Ireland: proposed boycott of Israel goods
The Irish Senate has voted to approve a proposal to criminalise doing business with Jews in settlement areas, parts of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights - areas that came under Israel’s control after the 1967 Six-Day War. After the vote the Irish ambassador was summoned to a meeting at the Israeli foreign ministry’s office. If Eire officially approves the proposal, it will become the first country in the European Union to criminalise import of goods from Israel. The proposal’s initiator, Senator Frances Black, slammed Israeli settlements as ‘war crimes’ and compared her initiative to Ireland’s anti-apartheid actions against South Africa. Ireland’s government strongly opposes the initiative, which creates trade restrictions contrary to EU values and undermines Ireland’s influence in the region. EU law states that its members can only mark products coming from settlements - not boycott or impose sanctions on their imports.
Europe: inside people-smuggling networks
Nazeri Zubair’s travelling companion crushed a pill, dissolved it in water, and fed it to her two-year-old daughter to make the baby sleep for over a day. It was a requirement of the smugglers who were guiding the group from Serbia across Croatia’s border then into Slovenia; opening up possibilities of travelling without passport checks within 26 countries on Europe’s mainland. Over 90% of undocumented immigrants who enter the EU illegally use people smugglers at one stage of their journey, according to Europol. Nazeri came into contact with dozens of smugglers while traversing 12 countries. Finding them was as easy as finding a regular travel agent, through recommendations or at notorious hot spots such as Victoria Square in Athens. One led him through a minefield, and another across treacherous Mediterranean waters. Nazeri said children aged under 4 were systematically spoon-fed sedatives to keep them quiet. Smugglers refuse to take young families who won't administer drugs.
Nigeria: international community ignores Christian genocide
On 15 July the Christian Association of Nigeria reported that in the previous week 238 Christians were killed and more churches desecrated by Muslims. This puts the total number of Christians killed as 6,000+ since January. This is genocide. A joint communiqué from the Christian Association, representing different denominations, said, ‘There is no doubt that the sole purpose of these attacks is ethnic cleansing, land seizure and the forced expulsion of Christian natives from their land and ancestral heritage.’ The statement condemned recent attacks, where 2,000+ people had been brutally murdered and churches destroyed without any security intervention despite the various calls for help that were made. Taking into account that Christians constitute more than 50% of the Nigerian population, it is obvious that the objective of the Islamists is to create serious conflicts that, if not controlled, can lead to another civil war. Also, floods are killing many and ruining crops, raising fears of food shortages. See https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/nigeria-floods-worsen-food-shortages-180715120551293.html
Thailand: rescue mission is not over
Twelve boys and their coach were rescued from a flooded, dark cave, and we thank God that they were brought out into the light. BUT the people of Thailand remain in spiritual darkness. It is deep and seemingly impenetrable. They know no way of escape. 99% are unreached by the Gospel. Buddhism, folk animism, and occultism hold them captive. Roughly 1 million children are child labourers, while a further 40,000 minors are sold into the sex trade. The HIV/AIDS infection rate is Asia's highest. It wasn't the prayers of the Buddhist monks that delivered these boys from the cave. And we know that it is only Jesus who can rescue the Thai people out of darkness into His marvellous light. Pray for the Holy Spirit to break the hold of Buddhism, spiritism, and the occult. Pray for moral conviction to fall on those who oppress others for profit via the sex trade. Pray for explosive church growth to reach all 80,000 villages.
Israel and Hamas
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) launched military exercises on 15 July, including one simulating conquering Gaza city. The IDF stressed that this exercise was part of its annual training programme and not connected to major exchanges of fire with Hamas two days earlier when 200 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel, threatening the lives of tens of thousands. Their defence system intercepted 20 rockets. Several Israelis were injured and many buildings were damaged, including a synagogue. While relative peace has returned, Israelis fear that soon civilians will again have to run for shelter from Hamas rockets. On 16 June 22 people, including 9 Iranians, were killed in an IDF attack on a Syrian base. On 18 July Gaza’s self-described ‘airborne firebomb squad’ accused Israel of spreading lies about a deal reached between Egypt and Hamas to phase out the launching of bomb-laden kites and balloons against Israel. See https://worldisraelnews.com/rebel-terror-group-in-gaza-rejects-egyptian-hamas-deal-to-stop-fire-kites/
Brunei: prayers for the nation
In a population of 430,000 only 5.2% are Christian; everyone else is a Sunni Muslim. Churches in Malaysian territories bordering Brunei have been bold in their evangelism directed at Bruneians who come across the border for work or leisure. Some have reported numerous conversations with Bruneians who seem hungry and seeking for spiritual truth. Pray that these conversations will linger in their minds, and that the Holy Spirit will bring revelation and understanding of spiritual truths. May He make many inquisitive to know more about Jesus. There are many agencies and churches looking for additional staff to help them in their mission and calling in Brunei, where Muslim leaders have influence over the Sultan - the ultimate protector and defender of Islam. This results in Christian marginalisation. Neighbours of Christians only need to report them to authorities to hinder the practice of Christianity. See also https://windowreporter.com/prayer-points-day?day=20
Gulf States: economic boom expands Christian witness
‘I am sure that in the Arabian peninsula there are easily ten million Christians’, says Bill Schwartz, OBE, Anglican Archdeacon in the Gulf and Chaplain of Qatar. Most notable is how the region’s religious mix has shifted in a totally unprecedented way, as foreign workers have flooded in to benefit from the explosion of jobs. Today, at least 50% of migrants and expatriates ‘have some kind of Christian tradition’. In Qatar, where foreign workers outnumber locals by ten to one, there are now more Catholics than Muslims. New church buildings are being built, including one in Abu Dhabi to accommodate 5,000 people at a time. There is opportunity for Christian witness in societies that have been culturally isolated for thousands of years. Schwartz says, ‘I have more opportunities to talk about faith in the Gulf than I ever do in the US, because religion is so important here.’
