Russia: Love of Christ to disadvantaged children
At former communist camping grounds, that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union will learn about the gift of hope in Christ this summer. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in at least one hundred camps coordinated by Russian Ministries in the coming months. Since 1999, Russian Ministries has been running their camping programme, bringing hope to thousands of street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. ‘Summer camps are the most effective and strategic opportunities for evangelical outreach in order to reach out to the next generation,’ explained Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba. Praise: God for this initiative and for all those who will hear His message. (Is.52:7)
Russia: Love of Christ to disadvantaged children
At former communist camping grounds, that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union will learn about the gift of hope in Christ this summer. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in at least one hundred camps coordinated by Russian Ministries in the coming months. Since 1999, Russian Ministries has been running their camping programme, bringing hope to thousands of street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. ‘Summer camps are the most effective and strategic opportunities for evangelical outreach in order to reach out to the next generation,’ explained Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba. Praise: God for this initiative and for all those who will hear His message. (Is.52:7)
S. Asia: Bamboo artisans share Jesus
Nearly every day, five S. Asian tribal women travel to surrounding villages to sell their hand-crafted bamboo items. But when these women go to the markets, they bring something else with them: Jesus. Even though these rural women don’t know how to read, they bring Gospel tracts with them everywhere they go. One week, the women had an extraordinary opportunity before them when they visited one of Laxmi’s relatives, Shalini. She had suffered for more than a year from a tumor in her neck. In faith, the five women shared Jesus’ love with Shalini and prayed for her. God answered their cries and healed Shalini, completely removing the tumor that had plagued her for so long. Shalini and her whole family saw Jesus’ power and chose to follow Him, leaving their old traditions and religious practices to put their trust in the one true God. Six other families in their village also chose Jesus. Praise: God for His wonderful healing power. (Ac.10:38)
S. Asia: Bamboo artisans share Jesus
Nearly every day, five S. Asian tribal women travel to surrounding villages to sell their hand-crafted bamboo items. But when these women go to the markets, they bring something else with them: Jesus. Even though these rural women don’t know how to read, they bring Gospel tracts with them everywhere they go. One week, the women had an extraordinary opportunity before them when they visited one of Laxmi’s relatives, Shalini. She had suffered for more than a year from a tumor in her neck. In faith, the five women shared Jesus’ love with Shalini and prayed for her. God answered their cries and healed Shalini, completely removing the tumor that had plagued her for so long. Shalini and her whole family saw Jesus’ power and chose to follow Him, leaving their old traditions and religious practices to put their trust in the one true God. Six other families in their village also chose Jesus. Praise: God for His wonderful healing power. (Ac.10:38)
Indonesia: Islamist hardliners declare 'war' on 'Christianisation'
Islamist hardliners are using violent talk about the 'Christianisation' of Bekasi, amid rising interfaith tensions in the city. Nine Islamic groups meeting in this West Javan city have reportedly joined forces in a campaign to prepare local mosques to 'wage war' on the growing Christian influence in the city. The group is recommending that each local mosque should form its own laskar or 'paramilitary unit' to enforce Sharia laws or strict Islamic practices on local Muslims – and insisting that the Bekasi administration's policymaking should reflect this code. Hardliners say they are reacting to what they see as a concerted attempt by the church to extend its reach in Bekasi, a commuter city for Jakarta. Mass baptisms of Christians who were raised as Muslims are cited as a particular issue for concern. Church leaders are now calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to defend the Christian minority in the face of mounting intimidation. Pray: against moves to revive religious tensions in a nation still recovering from conflict fuelled by jihadists. (Ps.55:9)
USA: Christian legal society loses right to remain Christian
