Afghanistan: A mission agency request
The tribes of Afghanistan are hearing about Christ as media reach where people can’t physically go. Films, radio, websites, cell phones, SMS messaging, and even Twitter are receiving responses never seen before. As more people hear or watch programmes there is a curiosity that could have taken years to develop by more traditional means. The responses to this new media input are so numerous and significant that the need for effective follow up has grown exponentially and the infrastructure is just not there to handle the needs. What a good problem to have, yet this is still a problem. Infrastructure needs at this time are: - Mother-tongue like-minded speakers who are capable of answering questions as people call in. - High tech and website workers to develop and operate new media vehicles. - Creative minds to develop the next generation of media outreach to spiritually searching people.
Yemen: Christians suffering while Muslims fight
Yemen is the Arab world's poorest country. Life for Christians in Yemen is very hard. All Christians there are from a Muslim background and it is forbidden for Muslims to convert to Christianity. Yemen's constitution provides for religious freedom but it's a farce. Christians are routinely harassed and face daily persecution. It is impossible for any Christian in Yemen to own a Bible. This latest crisis involving Saudi Arabia and Iran will make it worse for Yemeni Christians caught between the ideologies of Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, (supported by ten countries). Neither allow the free expression of Christian faith. The Saudis have started bombing Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. The tension between the two countries has been in the making for years. The leading Sunni power, and the leading Shia power are facing each other for influence in the Middle East and now that proxy fight is playing out in the desert sands of Yemen.
Asia: 24-7 prayer gathering
The first 24-7 Prayer Asia Gathering was held in Hong Kong between February 12th and 14th. It was a key moment for the Asia 24-7 network. For five years many have been steadily sowing into relationships across the continent and this gathering was both a culmination and a new beginning. Eighty people gathered from Japan, India, Singapore, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Australia. The theme of the gathering was ‘to gather with God and with one another.’ Gathering with family and close friends around holidays and special occasions is important to Asian peoples and this kingdom gathering was no exception. For many this was the first time they’d met in person after hearing of one another and interacting on the 24-7 Prayer Asia Network Facebook page. A good degree of personal sacrifice was required of those who made the trek to Hong Kong. They were all rewarded with the delight of being together and encouraging each other.
USA: Fighting for $15 minimum wage
Over recent months there has been a mushrooming national campaign of workers seeking a $15-an-hour minimum wage. The most recent demonstration was in Atlanta. With fists pumping in the air, some 500 low-wage workers from across the South filled the sanctuary of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church with a resounding chant to open a one-day mobilizing conference. ‘I believe that we will win’ was the defining slogan as fast food, Walmart, home health care, child care, college adjuncts, retail and auto parts workers gathered from as far away as Missouri and Texas, Virginia and North Carolina to build for the April 15 ‘Fight for $15’ day of action. Many participants wore the brightly coloured T-shirts of their area’s campaign to win economic justice and a liveable wage. The achievements of this young movement so far have raised the minimum wage in Seattle and Los Angeles, and wrestled decisions from Walmart and others to raise starting pay by a dollar an hour. See also: http://april15.org/
Colombia: Terrorism charge against missionary
A missionary pilot in Colombia needs prayer. From jail, missionary Russell Stendal sent this message to Voice of the Martyrs Canada: ‘Somebody set a trap for me, and we walked into it. There was a secret order out for my arrest’. He states in the video message: ‘They’re accusing me of rebellion, for the missionary trips and the visits I made into rebel-held territory distributing Bibles and radios.’ Is Russ Stendal, the famed missionary to FARC terrorists in South America, actually El Gringo, a terrorist leader seeking the overthrow of Colombia’s government? That question is before a three-judge panel, based on allegations from Carlos Manuel Silva, chief sectional prosecutor for the Colombian department of Cundinamarca, which includes the capital Bogota. If a terrorism trial does occur, Christian leaders believe it has potential to harm missionary outreach across the nation, still suffering from decades of violent conflict and narco-terrorism. Evangelicals are growing by 6% per year, three times higher than the population growth rate.
Myanmar: Possible ‘peace deal’
In February we reported Myanmar declaring a state of emergency due to fighting between the army and militia forces fighting for ethnic minorities (many of them Christian). This week Myanmar’s government and representatives from 16 armed groups reached a draft ceasefire agreement. Rebel leaders must give the green light before proceeding and the Kokang have not yet signed on. Myanmar President Thein Sein is satisfied with the deal. However Khon Ja Labang, a Catholic leader and a former member of the Kachin Peace Network currently involved in peace-building in conflict zones, noted that in spite of the Government’s statements it is ‘hard to believe’ their sincerity because the agreement does not include every group and fighting continues in some parts of the country. If it is respected, the deal could put a stop to decades of ethnic violence.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—March 3-6, 2015, at the Koreana Hotel, 28 international and 26 local leaders came together to plan for the World Youth Prayer Assembly (working title) pegged for 2016. 16 countries were represented in the meeting - South Korea, the United States of America, United Kingdom, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Romania, American Samoa, Nigeria, Fiji, Vietnam, India, and Germany. It was amazing how God has orchestrated the meeting and how He has supernaturally provided to see this happen.
