Guam: TWR has ‘dedicated’ two mega-transmitters
Global Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) was heard ‘louder than ever’ across Asia Monday, November 21, after inaugurating two transmitters it hopes will help to reach ‘millions more people’ including ‘persecuted’ Christians in countries such as China. TWR President Lauren Libby hosted what he called ‘a live dedication’ of the network's two new 250,000-watt shortwave transmitters on the pacific island of Guam. The transmitters replace the older 100,000-watt facilities giving ‘TWR the opportunity to touch even more lives with the good news of Jesus Christ,’ he said. ‘We thank God for the privilege of increasing our spiritual footprint in Asia via the 15.4 megahertz in the 19 meter band, the official added’.
Praise: God for the spread of His Word through the work of TWR and others across the airwaves. (Ps.135:1)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/19172-christian-broadcaster-twr-with-new-transmitters-in-asia
Awards recognise unsung Christian heroes
Unsung Christian heroes from across the UK were recognised for their community work at the Inspire Awards last week. More than 120 nominations were whittled down to just three winners who were awarded during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament attended by Christian MPs. The award for the Inspiring Individual went to Christine Deponio, who runs Emmanuel House in Gateshead, a free service to those suffering with terminal cancer. Lifeline Church, in Essex, was presented with the Inspiring Church award for its Open Doors project. The project has been running for 10 years and offers friendship and care to vulnerable and isolated women. Green Pastures, which provides accommodation for 200 formerly homeless people in Southport, received the award for Inspiring Project. The annual Inspire Awards are hosted jointly by Inspire magazine and the Evangelical Alliance.
Praise: God for all those recognised for their gifts as they reach out to those in need. (Ac.10:4b)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/awards.recognise.unsung.christian.heroes/28920.htm
Awards recognise unsung Christian heroes
Unsung Christian heroes from across the UK were recognised for their community work at the Inspire Awards last week. More than 120 nominations were whittled down to just three winners who were awarded during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament attended by Christian MPs. The award for the Inspiring Individual went to Christine Deponio, who runs Emmanuel House in Gateshead, a free service to those suffering with terminal cancer. Lifeline Church, in Essex, was presented with the Inspiring Church award for its Open Doors project. The project has been running for 10 years and offers friendship and care to vulnerable and isolated women. Green Pastures, which provides accommodation for 200 formerly homeless people in Southport, received the award for Inspiring Project. The annual Inspire Awards are hosted jointly by Inspire magazine and the Evangelical Alliance.
Praise: God for all those recognised for their gifts as they reach out to those in need. (Ac.10:4b)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/awards.recognise.unsung.christian.heroes/28920.htm
USA: Corruption in politics exposé
Author Peter Schweizer has researched financial and political records of deals and stock trades, done by US politicians including the timing of briefings, votes on bills, and every other point of leverage in Washington to produce a book described as 'a manifesto for revolution'. It reveals how politicians get rich at the expense of ordinary Americans. Insider trading is illegal on Wall Street, but American politicians are exempt from that law and it is routinely practiced among members of Congress. Normal individuals cannot get in on IPOs at the asking price, but politicians can and have been funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars to their supporters, ensuring more campaign donations. An entire class of investors now make all their profits based on influence and access in Washington. Schweizer's research shows top politicians exit office with millions more than credible based on their salaries and perhaps some patient investing.
Pray: that the partnership between congress and Wall Street would be fully explored, with the research honestly investigated and questions answered clearly. (Mt.23:23)
More: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1707199/pg1
Middle East: Prayer needed
Bahrain: Government protesters were tear gassed when clashes erupted during a procession marking the death of a 16-year-old killed by a police vehicle. The teen's death heightened tensions ahead of the release of a much-awaited report on the sectarian strife in the kingdom. Egypt: 38 protesters have died this week - Monday the cabinet resigned amid clashes between police and protesters demanding political change; Wednesday tens of thousands of protesters rejected efforts to speed up a presidential election, demanding Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi step down immediately in favour of an interim civilian council. Israel/Syria/Libya:use of landmines in 2011 has been the highest for seven years. Hezbollah and its Shiite ally, the Amal Movement led by Speaker Nabih Berri, vowed Monday to stand by Syria and Iran against U.S. and Israeli threats to attack the two countries.
