Nepal, one year after ‘killer quake’
29 Apr 2016
After last year’s horrific earthquake, Nepal's Christian community have been demonstrating the love of God. Many Christians started helping people, and now those people, mainly Hindus and Buddhists, are testifying, 'Your religion is the best because you love and care for us, and you come to help us.’ Various Christian ministries are now active in the overall rehabilitation phase. Their focus will be rebuilding schools, community halls and livelihood programmes for the communities and individual families. While physical recovery is slow, spiritual growth and recovery has been strong. Churches are being planted in the mountains and hills. The pastors say that because of the assistance CBN, Compassionate Hands and the church have provided to victims, the local community is working to protect and build the church. These are challenging times in Nepal, but it is the right time for God’s kingdom to be established there.
Droughts and heatwaves
29 Apr 2016
Water levels in Vietnam’s Mekong delta, a region that accounts for 50% of the country's rice and fruit production, 90% of its rice exports and 60% of shrimp and fish exports, are at their lowest levels since 1926. This affects the lives of the Vietnamese farmers and it affects people in Indonesia and the Philippines, the biggest buyers of Vietnamese agricultural goods. They will also go hungry if the Thais and Vietnamese don't produce enough rice. In India more than 150 deaths are blamed on the heat. Maharashtra is experiencing the worst dry spell in four decades, destroying crops, causing livestock deaths and drying up reservoirs. In Malaysia, hundreds of schools have closed and farmers are losing their vegetables. In Thailand, a record low rice yield is predicted. Unfortunately the heat will increase in the coming weeks and the death toll is expected to rise. See: http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/1939522/vietnam-being-crippled-its-worst-drought-nearly-century
The Queensland government has ignored community concerns surrounding the controversial Safe Schools programme, refusing to release the names of schools that are teaching children that their gender is fluid. The media is reporting an increased focus on sexualising children from four years old by programmes devised by La Trobe University, which is also behind the Practical Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships which asks students as young as 12 graphic sex and masturbation questions. Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said that the Federal Government should immediately defund and pull the programme out of schools as Queensland and other states ignore the Federal Government’s directive to clean up the programme and ensure parents are made aware of which schools are participating in it. ACL was refused access to the names of the schools, despite over 11,000 Queenslanders signing an e-petition calling for them to be released.
Nigeria: a midnight raid
29 Apr 2016
On Sunday night, in Enugu State, an attack by more than two hundred suspected armed Fulani herdsmen left at least 48 people dead. Scores of people were critically wounded, and sixty houses and two churches completely razed to the ground. 56 people with gunshot wounds were taken to different hospitals. The state police confirmed the attack but cannot give an exact figure of people killed: however, the police and security agencies have been mobilised to curtail the situation so that it does not degenerate into all-out war. The attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles and grenades, bows and arrows, and machetes or swords. Many villagers escaped to neighbouring communities, but people in nearby towns are also worried about possible attacks from the herdsmen. Sources disclosed that the villagers had resisted the use of their farmlands as grazing fields by the herdsmen.
Syria: deadly airstrike on Aleppo hospital
29 Apr 2016
At least fourteen patients and three doctors were killed on Thursday in an airstrike on a hospital in Aleppo, the charity Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says. Among those killed in the al-Quds hospital was one of the city's last paediatricians. Local sources blamed the Syrian government or Russian warplanes, but there has been no official comment. Violence in Syria has intensified recently, despite a truce. The violent upsurge comes amid reports that the Syrian army, backed by Russian air power, is gearing up for a major offensive in Aleppo. The escalation threatens to derail the peace talks. On Wednesday, the UN envoy to Syria urged the US and Russia to intervene ‘at the highest level’ to save the talks. On Tuesday an Iraqi military officer reported that Russia is resuming bombing moderate opposition fighters in Syria. President Obama called President Putin, asking him to help ‘press’ Syria to end its airstrikes that violate the ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia in February.
Egypt: Coptic teenager kidnapped for ransom
29 Apr 2016
Earlier this month 13-year-old Anthonius Farag, a young Christian boy, was kidnapped in Upper Egypt. He was released twelve days later after a hefty ransom payment. This is not an isolated case. According to the Coalition of Coptic Egypt (CCE), a Coptic advocacy group, the province of Qena alone saw no less than 72 cases of kidnappings, extortion and related violence against Copts from 2011 to 2014, the most recent figures available. Those targeted for kidnapping ranged from children to the elderly, with rescue efforts often hampered by police inadequacies or unwillingness. ‘For years Copts have been pleading for help against kidnappings, but no one seems to care,’ said a local CCE coordinator. ‘Since the revolution in 2011 kidnappings have become more common in Upper Egypt, where relatively more Christians live. Families pay from EGP 250,000 to seven million to free their loved ones.’
Pakistan: suspects in 'blasphemy' killing bailed
29 Apr 2016
The four main culprits accused of the murder of Christian couple Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi, who were tortured and thrown into a burning brick kiln last November, have been set free on bail. This decision suggests complicity by the police, and does not help to establish justice. The Christian couple were said to have 'desecrated the Quran’: blasphemy is a very sensitive issue, with allegations often prompting mob violence (as they did this time). . However they were indentured labourers at the kiln, and one of those charged with their death is the owner. Brick kiln labourers have harsh working conditions and are paid approximately £1.30 a day. Child labour is common. 1.7million children from the age of five work in illegal brick factories 14 hours a day.
Every Vote Counts prayer guide
27 Apr 2016
Do you want to pray about the EU Referendum?
Every vote counts in this EU Referendum. At the moment many are confused about the issues, what to believe, what to think and ultimately how to vote. We believe the starting point is prayer and fasting, to better understand God's will and purpose for our nation and for Europe.
World Prayer Centre have compiled a 51 day prayer guide starting on 14th May until 2nd July. It will help you to pray for an issue and a European nation each day.
Download Every Vote Counts prayer guide.
Download a prayer based on the Lord's prayer.
Let's be informed – here are a few websites to help our engagement:
CARE – Read arguments from both sides.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland – Think Vote Pray.
EU Focus – information and resources from Christians in Politics.
Evangelical Alliance's Idea Magazine May- June 2016. The Europe Issue will look at this from all sides and feature many key issues.
KLICE - Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics
Maranatha Community - What is God's will for Britain?
Reimagining Europe a multidisciplinary blog hosted by the Church of England and the Church of Scotland.
Theos Think Tank – A soul for the union.
The Jubilee Centre is producing a number of discussion papers and articles in the lead up to the EU Referendum.
An insiders view - The wife of an MEP gives her view
Anglican Mainstream - European Mission strategist view
EU Referendum prayer events
We are happy to advertise each prayer meeting for the referendum but given the nature of the debate there are a range of events with different focus. In advertising specific prayer meetings that are for an out or remain position we are not endorsing these positions. Our approach remains clear – we encourage people to make their own voting decision wisely and prayerfully and encourage them to pray with us during the period up to the referendum and beyond. Equally we believe in unity in the body of Christ – especially when we have different opinions but share a desire for God's kingdom to come and his will to be done in this nation and in Europe. Check out our events calendar.