European Baptists and Protestants agree to cooperate
The European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) have signed an agreement committing the two organisations to closer collaboration. The agreement was signed at a meeting of the EBF near Rome last week by its General Secretary, Tony Peck, and the General Secretary of the CPCE, Michael Buenker. The two organisations are now ‘mutually cooperating bodies’ and will attend each other’s council meetings and general assemblies. The agreement also binds them to regular joint meetings and consultations to explore points of common interest and concern. Peck welcomed the agreement as a ‘clear sign of closer cooperation. Both branches of the Reformation have much to give to each other and much to receive from each other,’ he said. Formal and informal relations already exist between many CPCE churches and EBF unions in several European countries, including Britain. Pray: for this move of cooperation will be a step towards bringing unity in God’s Church. (Jn.17:23) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/european.baptists.and.protestants.sign.agreement.of.cooperation/26815.htm
Romania: Gypsies find hope in Christ
The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back to Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009 he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history. Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. ‘What you realize as you travel around is so many of the gypsy communities haven't moved forward at all,’ Hoy said. ‘They are exactly where they were, whether it's 10 years, 20 years - they haven't moved at all.’ (See also Prayer Alert 3510 ) Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit and pray that many more will be blessed. (Gen.1:28a) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
Romania: Gypsies find hope in Christ
The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back to Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009 he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history. Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. ‘What you realize as you travel around is so many of the gypsy communities haven't moved forward at all,’ Hoy said. ‘They are exactly where they were, whether it's 10 years, 20 years - they haven't moved at all.’ (See also Prayer Alert 3510 ) Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit and pray that many more will be blessed. (Gen.1:28a) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
Outreach brings Leicester to a standstill
Residents of and visitors to Leicester were told to ‘come just as you are’ on Saturday, September 18, 2010, as the Jesus Loves Leicestershire's (JLL) team hosted its fourth annual ‘Fire And Glory’ event in the Leicester city centre. And come they did, as thousands of shoppers and onlookers flocked to the huge stage at Humberstone Gate, one of the main shopping streets in Leicester, to witness one of the city's biggest annual Christian outreach events. Praise groups, singers, rappers and evangelists took to the stage for a successful day of worship, praise and thanksgiving. Local resident Maria Moseley, 62, from Leicester Christian Fellowship, spoke of how she had been healed of osteoarthritis after spending 28 years in a wheelchair. Praise: God for this initiative and answers to prayer. (Ps.3:4) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8239
Outreach brings Leicester to a standstill
Residents of and visitors to Leicester were told to ‘come just as you are’ on Saturday, September 18, 2010, as the Jesus Loves Leicestershire's (JLL) team hosted its fourth annual ‘Fire And Glory’ event in the Leicester city centre. And come they did, as thousands of shoppers and onlookers flocked to the huge stage at Humberstone Gate, one of the main shopping streets in Leicester, to witness one of the city's biggest annual Christian outreach events. Praise groups, singers, rappers and evangelists took to the stage for a successful day of worship, praise and thanksgiving. Local resident Maria Moseley, 62, from Leicester Christian Fellowship, spoke of how she had been healed of osteoarthritis after spending 28 years in a wheelchair. Praise: God for this initiative and answers to prayer. (Ps.3:4) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8239
China: Pastor ‘Bike’ perseveres to encourage house church Christians
Pastor Bike is the chairman of the China House Church Alliance and is a passionate evangelist known for riding his bike across the country on missions of encouragement to the many Chinese House Churches. ChinaAid is reporting that on Monday September 20 during the trial of house church Christians Liu Yunhua and Gao Jianli, Pastor ‘Bike’ and his wife came to see the trial but were detained by the Public Security Bureau. Pastor Bike has been arrested and interrogated countless times in the past 10 years in his efforts to strengthen house church Christians. Other Christians who came to the trial were also detained on their way home. There is no record of their release. ChinaAid urges Xuchang's local government to respect Pastor Bike and his wife's rights as citizens and are calling on them to release the detained house church members. ‘We ask Christians worldwide to join us in prayer for their protection and encouragement,’ a spokesperson said. Pray: for God to use ChinaAid and other Christian resources to infuse His justice in this and similar situations in China. (Ps.7:9-10)
