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Fresno, Calif.
Missionaries leave Pakistan but ministry continues


Mennonite Brethren missionaries Craig and Bridget Hallman are leaving Pakistan, their home for the past five years. Increasing tensions in central Asia have made Westerners, and Christians in particular, possible targets of violence. They arrived in North America in early November.

“We don’t want to jeopardize the Hallmans, or the tribal peoples they are working with,” said Tim Bergdahl, Director of Programs with MBMS International and himself a former missionary to Pakistan. “The Hallmans recognize the danger for themselves, but putting people they are trying to reach out to in danger is unacceptable.”

The Hallmans arrived in Pakistan in 1997 as missionaries with MBMS International, the global mission agency of Mennonite Brethren churches in Canada and the United States. They worked on a radio program ministry carried by Far Eastern Broadcasting. The programs were produced in Punjabi and about a half-dozen other languages. The ministry was started by MBMS International missionaries Gordon and Gwenyth Nickel in the early 1990s.

“Although the Hallmans prefer to stay in Pakistan, they are excited to start a new phase in their ministry,” said Bergdahl. After a time of ministry in North America, the Hallmans plan to establish a new base for the radio ministry, likely in the Middle East. “It’s important for people to understand that we’re not winding down this ministry. We’re looking for ways to ramp it up,” said Bergdahl. “We are looking to engage churches in ministry to the tribal peoples of Pakistan, committing to both prayer and finances. We want the church to participate in this ministry. Craig and Bridget will help look for those opportunities.”

 – Lisa Alvey, MBMS International

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Last modified December 16, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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