Around the World, May 2016
RECIFE — More than 530 Christians gathered to praise God and break bread during the final day of the Northeast Christian Lectureship, known as “Congresso.”
“This four-day fellowship feast is held in a different city of Northeast Brazil each year with a different local congregation hosting it,” said missionary Mike Pruitt. The 100-member Peixinhos in Recife’s northern suburb of Olinda hosted this year’s Congresso, the 30th. Antonio Silva preaches for the congregation. “Being Like Jesus” was the theme.
CROATIA 
Barrett Coffman of the Southside Church of Christ in Lexington, Ky., speaks at the retreat. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
CRIKVENICA — More than 100 people — from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria and the U.S. — gathered for the 21st Retreat for Spiritual Renewal in this city on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, said Mladen Dominic, minister for a Church of Christ in Varzdin.
“All the people said that the joy of Holy Spirit was present all the time,” Dominic said.
MYANMAR
YANGON — What is Christianity?
Speakers of Lisu — a language heard in parts of Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and India — will soon be able to ponder that question in their native tongue.
Steve Williams’ book, “What is Christianity” recently was translated into Lisu and printed for distribution in Yangon, thanks to support and logistics arranged by the Barrier family, according to a news release from Heritage Christian University in Florence, Ala., where Williams teaches Christian theology.
NEW CALEDONIA
NOUMEA — “This is the first time in my life I have heard such a clear explanation of God’s Word. It’s as if a light has been turned on.”
That was the reaction of an elderly woman after attending a seminar conducted by Barry Baggott, a longtime missionary to French-speaking nations and director of French World Outreach. Baggott and Christophe Muller, a member of a Church of Christ in Strasbourg, France, traveled to New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, east of Australia, to follow up with contacts and conduct Bible studies.
“While our previous trips have not yet resulted in a faithful congregation in the territory,” Baggott said, “the repeated trips there have helped us to develop relationships with people who in turn lead us to others with whom we can share the Gospel.”
Daniel Frérot, minister for the Strasbourg church, and his family continue to work with three Christians and other contacts on the island, Baggott said.
For more information, see www.frenchworldoutreach.org.
