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Inspired by the example of several ultra-wealthy individuals in the US, South Africa’s first black billionaire and its fourth richest man will donate half his assets to help the poor in his country. Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe announced he will donate half of his personal fortune, which is currently estimated by Forbes Magazine at $2.65 billion, according to a report by NPR. Motsepe was inspired by ‘The Giving Pledge,’ a philanthropic programme launched by Warren Buffet, along with Bill and Melinda Gates. So far, their initiative has attracted nearly a 100 like-minded billionaires. Motsepe is making the pledge to assist the millions of South Africans who have seen little improvement in their financial well-being since white minority rule ended in 1994, according to NPR. Motsepe’s wife, Precious, said that his wealth would be given away throughout his lifetime, according to the Financial Times.
Praise: God for the generosity of Motsepe and pray that others would be influenced by his decision. (2Cor.9:6)
A whopping 33,000 delegates attended youth conferences Soul Survivor and Momentum this summer, with more than 1,500 youngsters becoming Christians. Soul Survivor Director and event host Mike Pilavachi, said, ‘Once again we have been humbled by how God has met with us and moved among us as we’ve gathered to worship him. ‘One of the highlights has been seeing so many come to faith and hearing their stories. ‘ One youth leader told me he’d brought seven staunch atheists to Soul Survivor, four of whom gave their lives to Jesus before the end of the week. ‘We’ve seen many healed and set free and, in contrast to many of the negative reports about teenagers in our nation, many have told me they want to make a positive difference and serve their communities. We’re praying that the things God has done in people these last weeks will bear fruit for many years to come.’
Pray: for all those new Christians that their faith will be sustained and grow. (2Th.1:3)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/soul.survivor.and.momentum.bring.1500.to.christ/28512.htm
UK-based Christian men’s magazine Sorted is to operate its very own Sorted Taxi, a fully liveried London taxi branded with the magazine’s graphics. This taxi will traverse the streets of London for a full year from June 18, 2013. According to a Sorted press release, the taxi’s dedicated driver will act as a special Sorted ambassador, distributing free copies of the magazine and explaining exactly what it stands for. ‘We believe this is a tremendous opportunity and exciting and innovative way to reach thousands of people with the Christian message in the most exciting city on earth,’ says Sorted publisher and editor, Steve Legg. He added: ‘Many people are reluctant to seek out a church or a typical Christian magazine, but we are confident that people will enjoy the variety, relevance and quality of Sorted whatever their belief system. I know they’ll love it.’
Praise: God for this initiative and pray that many will be exposed to the Christian message. (Mt.10:7)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13070106.htm
Theresa Malila began her ministry with nothing more than a small jar of oil. She would walk to communities on the outskirts of Lilongwe and began to pray for those who were critically ill. Today she is the founder and executive director of Somebody Cares, a charity that ministers to women and girls among the poorest of the poor in 22 slum zones in Malawi, covering a population of 450.000 people. She is affiliated with 1500 pastors, chiefs in 260 villages, and 550 volunteers. When asked what ingredient made all the difference in her work, she immediately replies: ‘It’s the Gospel. It’s transforming lives. There was a time when we had 15 patients dying every day of AIDS and other diseases. Today we have 3 per week. Once we smelled death and depression as we entered the slums, but today we smell life everywhere.’
Praise: God for the faith and efforts of Theresa that has blessed so many with life. (1Sam.26:25)
Bowland Street Mission, in Manningham, in Northern England, is where the extraordinary ‘people's preacher’ Smith Wigglesworth had his base. The site is set to be restored to its former glory - and turned into a centre of healing, a museum and coffee shop. Brian Holland, with his wife Kathryn, and international preacher and broadcaster Terry Quinn are founding members of the Smith Wigglesworth Foundation which has agreed a long-term lease on the building. Brian said: ‘Wigglesworth was a catalyst for the charismatic revival of the church and one of the fathers of the Pentecostal church. The plan is to restore the building back to its original 1889-1919 design, the heyday of Smith and his wife Polly's ministry in Bradford’. The group plans to open at the end of April 2011 with the original purposes: to show God knows and loves people through a healing touch alongside preaching from the Bible. Praise: God for Wigglesworth’s heritage and pray that many more would be blessed in the years to come. (Ps.84:11-12)
A Church in the town called Vrútky, Slovakia, offers prayers for healing to non Christian people, reports Lusi Gertliová, Liecenie press centre. A couple of months ago the church put and advertisement in the newspaper and 400 new visitors came in the first event and almost all of them were healed by the power of God. 300 of them accepted Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord. Today events called ‘Healing’ take place all around the country. There are thousands of testimonies online that could be found on www.liecenie.com. ‘Slovakia is a tiny little country in the middle of Europe. But the movement of God in this country is becoming greater and more powerful these days. We are witnesses of something miraculous that God is doing in charismatic Pentecostal churches. We can see the beginning of huge revival,’ notes Lusi Gertliová.
Praise: God for this stirring of faith through His healing power and miracles. (Ps.77:14)
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)
The 2011 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity marks the beginning of an encouraging year for the ecumenical movement in Britain, the Student Christian Movement (SCM) said today (11 January). They revealed that they are expecting another record turn-out for their annual conference, which will involve an ecumenical exploration of prayer, and the links between prayer and action. The Week of Prayer will run from 18-25 January and is closely followed by SCM’s Annual Conference, Still Small Voice, which runs over the weekend of 4-6 February at the Swanwick conference centre in Derbyshire. ‘We are really encouraged by the revival of interest in inclusive, ecumenical Christianity,’ said Jenny Morgans, chair of SCM's student council. ‘Over the past year we have had requests for advice and support from students keen to establish ecumenical student groups,’ explained Morgans, ‘conference is a great opportunity for students from different backgrounds to meet and explore their faith together’ Praise: God for the work of the SCM and the message of unity. (Ro.12:4-5)
Alexander’s first experience with a shaman, a Siberian witch doctor, left him wanting to go deeper into this realm. ‘I saved money to become a shaman and eventually became powerful in the community,’ he recalls. Then he received an unexpected invitation. ‘Some Christians invited me to church and I went so I could spy on their God.’ He entered the church, believing the gods he served were much more powerful than the Christian God. But as Alexander sat back in the wooden pew, something unusual happened. ‘When I closed my eyes I felt God’s presence,’ he says. ‘It was so strong; I was overwhelmed by its greatness.’ Unable to resist the majesty and power of the one true living God, Alexander surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and was born again. ‘I have now begun to work with missionaries here in Russia,’ Alexander says. ‘I help others learn what Jesus did for me.’
Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Alexander. (Lk.12:12)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/04/shaman-in-eastern-russia-found-jesus/
A 20-year-old Christian mobile phone shop manager in Florida stopped a would-be armed robber by preaching to him about Jesus. Nayara Goncalves spent nearly five minutes persuading the man that he was doing the wrong thing. The man eventually apologised, explained his gun was a replica and left the shop in Broward County. ‘She was able to remain calm and keep him calm,’ a sheriff's office spokeswoman said. During the incident on 23 July, Ms Goncalves told the would-be robber: ‘I'm just going to talk with you about Jesus.’ The man said he was a Christian and was ‘embarrassed’ to be doing what he was doing but that he needed $300 (£190) to avoid being evicted. Praise: God for Nayara and the initiative of the Holy Spirit. (Ac.4:29) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-us-canada-10822923?SThisFB