Sweden: Ministry team marks steady progress
Although Sweden is woven brightly with a rich Christian history, advancing secularism and moral decline have added dark threads to the tapestry. Shifting cultural norms throughout Europe have caused people to reject the ways of the past, which includes Biblical Christianity. Sweden's third-largest city, Malmo, has also seen massive immigration, making it one quarter Muslim today, on track to transforming into a Muslim-majority city within just a few decades. The work for missionaries from The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) is challenging, but clear cut. Working hand-in-hand with InterAct, a Swedish church and mission movement, TEAM missionaries are seeing churches grow that bring the whole Gospel to the whole person in Sweden. Their strategy is to transform lives and multiply churches through relational, holistic evangelism by mentoring young leaders to reach their peers. They do this using music, art, and social caring to reach children, youth and those who have been marginalized by their society. Pray: for the work of the churches and mission groups as they seek to spread the Good News particularly in Malmo. (Ac.5.42)
Sweden: Ministry team marks steady progress
Although Sweden is woven brightly with a rich Christian history, advancing secularism and moral decline have added dark threads to the tapestry. Shifting cultural norms throughout Europe have caused people to reject the ways of the past, which includes Biblical Christianity. Sweden's third-largest city, Malmo, has also seen massive immigration, making it one quarter Muslim today, on track to transforming into a Muslim-majority city within just a few decades. The work for missionaries from The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) is challenging, but clear cut. Working hand-in-hand with InterAct, a Swedish church and mission movement, TEAM missionaries are seeing churches grow that bring the whole Gospel to the whole person in Sweden. Their strategy is to transform lives and multiply churches through relational, holistic evangelism by mentoring young leaders to reach their peers. They do this using music, art, and social caring to reach children, youth and those who have been marginalized by their society. Pray: for the work of the churches and mission groups as they seek to spread the Good News particularly in Malmo. (Ac.5.42)
Saved from death
Gitika's body shrunk as an evil spirit caused her to quit eating, lose sleep and writhe with burning pain. For a month and a half a demon terrorized her, making her weak and speaking through her saying, ‘I won't leave her until I take her life!’ The hospital said nothing could be done for her and she was sent home to die. A neighbour told the family of a Pastor who could pray for their daughter to be healed. Hoping for a miracle they contacted Pastor Somkar. ‘ I know what you are doing. Don't go. Don't bring him here!’ the evil spirit yelled, through Gitika. But the pastor came and prayed for several weeks until she was delivered from the demonic attack, started eating again and was completely healed. After seeing God's power through prayers the entire family became Christians. Gitika now shares with others that only God was able to give her life again. Praise: God for healing and deliverance, and ask him to use Gitika and her family to bring the whole village to faith in Jesus. (Ac.10:38)
Saved from death
Gitika's body shrunk as an evil spirit caused her to quit eating, lose sleep and writhe with burning pain. For a month and a half a demon terrorized her, making her weak and speaking through her saying, ‘I won't leave her until I take her life!’ The hospital said nothing could be done for her and she was sent home to die. A neighbour told the family of a Pastor who could pray for their daughter to be healed. Hoping for a miracle they contacted Pastor Somkar. ‘ I know what you are doing. Don't go. Don't bring him here!’ the evil spirit yelled, through Gitika. But the pastor came and prayed for several weeks until she was delivered from the demonic attack, started eating again and was completely healed. After seeing God's power through prayers the entire family became Christians. Gitika now shares with others that only God was able to give her life again. Praise: God for healing and deliverance, and ask him to use Gitika and her family to bring the whole village to faith in Jesus. (Ac.10:38)
Priestly vocations on the rise
This September saw the numbers entering English seminaries to become Catholic priests at their highest level in a decade. Fifty-six men began the journey towards priesthood this year. ‘The number of people responding to the call of Christ to be priests has been rising slowly but surely, and may rise further as people respond to the visit of Pope Benedict.’ said the Chairman of the Vocations Directors of England and Wales. Many dioceses and religious orders now run discernment groups for young men and women where all vocations are discussed. Such groups encourage lay, religious and priestly vocations. The director of the National Office of Vocation said, ‘When everybody in the Church takes seriously Newman’s insight that ‘God has created me to do him some definite service,’ then a greater number discover their call to the priesthood and religious life.’ Praise: God for all those who hear Christ's calling to join His church and follow His paths for their lives. (Mt.4:19)
