Two Bible ministries join forces
Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) is pleased to announce a new expansion of a long time partnership with United Bible Societies (UBS). The two Christian organizations, each committed to providing God's Word to all the peoples of the world, have agreed to a collaboration that will lay the groundwork for unprecedented access to digital Bible text and audio. This is accomplished by an agreement that brings together UBS's Digital Bible Library and FCBH's Digital Bible Project in a way that will leverage technology for greater access, while also improving efficiency and reducing duplication of work and services. Since UBS and its members have worked closely with FCBH for many years, this new agreement can realistically be viewed as a 21st century extension of decades of mutually committed efforts in the field of Bible engagement and Scripture literacy.
Praise: God for this collaboration in spreading His Word. (Ps.133:1)
Two Bible ministries join forces
Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) is pleased to announce a new expansion of a long time partnership with United Bible Societies (UBS). The two Christian organizations, each committed to providing God's Word to all the peoples of the world, have agreed to a collaboration that will lay the groundwork for unprecedented access to digital Bible text and audio. This is accomplished by an agreement that brings together UBS's Digital Bible Library and FCBH's Digital Bible Project in a way that will leverage technology for greater access, while also improving efficiency and reducing duplication of work and services. Since UBS and its members have worked closely with FCBH for many years, this new agreement can realistically be viewed as a 21st century extension of decades of mutually committed efforts in the field of Bible engagement and Scripture literacy.
Praise: God for this collaboration in spreading His Word. (Ps.133:1)
Firms squirm at shame over human rights
Some of the world's biggest companies are in the running for an award that none of them actually wants. This Friday, two will be singled out as the biggest offenders of the year for ‘contempt for the environment and human rights’. Six have made the short-list – one voted for by the public, the others by the organisers of the Public Eye awards, Greenpeace and the Swiss economic justice group the Berne Declaration. Barclays Capital is described as ‘arguably the fastest-growing food speculator worldwide’ and ‘contributing to sharp rises and falls that cause hunger and poverty.’ Samsung is cited for allegedly failing to protect factory workers from banned and highly toxic substances. The Swiss agrochemical giant Syngenta is short-listed for selling Paraquat, banned in Europe, in the developing world. Whatever the outcome, it is unlikely any of the firms will show up to claim their award. Please use the ‘More’ link to read about the other companies short-listed.
Pray: for all companies to adopt an honest, open and moral approach to their work backed by high standards of corporate and personal integrity. (Pr.10:9)
Hope to reverse exodus of men from church
New Wine and Christian Vision for Men have formed a new partnership aimed at stemming the continuing departure of men from the church. They are joining forces to host events specifically geared towards men who do not feel the Gospel or existing church models are for them. The initiative is being pioneered under the title ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’, and will bring together experts in evangelism and male spirituality to head up seminars and talks. The first event was held just before the New Year at the Soul Survivor Church in Watford and attracted an audience of 700 men. Last Saturday’s event in Manchester was also a full house. Rev Carl Beech, CVM Director, said: ‘Our movement exists to see millions of men in this country encounter the message of Jesus.‘We are hugely excited to be in partnership with New Wine to reach men. We both see reaching men as fundamental.'
Pray: for the success of this partnership in bringing the Gospel message to men in an appropriate and meaningful way. (Ro.1:17)
Christian demoted for views on gay weddings
Christians are being unfairly treated for expressing their beliefs, campaigners have complained, after a housing manager was demoted for speaking out on gay marriage on his own Facebook page. Adrian Smith, a Christian, posted in his own time a response to a news story on the Government’s plans to allow gay weddings in church. The posting, which was only available to his friends, questioned whether the plans were ‘an equality too far’. Mr Smith said the comments, posted on a page which identified the user as a housing association employee, were against equal opportunities policy. Mr Smith is threatening to take the housing association to court claiming damages equivalent to his lost pay. Mike Judge, a spokesman for the Christian Institute, said it is the latest case of a public servant being targeted for their beliefs.
