Israeli archaeologists say they have found a rock which early Christians believed was a resting place for Mary and Joseph as they travelled to Bethlehem. The uneven piece of limestone protrudes from the floor of a fifth-century Byzantine church and was discovered accidently after construction workers laying pipe for a new housing project damaged the church's foundation. It is believed early Christians made pilgrimages to the rock. The church was built around the rock, destroyed, rebuilt at least once, then finally destroyed in the 8th or 9th century. It was only rediscovered six years ago during widening of the Jerusalem-Bethlehem highway.--EPNS
Michael Lichtenberger, former controller of Bethel College in North Newton Kan., pleaded guilty Jan. 27 to three counts of theft and four counts of forgery related to the embezzlement of funds from the Mennonite college. The theft charges account for about $78,000 US and the forgery charges about $32,000 of the approximately $1.3 million of college funds that were taken. Lichtenberger, who has admitted responsibility for his actions to the college and the community, will participate in a victim-offender reconciliation program. As part of his plea-bargain, he will make full restitution of all funds stolen. He will be sentenced March 18 when he could receive 11-34 months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 on each theft charge and 7-23 months in prison and the same fine on each forgery charge. Bethel College has so far recovered $450,000--$100,000 in cash and assets from Lichtenberger and $350,000 from the bonding agency that insured him. Lichtenberger was fired as controller in June, 1997 after the embezzlement was discovered.--MENNONITE WEEKLY REVIEW
Herald Press in Scottdale, Penn., says it will coordinate publishing books with Pandora Press, Kitchener, Ont., and Pandora Press U.S., Telford, Penn. The two smaller publishers will publish smaller-run scholarly books using less expensive processes, while Herald Press will publish larger-market books and help with marketing. Joint publishing will include Herald Press's Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History series. Herald Press is the publishing arm of the Mennonite Church, while the other two are independent scholary publishers.--HERALD PRESS, PANDORA PRESS, PANDORA PRESS U.S.
Mission America, a coalition of over 300 Christian leaders, representing about 170,000 churches, denominations, parachurch ministries and ministry networks, met recently in St. Louis, Mo. to share a vision of nationwide evangelism. Mission America's evangelism initiative, Celebrate Jesus 2000, aims to "pray for and share Christ with every person in the US by year-end 2000". Already 56 denominations, including the US MB Conference, have pledged to be a part of Celebrate Jesus 2000. Paul Cedar, former president of The Evangelical Free Church of America, co-leads the coalition. Mission America is an outgrowth of the Lausanne Movement, and a cooperative effort with The AD2000 and Beyond Movement.--MISSION AMERICA NEWS RELEASE
The Mennonite Society of Calgary held its annual meeting in Highland MB Church Oct. 30. The Society was formed eight months earlier for the purpose of constructing and inter-Mennonite Senior's housing project. Committee reports were given on land development, finance, public relations and the constitution. The membership approved the Society's mission statement, vision statement, objectives and constitution.--MENNONITE SOCIETY OF CALGARY
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play will be presenting its fifth annual production this summer in Drumheller, Alta. The play, a re-enactment of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, is staged in an outdoor amphitheatre seating 2,300 people. The dates for this summer's performances are June 26, 27, 28, July 3, 4, 5. Tickets can be obtained by phoning 403-823-7750.--THE CANADIAN BADLANDS PASSION PLAY SOCIETY
Promise Keepers Canada will hold three major men's conferences in 1998 under the theme, "Living a Legacy". The sites are: Saskatchewan Place, Saskatoon, April 24-25; Kitchener (Ont.) Memorial Auditorium, Sept. 18-19 and Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, Oct. 23-24. All conferences will be free of charge this year, but men are asked to register by calling 1-800-901-9700.--PROMISE KEEPERS
Promise Keepers, the Denver-based Christian men's movement, has announced it will lay off all its 345 paid staff March 31. The multimillion-dollar ministry will pay all its bills and until further notice will rely on 20,000 volunteers to run 19 US stadium events in 1998. Last fall, PK founder and CEO, Bill McCartney, former University of Colorado football coach, eliminated the $60 US admission fee that had been charged at its rallies since 1991, losing 72% of its income. With last October's free "Stand in the Gap" rally in Washington, D.C. drawing between 1.3 and 2.4 million men, early fund-raising could not cover all expenses. McCartney remains undaunted and is asking churches for assistance.--WESTERN REPORT