Corruption in Africa
We recently had ‘African Anti-Corruption Day’ ,which recognised the progress made in the fight against corruption and the significant work still left to do. To highlight this point, the African Union (AU) designated 2018 as the year for ‘winning the fight against corruption’. The AU signed several treaties aimed at ensuring democracy, rule of law and good governance. But much more needs to be done. Corruption hampers development and the ability to bring people out of poverty. The continent ranks lowest amongst global regions in corruption perceptions, and the impact cannot be underestimated. 43% of Africans are living in poverty while over 50 billion US dollars’ worth of stolen assets flow out of Africa annually, money that could be invested in jobs and social services, where additional resources are needed most. Transparency International wrote an open letter to the AU highlighting seven areas where it could focus its efforts.
USA: Islamophobia Inc.
Across the US there is growth in organisations portraying Islam as a threat, in what has become known as the Islamophobia industry. It has more than tripled in two years. An Al-Jazeera investigation revealed the tactics they use to instigate a fear of Islam, including manipulating social media to create a false narrative that Muslims are trying to take over the country. Anti-Muslim messages proliferate in social media with bought-in followers, fake accounts, and robotic amplifiers. The investigation also shows how the organisations suppress the rise of a Muslim political voice in America, and uncovers how ‘dark money’ is fuelling them - tens of millions of dollars funnelled through anonymous donor funds. The report unveiled the donors of the dark money; a strategy of infiltrating US university courses and monitoring mosques; a filmed training session by an ex-FBI Agent teaching ‘theories’ about Muslims; and connections between key members of the Trump administration and the Islamophobia industry.
To Infinity and Beyond…
It was Buzz Lightyear who gifted us with the iconic line, “To infinity… and beyond!” But way before him, the Great Commission was spoken by Jesus to 12 ordinary men, telling them to go to all nations and make disciples. Going to infinity and beyond began with Jesus. But what does this look like for us today?
Agapé’s Student Life is seeing students take the lead in exciting ways. Some students have been venturing off their own university campuses to help develop Agapé Student Life movements at other universities in their region. Others have been launching movements at their own universities where there are no Agapé staff at all.
Led by Students
Anna Du-mont is studying at the University of Nottingham, where there are currently no Agapé staff, “It was a year ago that I became a student leader. Amidst all of my other commitments and studies, I was initially apprehensive to join but I’m so glad I did!”
Through using Agapé resources and holding quirky fresher campaigns like ‘hook-a-duck’ on campus, Student Leaders at Nottingham are providing an open space for students to come together and talk about the big questions surrounding life and faith. “I am encouraged and surprised that every week students walk through the pub doors and sit down with us for our weekly meeting,” shares Anna. “They open up to us, sharing their opinions on life, faith, and everything in between.”
“Though the mission can feel daunting at times as a student-led movement without full-time staff, the boundaries are not limited to what can be achieved with God on our campus and beyond,” expressed Anna. “I can’t wait to see what he has planned for us next.”
Supported by Other Uni Students
Students from established Agapé Student Life movements are in turn helping to launch new movements at other universities. Joe Purnell, studying at Oxford Brookes, has been going quite literally beyond his own campus to join God in what he is doing regionally at Reading and Nottingham universities.
At the University of Nottingham specifically, Joe joined the search for new leaders, “I just recently had the privilege of meeting those new leaders that came out of that searching! God is so good in the way he promises things and never fails to come through, even when it sometimes feels fruitless on the day.”
“I have seen how powerful a Student Life movement can be as it has influenced my university experience significantly in Oxford. So to have the opportunity to share the movement elsewhere is really exciting! There’s also a certain freedom in taking risks in conversation, as I’m unlikely to see that person around my own campus” shared Joe. “It’s rarely easy to go up to students and ask what they think about life and faith. I’ve had one-word answers and been hurried along but there is such peace in knowing that each conversation could have an eternal consequence.”
Coached by Agapé Staff
It’s an exciting time for Agapé Student Life staff as we’re seeing students empowered to lead their own movements and help launch others. Becky Deare, Team Leader for Agapé Student Life in the West Midlands, shared how staff are joining in what God is already doing.
“This is not a new thing, but it’s a matter of owning the entire scope of movement building, not just on our doorsteps, but also up and down the UK,” explained Becky, who met Jesus and started the Agapé Student Life movement at the University of Birmingham almost 10 years ago. “It’s the same vision to see student-led movements winning people to Christ, building them up in Christ and sending them out to do the same with others, but it owns a much bigger scope.”
Becky has been supporting the Student Leaders at Nottingham from a distance through online coaching and showing up alongside them on campus. “God has blessed us with technology – Paul used letters; now we’re using Skype! Like each of us, students have been given the Great Commission from God and they have the passion to be a part of it – our job is to get alongside them and help empower them to do just that!”
Empowered by God
Through students actively sharing their faith on campus, many students at different points in their spiritual journey have been brought into the Student Life community and have experienced the acceptance that comes from God. “God is raising up student leaders and stirring the hearts of students to share the gospel,” shares Becky. “He is using young adults to change their campuses! The scope and vision of this is huge – we’re praying that as a movement, we would continue to dream big dreams, continue to have our eyes open to see where God is at work, and that we would remain sensitive to his leading.”
The Great Commission was given to reach far and wide to infinity and beyond. Jesus’ promise is what makes all the difference: “I will be with you to the very end of the age.”
Would you join in the work on a campus of your own or near you? To find out how you can get involved, head to www.agape.org.uk/studentlife and get in touch with us as you go into the beyond, right where you are…
Source: Agapé Student Life