North Korea: American Christian freed
An American Christian imprisoned in North Korea has been released following a humanitarian effort by former US president Jimmy Carter. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said in a news release it welcomes the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, but strongly urges the international community to intensify pressure on North Korea for the release of thousands of prisoners still languishing in the nation. CSW said Gomes was detained in North Korea since entering the country on Jan. 25 by crossing the border from China. He was arrested by the North Korean authorities and sentenced to eight years in a labour camp. And ordered to pay a fine of $700,000 for illegal entry and unspecified ‘hostile acts.’ He was the fourth US citizen to be detained by the North Korean government since Jan. 2009, following Robert Park (See Prayer Alert 0210) and the journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, all of whom were released after several months in custody. Praise: God for the release of these international believers but pray for the many nationals still being held. (Ps.146:7)
North Korea: American Christian freed
An American Christian imprisoned in North Korea has been released following a humanitarian effort by former US president Jimmy Carter. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said in a news release it welcomes the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, but strongly urges the international community to intensify pressure on North Korea for the release of thousands of prisoners still languishing in the nation. CSW said Gomes was detained in North Korea since entering the country on Jan. 25 by crossing the border from China. He was arrested by the North Korean authorities and sentenced to eight years in a labour camp. And ordered to pay a fine of $700,000 for illegal entry and unspecified ‘hostile acts.’ He was the fourth US citizen to be detained by the North Korean government since Jan. 2009, following Robert Park (See Prayer Alert 0210) and the journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, all of whom were released after several months in custody. Praise: God for the release of these international believers but pray for the many nationals still being held. (Ps.146:7)
Sudan: Kidnapped Christian worker freed
An aid worker for Christian relief organisation Samaritan's Purse (SP) was released on 30 August after being held hostage for 105 days in Sudan. 35 year-old Flavia Wagner is exhausted but in good health and is currently in Khartoum. In May, Wagner and a Sudanese driver were abducted after their two-vehicle convoy was stopped by eight armed men 15 miles southwest of Nyala in Sudan's Darfur region. Seven days after the kidnapping, the two Sudanese men were released unharmed and without explanation in Thur, Darfur. Wagner remained in captivity but was allowed to contact her family and SP staff. ‘We thank God that Flavia is safe and free’ commented Franklin Graham, SP president, ‘and appreciate the help of the governments of the Sudan and the United States. People around the world have been praying for her safety and her release. Today, those prayers have been answered.’ Praise: God for answering the prayers seeking Flavia’s release (Lk. 4:18) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kidnapped.christian.relief.worker.freed.in.sudan.after.105.days/26605.htm
Sudan: Kidnapped Christian worker freed
An aid worker for Christian relief organisation Samaritan's Purse (SP) was released on 30 August after being held hostage for 105 days in Sudan. 35 year-old Flavia Wagner is exhausted but in good health and is currently in Khartoum. In May, Wagner and a Sudanese driver were abducted after their two-vehicle convoy was stopped by eight armed men 15 miles southwest of Nyala in Sudan's Darfur region. Seven days after the kidnapping, the two Sudanese men were released unharmed and without explanation in Thur, Darfur. Wagner remained in captivity but was allowed to contact her family and SP staff. ‘We thank God that Flavia is safe and free’ commented Franklin Graham, SP president, ‘and appreciate the help of the governments of the Sudan and the United States. People around the world have been praying for her safety and her release. Today, those prayers have been answered.’ Praise: God for answering the prayers seeking Flavia’s release (Lk. 4:18) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kidnapped.christian.relief.worker.freed.in.sudan.after.105.days/26605.htm
Religious education's 12-year growth
This week’s GCSE results have confirmed that the number of students taking Religious Education has increased for the twelfth year running.’ Religious Education has entered the top ten league table of subjects in terms of the number of candidates, and remains in the top five of growing subjects with more than 75,000 candidates; above subjects like Mathematics and History. Nick McKemey, the Church of England’s Head of School Improvement, said ‘Young people are clamouring for a deeper understanding of religious perspectives on issues of the day and how moral and ethical questions are considered by the major faiths. Twelve years of organic growth in student numbers cannot be ignored. This is a phenomenon that indicates students’ appreciation that exploring faith and belief helps them to understand the world and become better global citizens.’ He also said it underlines the importance of investing adequate resources and time in its teaching. Praise: for our young people who are making important decisions having received exam results recently. (Jas.1:5) More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7510.html