To get everybody on the same page, Pastor Jerome Ocampo re-cast the vision for the gathering on 2016 to the young, global leaders present in the meeting. As these leaders made a commitment to run with the vision and to be a part of the International Dream Team (IDT), the planning and stirring team for the event, they were prayed for and anointed by the older generation of leaders who were present. What a beautiful sight of impartation to and empowerment of the next generation!
During the sessions, the IDT was grouped into teams for discussion. It was previously agreed that the WYPA will be an event “for the youth and by the youth.” Thus, the young leaders were given a venue for their voices to be heard-- they gave input on the challenges the youth of today face, and generated ideas on how the WYPA can possibly address these issues and how it will be distinct from other gatherings for the youth. Among the challenges that surfaced across all group discussions are the lack of understanding of identity and purpose, and the lack of mentoring and fathering. One of the key elements the team thinks would be distinctive of the WYPA will be “learning conversations with fathers,” apart from powerful moments of just enjoying being marked by the Presence of the Lord.
They also brainstormed on the form and content of the event. Some ideas that came up were having prayer tents for the “seven mountains of culture,” plus another tent where 24/7 worship will take place. It is foreseen to be highly social and highly interactive; delegates will come out of the event well-connected with people from all over the world who are called to occupy the same “mountain” as theirs.
The team also threw out ideas for the event name, and among the names suggested, “UP: Unified Prayer/ United Prayer” is a direction the team is prayerfully considering going for.
Each of the IDT members were also asked to volunteer for committees they would like to be a part of for the event, aside from committing to mobilize from their respective nations and regions. A faith goal of bringing 1,254 delegates was generated from the commitment of the IDT alone! Faith for fund-raising was also challenged as each member believed for a specific amount to raise for the event.
Tentative dates were also set for the event: July 26-30, 2016 or July 18-23, 2016, pending the Korean Executive Team’s confirmation.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) - the border between North and South Korea. In the freezing cold weather, the team’s hearts burned in prayer for the unification of Korea. It was a foretaste of what is planned for 2016 - to bring the delegates from all nations to the border to release declarations for the freedom of North Korea and for the unification of the North and South.
What was remarkable in this meeting were the relationships forged among these young, global leaders. It was a joy to see them get along so well in just two and a half days of being together! Seeing these strong bonds formed, it will not be a surprise if the IDT will take their friendships and partnerships beyond 2016.
Praise the Lord for all that He has done!
Sarah Torres, WYPA and IDT Administrator
Prayer concerns:
1 For the IDT members to move strongly ahead in the work of mobilizing in their nations and regions.
2 For the Korean Executive Team’s formation and effective efforts within their nation to bring many other leaders and organizations on board and in support of the WYPA.
3 For Jerome Ocampo and his team in the Philippines to effectively lead and coordinate planning along with the IDT members.
4 For His provision of funding for this major event since there will be very significant financial needs to make it happen.
Theresa May receives death threats from IS
The UK will no longer tolerate the behaviour of Islamist extremists who ‘reject our values’, Home Secretary Theresa May has said. She invited individuals, families and communities to join a ‘partnership’ to tackle the issue head on. Mrs May said everyone in Britain had ‘responsibilities as well as rights’, and must respect laws, institutions and the rights of others. Speaking in London, she also outlined plans to ban hate preachers. She announced Tory plans for a review of Sharia courts in England and Wales to examine whether they are compatible with British values.' We will no longer tolerate your behaviour. We will expose your hateful beliefs for what they are.’ An Islamic State fighter has called for the death of Home Secretary Theresa May following the speech she made on Monday in which she called on British Muslims to help defeat extremism.
Researchers urge families to be more active
Researchers compared the TV viewing habits of more than 6,000 British people born in a single week in 1970, at the ages of 10 and 42. Parents should increase children's physical activity to ensure they become fit and healthy adults, the University College London (UCL) authors conclude. ‘Do something active to displace TV,’ advised co-author Lee Smith. ‘In the evening time when families tend to sit down and watch TV they should try to go for walks instead.’ If you can't go outside, try active computer games, anything that gets people up and expending energy rather than sitting down and snacking,’ said Dr Smith, of the UCL epidemiology and public health department. The authors acknowledge that for today's children TV viewing is often replaced by time on computers, smartphones or tablets. Parents should play active computer games with their children, say researchers.
Teacher stress levels in England 'soaring', data shows
Stress levels among teachers in England's classrooms are soaring, a BBC investigation has found. Unions are blaming workload for large numbers of staff taking time off work or leaving the profession. Insurance industry data suggest stress is the biggest cause of staff absence save for maternity. The Department for Education insists it is working ‘to tackle the issue of unnecessary workload which we know can lead to stress’. The BBC has also seen a survey of 3,500 members of the NASUWT teaching union which shows more than two-thirds of respondents considered quitting the profession in the past year. Workload was the top concern, with 89% citing this as a problem, followed by pay (45%), inspection (44%), curriculum reform (42%) and pupil behaviour (40%). In addition: NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates described the results as ‘frightening’. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has expressed her concerns over excessive working hours.