On 28 June 2010 the Supreme Court issued a majority decision that a California Law School can require a Christian group to open its leadership positions to all students, including those who disagree with the group's statement of faith. This decision affirms the ‘all comers’ policy of Hastings College of the Law (Hastings), which requires all groups to open all positions to all students, regardless of beliefs. The case parallels events in 2007 at Exeter University, England, where the Christian Union (CU) had to resist an attempt by the Students’ Guild to remove a number of its long standing rights and privileges, the Guild claiming that the CU constitution did not conform to its Equal Opportunities standards. Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of the Christian Legal Centre, commented: ‘It is vital that in a free and democratic society people should be able to organise themselves around core beliefs without interference’. Pray: that the rights of Christians will be upheld by the courts. (Ps.94:8)
Pakistan: Christian Professor beaten for refusing to convert
Muslim students attacked a Christian Professor at Peshawar University College this month after he refused their demand to convert to Islam. Psychology Professor Samuel John, a father of four who has been teaching at the college for 12 years, said that as he came out of his house on the campus on June 14, about 20 to 25 students rushed and assaulted him. When his wife learned what was happening, she ran to help him, but the students beat her as well. Both the Professor and his wife were rushed to hospital, where they were treated for their injuries, with John listed in critical condition. He reported the matter to the dean of the college, but the official was unable to take any action because the Islamic students councils are supported by political parties and powerful Islamic groups, the professor said. ‘I am still getting threats, saying, leave the university or accept Islam – if you don’t convert, we will kill your family.’ Pray: for God’s protection over all His people as they stand firm for their beliefs. (1Cor.16:13) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/22047/
Morocco: Purge of Christians continues
Morocco expelled a teacher for allegedly attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. According to the Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’, authorities expelled Sara Domene of Spain for ‘threatening public order.’ It's a common phrase used to allege ‘proselytizing.’ Domene, also a member of an evangelical church, denies the charge, saying she was giving Spanish lessons. The 1992 constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all while designating Islam as the state religion. Any criticism of Islam is banned under the Penal Code and is punishable with up to five years in prison. The government is being especially vigilant this year in upholding the code. In March, King Mohammed VI expelled 20 foreign missionaries. Shortly afterward, about 7,000 Moroccan theologians publicly supported his decision. Several mission agencies note that this action set the stage for another wave of deportations and expulsions. The latest round reveals itself as a calculated effort to purge Morocco of all Christian elements. Pray: that many followers of Christ will be able to continue His work in Morocco. (Ps.5:11)
G20: Leaders agree to halve deficits by 2013
Leaders at the G20 summit in Toronto, Canada have agreed to cut national budget deficits in half by 2013. Heads of state also agreed to new rules that would force British banks to boost their funds by £130 billion to reduce the risk of another Lehman Brothers-style collapse. In a reversal from the unity of the past three crisis-era Group of 20 Summits, the leaders decided to adopt ‘differentiated and tailored’ economic policies for each country. ‘Our challenges are as diverse as our nations,’ US President Barack Obama said. ‘But together we represent some 85 per cent of the global economy, and we have forged a coordinated response to the worst global economic crisis of our time.’ George Osborne, Chancellor of the Excequer, hailed the G20 statement as a vindication of the coalition government's policy. A sign of how much work was involved to forge the G20 consensus, is that negotiators spent at least 45 hours drafting the summit's final communique. Pray: that the policies the world leaders have adopted will not only benefit the rich but also the poorer nations. (Ecc.5:11)
Micah Challenge calls Christians to pray
World: The International Christian movement Micah Challenge is calling upon millions of Christians to pray and take action against extreme poverty as part of its 10.10.10 campaign. Today (Thursday) marks the 100-day countdown to 10.10.10, when as many as 100 million Christians worldwide will remind their political leaders of the promises they made to halve extreme global poverty by 2015. Micah Challenge and its many partner organisations, including The Salvation Army, World Vision and Tearfund, warn that unless urgent action is taken now, many of the Millennium Development Goals agreed in 2000 will not be met. On October 10, Christians will join in saying a specially written 10.10.10 prayer asking for God’s intervention on behalf of those still suffering in poverty and confessing their own failure in ignoring God’s call for justice. They will also make a promise to remember the poor and remind their political leaders of the need to keep their commitments to the poor. Pray: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic.6:8) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/micah.challenge.calls.christians.to.pray.and.act.for.worlds.poor/26201.htm