tv.

Bickle’s vision for nonstop prayer began in 1983 when prophetic minister Bob Jones declared Bickle would spearhead a “24-hour house of prayer in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David.” Bickle says that at the time “the Lord promised we would eventually have 5,000 full-time staff.”

Today IHOP is nearly halfway there, due in large part to its distinctive “harp and bowl” model of prayer—worship music mixed with intercession. “You can’t imagine how powerful it can be to mingle songs with spoken prayers and proclamations,” said Rory Alec, GOD TV’s co-founder and CEO, after he visited IHOP.

The harp and bowl model of prayer is sustainable, Bickle says, because it’s both powerful and enjoyable. “[Without intimacy in Jesus] it is much more difficult to motivate people to pray [for hours]. The war cry in prayer is best fueled by love songs.”

Bickle says some Christians find it difficult to accept the idea that aside from training and outreach, the primary responsibility of IHOP’s 1,300 full-time staff and students is worship and intercession.

“We believe that the most effective way to evangelize and care for people is in the context of night-and-day prayer, which releases more of the power of God in our labors,” he says. “This is a new paradigm for many in the church today. The New Testament presents the missions movement as deeply connected to continual prayer.”

Over the satellites of the fast-growing GOD TV, Bickle hopes thousands of believers will tune in and catch IHOP’s latest vision for 100,000 houses of prayer worldwide.
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli