Uzbekistan: Evangelical group condemns crackdown on churches
The Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance - representing over 400 million Christians worldwide - expressed concerns about police raids on Protestant congregations in Uzbekistan and the detention of several Christians. A particular concern was a recent police raid on The Church of Christ in Tashkent, one of the largest Protestant churches in the capital. Police without a warrant detained eight church members, seized properties and imprisoned three church members for 15 days on charges including the violation of strict religious regulations of the former Soviet nation. Five other church members received heavy fines with three of them forced to pay about eighty times the average monthly minimum wage. The troubles began during a May 16 Sunday worship service attended by 500 people, which was interrupted by police, the secret police, tax inspectorate, fire Inspectors and the sanitary-epidemiological service.
Pray: for Christians in Uzbekistan, and for justice and equality for the church in Central Asia. (Ro.8:34-35)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/8236-evangelical-group-condemns-uzbekistan-crackdown-on-churches
Eritrea: Continued arrests and prison deaths
Open Doors report Pastor Gebreab aged 35 disappeared 18 days ago and no one has been able to learn his whereabouts from local authorities. He is married with an 8-year-old son and an infant daughter. The government criminalised independent Protestant churches in 2002 - closing buildings and banning all meetings even in private homes. Over 2,000 Eritrean Christians including dozens of pastors and church leaders remain imprisoned, denied legal counsel or trial and subjected to severe torture for their faith. Senaiti Habta died last month from prolonged anaemia and malaria. She was incarcerated in a metal shipping container with 14 others in suffocating heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night, deprived of fresh air, sanitation and medical attention. According to local sources officials offered her freedom and medical attention if she would recant her Christian beliefs, but she refused.
Pray: that prisoners and their families would know God's peace, strength, love and grace to endure seek to be a powerful witness for Christ. (Gal.2:20)
More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/wwl.php?country=09
India: Hindu intolerance to Christianity
Hindu nationalists on May 27 falsely accused a pastor of forcible conversion in Karnataka after disrupting a worship service. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported that the Hindus also warned the Christians not to worship in the area. Extremists from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh barged into the rented home of Pastor Barmanagowda as he led a house church service affiliated with the Karnataka Evangelical Association. The extremists forced the pastor to the police station and filed a complaint of alleged forcible conversions. They warned him against conducting worship services in the village and told him to vacate his home and leave the area. On May 23rd in Andhra Pradesh Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh damaged a church building and installed an idol of the Hindu god Hanuman inside it. (This deity is believed to give courage, hope, knowledge, intellect and devotion).
Pray: for God to give the persecuted church in India strength, hope and wisdom as they continue to gather in His name. (Ps: 25:1-2)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/india/21035/
Gaza: Egypt eases blockade
Over 100 Gazans crossed the border into Egypt when they temporarily eased its blockade following the Gaza-bound flotilla incident. On Wednesday at Rafah people crossed the border on foot along with four trucks carrying tents, blankets and 13 power generators donated by Russia and Oman, plus two buses with 150 Palestinians including patients seeking medical assistance abroad and those with foreign residency permits. Israel’s friends as well as foes are calling for Israel to lift the Gaza blockade. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not lift the siege citing ‘ongoing weapons smuggling into Gaza and the ease of these transfers could be facilitated without a naval, air and land blockade.’ The Egyptian blockade was imposed after Hamas took power in Gaza. Palestinians regularly smuggle arms, fuel and goods from Egypt through underground tunnels while above the Egyptian government is constructing a 7 mile, bomb-proof, steel barrier along the border that goes 59ft underground. See:
Pray: that this incident would birth changes that enable Gaza’s communities and businesses to flourish while enabling Israel to protect herself from terrorism. (Ps.12:5&7)
More: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/06/02/conroe_courier/news/0603_natwlrdbrfs.txt
Green week 2010: biodiversity brainstorm
How to stop the loss of biodiversity without impeding human development is one of the biggest conundrums of modern times. Experts from around the world have gathered in Brussels this week to brainstorm on the problem. The UN has also designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. More than 3000 scientists, business leaders, environmental advocates and government officials are taking part in the forum, called Green Week. Biodiversity refers to the abundance and variety of plant and animal species and their habitats. A large number and wide range of natural habitats and species are essential to maintaining the earth’s ecosystems. Humans have caused massive losses in biodiversity, mainly by destroying plant and animal habitats. The UN estimates that species are now disappearing at 100 to 1000 times the natural extinction rate. A third of the 1.75m known animal and plant species are under threat.
