Displaying items by tag: Florida

On 9 October Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast, bringing 120 mph winds and widespread destruction. At one point a Category 5 hurricane, the Category 3 storm weakened overnight to a Category 1 storm, but not before destroying over 125 homes and knocking out power for over three million residents. Tornadoes and heavy rain have also caused significant inland damage, with storm surges threatening coastal cities such as Tampa. Officials have warned of severe flooding along rivers and lakes as Milton continues to batter the state, with nearly 100,000 people sheltering in evacuation centres. Florida officials had issued urgent evacuation orders for nearly two million people, many of whom had not recovered from Hurricane Helene. Joe Biden, calling Milton one of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida's history, has urged residents to heed local warnings.

Core Group Mentorship is a discipleship movement that has seen God’s power turning their mentorship into a movement. A massive children’s revival is happening among Core Kids. The children are prophesying, evangelising, praying for people, and some are shaking while they praise Jesus. They worship freely and are even casting out demons. Thousands of children and teens are experiencing a strong move of the Holy Spirit. The leaders have trained and seen thousands of Core Kids turn to Jesus, walking in their full calling, set free, whole, and healed.

The Senate in Florida has passed a bill to ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The ‘Heartbeat Protection Act’ would prohibit physicians from knowingly performing or inducing a pregnancy termination after the gestational age of the foetus is over six weeks, as opposed to 15 weeks at present. Last year the state’s governor signed a law which bans abortion after 15 weeks, with no exception for rape or incest. It is being challenged in Florida’s supreme court. A decision is not expected until May. The Heartbeat Protection Act provides ‘an exception if the woman obtaining the abortion is a victim of rape, incest or human trafficking, subject to certain conditions’. Two Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the legislation. The bill is expected to have the legislation signed, and Republicans are expected to pass their own version of the bill in the coming days.

Hurricane Nicole hit Florida on 10 November with 70 mph winds before being downgraded to a tropical storm. States of emergency remain, and evacuation orders are in place, with heavy rain and storm surges forecast. Nicole, which had also lashed Grand Bahama Island, will soon strike Georgia, South Carolina, and possibly other states. Storms of this size so late in the year are extremely rare: since 1853 Florida has only been hit twice. 45 of the state's 67 counties are under a state of emergency, and four counties are under mandatory evacuation orders. Over 100,000 customers are without power. Orlando airport grounded commercial operations.

Samaritan’s Purse (SP) has disaster relief units in Florida, and volunteers are already working to help hurting homeowners after category 4 Hurricane Ian made landfall delivering 150-mph winds, torrential rain, and a massive storm surge that claimed dozens of lives. SP’s North American ministries responded and have quickly established volunteer bases with two partner churches, but they need an army of volunteers. Pray for thousands more to step forward and help the families who have damaged homes. They are urgently needed to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to help those whose lives have been turned upside down. Teams are mudding-out flooded homes, removing downed trees and debris. Tractor trailers stocked with equipment and supplies are delivering to operation bases. The damage is incredible; people need prayers and support. Pray for all now hurting in Ian's wake, and for local churches facing their own losses while ministering to the suffering. 

On 27 September Florida’s governor told millions, ‘You must evacuate now’. By the 29th Hurricane Ian, the worst storm in US history, had devastated Florida with cars submerged, power lines downed, and rivers sweeping away homes. Storm surges of 18 feet are forcing water inland across 250 miles of coastline. At the time of writing a 140-mile wide system is crawling towards Orlando. 24 inches of rainfall is expected in the next 48 hours. The storm surge flooded Port Charlotte’s hospital emergency room, and fierce winds ripped away the intensive care roof. Pray for the evacuated 2.5 million people, the 30,000 search and rescue teams, the ambulance and medical teams, and the 7,000 National Guards ready to help once the weather clears. The hurricane knocked out Cuba’s entire electricity grid before reaching the USA.

There have been ‘Save the Children’ demonstrations to protest against child sex trafficking and paedophilia at home and abroad. After a two-year investigation into a Florida sex trafficking network, over 170 people have been charged. This has been part of a two-year investigation uncovering a sex-trafficking network in Florida, leading to an ‘unprecedented’ number of arrests. Among those netted were a local candidate for office, a teacher, and a former chairman of the fundraising arm of Florida State University athletics.

Florida’s hurricane season also has the complication of coronavirus this year. Two million residents live in evacuation zones with 82 permanent shelters provided, but after months of instructions to stay home and observe social distancing, will residents evacuate and risk an atmosphere conducive for virus transferral? Tropical Storm Isaias is approaching, so coronavirus testing centres have closed. When the mayor puts out the evacuation order, will the risk of catching coronavirus keep people from leaving homes in areas where they should get out? Pray for successful distancing preparations in shelters, and for the spirit of fear to be replaced with serenity. In Paraguay, violent protests broke out after the government put part of the country back into lockdown. Shops were looted and lorries set on fire, and a number of police were injured. Paraguay borders Brazil, the country with the second-highest number of infections worldwide, and is heavily reliant on cross-border trade. Pray for Latin Americans facing poverty violence and sickness.

Invitation to a Holy Convocation to WELCOME the KING of GLORY into FLORIDA

Orlando, Florida ~ November 8, 9,10, 2019

“But to you who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2

God is moving powerfully in the United States of America…manifesting His intention to bring us back to the very foundations upon which He brought us forth 243 years ago! As we approach the elections of 2020, we see that the battlegrounds are many, and one state that is absolutely critical at this hour is FLORIDA!

We are being summoned there, where darkness is making a stand, and martialing it’s forces, attempting to take and control the state, the rest of our country.

The battle lines are drawn, and the Lord of Hosts Himself will confront the enemy in FLORIDA. He will “rise and shine” His LIGHT into the darkness and open the doors for those who want to be delivered from captivity.

On behalf of the people of our nation, as representatives of the Ekklesia, the 24/7 National Strategic Prayer Call is calling for a Holy Convocation to WELCOME the KING of GLORY into FLORIDA on November 8, 9, 10, 2019 at the Orlando International Worship Center, 4700 Goddard Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804.

We are reaching out to you, seeking your blessing, endorsement and prayerful participation. This is your personal invitation to join us on behalf of this nation, to stand with us in this endeavour.

Thank you for the way in which you are serving our Lord...and hopefully, for your willingness to be our “companion on this journey.”

More info and sign up at: https://www.facebook.com/events/975347866131244/

WELCOME the KING of GLORY into FLORIDA Coordinating Team:

Audra Smith, Orlando International Worship Center, Maureen Bravo and Pastor Ioan Peia

On 29 August Florida residents were being told they should ‘prepare now’, especially in areas along the east coast, for a growing storm currently moving in their direction. The media said they should have a plan of action, a hurricane kit ready, and ‘stay tuned for updates’ as this forecast comes further into focus. A strengthening Hurricane Dorian is a growing threat to Florida’s Labour Day weekend. As it barrelled through the Virgin Islands and scraped eastern Puerto Rico, Dorian intensified from a tropical storm to a hurricane, with even more strengthening being predicted. Dorian is now forecast to approach the Florida coast as at least a Category 3 hurricane, with 115 to 130 mph winds and 8 to 12 inches of rain.