UK publics' Africa emergency donations exceed £15 million
Donations from the UK public to the Disasters Emergency Committee emergency appeal for people suffering from severe food shortages in East Africa have now exceeded £15 million. The worst drought in 60 years has killed cattle and devistated crops in parts of East Africa, creating a humanitarian emergency, with problems expected to be compounded by a poor harvest. The DEC East Africa Appeal in Britain has been presented by actors Jason Isaacs and Fay Ripley, actor and comedian Lenny Henry and broadcaster and journalist Kate Adie. Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee Brendan Gormley said: ‘The more money we raise, the more lives we can save in the short term, and the more help we can give people to rebuild their lives in the long term. It’s vital that people keep giving,’ he added. To make a donation to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk
Pray: for all those affected by this disaster, for those working to alleviate the suffering and for those who continue to donate to the appeal. (Ps.91:10)
Aid works - if it's in time
That's the verdict from international development charities this week in the wake of a generally positive United Nations update on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The report suggests the aim of halving the number of the world's poor between 1990 and 2015 remains on track. While there are a number of reasons for the progress, such as the increased wealth in India and China, international aid is an important factor in the improvements, said Laura Webster, head of public policy at the international development charity Tearfund. But in recent months the UK government has faced much criticism for sticking to the plan of spending 0.7 per cent of its national income on foreign aid in the current climate of austerity measures. Just last week David Cameron accused critics of his foreign aid policy as being 'possibly hard-hearted'.
Pray: for the ongoing success of the MDG’s despite the current financial climate. (1Sam.2:8)
Drug-resistant sex disease discovered
A new strain of gonorrhoea that is resistant to antibiotics has been discovered by scientists. The bacterial infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with thousands of Britons becoming infected each year. Gonorrhoea can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancies and increased susceptibility to HIV. Dr Magnus Unemo, who led the team behind the discovery, described the find as ‘alarming’ and the researchers warned that the strain is likely to become a ‘global threat to public health’. He added: ‘While it is still too early to assess if this new strain has become widespread, the history of newly emergent resistance to the bacterium suggests that it may spread rapidly unless new drugs and effective treatment programmes are developed.’ Dr Unemo’s disturbing findings were presented at the 19th conference of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research in Quebec, Canada. Scientists are now trying to combat the infection using different drugs.
Pray: for those researching this disease that they may find a way to treat it. (Is.57:19)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/drug-resistant-sex-disease-discovered/
Germany and France agree position on debt crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have hammered out a common position on the euro debt crisis. A statement by the French president's office said agreement had been reached after seven hours of talks in Berlin. It comes ahead of a crunch meeting of eurozone leaders to resolve the Greek debt crisis and prevent further contagion to other eurozone economies. Details of the deal have not yet been released. Policymakers are set to discuss a range of measures at the meeting later today, including a new loan package to Greece and the role of private investors in
any debt restructuring. Reports suggest a new tax on banks will also be debated. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned against over optimism.
Pray: for the discussions taking place that God would overrule and grant His wisdom. (Is.64:4)
Germany and France agree position on debt crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have hammered out a common position on the euro debt crisis. A statement by the French president's office said agreement had been reached after seven hours of talks in Berlin. It comes ahead of a crunch meeting of eurozone leaders to resolve the Greek debt crisis and prevent further contagion to other eurozone economies. Details of the deal have not yet been released. Policymakers are set to discuss a range of measures at the meeting later today, including a new loan package to Greece and the role of private investors in
any debt restructuring. Reports suggest a new tax on banks will also be debated. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned against over optimism.
Pray: for the discussions taking place that God would overrule and grant His wisdom. (Is.64:4)
Theatre to help churches reach out during Olympics
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)
Theatre to help churches reach out during Olympics
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)
Call to 'carry the torch' at Wembley prayer event
Global Day of Prayer London is calling for 1,000 leaders to pray together to set Britain ablaze at the Carry the Torch national leaders' summit. The event is taking place in the Great Hall at Wembley Stadium on September 17. The key focus of the day will be to jointly see how God's Kingdom can increase in the UK, releasing the Gospel to millions of people and seeing tangible transformations within every sector of society. ‘We are looking to God for mercy and blessings upon our nation as we gather together,’ said Jonathan Oloyede, convener of GDOP London. ‘Every leader of small and large groups within the market place, church and ministry are invited. We would like to see lots of young leaders from different cultures and streams joining us on the day.’ Evangelist Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, will be one of the guest ministers on the day.
Praise: God and pray that intercessors would cover the land with the torch of life bringing glory to the King. (Lk.8:1)
Call to 'carry the torch' at Wembley prayer event
Global Day of Prayer London is calling for 1,000 leaders to pray together to set Britain ablaze at the Carry the Torch national leaders' summit. The event is taking place in the Great Hall at Wembley Stadium on September 17. The key focus of the day will be to jointly see how God's Kingdom can increase in the UK, releasing the Gospel to millions of people and seeing tangible transformations within every sector of society. ‘We are looking to God for mercy and blessings upon our nation as we gather together,’ said Jonathan Oloyede, convener of GDOP London. ‘Every leader of small and large groups within the market place, church and ministry are invited. We would like to see lots of young leaders from different cultures and streams joining us on the day.’ Evangelist Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, will be one of the guest ministers on the day.
Praise: God and pray that intercessors would cover the land with the torch of life bringing glory to the King. (Lk.8:1)
West Eurasia: Armenia evangelicals under pressure
Rights activists and religious groups in Armenia say new legislation will increase intolerance towards the country's evangelical Christians and other minorities, some of whom already face prosecution for their church activities. In statements obtained by BosNewsLife they criticized a proposed new 'Religion Law' as well as changes to the 'Law on Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Church' and to the Criminal and Administrative Codes. ‘In practice they would be used to repress religious organizations,’ warned Stepan Danielyan, who represents the Yerevan-based Collaboration for Democracy Center. ‘This is a kind of theatrical farce,’ added Evangelical Pastor René Leonian in a statement distributed by rights group Forum 18. He spoke as his colleague, Pentecostal Pastor Vladimir Bagdasaryan, was preparing to hear a possible guilty verdict in a controversial trial.
Pray: that these proposed changes would not lead to the church facing intolerance or persecution. (Ps.102:26)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/17629-armenia-evangelicals-under-pressure-amid-new-legislation