Tourism in Greece may be way down because of the uncertain economic situation and the highly publicised anti-austerity demonstrations. But this has not prevented 320 volunteers from around the globe descending on the Alexandroupolis in the north-eastern corner of Greece. They will be part of Operation Joshua, a Hellenic Ministries project to distribute modern Greek New Testaments, both audio and printed, to 125,000 households. Operation Joshua began on 17 July and continues through to 25 July. Teams of people from young teens to senior citizens are participating in this special effort to bring the hope of the gospel to a beleaguered nation. Not only will they be bringing the message of hope to the Greeks but also 17,000 Turkish Bible packs will be distributed to the Islamic villages on the Turkish border.

Praise: God for Operation Joshua and pray that the thousands of Bibles will bear much fruit. (Jn.15:8)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/thousands.to.receive.bibles.in.greece/30314.htm

Bringing the Gospel to the Middle East is a risky enterprise, but the Bible Chip, developed by Bible League International and the Digital Bible Society, reduces this risk significantly. It’s a small data card of the size of a stamp that contains several Bible translations, audio files, hundreds of books, and over 200 hours of video on evangelism and discipleship, all in Arabic. It’s programmed not to leave any traces on a PC or mobile phone. Wagih Abdelmassih, pastor of the Agape Arabic Christian Centre (AACC) in London, calls the Bible Chip an answer to prayer. He distributed thousands of copies to Arabic speaking visitors to last summer’s Olympic Games. While printed Bibles would not be easily accepted, the Bible Chip turned out to be a much wanted gift. During one-on-one conversations a total of 12,600 Arab Muslims received a Bible Chip. Source: Joel news

Praise: God for the opportunities we have to use digital media to spread His Word. (2Tim.2:8-9)

More: http://digitalbiblesociety.com/DBS2010/english/index.htm

The UK has seen 150 Prayer Spaces in schools this year and the movement is crossing borders with schools in Germany, Australia and Uganda catching the vision. The Prayer Spaces in School website is full of amazing testimonies and the following are just two of them. ‘The feel of this room is so peaceful - does not feel as though I am at school! Let’s you escape + just contemplate about yourself, others + life. We do not allow for us to take time to do this at school. Thank you for touching so many girls lives + allowing them to contemplate + be themselves.’ and, ‘Much of what we do in school is on a horizontal level in terms of human to human but to actually get a chance to stop and think about that vertical relationship, about humans and our relationship with God. It's a privilege really. It's just wonderful to be able to do it for the children.’

Praise: God for the 24/7 prayer movement and may communion with God continue to be an important part of the lives of our school children. (1Ki.8:28)

More: http://www.24-7prayer.com/features/1905

The unique UK prayer movement Hallowed is launching a series of inspiring and challenging programmes set to start on Revelation TV's Church In Focus series (UK Sky channel 581) from Friday May 13, at 8:30pm. ‘The show will include interviews with Christians from different backgrounds, including a doctor, a florist and a businessman, who will talk about how everyone is more powerful when they begin to pray and they will be more effective in what they’re called to do,’ said founder of Hallowed Kalpana. She added: ‘It’s not just pastors but ordinary men and women who need to pray, because that’s what we’re trying to impress on the church. Prayer is not an exclusive ministry to intercessors or exclusive to pastors. It is the ministry of the whole church.’ Kalpana founded Hallowed in 2009, when she felt God call her to gather Christians from across the UK to pray for the nation. More details about Hallowed go to: www.hallowed.org.uk

Praise: that this initiative will lead to many discovering the truths of the Christian faith. (Ep.1:18)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11050059.htm

Christian theatre groups have put together Olympics-inspired productions to help churches get the most out of the Games next summer. The original productions have been produced by Saltmine, Lantern Arts, Riding Lights and Act4. Saltmine's production, In Their Shoes, explores the roots of the modern Olympic movement and will tour in 2012 in collaboration with a Muslim theatre company. Churches are being encouraged to use the productions to engage with their communities during the London 2012 Olympics, either by hosting them in their churches or by taking them to their local schools. David Willson, chief executive of More than Gold, the umbrella organisation for church outreach during the Games, said: ‘We hope churches will host at least one of these productions and take them to schools and young people as well’.

