Croatia: Pope’s message of peace for Croatia
‘You have no right to forget your past, because the nation that forgets has no future. However, you should not remember it for revenge, but for peace.’ That was one of the strong messages given by Pope Francis last weekend in Sarajevo, sent to anyone willing to listen. We know how to listen, but are we willing to really hear such a message? Are we, Croatians, prepared to understand it, accept it and live accordingly? Revenge is so deeply rooted in human beings that it seems quite natural to want to return the experienced injustice and evil. Moreover, often the one who lives by the Bible and turns the other cheek or forgives the wrongdoer is perceived as a notorious fool. Twenty years ago, after the homeland war, the first Croatian president gave amnesty to all who participated in the aggression and invited them to stay in Croatia. Now there is a proposal to seek the publication of the register of aggressors.
Bulgaria: One dead, four injured in ‘training accident’
Bulgarian officials said a US citizen had been killed in a grenade launcher accident and four other persons had been wounded. In a statement, the US embassy in Sofia confirmed the death of one Department of Defence contractor and the injury of two contractors and a Bulgarian translator in a ‘training accident’ at the firing range of an ordnance plant near the city of Sopot in central Bulgaria. One American was killed on the spot and another US citizen was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. A third American and two Bulgarians were also taken to a hospital with less severe injuries, the ministry said. Over recent years there have been joint trainings and exercises, as well as increased joint utilisation of NSTA by units from Bulgarian Armed Forces and the US Army. See also : www.mod.bg/en/tema_SuvmestniVoenniSuorujenia.html
Bosnia: A new ministry
A local ministry is expanding into a new city, Mostar, and needs our prayers. The team consists of just two couples and there will be much planning and stepping out as The Lord leads in the coming months. They have a heart for students and are expecting the Lord to lead them to the students He has for them to minister with. Pray that the hearts of these students would be ripe to become disciples. Pray for Alpha courses they intend to continue running and pray for powerful communication between God and those searching. Please pray for the cities of Mostar and Tuzla, key regional cities to begin ministry in next 5 years.
Belgium: Cities and villages for evangelising
The areas in greatest need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the smaller towns and villages in the Flemish-speaking areas and the Francophone Ardennes region (Liège, Namur and Luxembourg). Brussels is a strategic city. The capital region’s population is over 1.1 million. It is 32% foreign, 8% evangelical and close to 13% Muslim (largely Moroccan and Turk) – with over 45 nationalities of 1,000 people or more. It ranges from increasing numbers of impoverished neighbourhoods to growing communities of affluent young professionals, from the often-isolated and marginalised immigrant groups to the powerful autocratic community. Antwerp now has over 100 evangelical congregations (up from 10 in 1970), but 80% are non-Flemish. The unity and co-operation between these churches is commendable. A number of local and international ministries are reaching out to the large Moroccan community. The majority of Belgium’s Orthodox Jewish population live in Antwerp, with little or no outreach to them.
Belarus: Government and Ukraine situation
‘Belarus is ready to provide all the necessary conditions for talks on the ways to resolve the situation in the south-east of Ukraine; in all formats and in the shortest possible time,.’ said a spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dmitry Mironchik, at a press briefing. The announcements of future meetings will be made by representatives of the parties involved in the negotiations. ‘As regards the information for mass media concerning the technical issues of the coverage of the event the Belarus government will distribute it the day before a meeting’, Mr Mironchik added.
Austria: Investigates spying during Iran talks
On 11 June it was reported that Austria is now investigating possible spying during nuclear talks between Iran and world powers after Swiss authorities confirmed they were probing similar claims (The tricky drafting of an Iran nuclear deal began in April). Investigations are ongoing regarding the location of numerous rounds of the talks. Russian IT security firm Kaspersky has said that it discovered a complex computer virus, which it believes hackers could have used to obtain sensitive information during the talks. Officials said that at present there was no clue as to who was behind the alleged cyber espionage. Austria's Kronen Zeitung newspaper reported that there has been speculation in Israeli media that the cyber-attacks bore ‘the hallmark of Israeli intelligence operations’. Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely has rejected any involvement, saying, ‘Foreign reports about Israeli participation are baseless.’
Andorra
Andorra is plagued with toughworking conditions for many, including long work hours. Drug and alcohol addiction is common, as well as suicide. Many families are broken. Pray that people can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus so they can find healthy ways to cope with their difficulties. Pray also that Andorran students, who believe in the Lord, will share their faith.boldly and openly Operation World reports that although 90% affiliate with the church, few seek spiritual guidance. Many consult mediums, seers, and astrologers for guidance, usually at a significant cost. Please pray for the political leaders of Andorra: Co-Princes Spanish Archbishop Joan-Enric Vives Sicilia (represented by Nemes Marques) and French President Francois Hollande (represented by Christian Fremont) and Executive Council President Antoni Marti Peti.
Albania: Evangelism and church planting
There are still many towns and villages without an evangelical presence and, where there is one, signs of second-generation spiritual lapses are already apparent. The Albanian Church Planters Mission was formed to prepare evangelists for this express purpose. Holistic mission is possibly the defining ministry of the young Albanian Church. Almost all mission agencies and national ministries combine practical and much-needed assistance with sharing the gospel. Help ministries abound, designed to assist the poor and suffering and to provide employment opportunities for Christians. Albanian believers are now being equipped to have a holistic gospel impact on their society as well. This will potentially affect fields as diverse as medicine, politics, law, business, parenting, etc., with the hope that such efforts might bear fruit that matures and expands the Church and transforms the country.
Nine days to ‘SOUND THE ALARM AND PROCLAIM GOD’S POWER’
The World Prayer Centre is inviting all Christian believers, churches, youth groups, intercessory groups, young and old to come and pray for our family of nations at what they believe is a significant time in our nations. You are invited to come for a National Day of Worship and Prayer at TRUMPET CALL 2015 at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Saturday 4 July 2015. Ian Cole, Founder of World Prayer Centre said, ‘If we, as the Christian Church, do not stand together and pray on behalf of our nations and their future generations, who will? At TRUMPET CALL 2015, we will release a powerful trumpet blast over the British Isles and beyond into Europe - an alarm that will alert us to the dangers we face, while at the same time opening our eyes and to heed God’s spirit within us to the opportunities we have to live out our Christian faith in actions and prayer for our nations.’ There are car parks near the venue and many cafes, restaurants and shops nearby.
Houses of Parliament are crumbling
In 2012 MPs were first alerted to the fact that the Grade-1 listed building needs urgent repairs. A new report warns MPs that if they stay in the buildings whilst repairs are carried out it could take 32 years and cost £7 billion. The whole structure is crumbling. Built on London clay, it is slowly sliding towards the river. There are serious problems with the roof, walls are crumbling and the foundations are cracking. MPs are facing an option to move out while the work is done, which could take 10 years and cost £3 billion. This is the surveyors' favoured option. The sorry condition of Parliament could be seen as a metaphor of Britain's crumbling moral, spiritual, economic and political state. We have undermined family life through laws allowing abortion, easy divorce, and same-sex 'marriage' and sent our soldiers to fight in wars that had little or nothing to do with our national security. We have passed laws that favour the rich and deny justice to the poor.