Gospel Vision for Central Africa | 2nd September 2010
September 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
The peace process in the Central African Republic is at a critical juncture. Demobilization and the election process will set the stage for the nation’s future, reports Mission Network News. Poverty remains a widespread problem, threatening the stability. There, ReachGlobal partners reveal a determination to live the hope of Christ amongst the Fulani, a nomadic people group. Through their collaborations in medical ministry, holistic outreach, and theological training, they’re succeeding in reaching the Fulani with the hope of Christ.
The hospital in which ReachGlobal partners work not only ministers to the physical needs, but it serves as A connecting point for ministry that extends to the local villages and beyond. These nomadic cattle herders, the Fulani have begun settling closer to villages to get medical care for their families and veterinary care for their animals.
ReachGlobal’s vision combines evangelism and church planting with medical ministry, literacy, and development ministry in order to reach this unreached people group.
Source: Christian Telegraph; Mission Network News
BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 119:165
PRAISE: God that Christian love, service and evangelism go hand in hand to bless the needy.
Churches in Hong Kong Booming | 31st August 2010
August 30, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
Rev Luk Fai, President of the Bethel Bible Seminary, revealed the new statistics in the latest edition of Christian Weekly magazine. Protestant churches in Hong Kong are booming with an annual growth rate of 6.2%, over the last five years, and the number of Protestants in the former British colony is drawing close to 300,000. The number of practising Protestants surpassed 290,000 in 2009, rising from just over 216,000 in 2004, according to the results of a new survey released by the Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement. The figure surpasses the growth experienced by Protestant churches in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2004, when the number of practising Protestant rose from just under 176,000 in 1999 to nearly 217,000 in 2004, an annual growth rate of 4.3%.
Of course, not all church members are Christians with an active faith, but there are many positive signs: recently churches have come together in large evangelistic events and inter-church prayer meetings. About 57 per cent of congregations now have A mission vision and active participation. Since 1997, much of this involvement has been outreach to the southern provinces of China. Student ministries have also flourished recently, with about 30 per cent of university students professing A Christian faith.
Source: OMF; Prayer Alert
BIBLE STUDY: Colossians 1:9
PRAISE: God for this strong increase, especially the growth among university students. Pray they may be
instrumental in building the Faith in South China.
UK: Saints out of Church on to Street | 29th August 2010
August 28, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin, frontpage
Baptist churches have been encouraged to set aside a number of Sundays each year to get out into their neighbourhoods and meet people who would not normally come to church. The future president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Revd Chris Duffett has launched an evangelistic project called Saints on the Street (St St).”As the vast majority of people in the UK do not go to church, St St projects take church to the vast majority,” he explained.
“Our hope is that St St may become A vision for Baptist churches in the UK to set aside some Sundays in the year where the morning service is used to engage with people who wouldn’t consider going to church.” Recently he invited shoppers in Peterborough to walk along A VIP red carpet to give them the message that God thinks they are ‘Very Important People’.
Mr Duffey said, “We were able to talk to many people about Jesus who wanted to know why we were declaring they were very important.” He added, “My hope is that more and more churches would be creative in reaching out… We need to meet people where they are at on a Sunday morning rather than expecting people to attend services.”
BIBLE STUDY: 1 John 3:18
PRAISE: God for this initiative. Pray that many churches will follow this example taking the Gospel on to the streets of our towns and cities.
Life of Jesus iPhone Application | 27th August 2010
August 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
Technology has become part and parcel of most people’s lives today, so finding ways of making the Gospel available and relevant to this generation is a major challenge. Revolutionary new media company DV8 Media has found one such way by releasing The Life Of Jesus, the first-ever comprehensive mobile phone application dedicated to the life of the Saviour.
Containing cutting edge original video and audio productions, engaging interactive games, Christian-themed communication tools, and the full text of the New Testament, searchable and bookmarkable, The Life Of Jesus is designed to bring a new generation of Christians and the Christian community together to reinforce Jesus’ philosophy in a hip, sleek and technologically advanced production. DV8 will enable always-on access to the tech-savvy spiritually minded.
“We can break down old paradigms and bring the teachings of Christ to a new, younger international audience,’ explained Geoff Tyson DV8′s Managing Director. The application is now available through the iTunes App Store.
Source: Prayer Alert; Revival Media
BIBLE STUDY: John 21:25
PRAISE: God that the person and claims of Jesus can be brought to the tech-savvy generation. Pray that this application may have a wide impact.
Burmese Refugees Find Christ | 25th August 2010
August 24, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
After three years in a rebel group in Burma (Myanmar), Sai Myint was tired of fighting. He crossed the border to Thailand to find a job. Myint was a Buddhist, but in 2007 he found new life when a friend brought him to the Myanmar Christian Assembly, where Burmese refugees like him learned about the love of Jesus and have been transformed. The church is training its members to be evangelists and missionaries so one day they can go back to Burma and preach the Gospel.
Source: OMF; CBN News
BIBLE STUDY: Matthew 5:6
PRAISE: God many Burmese are finding Christ in exile. Pray they may soon return to preach Christ.
