Displaying items by tag: North America

Americans have become less likely to identify with an official or formal religion in recent decades, and nowhere is this more evident than in the dwindling percentage who identify with a specific Protestant denomination. In 2000, 50% of Americans identified with a specific denomination; by 2016 that figure had dropped to 30%. The result of the poll showed that ‘while many Americans remain religious in a broad sense and may continue to seek spiritual guidance and community experience, a formal structure in which to do so has become less important’.

Wildfires barrelled across the baking landscape of the western US and Canada, destroying homes, forcing thousands to flee and demolishing forests and farms. A combination of high temperatures and parched land has added to the difficulties of firefighters in California. On 19 July, in California, just one of the many fires that are currently forcing thousands to flee their homes doubled in size (48,000 acres, compared to 23,000 the day before). Over 2,000 firefighters have contained only 7% of the ‘Detwiler Fire’ which is approaching the town of Mariposa and communities in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These blazes are part of 37 active large fires spread across 12 western states, according to the National Interagency Fire Centre. Meanwhile in Canada firefighters are contending with over 200 fires burning in British Columbia. See also and item 1 in Europe section.

The government plans to legalise recreational marijuana by 1 July 2018. Pray for Canadians to use critical thinking skills as they decide what to do with their vote that could change many God-given lives. There is no shortage of easily accessible information on the topic of marijuana. In fact, there are enough facts to effectively argue two opposing perspectives on the recreational use of marijuana. Where does one go from here? Pray that the Canadian Church will research the long-term and short-term effects of marijuana use, then stand up and speak out on the subject of addiction and where it leads. What would Jesus do? Where would recreational drug use lead me?

On 15 June Jacob Stockdale, 25, allegedly used a shotgun to kill his mother and younger brother at his family's farm in Ohio. When deputies went to investigate, he shot himself, and is now in a critical condition in hospital. His oldest brother Calvin said: ‘I don't know why Jacob did what he did, but I do know he is my brother; I speak for our family when I say we love him and forgive him. The prayers and support for my family have been deeply appreciated and we ask for continued prayers for Jacob's healing - body, mind, and spirit.’ The reasons for the shooting are not clear. The Stockdale family are members of the Zion Reformed Church, part of the Presbyterian Church in America, The church is now accepting donations to help the family, and already more than half the $40,000 goal has been raised.

Harvest America 2017 was an evangelistic event broadcast live on the Internet with updates posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This event, similar to a Billy Graham crusade, used the latest media platforms to give a very straightforward presentation of the gospel. At 5 pm on 11 June Pastor Greg Laurie delivered a gospel message via live satellite from the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. Artists joining him for the free one-day event included ‘The Voice’ sensation Brennley Brown, ‘American Idol’ winner Jordin Sparks and CCM artists NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Trip Lee and Phil Wickham. There were 38,000 in the stadium, and 2,904 made decisions for Christ. Also, people across the country invited friends into their homes to watch it and then prayed with them. Last year it live-streamed to over 7,200 locations and drew 357,000 participants, with 25,000 people coming to faith.

Pro-family advocates are in an uproar over a newly-passed bill which allows the government to take children away from parents who don't support the LGBT ideology. The bill replaces the Child and Family Services Act which covered child protection, adoption and foster care services. While the old act allowed parents to direct their child's education and religious upbringing, Bill 89 does not take into account the religious faith in which parents will bring up their child. Jack Fonseca, senior political strategist for Campaign for Life Coalition, urged Christian parents to resist the bill and to ask their religious leaders to stand up for the protection of parental rights.

President Donald Trump is being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller for possible obstruction of justice. US media say senior intelligence officials will be interviewed on whether Mr Trump tried to end an inquiry into his sacked national security adviser, and about the firing of FBI chief James Comey in May. Mr Trump's legal team said the latest leak to the media was ‘outrageous’, and the president has repeatedly denied any collusion with Russia, calling the ongoing inquiry a witch-hunt. The Washington Post sees Mr Mueller’s decision as a major turning point in his investigation, which until recently focused on the Russian angle. Mr Comey, who had previously been leading the Russia inquiries, told Congress last week that Mr Trump had pressured him to drop the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Victor Torres was 12 years old the first time he stabbed a man. Aged 14, he was addicted to heroin. At 18 he was one of New York City's most feared gang leaders and in jail three times. Today he's a leading evangelist who has helped thousands of young people find freedom from drug addiction and gang life. ‘My story is proof that no matter what the circumstances are, no matter how you feel or how negative it looks, redemption is possible,’ Torres told the Gospel Herald. ‘I want people to know that whatever you're facing, whether it's drugs or any other kind of addiction, nothing's too difficult for God.’ Torres' amazing story is the subject of a new film, Victor, based on his autobiography ‘Son of Evil Street’.

Strengthening our Partnership in Prayer for His Revival and Transformation of North America

For the leaders of prayer networks and ministries in North America

You are invited to the North American Prayer Summit!

