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Christians in Oxford are celebrating after their local authority rejected a licence application for a 'sexual entertainment venue' to operate yards from a church. Members of St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford as well as local residents have praised the Council for its decision. The Revd Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe’s, said: ‘As a church, we campaigned against this licence application as we did not believe this sort of establishment should continue to have a base in the city centre of Oxford. Last year the church was unsuccessful in its appeal against the grant of a licence to the club. (See Prayer Alert 2710) In April 2010 the law in relation to the licensing of sex venues changed, giving more powers to local authorities to monitor whether and where the venues could be established. Yesterday’s hearing was the first of its kind in Oxford since the law changed’. Praise: God for this example of His power in answering our prayers. (Ps.17:6) More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sex-trade/licensing-victory-in-oxford-as-lap-dance-club-loses-licence-application
An Archbishop in the Church of Nigeria who was kidnapped over a week ago is ‘safe and well’ after being released, the Anglican Communion Office has said. Archbishop Ignatius Kattey was kidnapped with his wife, Beatrice, on August 6 close to their home in Eleme, Port Harcourt. Mrs Kattey was released soon after but Archbishop Kattey was held until his release on Saturday. Archbishop Kattey oversees the Niger Delta Province, a region where idnappings for ransom have reportedly become common. Police said the Archbishop was released without a ransom on Saturday evening. His kidnapping was condemned by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. A statement on the Archbishop of Canterbury's website said he ‘gives thanks’ for the release of Archbishop Kattey. Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese in Europe the Rt Reverend David Hamid said, ‘We give thanks for his freedom and return to his wife, family and Church community.’ (See last week’s Prayer Alert)
Praise: God for this answer to our prayers. (Ps.20:6)
More: http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/09/15/kidnapped-archbishop-kattey-freed/
Mfangano Island, on Lake Victoria, is home to a small tribe called the Suba. A few weeks ago, more than one thousand people gathered at a local orphanage to dedicate the newly translated Suba New Testament, a task that took nineteen years to complete. No one was happier than the lead translator, Naphtaly, who had worked so hard and grieved the death of some of the initial translators. The Bibles were brought in by canoe, a symbol of life for the island. Emotions ran high as people jumped and cheered, rushing to purchase copies of the book that talks about eternal life. The celebration continued for hours with singing, dancing, speeches, and food.
Praise: God for the blessings of His Word that brings life. (1Jn.1:1)
The rains kept coming. Will Graham kept preaching. And God kept moving in Kenya. By the time Sunday night's final invitation was over, giant puddles were about the only thing remaining at the Mama Scrape Grounds where the Will Graham ‘Celebration of Peace Nakuru’ had taken place for three straight nights. On that soggy field, hundreds upon hundreds had made life-changing decisions to accept Christ as their personal Saviour in the city of Nakuru, a two-hour drive from Nairobi, and a place that over a quarter million people call home. More than 14,000 braved the sketchy weather conditions to hear what the grandson of Billy Graham had to say. ‘What now are you going to do with Jesus?’ asked Will Graham. ‘What I'm going to ask you to do is the most important decision you'll ever make in life.’
Praise: God for the success of this Celebration and the many brought to Christ. (Ps.106:8)
More: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/31498-14000-kenyans-brave-rain-to-hear-gospel
Millions of Super Bowl viewers got a dose of Scripture last Sunday night when a Christian group’s John 3:16 commercial was unexpectedly aired. Just before the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers game, the 30-second biblical spot popped up to the surprise of football fans in Washington, D.C. It was also shown at Birmingham, Ala. Within those hours, the LookUp316.com website that the commercial advertised drew so much traffic that it was difficult to load the web page. The commercial was rejected to run nationally by Fox Sports for containing too much “religious doctrine” and for being too offensive. Notably, the commercial features no preaching but simply encourages curious viewers to look up John 3:16.