Religious education's 12-year growth
This week’s GCSE results have confirmed that the number of students taking Religious Education has increased for the twelfth year running.’ Religious Education has entered the top ten league table of subjects in terms of the number of candidates, and remains in the top five of growing subjects with more than 75,000 candidates; above subjects like Mathematics and History. Nick McKemey, the Church of England’s Head of School Improvement, said ‘Young people are clamouring for a deeper understanding of religious perspectives on issues of the day and how moral and ethical questions are considered by the major faiths. Twelve years of organic growth in student numbers cannot be ignored. This is a phenomenon that indicates students’ appreciation that exploring faith and belief helps them to understand the world and become better global citizens.’ He also said it underlines the importance of investing adequate resources and time in its teaching. Praise: for our young people who are making important decisions having received exam results recently. (Jas.1:5) More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7510.html
North Korea executes underground church leaders
North Korea has executed three leaders of the underground church and jailed 20 other Christians, reports a news agency focused on Asia.Although the execution and imprisonment happened in mid-May, news only got out this month. According to AsiaNews, North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who were gathered there for religious activity. The leaders were sentenced to death and soon after executed. The other 20 were reportedly sent to the infamous prison labour camp No 15 in Yodok. The 23 Christians had come to faith after some of them travelled to China on business and met with church members there. North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul that seeks to raise awareness about injustice in North Korea, confirmed the events. Pray: for the estimated 400,000 Christians in North Korea who live under the constant threat of imprisonment, torture or public execution if authorities discover their Christian faith. may they have opportunities to meet together and provide encouragement to one another. (PS.62:2) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/north.korea.executes.underground.church.leaders/26540.htm
China: Pastor asks for help
Since May 2008 Pastor Wang Dao of Liangren Church in Guangzhou has had to move his house church several dozens of times and has even had to worship outdoors on two Sundays. After a brief detention by people from the Ministry of State Security he contacted ChinaAid for assistance in issuing an urgent call for prayer. After translating the document, ChinaAid released the letter to Chinese media on August 17 ChinaAid are urging Guangzhou authorities to cease their persecution of Liangren Church and to respect the rights of the citizens to freedom of belief and worship, by allowing them to meet regularly in their own church space. They are urging the international community to prayerfully support Pastor Wang Dao and believe that raising awareness of this and similar cases of persecution and harassment is vital to changing the outcome for the persecuted faithful. Pray: that this promotion and exposure of truth will grow and make a difference where the church is persecuted. (Is.61:7)
Israel: Direct peace talks every two weeks
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed direct peace talks every two weeks between himself and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas as ‘The only way to solve problems in the Middle East.’ The Palestinians intend boycotting the meetings if Israel fails to renew the freeze on settlements in the West Bank. The EU condemns Tel Aviv for jailing pro human rights activist Abdullah Abu Rahmeh for protesting against the West Bank wall. The proposal, drawn up by the premier and his men Wednesday night, will be submitted September 2, when peace talks begin in Washington. ‘In the Middle East, serious negotiations require direct discreet and consistent encounters, among the leaders on major issues’. The International Court of Justice declared the construction, begun in 2002, illegal in 2004. Israel has always maintained that the 'security barrier' is to prevent suicide attacks from taking place. Pray: for ongoing consistent communication that would enable each person to see things with different eyes. (Mal.4:2) More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Netanyahu-proposes-direct-peace-talks-every-two-weeks-19293.html
Zimbabwe: Sunday 26th Sept united prayer
We have been receiving very exciting reports of how all the major denominations in Zimbabwe under the covering of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Council of Christian Churches and the Catholic Bishops Conference have expressed willingness to come on board and gather to pray on Sunday 26 September 2010. It is hoped that churches will march through their towns and cities and gather at a central point in their locations to pray as one. What an incredibly powerful time that will be! The Civic Centre ground is the planned venue in Harare where it is hoped that hundreds of thousands of people will gather to pray. Let's support these gatherings in Zimbabwe by calling together as many people as we can in our home towns across the world on Sunday 26 September 2010. Pray: for continued unity amongst the churches in Zimbabwe; that they would be an effective instrument for peace, stability and prosperity.(2Ch.7:14) More: http://www.lovezim.org/