Zimbabwe Anglicans celebrate return to churches
29 Apr 2013A 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
In Manado, the Christian community is thriving. Yet, like so many other places around the world, young people are turning away from their faith in record numbers. Distracted by secular culture and worldly influences, they have come to be known as the lost generation. Andrew Palau knows the story all too well. As the son of renowned evangelist Luis Palau he lived a life of rebellion until the age of 27 when he finally embraced the truth of the Gospel. Taking the message of Jesus and his own story of redemption to Manado, Andrew had the privilege of joining with hundreds of local believers to accomplish the massive evangelistic festival, August 26-31. This youth-led campaign took months of planning and prayer. It included the partnership of hundreds of local churches, city officials and thousands of Indonesian believers. By the end of the festival and week of outreach events, more than 3,500 decision cards were received and 7,000 copies of the Gospel of John had been distributed.
Praise: God for the move of His Holy Spirit in bringing so many young people into His kingdom. (Ps.68:32)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=44179&PN=1
The summer has seen a rash of events for new generations - here is an insight from some participants around the Diocese of Lichfield. While students of all ages enjoy the long break over the summer, many from churches and youth clubs around the diocese have spent a little of that time having fun and developing their faith. Over four and a half thousand young people from around the country gathered at Stafford Showground for the annual Soul Survivor event at the end of July; five days of exuberant worship, teaching, sport, food and culture. In contrast, the diocesan youth retreat centre, Dovedale House on the Staffordshire Moorlands is playing host to a much smaller and deliberately quieter event. Called Breathe, it promises quietude, time to meditate and escape from hectic term-times as well as a wide choice of activities. And no leaky tents!
Praise: God for Soul Survivor and all the other events throughout the summer that are designed to stimulate faith. (Ps.89:19)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/young.christians.have.fun.and.develop.their.faith/33734.htm
Wycliffe Associates and a ministry to the deaf have announced a new partnership to translate the Bible into sign language for the millions of people who do not have access to the Scriptures. Deaf Opportunity Outreach International (DOOR) will work with Wycliffe Bible Translators and teams of deaf translators to bring the Scripture to video format. ‘Being blind separates you from things, but being deaf separates you from people,’ explained Bruce Smith, president/CEO at Wycliffe Associates. ‘We want to make sure that being deaf doesn’t separate you from God,’ Smith said. According to Wycliffe Associates there are more than 200 identified sign languages being used in the world and some 70 million people worldwide communicating with sign language.
Praise: God for the work of Wycliffe and DOOR bringing the Word of God alive to all people. (Ro.8:35a)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/wycliffe.door.to.translate.bible.for.deaf.people/25825.htm
World: 500 mark in audio Bible translations
12 Jan 2011
This month marks an exciting landmark in the world of audio Bible translation. ‘We have got to our 500th language that we have recorded,’ explains Bill Lohr with Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH). ‘About 4.6 billion people speak those languages in the world today.’ Beyond the fact that now billions of people, literate or not, could potentially access the Scriptures, the 500 mark has special meaning for FCBH. ‘The reason that's significant for us is that it puts us a quarter way to our goal, which is in 2016, we want to have 2,000 languages recorded. That will effectively be about 97 percent of the world's population.’ That is truly FCBH's heartbeat and passion: to provide every person, regardless of literacy or location, with the opportunity to access Scripture in their heart language. FCBH now has over 50 recording teams in 27 countries working on new translations to meet their 2,000 language goal by 2016. Praise: God that faith comes from hearing the word. (Ro.10:17)
World Prayer Assembly Indonesia
09 Feb 2012Christian leaders from across the globe will gather at the World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 14-18, 2012. This historic event will take place as millions of Indonesians are connected in prayer for their nation. 24/7 ‘prayer towers’ are operating in many cities in Indonesia and over 200,000 ‘child intercessors’ are committed in prayer for their nation. All of this in the largest Muslim-populated country. Thousands of prayer, mission and marketplace leaders, along with on-fire youth and children, will gather in Jakarta to seek the Lord together for His strategies of ‘prayer-action’ for the world. What’s unique is that the WPA will be led inter-generationally, with youth and children helping to facilitate plenary and other sessions. This, the organizers believe, will ‘help launch the next generation of men and women of God that God will use to impact the nations.’ More information is available on the ‘More’ link. Also check out the inspiring introduction video.
Praise: God and pray that there will be tsunami of His Holy Spirit. (Hab.2:14)
Word of God, all 788,280 read out over 5 days
12 Jan 2011
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre has announced plans to read the Bible on stage in its entirety for the first time. Up to 20 actors will take turns to recite the Old and New Testaments from start to finish. With a total of 788,280 spoken words, the reading will take an estimated 69 hours. ‘As far as we can tell, we are the first theatre ever to have presented a full reading of the Bible,’ said a spokesman for the theatre, in Southwark. ‘We're starting on Palm Sunday and finishing on Easter Monday, simple, un-staged, and a rare opportunity to experience one of the most significant pieces of world literature in its entirety.’ The performance will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the English translation published in 1611. Some 50 scholars chosen by the king created a unified Bible for England and a masterpiece of English literature. Praise: God that His very words will be spoken and will bring life. (Heb.4:12)
What people experienced in Church
02 Feb 2012The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church