The number of languages having at least a part of the Bible is 2197. Since 1996, eight more languages have translations of the entire Bible, and 30 more languages have either a New Testament or a portion translated. Almost 200 languages have been added since 1993. Modern technology is credited for the rapid increase. At year-end, 1997, there were worldwide 929 translations of portions of the Bible, 905 New Testament translations and 363 entire Bible translations. Of the total 2197, Africa had 617; Asia 542; Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific 384; Europe 197; North America 75; and Caribbean Islands, Central America, Mexico and South America 379.--CANADIAN BIBLE SOCIETY
It is estimated that 10,000 Christians in Egypt convert to Islam every year, mostly due to the lure of a higher standard of living and to avoid discrimination.--COMPASS DIRECT
Two foreign Christians studying in Guangzhou (Canton), southern China, were deported last November because they opened their Bible as local Chinese were visiting in their apartment. The two students claimed they were not evangelizing, but happened to meet some Chinese and invited them back to their apartment. As they talked, they opened and read from a Bible. The Chinese informed police, who told them to leave a few days later. A student protest was unsuccessful in keeping the students in China. Both are now in their own countries. Chinese law forbids foreign students from participating in "missionary activities".--COMPASS DIRECT
The first ever conference to address the problem of persecution in India was being planned by Indian evangelical leaders in New Delhi March 23. The Indian government has a National Minorities Commission which effectively handles claims of persecution, but so far it has only recognized the Roman Catholic Conference of Bishops. Until now, evangelicals have not been well enough organized to effectively lodge complaints.--COMPASS DIRECT
The Association of Christians in Business in Russia, founded and supported by Mennonite Economic Development Associates, has formed Clubs for Fair and Ethical Business. There are about 12 clubs in Moscow and several in other cities which meet regularly for fellowship, prayer and discussion of ethical issues in the workplace.--MEDA
A four-year, $2.9 million Rural Marketing Program sponsored by Mennonite Economic Development Associates and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency will help farmers in Bolivia with technical support to increase crop production and provide assistance in marketing. About 2000 farm families are expected to benefit from the program.--MEDA
Surveys by George Barna's organization in the US indicate that "born-again Christians" have a higher divorce rate (27%) than non-Christians (23%). An even higher rate, 33%, is found among those who describe themselves as "fundamentalists".--CURRENT THOUGHTS & TRENDS
Justice Minister Anne McLellan has said that the Canadian government will not pass a law granting rights to unborn children after the Supreme Court ruled that courts cannot confine pregnant women to treatment programs in order to protect an unborn child. The case that prompted the Supreme Court ruling involved a pregnant solvent addict from Winnipeg.--CANADA WATCH
One Church-One Offender, an organization in Fort Wayne, Ind., reports that only 15% of prison inmates who have been in its program return to jail compared with the usual local repeat offender rate of 50%. One Church-One Offender works with non-violent, one-time offenders who did not commit a crime involving lethal weapons. It connects these inmates with support committees in churches. It is estimated that the program saves the community $600,000 US annually in lower jail costs. Since its inception, 49 church committees have been trained and there are 28 churches presently involved in the program.--IN TOUCH
Chechnya, the break-away republic of the former Soviet Union which fought for its independence in a war 1994-1996, could become an Islamic state if its president, Aslan Maskhadov has his way. The Chechen parliament is drafting constitutional amendments to eliminate contradictions between its laws and the Koran, the Muslim holy book, but it is unlikely to declare Chechnya an Islamic republic. Islamic influences, however, appear to be growing: banning the sale of alcohol, allowing Islamic courts to operate alongside civil ones, encouraging women to wear religious clothing and pushing schools to segregate boys and girls.--COMPASS DIRECT
Foreign aid spending by rich countries fell by $3.8 billion US to $55.8 billion in 1996. Eleven industrial countries reduced their foreign aid. In contrast, private groups increased their aid by $80 million to $234 billion. About 1.3 billion people in the world live on less than $1 a day.--WORLD PULSE
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