Pray: for Mr Smith and others like him as they stand up for their faith when challenged. (1Cor.16:13)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8844445/Christian-demoted-for-views-on-gay-weddings.html
Charity aims for joint ‘sexting’ prevention pilot with police
A Scottish children’s charity is hoping to establish a joint pilot project with the Police to tackle the growing problem of ‘sexting’ in Scotland. ‘Sexting’ – the practice of sending sexually explicit images via text, email and social networking websites – has become an increasing concern amidst other types of sexual exploitation of youngsters on the internet. The
news comes following recent research by Plymouth University, which found that 40 per cent of 14 to 15-year-olds did not see anything inappropriate about a topless photo. The pilot is being set up by Stop it Now! Scotland (SNS), which campaigns against child abuse, along with Lothian and Borders Police, Barnardo’s Scotland and the Scottish Crime and Enforcement Agency. Initially it will involve SNS workers visiting children who have been reported to the Police and their parents to talk through the impact of such behaviour. If successful, it will be rolled out across Scotland.
Pray: that this pilot scheme will lead to solving this form of abuse of the young. (Pr.2:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/charity-aims-for-joint-sexting-prevention-pilot-with-police/
Drug smugglers targeting 'lucrative' European market
A senior official with Europol, the EU crime-busting agency, has voiced concern about ‘worrying’ new trends in the illegal drugs market. Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Patrick Byrne also said that the DNA of drug smugglers had changed in recent years. ‘They are becoming more clever and more sophisticated in their methods than ever before,’ said Byrne, assistant director for the operations department at Europol. He also said drug traffickers, including Mexican cartels, were continuing to target the ‘lucrative’ drugs market in Europe, and increasingly trying to get a foothold using routes via the Balkans. Byrne was speaking at a joint news conference with Russell Benson, a regional director with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Europol has come under fire in some quarters for an alleged lack of impact in the fight against organised crime, including drug dealing. But Byrne said the agency had had a ‘real’ impact since it became a fully-fledged EU agency in 2010.
Pray: that Europol would continue to have success in tackling the drug menace. (Rom.6:20)
Drug smugglers targeting 'lucrative' European market
A senior official with Europol, the EU crime-busting agency, has voiced concern about ‘worrying’ new trends in the illegal drugs market. Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Patrick Byrne also said that the DNA of drug smugglers had changed in recent years. ‘They are becoming more clever and more sophisticated in their methods than ever before,’ said Byrne, assistant director for the operations department at Europol. He also said drug traffickers, including Mexican cartels, were continuing to target the ‘lucrative’ drugs market in Europe, and increasingly trying to get a foothold using routes via the Balkans. Byrne was speaking at a joint news conference with Russell Benson, a regional director with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Europol has come under fire in some quarters for an alleged lack of impact in the fight against organised crime, including drug dealing. But Byrne said the agency had had a ‘real’ impact since it became a fully-fledged EU agency in 2010.
Pray: that Europol would continue to have success in tackling the drug menace. (Rom.6:20)
Burma: Christians in peace talks with government
Christian leaders in Burma are holding peace talks with the country’s central government whih they hope will help to end the 60-year conflict that has exhausted the nation’s civilian population. The rare opportunity for change has resulted in a group of Karen National Union leaders establishing a peace committee in hopes of capitalising on the transformations occurring in their fractured country. The Karen are a predominantly Christian minority group located in eastern and southern regions of the country that have been at war with the government since shortly after Burma gained independence from the UK in 1948. Ryan Morgan, an advocacy officer at International Christian Concern, ‘is hoping these talks are going to produce lasting results. ICC is excited about the possibility of changes and we are watching them closely.' I think it’s important, though, that the international community and other organisations stay aware of the plight of Christians living in Burma,’ he added.
Pray: for the nation of Burma and especially the predominantly Christian Karen minority group as they enter into these peace talks. (Lev.26:6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/burmas.christians.in.peace.talks.with.government/29151.htm
Kenya: Faith leaders urge calm after court indicts politicians
Faith leaders in Kenya called for calm after the International Criminal Court in The Hague committed to trial high-ranking politicians for crimes against humanity in connection with violence following elections in 2007. Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, fellow presidential candidate William Ruto, cabinet secretary Francis Muthaura and radio journalist Joshua Sang will be tried for an orchestrated campaign to displace, torture, and kill civilians. More than 1,200 people died and around 650,000 were left homeless in clashes in the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Nairobi and Central provinces. ‘We call for sobriety and restraint as Kenyans engage in discussion and interpretation of the decision and its ramifications,’ said the Rev Peter Karanja, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, in a statement on 23 January. The council in 2009 urged the court to investigate the violence, following failure by the government to establish a local justice system to deal with the causes.
Pray: for restraint as these politicians engage in discussion. Pray for peace and justice. (Job.34:17a)