Pray: that this forum would lead to significant advances to benefit the world we live in. (Gen.1:26-31)
Green week 2010: biodiversity brainstorm
How to stop the loss of biodiversity without impeding human development is one of the biggest conundrums of modern times. Experts from around the world have gathered in Brussels this week to brainstorm on the problem. The UN has also designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. More than 3000 scientists, business leaders, environmental advocates and government officials are taking part in the forum, called Green Week. Biodiversity refers to the abundance and variety of plant and animal species and their habitats. A large number and wide range of natural habitats and species are essential to maintaining the earth’s ecosystems. Humans have caused massive losses in biodiversity, mainly by destroying plant and animal habitats. The UN estimates that species are now disappearing at 100 to 1000 times the natural extinction rate. A third of the 1.75m known animal and plant species are under threat.
Pray: that this forum would lead to significant advances to benefit the world we live in. (Gen.1:26-31)
Christian documentary to be aired at prestigious TV Festival
A documentary by SAT-7, a Christian satellite television service to the Middle East and North Africa, has been chosen for screening at the European Television Festival of Religious Programmes in Berlin, along with programmes from the BBC, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF, German national television) and other TV stations across Europe. Lasting from June 2-6, the festival will show 23 programmes from a total of 70 entered in the competition. Entries came from 36 stations throughout Europe, Canada and the Middle East. Held every three years, the festival shows off and rewards programmes which touch on values in religion, faith and ethics.
Pray: that the SAT-7 programme will receive Godly recognition in this mainly secular sector. (1Cor.16:18)
Christian documentary to be aired at prestigious TV Festival
A documentary by SAT-7, a Christian satellite television service to the Middle East and North Africa, has been chosen for screening at the European Television Festival of Religious Programmes in Berlin, along with programmes from the BBC, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF, German national television) and other TV stations across Europe. Lasting from June 2-6, the festival will show 23 programmes from a total of 70 entered in the competition. Entries came from 36 stations throughout Europe, Canada and the Middle East. Held every three years, the festival shows off and rewards programmes which touch on values in religion, faith and ethics.
Pray: that the SAT-7 programme will receive Godly recognition in this mainly secular sector. (1Cor.16:18)
Edinburgh 2010 seeks to guide 21st century mission
The Edinburgh World Missionary Conference 2010 opened on Wednesday with the aim of providing direction for Christian mission in the 21st century. Hundreds of leaders from around the world gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first-ever global mission conference, Edinburgh 1910. From June 2 to 6, mission experts will convene to discuss nine major themes, including Christian mission among other faiths, mission and post-modernites, and Christian communities in contemporary contexts. Unlike the original World Missionary Conference in 1910, however, the 2010 gathering brings together Christians from different traditions – ranging from the Roman Catholic Church to evangelical and Pentecostal churches – and from nations worldwide. Organizers hope this week’s conference will facilitate conversations between mission leaders from the older mission movements of the North and the new mission movements from the South and East.
Pray: for delegates to the conference that the Holy Spirit will lead them and that God will grant them wisdom. (Ps.34:11)
Cardinal to lead Irish sex abuse investigation
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Emeritus Archbishop of Westminster, will lead a team of senior Catholics sent by the Pope to Ireland to investigate how the Church was able to cover up decades of sex abuse by priests. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor will carry out a wide-ranging investigation into the scandal, which has caused outrage among Irish Catholics and forced the resignation of three bishops. Working alongside prominent cardinals and archbishops from the US and Canada, he will look at procedures that are currently designed to prevent abuse and study possible ways to improve them. The inquiry, which begins in the autumn, will initially focus on four dioceses - Armagh, Dublin, Cashel-Emly, and Tuam - and then be extended to others. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor will lead the investigation in Armagh, visiting churches and seminaries and interviewing rank-and-file Catholics.
Pray: for Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor as he leads this difficult and sensitive investigation. (Ex.15:13)