March 2010

Paul Estabrooks

Rev. Paul Estabrooks was the project coordinator 27 years ago for the delivery of one million Bibles to China in one night called Project Pearl. TIME magazine called it "Risky Rendezvous in Swatow," but he says, "for me it was the most exciting night of my life! The subsequent testimonies of Chinese people who received those Bibles suggest it was also the most significant activity of my life...as well as for the other nineteen men on the team."

Estabrooks is a veteran foreign missionary with a deep concern for Christians in restricted
countries. He is the author of SECRETS TO SPIRITUAL SUCCESS, a volume documenting life lessons from those who have experienced "the lion's den." He also compiled a major training manual used around the world entitled STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM for Christians experiencing or preparing for pressure and persecution. His latest books are ESCAPE FROM NORTH KOREA and NIGHT OF A MILLION MIRACLES about Project Pearl.

He joined Open Doors with Brother Andrew in 1979 as research manager for the Asia region to locate, encourage and assist persecuted Christians. Prior to joining Open Doors, Estabrooks, whose roots are in Maritime Eastern Canada, served eight years with the Far East Broadcasting Company in Manila, Philippines as the head of the overseas program department.

"It was during these years of considerable travel throughout Asia that I developed an awareness and concern for Christians in spiritual need in countries like China, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, and Burma," he says.

He has also served Open Doors as Southeast Asia Coordinator as well as Director for Canada.

As a representative of Open Doors, he has visited Christians in restricted countries as diverse as Cuba, Tibet, China, Mongolia, the former Soviet Union, Africa and the Middle East. He also has shared his experiences with the Suffering Church with numerous audiences in Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, South America, and North America.

Estabrooks graduated from Tyndale University College (London, Ontario) in 1966 with a Bachelor of Theology degree. He later received a Bachelor and Master of Arts (with distinction) from Wayne State University in Detroit majoring in mass communications.

He and his wife, Dianne, have been married for 44 years. They have three grown married children, and seven grandchildren. They make their home in London, Ontario, Canada and summer in Harbourville, Nova Scotia.

Nizar Shaheen

Nizar Shaheen is the Founder and President of Light For All Nations Ministries which produces Arabic language Christian television programming seen all over the world via satellite and the internet. The flagship program is Light For All Nations which began in 1984, making it the longest running Arabic Christian television program. By 1996 Light For All Nations was seen via satellite throughout the entire Middle East, North Africa and in much of Europe. Now the program can also be seen throughout North America, Mexico and Australia.

When Nizar was in his early twenties he came to know the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour through the witness of a missionary. He quickly grew in faith and in the knowledge of the Lord, as he seriously studied the Bible. Nizar graduated from Bible College, became an ordained minister and continued to preach and teach, as he does today.

Nizar has been a frequent Bible teacher on Canada’s 100 Huntley Street program and has written a commentary on the Old Testament called Day Unto Day and a two volume book entitled The Unique Christ. Nizar’s ministry, in both English and Arabic is well-received and has resulted in many people coming to know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour

Gracia Burnham

Gracia Burnham is the widow of Martin Burnham and the mother of Jeff, Mindy and Zach.

For 17 years she and Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines where Martin was a jungle pilot delivering mail, supplies and encouragement to other missionaries and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities. Gracia served in various roles supporting the aviation program and also home-schooled their children--all of which were born in the Philippines.

While celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, the Burnhams were kidnapped on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group, a militant group of Muslims. They seized several more guests and took them to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold.

In the ensuing months some of the hostages were killed, but most were set free. From November 2001, only the Burnhams and one other hostage remained in captivity.

During their 376 days of captivity, they faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, frequent gun battles, coldhearted murder-and intense soul-searching about a God who sometimes seemed to have forgotten them.

On June 7, 2002, in a firefight between the Philippine military and the Abu Sayyaf Group, Martin was killed. Gracia was wounded, but was freed.

Since that time Gracia has authored two books, In The Presence Of My Enemies, and To Fly Again. Her oldest son, Jeff, is now married and living in Lynchburg, VA where he is completing his studies in missionary aviation at Liberty University. Mindy has graduated from high school and is attending New Tribes Bible Institute in Wisconsin. Zach will graduate from Rose Hill High in May 2009 and is looking forward to what God has in his future. Gracia resides in Rose Hill, Kansas. Because of her unique story, Gracia is a popular speaker for churches, conferences and schools.

For more information visit http://www.graciaburnham.org/index.asp