Pray: for God in His mercy to enable peace, justice and hope to flow through communities in the face of fear and injustice. (Ps.35:22)
More: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/default.aspx#axzz1eWLzw72u
Pakistan: Evangelist killed
Evangelist Jameel Saawan was shot dead in Karachi on Nov. 16th by an unidentified gunman in a radical Muslim group's targeting of a Christian. As he opened the doors of his cosmetics shop a young man appeared and shot him in the neck and face, then fled on a motorcycle with two others. Saawan was a widely respected member of the Christian community who visited several families every day to share the Bible. He received death threats two years ago after voicing his desire to start a welfare organization for poor Christians but had not been threatened recently. Saawan's son said, ‘We firmly believe my father was killed because of his preaching of the Bible, there is no other reason. It wasn't a robbery, the assassin walked towards my father and shot at him.’
Pray: that Jameel’s family would know God's comfort, and for the Christian community to know His peace and protection. (Ps.120)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/article_123411.html
Vietnam: House Church attacked
A house church in Hanoi faces uncertainty over where to worship after armed men broke up their meeting, seriously injuring a dozen Christians including women and children. Three were evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after local hospitals refused to examine or treat them. (Vietnamese doctors dare not treat or even examine victims of religious persecution.) Pastor Nguyen Thi Lan is a recently-retired Communist Party official who converted to Christianity last year. Within that short time she has led 50 people to the Christian faith, angering fellow villagers who threatened to kill her if she continues to organize church meetings. Pastor Nguyen Danh Chau was brutally injured with internal injuries to the kidneys, liver and other organs, and left unconscious. Another victim was hit with a steel shovel on her chest and stomach as well as her back, in considerable pain but not admitted to hospital.
Pray: for God to give his wisdom and protection to the growing unregistered house church movement of 2,200+ meeting in over 35 congregations. (Ps.22:19-20)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/19146-news-alert-vietnam-house-church-attacked-12-injured
Global: Opposition to proposed cluster bomb accord
Between 18th and 25th of November the United Nations discussed a new international law on cluster bombs. Religious groups are opposing proposals currently being discussed saying it would put more civilians at risk than an existing treaty. The new law supported by the US, Russia, Israel, China and India would mandate the destruction of all cluster bombs produced before 1980, but allow stockpiled weapons to be used for up to 12 years. It would also allow the continued use of munitions that had a failure rate of less than 1% . A cluster bomb releases smaller ‘bomblets’ designed to kill civilians, damage vehicles and enemy munitions. The Oslo Convention 2010 was ratified by 111 countries and imposed a comprehensive ban on cluster bombs and ordered the destruction of existing stockpiles. The five countries supporting the new law have not signed the Oslo Convention.
Pray: for international Christian groups currently working to eradicate these weapons to be successful – the Mennonites in the US, Tasmania Australia and Canadian churches and the Church of England. (Php.4:1)
More: http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-11/faith-groups-oppose-proposed-cluster-bomb-accord
Burma: Plight of ethnic nationalities
CSW reported Burma's ethnic people are being neglected, highlighting regular use of rape, forced labour, religious persecution, torture and killings in Kachin State where the Army has been waging an offensive against ethnic civilians since breaking a 17-year ceasefire in June. The pastor of a Baptist Church was arrested at 3pm on Nov. 17th while in a store speaking on the phone. Local sources say no reasons were given for his arrest and his whereabouts are unknown. A mother of a 14-month old baby was captured by the Army and forced to work as a porter. She is believed to be held in a camp and repeatedly gang-raped. The Army commander promised her family she would be released by Nov. 2nd but she was not released. An assistant to the pastor of an AoG church died on Nov. 7th a day after severe torture when soldiers attacked and looted the church.
Pray: for the Burmese regime to stop attacking its citizens, and begin a process that will secure peace and protect human rights. (Pr.18:4-5)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue14628.html
Kazakhstan: Laws restricting freedom of religion
Kazakhstan has recently closed mosques, churches and prayer rooms in prisons, citing two laws restricting freedom of religion or belief. ‘Mosques and Russian Orthodox churches were built in prisons in violation of building regulations and the law. They are illegal - that's why they are being closed down.’ Kazakhstan has also started closing prayer rooms in social care institutions. ‘We're all in shock,’ Fr Vladimir Zavadich of the Orthodox Church said. ‘We didn't expect this from our government. Now we fear this will happen everywhere.’ Orthodox Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen stated that this took away ‘the last consolation from those people who, for health reasons, find themselves in a desperate, helpless situation’. He described calls to bar priests from such homes, hospices and old people's homes as ‘inhumane’.
Pray: that Christians might meet for worship without needing state permission. (Pr.21:15)
More: http://www.forum18.org/index.php