Praise: God for these ideas and pray that the church would make full use of them. (1Jn.3:18)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/theatre.productions.to.help.churches.reach.out.during.olympics/28307.htm

Faith Comes By Hearing has added five new language recordings to their catalogue of Audio Scriptures this month. Combined, these five languages represent more than 169,000 people who now have God's Word in audio available in their heart language. The new releases are: Ayta Mag-antsi - Philippines; Kandozi - Peru; Kebu – Uganda; Quichua - Northern Pastaza - Ecuador/Peru; Terena – Brazil. These recordings are possible because of the dedicated work and partnership of many translation ministries and Bible Societies around the world. Our catalogue of Audio Scripture features a total of 667 languages, but changes regularly with new additions every month. Notably, New Testaments in 94 languages have been added in just the last 12 months. Spoken in almost every country in the world, these recordings as a whole represent a potential outreach to more than 5 billion people - or in other words, two-thirds of the world's population. This unprecedented access via the Digital Bible Platform continues to expand rapidly. 

Praise: God for this opportunity to harness technology to spread the Word. (2Th.3:1)

More: http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/word-god-667-languages-and-counting

Well, it just gets more and more exciting. It is difficult to fully explain the weight of God's glory that is being seen here in Cwmbran. More and more people are coming and going away full of the fire of the Holy Spirit. We are delighted to have guests from California with us.Unbeknown to us Lou Engle in California finished a 40 day fast on April 9th 2013. On April 10th this Outpouring broke out in Wales. Lou Engle a man of God, with an incredible heart for revival pioneered ‘The Call’ which has been used to reach hundreds of thousands of people for Christ. His team of eight jumped on a plane to spend four days in Wales and see what God is doing. During their 40 day fast they had visions and dreams of Whales jumping around in the sea. They believe God was showing them that Wales is a significant place where God is moving, so they came! Click on the ‘More’ link for the latest testimonies.

Praise: God for this wonderful outpouring and for the many blessings received. (Ps.85:6)

More: http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/outpouring-update-11

This Jubilee year’s Queens Birthday Honours List re-introduced the British Empire Medal which created even more opportunities to recognise the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK. The majority of awards recognise people outside the public eye, and this year 72% of award recipients were honoured for charitable or voluntary work in the community. Nicholas Crichton, a District Judge received a CBE for his work with children and families involved in the family justice system. An OBE went to PC Kim White in Kent Police who devoted much time to assisting female members of the gypsy traveller community. Les Isaac received an OBE for his work with Street Pastors. Tony Baldry MP received a knighthood for public and political service. Sir Tony plays a vital role in the link between the Church and Parliament, regularly answering questions on Church matters in the House of Commons. Debra Green of Redeeming Our Communities, has been awarded an OBE for her service to communities.

Praise: God for the thousands of extraordinary compassionate and Christ like works being established and flourishing in our communities.

More: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_202128

Praise God for prayer initiatives emerging in 2013. Prayer walking your city. United we Are is generating a continuous year of prayer during 2013 by young people facilitated through 24-7 Prayer, Hope Revolution, Urban Saints and Global Day of Prayer London. This was launched by a ‘Gideon’ style army of 300 young people at Wembley stadium wearing red hoodies during a reading of Ezekiel 37. Details on www.thefatherslove.co.uk. Light the Land is a prayer and intercession tour lighting the beacons of revival across the nation from east to west and from north to south. For details of all venues – next one 3rd March in Manchester go to: http://robparkerchristchurch.com Also, Walking Into The Future, ‘As I started off my first prayer walk around ‘my’ City of Salford, little did I know what lay ahead’. Find out more from Dave King and all that they have learned about God’s faithfulness by clicking the More button.

Praise: God for the way He makes our feet like the feet of deer, and sets us on high places. May He continue to teach us and train us for war as He enables us to bend bows of bronze. (Ps.18:33-34)

More: http://www.wegather.co.uk/stories/Walking-Into-the-Future.cfm

Last week, a 64-year-old electrician, Colin Atkinson, was threatened with a disciplinary hearing because he displayed a palm cross on the dashboard of his van. Mr Atkinson hadn't wanted to upset anybody. He had given witness to his faith, in this modest way, for 15 years without anyone complaining. Alas, one person took offence, and that was enough. (See Prayer Alert 16-2011) Thankfully, common sense prevailed, and Wakefield and District Housing, Mr Atkinson's employer, agreed to let him keep the cross on his dashboard. But the case – and the reaction to it – demonstrates once again the power of the cross, and the hold this symbol has on people's imagination. Even people who never go to church understand, at some level, that the cross represents something holy. It draws us out of the everyday world and into the divine and it is at the heart of the mystery of Easter.

Praise: God that common sense has prevailed. (Ps.94:8)

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/8470164/The-power-of-the-cross-endures.html