Praise: God for the response to this and pray that many will believe. (Jn.3:16)
More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20110207/john-316-ad-airs-unexpectedly-during-super-bowl/
The Voice of the Martyrs announces ‘JESUS: He Lived Among Us’, an animated film on the life of Jesus with the persecuted church in mind. The film relates the story as told by Jesus' last surviving disciple - John the Beloved. Check out the website http://www.thejesusmovie.com/ Watch the trailer. Watch opening sequence. View production photos. View animated characters. Praise: God for this translation of the English script and the recording of the voice actors into twelve strategic languages in hostile and restricted nations.(Mt.28:19)
Every resident in Jersey will hear the gospel after being sent the story of Jesus on CD. Around 89,000 people will be asked to listen to Mark’s gospel when it drops through the letterbox in the next few weeks. The recording is part of a Bible Society initiative called ‘You’ve Got The Time’. The whole of the New Testament has been dramatised in 40 half-hour audio clips, which can be downloaded from the Bible Society’s website. When church leaders heard about the project they asked the Bible Society if they could put part of the recording, by The Riding Lights Theatre Company, on CD. One of the project organisers, Rev Martyn Shea, says, ‘We want to demonstrate the love of God and want people to hear the good news of the Bible. This resource and the way the Riding Lights Theatre Company act it, was exactly the way we want the church to present the Bible in the community.’
Praise: God for this wonderful opportunity to spread the Good News. (Is.52:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/jersey.to.hear.the.gospel/28616.htm
A three-day evangelistic festival in Japan headlined by US preacher Franklin Graham concluded Sunday with 400 new commitments to Christ, bringing the weekend total to 1,765. The Festival, held in Osaka, was the culmination of efforts by hundreds of churches, 400 of which had invited Graham to preach in a region which represents about one quarter of Japan’s national population. ‘This is God's time for Japan,’ Graham said at the conclusion of Saturday’s evening service. When asked on Thursday how the event’s success would be measured, Graham told reporters that the success of any evangelical meeting depends on prayer. ‘There have been thousands of people praying. If one person were to give their life to Jesus Christ this week, it would be successful,’ he responded. With this Festival finished Graham will prepare for the next one which will be held in Riga, Latvia, November 5 to 7. Praise: and thank God for His miracle of salvation and ask for thousands more to enter his kingdom in future outreach events.
Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, the alleged Jamaican druglord who is facing extradition to the United States, has been captured, after a manhunt for him triggered deadly unrest across Kingston last month. ‘The security forces wish to confirm reports that Christopher Lloyd Coke, for whom police are holding a warrant of arrest regarding extradition proceedings, was arrested,’ Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said. Local church leader Rev Al Miller earlier said that he had ‘helped in the process to hand over Coke’. The church leader had helped in negotiations to ease tensions after a police operation to capture Coke that left 73 people dead in a Kingston slum. (See Prayer Alert 2210) Jamaican police backed by troops descended on Coke's stronghold in the impoverished Tivoli Gardens slum last month seeking to arrest him. Praise: God for this answer to our prayers for the cleansing of Kingston. (Ps.145:1)
Marking the launch of a three-week evangelistic campaign aimed at the entire Latin world, FestiNapoli with Luis Palau drew thousands of individuals from the coastal city of Naples, this past Friday and Saturday for a free evangelistic festival. Packing the main plaza along the famed Via Francesco Caracciolo, the historic nature of the two-day festival could be felt by all. According to locals, it marked the first time in recent history that the evangelical community has been granted permission from city officials to host a public, outdoor evangelistic event. ‘We are so encouraged by this festival,’ said festival chairman Marcelo Simon Rodriguez. ‘This represents a great step forward for the evangelical Church in Italy.’ Joining with more than 20 local congregations, as well as a handful soccer stars and recording artists from the region, world evangelist Luis Palau shared the Good News both nights of the festival, reaching thousands of individuals in person with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Praise: God for the FestiNapoli and the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing new life. (Rom.6:4)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=43532&PN=1&TPN=1