Alejandro was a terrorist with a militant Islamic organisation in Mindanao. He’d bombed civilians, government soldiers, US Marines and the homes of Christians. ‘I was not afraid to kill anyone for the glory of Allah,’ he said. Alejandro was the only son in a strict Muslim family. He'd brought honour to his father by joining the Islamist rebels and was considered a worthy heir. His work required that he travel around the island of Mindanao, and in 2009 he met a Christian who invited him to church. At first Alejandro turned down the invitation; he wasn't interested in Christianity. But the Christian persisted, finally he agreed to visit the man's church. Alejandro suddenly found himself crying and walking to the front of the church. ‘I was a tough military guy, an Islamic killer,’ he said. ‘I never cried, never. That day, I decided to leave Islam and follow Jesus.'

Dr Zoe D Scounos, speaking to delegates from 38 countries at the Annual World Christian Doctors Network Conference last week, told of a surgical emergency that could have taken the life of her father. However with a strong faith in God, a recovery defying medical odds unfolded. During a family meeting with her mother and sister they were faced with an impossible situation medically so they joined hands and prayed, ‘Father God, your Word says when two or more people gather together in prayer you are present. Please restore the circulation through the rest of the bowel and restore Dad completely.’ She then stated, ‘Within 24 hours a rapid clinical improvement ensued, TPN was no longer required within a few days of discharge from intensive care, and successful recovery came 5 five weeks later. This was an example of a miraculous recovery from a surgical catastrophe, with a limited chance of survival.’

What started three years ago in the Dutch ‘cheese city’ Gouda has developed into an annual wildly successful pop culture phenomenon in the Netherlands: The Passion, a live open-air re-enactment of the last supper, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In previous years The Passion visited Rotterdam and The Hague, and this year on the Thursday before Easter Groningen hosted the event, with over 20,000 people participating locally, and 3.2 million people watching the drama unfold on national television. The popularity of The Passion is surprising, as the Netherlands has a reputation for being one of the most secularized countries in Europe. A large cross is carried through town and followed by a long procession of people. The programme's different scenes are portrayed with Biblical characters like Jesus, Mary and Judas, and Dutch pop bands playing famous songs. The Passion is thus the modern version of the St Matthew Passion.

There have been many testimonies in recent years, of the Lord Jesus revealing Himself to members of Islam through dreams. Dreams are one of the main ways that Muslims believe God will speak to them. Before he became a believer, the Apostle Paul dragged Christians out of their houses to imprison or kill them. A modern day Iranian named Taher was no better. He even threatened to kill his own family because they became Christians. Like Paul, he received a vision of the Lord that turned his life upside down. Taher was the last one anyone expected to convert to Christianity. He was well respected pilgrim who had made the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife, so when his daughter came to Christ, Taher was very angry. When his wife became a believer in Christ, he grew even angrier. When even his son turned his back on Islam and accepted Christ, his anger turned to rage. To read the full account of his amazing story click the link by the more button below.

The following is part of a letter from a Christian buisnessman who wishes to remain anonymous. ‘For 30 years people have smuggled Bibles into the Arabian Peninsula in suitcases, been caught, deported and the Bibles destroyed. Six years ago I became a neighbour to some very powerful sheikhs. We met regularly for conversation over tea. As we talked about the Qur'an I would mention the Injil (Gospel) and the position of the Bible in the Qur'an. I challenged them to read the Injil, saying that we could not dialogue fairly as I have an unfair advantage.’ His story goes on to explain how he discussed and examined scripture with the sheikhs over a period of time which finally led to them agreeing to 25,000 copies of the Gospels and the Book of Acts to be imported and distributed amongst Muslims in Saudi Arabia. For the full story click the link below.

A film called ‘i.am’ has been set up to assist churches to bring a glimpse of a loving, forgiving God to people of all nations. Their vision is to enable churches to go beyond their own communities to speak to people in today's culture through a unique, short, cutting edge musical and dramatic 26 minute film presentation. The film is being made available nationwide. A quote from Paul Blakey MBE, founder of Street Angels - CNI Network ‘The i.am film is fantastic! It combines stunning scenery with music, dance, rap and the story of a loving God. We will be using the film within our night-time communities, showing it in pubs, clubs, safe place drop-ins and we even have plans to show the film on the street with an invitation to one of the pop-up showings. I encourage you to plan to use this film wherever you can - people in your community need to watch this and to hear the message it gives.’

‘God is moving among the youth of South Africa,’ says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg and about 500 (learners) pupils there committed their lives to Jesus and there was a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Source: Gateway News.

Praise: God and pray that this movement will continue. (Heb.10:22-24)

More: http://revivalmedia.org/2013/08/30/revival-in-south-african-schools-319-report-31/

The UK Bible Society is encouraging a generation of believers to ‘Dare to be a Daniel,’ as they partner with Christian organizations hosting a road show tour called SUSA, - the Biblical city from which heroes of God hailed. SUSA aims to educate, inspire and equip Christians to see involvement in politics as being Biblical, and possible. The tour enables Christians to hear leading speakers share their testimony demonstrating God's people being 'salt and light' in the public square; followed by questions and answers. Senior Parliamentary Officer for Bible Society said, ‘Christians are compelled by the love of God to serve and lead locally and nationally in politics, and our historical contribution is vast; there is a growing Christian community in Parliament. We hope the SUSA tour will encourage more Christians to get involved in day-to-day political life, be that locally or nationally'.

Praise: God for initiatives that reach into modern society with the Christian message

More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8775

A Godalming curate was in Zimbabwe earlier in the month to join Anglicans celebrating the return to their churches after five years in exile. Anglicans in the eastern Diocese of Manicaland were finally able to return to their churches and cathedral after being barred from places of worship for the last five years. They were forced from their buildings when two renegade bishops in Manicaland and Harare attempted to take control of diocesan properties. Even as they worshipped outside, they faced violence and harassment. All the while, priests were not funded and church assets were stolen. The hardship only came to an end when Zimbabwe's Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Anglican Church and legally restored their ownership of the buildings. The focus of the weekend's celebrations was on forgiveness. Joining them was the Reverend Kate Wyles, whose father's family were missionaries in Manicaland.

Praise: God for this change and the court's move to bring freedom to worship again to the Anglican Church. (Jer.34:15)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/zimbabwe.celebrate.return.to.churches/32139.htm