Priestly vocations on the rise
This September saw the numbers entering English seminaries to become Catholic priests at their highest level in a decade. Fifty-six men began the journey towards priesthood this year. ‘The number of people responding to the call of Christ to be priests has been rising slowly but surely, and may rise further as people respond to the visit of Pope Benedict.’ said the Chairman of the Vocations Directors of England and Wales. Many dioceses and religious orders now run discernment groups for young men and women where all vocations are discussed. Such groups encourage lay, religious and priestly vocations. The director of the National Office of Vocation said, ‘When everybody in the Church takes seriously Newman’s insight that ‘God has created me to do him some definite service,’ then a greater number discover their call to the priesthood and religious life.’ Praise: God for all those who hear Christ's calling to join His church and follow His paths for their lives. (Mt.4:19)
Iraq: Christians determination to stay
The massacre at the Church of Sayyidat al-Najat is one of the most savage attacks inflicted on Christians of Iraq since 2003. Christians have been kidnapped, tortured, raped, evicted from their homes and threatened to convert to Islam or leave or die. Over sixty houses of worship have been destroyed, 17 Christian leaders kidnapped, some tortured and five killed including the bishop of Mosul and a Protestant pastor. Despite all efforts to drive Christianity from its Middle East heartland there is still a large number of the faithful who are determined to stay - come what may, saying this is their country in which their ancestors lived for thousands of years. On Sunday they gathered in the damaged church still stained with the blood of its martyrs and Muslims who were indignant at what happened showed their solidarity with the Christian community by joining them. Pray: though afflicted may they not be crushed, though perplexed may they not despair, though persecuted they will never be forsaken, and when struck down may they rebuild. (2Cor 4:8-10) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.in.iraq.the.determination.to.stay/27065.htm
China: House Church raided
ChinaAid reported that early Friday morning more than 10 believers were taken away by officials; five of them were not released until that afternoon. Without going through any paperwork government officials confiscated items belonging to the church. A ChinaAid spokesperson said, ‘In this process of persecution and growth the Chinese church is encouraged to play well the role of Samaritans, abandon excuses of cowardice and bravely face dark and violent forces of the government by adhering to the principles of Christian ethics and morality. They should unite and help each other, firmly refusing to compromise; and produce greater light and salt.’ ChinaAid expresses deep regret at the ‘ultra-leftist policies’ that the Chinese government is pursuing recently. Pray: that the church will grow increasingly mature in the storm of persecutions and eventually the name of Jesus Christ will be glorified in the region. (Ac.10:35)
Egypt: Christian homes torched
Tuesday night Muslims set fire to at least 10 houses belonging to Coptic Christians in a village south of Cairo over rumours that a Christian had an affair with a Muslim girl. Several people were arrested and security forces sealed off the village of al-Nawahid to prevent the violence from spreading to neighbouring villages. The attacks started after locals spotted a young Copt and a Muslim girl together at night inside the village cemetery. Both were put under police custody as authorities investigate. Coptic Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million people. Copts and Muslims generally live in peace, though human rights groups say attacks on Copts are on the rise, underscoring the government's failure to address chronic sectarian strains in a society where religious radicalism is gaining ground. Pray: for the rights of Christians in Egypt to be recognised and equalled to those enjoyed by Muslims. (Mk.13:13) More: http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/muslims-torch-christian-homes-in-southern-egypt-1.325018
Iran: Death sentence for Christian
According to ww.presenttruthmn.com, the official death sentence verdict has now been delivered in writing to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, stating that he is to be hung for the crime of apostasy. There are 20 days to appeal the verdict, and Youcef’s attorney is now beginning the process of the appeal. The prayer burdens surrounding this development are many, - that God would grant him peace in this hour, that God would move on his behalf, and that he would be delivered! Pray also for his wife and children at this extremely difficult time; a spokesman for Truth Ministries said, ‘We trust our great Lord to give her the peace that comes only from the True Comforter.’ Pray: for Pastor Youcef and other Christians in prison for their faith to be daily strengthened. (Jas. 5:16)