Morocco Expulsions Lead More to Faith | 21st August 2010
August 20, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
Between early March and the end of May, Morocco deported some 105 foreign-born Christians. It seems the government is under pressure from Islamic hardliners to purge the nation of Christianity.
But one Christian source says it is massively backfiring. “They expelled people who helped build up the country, trained people, educated Moroccan children, cared for orphans and widows, increased the GDP and trade.
So now many Moroccans are asking their Christian friends about their faith. They are being impacted by the reality of Christ through this, and it’s having more of an effect on the community than years and years of quietly demonstrating Christ peacefully and lawfully.” Rex Rogers of Christian broadcasting organization SAT-7 says while he’s concerned about the expulsions, he’s not worried. “Christian satellite television is still there, beaming from the sky 24-7. And even more important than that: the Christian church, on the ground, is still there.
The Lord isn’t finished in the Middle East or in North Africa. When people hit the wall, that’s when they turn to the Lord and look for answers. The opportunities are enormous,” he says.
Source: Compass Direct; Sat-7
BIBLE STUDY: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
PRAISE: God that opportunities for the Gospel are increasing despite the expulsions. Pray Christians may wisely and lovingly seize the moment.
Crying Out for America’s Heart & Soul | 19th August 2010
August 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
Between May 2nd and September 12th Christians across the USA are praying for “the soul of our nation.” Momentum is expected to build over the 20-week prayer initiative, culminating when tens of thousands of people are expected to gather in counties across the U.S. on 9/11 to cry out to God for a spiritual awakening in the land.
“Our prayer is that this season of intercession for the Church and the culture will result in A powerful move of God across our land,” states National Prayer Center director John Maempa. “As we link our hearts together… I believe we will see tremendous things take place spiritually. Please join with thousands of other Christians as we pray… Then plan to be part of the great Cry Out America rally on Saturday, September 11.”
This year it is hoped that 1600 counties will be involved in the event.
An application form and guidelines for coordinators can be found on the Cry Out America site. A variety of resources are available on the site and others will be added as the 20-week Heart and Soul prayer initiative moves toward the 9/11 weekend. More information about the Heart and Soul prayer initiative and the 20 indicators of awakening can be found at http://prayer.ag.org, by clicking on the Heart and Soul banner.
Source: AG News
BIBLE STUDY: Hosea 6:1-3
PRAY: That America may turn back to God as the Church cries out with one voice for mercy.
China: The State Supports the Bible | 17th August 2010
August 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
Four million Bibles were printed in China last year alone. To date the figure tops 70 million yet, as thousands of people are coming to faith each day, millions more are still needed.
A leading Chinese civil servant believes in the Bible – even though he’s not A Christian himself. Senior Religious Affairs official Gu Chuanyong personally approves production of the Scriptures at the Amity Printing Co – and gives copies as gifts to business associates. ‘I can see no reason that Bibles should not be published and provided to Chinese Christians,’ he said. ‘I’m happy to see Christianity flourish in China. I think there will be A greater development of Christianity.’ The days of resisting Christianity have ended, according to the Nanjing-based official.
“Today in China… we no longer call Christianity a “foreign” religion. ‘It has already been moulded into our blood… and has become a Chinese characteristic,” Gu says.
Source: Bible Society – Word in Action
BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 119:160
PRAISE: God for changes in China. Pray that the Church may remain focused on proclaiming Christ.
Bangladesh: Training New Leaders | 15th August 2010
August 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Prayer Bulletin
There is often the misconception that the Gospel in the Third World only reaches the most destitute members of society. But the Bible Students Fellowship of Bangladesh plays a vital role in supporting and encouraging the small number of Bangladeshi Christians who manage to get to university. These young people are key to the future of the Church.
Each year the BSFB holds 4-6 regional evangelistic camps, A 2 week long leadership training course, training on Bible study and mission emphasis camps, and A national student conference which is key to giving an encouraging impetus to the ministry for the years ahead. Their first aim is to lead students to A personal faith in Christ, and to lead them on in their walk with the Lord, so that they will be able to serve the Lord as they use their gifts, not only in witnessing in their professional lives, but also as Christian leaders, helping in transformation of families, churches and the community at large.
The BSFB encourages all students to model their future professional lives according to the standards of God’s Word. BSFB has been ministering among students since 1974, is a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), and is growing fast. They are presently building a new training centre to prepare future leaders in subjects like Bible centred ministry, Godly servant leadership, Evangelism, Discipleship, World Missions.
Source: BSFB; Barnabas Aid
BIBLE STUDY: Proverbs 3:5-8
PRAISE: God for a strong student witness. Pray for Christian graduates that they may be salt and light to the Nation and servants to the Church.
Acts ch 22 vs 1 – 16, Best Seller with Vickie Blair
August 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Best Seller, Vickie Blair
14th August 2010
This week Patrick Woodward continues his series, looking at the book of Acts, chapter 22 verses 1 – 16, with his guest, Vickie Blair.
Listen to this discussion and feel free to add your thoughts to the comments.