One of the great joys experienced since the launch of the International Prayer Council in 2002 has been the development of various regional prayer summits that have united prayer ministry leaders to build friendships and pray together for their regions. In North America, we have already met several times as prayer leaders from each nation have taken turns to host three-day gatherings to learn about the issues of each of the three nations in order to connect our hearts in the unity of the Spirit and pray with a new depth of understanding and empathy. These times in the manifest presence of the Lord have marked both us and our nations through their powerful effects as the God answers such united intercession, doing the things only He can do, bringing revival to His people and transformation in the challenging situations each country faces.

It is time for us to gather again on behalf of our continent. The Canadians, after coming to stand with those from the USA at the National Prayer Assembly in October last year, are now inviting us for a North American Prayer Summit, August 21-24, 2017. It will be held in one of the most gorgeous places in our continent- St. John’s, Newfoundland. Please see the 30-second clip below. We will mix times of praying, listening to God, and prophetic sharing about the issues of Mexico, Canada and the USA with building and strengthening a North American Prayer Partnership. We will also take time to pray at Cape Spear, the easternmost point of our continent, enjoy some whale watching and the famously delicious fish and chips, all the while soaking up the stunning beauty of the surroundings of the historic coastal town of St. John’s. 

You are warmly welcomed to take part and if there are others who are leading prayer ministries or networks in your country or elsewhere in North America you think should be invited, please do send your recommendations to us. This gathering will be by invitation only and it will be for those who seek to be led by the Holy Spirit, are evangelical in conviction, have a heart for the unity of Christ’s Body, and are fervent in prayer for the nations. We also want to give special priority to younger ministry leaders. We have tried to keep the costs as low as possible for everyone. Meals will be on your own in the hotel restaurant for breakfast, and lunch and dinner will be catered. We have booked the Holiday Inn in St. John’s at a very reasonable rate that you will pay directly to the hotel when you check-in (please see that information below). 

The registration fee to cover three lunches and two dinners, three days of bus transport, and other costs of the event will be $150 Canadian ($111 USD at current exchange rates). This is the early-bird registration and after June 10th we will increase the registration to $200.00 ($147 USD) because of the need to confirm local arrangements. There will be a special Newfoundland night that will include a banquet for which there will be a separate charge as well as for those wishing to go whale-watching. Details will follow in a later email. Please do register ASAP to ensure you will be able to reserve a place. To register, please pay this fee through PayPal.com by credit card using our local host Wanda Fost’s email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can add your address, phone and email address on the same PayPal form, which we need to complete your registration. Please book your own hotel reservation with the hotel contact information below, being sure to say that you are part of this consultation to get the discounted rate. 

When you book your flight, please be advised that there is another city in Canada called St. John in New Brunswick. You don't want to book your flight to that place in New Brunswick which is in a different part of the country. Just to clarify again, the NAPS is meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland. The airport code is YYT when you make your flight reservation and here is the airport website http://stjohnsairport.com. Also you may find that depending on where you live, it can be cheaper and provide more options to book a flight to an intermediate city like New York or Toronto and then make a separate flight booking on to St. John's, so you might want to explore that possibility. 

Our organizing team is praying that you will be able to join us at this magnificent venue. It will be a powerful, transformative time together that we believe the Lord will use to advance His Kingdom purposes for our three nations and our continent. We earnestly hope you can be with us in beautiful Newfoundland. For further information, please contact MaDonna Eason This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 709 834 9493 or our local host Wanda Fost This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 709 364 1949, cell 709 691 5124. 

Yours in Christ,

The North American Prayer Partnership organizing team

Canada: Murray Dodds, Wanda Fost, and Dave Carson 

Mexico: Javier Martinez and Yanira Gonzalez

USA: Dave Butts, Maureen Bravo, Dallas Eggemayer and John Robb 

Two brief video clips from Newfoundland: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U1DrQrDeFI  

https://youtu.be/H1QSZ_iexoY 

Booking your stay at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s:

The cost for a standard room per night is $139 Canadian ($102 USD at current rates). If you want to share a room with someone to save costs (the rooms are equipped with two beds), you can make that arrangement with the one you want to room with and then it will be just half the cost. However, one of you will need to make the booking with the hotel directly and then settle financially between yourselves since the host team will not be handling any hotel bookings or room assignments. 

For an executive room, it will be $159 ($117 USD at current rates) per night. Again, after you book the room, you can make your own arrangement to share the room (they also are equipped with two beds) and save costs if you like.

Book your room under 'North American Prayer Summit' reservation code:  PSN

1 855 914 1413

1 709 722 0506

email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please pray with us for the right network and ministry leaders to be able to come. For the provision of funding for those who still need assistance and for His powerful presence and anointing to be upon all who participate as we seek His face for our three nations and our continent.

The owner of a Christian T-shirt designer and printer business recently won an appeal case after he objected to printing a pro-LGBT message on an order of T-shirts. Blaine Adamson, managing owner of Hands On Originals, said he and his staff never refuse to do business with someone based on their personal beliefs, but he felt compelled in 2012 to decline to print a message for a gay pride event because it went against his convictions. The Gay and Lesbian Services Organisation promoting the event then filed a discrimination lawsuit against Adamson and his company. The legal action that followed went on for five years. During that time Adamson and his staff remained committed to trusting that God would honour their decision to stand by their convictions. Adamson’s lawyer said after the victorious court case that the law can't force people to express a message in conflict with their deepest convictions.