Indonesia: Church defies authorities
Dozens of Christians have defied police and threats of attack from Muslim groups to hold prayers inside their boarded-up church near the Indonesian capital. The group held their Sunday service surrounded by hundreds of police and security guards saying they had as much right as any Indonesian to worship in the Muslim-majority country. Local officials used bullhorns to remind members of the Batak Christian Protestant Church that they were banned from the site following an attack last week by suspected Muslim activists on two church leaders. (See Prayer Alert 3810) ‘We just want to carry out our obligations as Christians but authorities are treating us like terrorists.’ said Advent Tambunan a member of the congregation. A local leader of the Islamic Defenders' Front, which has led calls for the Christians to leave was among 10 people detained by the police after last week's attack. Pray: for the wave of Christian revival in Indonesia to grow and overwhelm the darkness. (Is.60:1) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/09/201091944922621312.html
Zimbabwe: Sunday - International Prayer Day
The Call is ringing out across Zimbabwe to return to God, and train the poor to farm in a profitable and sustainable way. In response to this call, on Sunday 26th September thousands of Christians will gather in urban and rural-combined church meetings across Zimbabwe to cry out in a national day of prayer. Worldwide Christians are invited to join Zimbabweans in prayer for the nation. These gatherings are being organised by Trumpet Call for Transformation, a partnership between the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and Foundations for Farming. ‘We invite you to partner with us for the transformation of this nation. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to the Zimbabweans. Pray for the ministry of Foundations for Farming – transforming individuals, communities and nations through faithful and productive use of the land. (see Prayer Alert 3510) Pray: that the Church will turn to God in active repentance (2Chron.7:14) and continue to reach out to the hungry and poor (Isa.58:9-10) More: http://www.lovezim.org/Groups/134601/Love_Zim/Prayer_Day/Prayer_Day.aspx
India: Commonwealth Games corruption
Two days ago the athletes village faulty infrastructure was highlighted when a bridge collapsed injuring 23 workers. On 31st July India Sports News and the Times of India reported New Delhi officials uncovering evidence of corruption in construction projects and illegal cash transfers for contractors developing the site. Officials of India's Government Watchdog reported construction quality certificates scrutinized in 16 games-related projects had turned out to be fake or suspect. Also another corruption scandal over money being transferred from the Commonwealth Games account to a little-known film company based in London was discovered in July.’ see The BBC reported, ‘From the time of winning the bid New Delhi was accused of influencing the voting in its favour by offering cash inducements to Commonwealth member countries and when building work began it was behind schedule and under the control of 20 competing organising committees. 45 workers have died in accidents since work began. See Pray: for an end to this corruption and any other hidden corruption and exploitation, resulting in future safe working conditions, honest dealings and security for the Games. (Is.56:1)
Lebanon: Hezbollah in Lebanon
Human rights activist, and Media Chairman for the Canadian Lebanese Coordinating Council, Elias Bejjani, reports from the Beiruit Observer, ‘3,500 Hezbollah militiamen are secretly deployed in the Eastern Christian region of Lebanon, and Hezbollah has reached its final logistic preparations to execute an armed coup to take over all of Lebanon by force.’ The web site attributed its information to well-informed sources in the Saudi media.’ see Also Syria and Saudi Arabia have stepped in to ease tensions in Lebanon in light of an escalating crisis between rival political parties over a UN-backed tribunal probing the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. There are fears that should the court indict Hezbollah members, this could lead to a Sunni-Shiite conflict similar to the one that brought the country close to civil war in May 2008. Pray: that militant plans would come to nothing and God’s benchmark would be used in every negotiation. (Ps.29:11) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gfIikqY7gudl2YLeSKkgs-WTlN0Q