Surrounded by chariots of fire
15 Jul 2015
Church leader Dr Joe Boot calls on Christians not to despair in the face of
terrorist attacks and changes in the laws of the land. ‘We must not give in to despair in
the face of loud, high profile opposition to God and the Christian faith. The same is
true for us as it was with Elisha, that the sovereign Lord is on the throne and ‘Those
who are with us are more than those who are with them’ (2Ki.6:16)’. With Islamic
jihadists murdering dozens of Britons in Tunisia and the many laws of our land that do
not agree with the laws of God it would be easy to be despondent as a Christian. However,
the truth of the gospel means we cannot give in to fear, doubt or despair. See also THE
MILL GATHERING STATEMENT at http://wpc.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/04/The-Mill-Statement-Apr-2015.pdf
Malta: Pastor to submit accounts
15 Jul 2015
Malta’s Tele-evangelist Gordon John Manché’s repeated failures to submit his
organisation’s accounts to the Commissioner for NGOs is due to a disagreement with the
law, according to the religious group’s financial consultant, adding that the most recent
accounts of Nations for Christ will be presented in due course. Nations for Christ have
not submitted their accounts to the Commission since 2010. In that year, they declared an
income of €149,899 solely from donations, a significant leap from the €43,298 declared in
2009. Their spokesperson told MaltaToday, ‘The reason for this delay is not related to
the operation of Nations for Christ but to matters relating to the way legislation
relating to voluntary organisations in Malta has developed, matters that we will be
discussing with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.’
Greece: Feud for thought
15 Jul 2015
The single currency, conceived to cement European integration, has revived historical
animosity between Greece and Germany, particularly in public opinions expressed on Athens
streets and in German tabloids. A lot has happened since Mr. Tsipras called a referendum.
The referendum caused banks to close and the European Central Bank to cap emergency
lending resulting in the Greek economy needing more money over a longer period (until
2018). After brutal overnight talks, Monday’s deal pushes Greece into a financial abyss
and increases political and economic strains in a country already in depression. Many
believe, ‘Greece is still nominally part of the Eurozone. But the conditions Germany won
to punish the country for its misdeeds could easily topple the fragile Greek coalition
government. Economists believe that Greece’s separation will not settle Greece’s
relations with the rest of Europe. Whatever Greece decides there will be an angry
population within the euro or an angrier population outside of it. The feuding could last
for years. see: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2015/07/greece-and-its-
creditors?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07
Boko Haram members come to Jesus
15 Jul 2015
Boko Haram is not driving Christians away. Evangelists have expanded church planting in
Nigeria's northeast by meeting the needs of displaced people. Their courage has seen
members of Boko Haram repenting and putting their faith in Christ. Boko Haram is killing
people, but this indigenous ministry is discreetly working in villages and in camps for
the internally displaced. They are offering humanitarian assistance and proclaiming
Christ at a time when few are bold enough to do so. ‘There are 70,000+ people in the
camps, so it is a mission field for us,’ said the director of the indigenous ministry.
‘We used to reach them with the gospel in their villages, but now we reach them with the
gospel, food, medicine and Bibles.’ Former Boko Haram members are being discipled in
safe-havens and have shown a strong interest in learning the Bible, ridding themselves of
anything grievous to God and becoming spiritually grounded so they can reach other
Muslims.
The unwavering faith of a young Iraqi girl who was forced to flee her homeland in the
Middle East together with her family has stood out among the many horror stories on the
IS terror campaign. In a recent media interview that went viral, 11-year-old refugee
Maryam Behnam said that, despite all the transgressions committed by the IS, including
the brutal killing and abduction of thousands of people, she said she has forgiven the
jihadists. She also said that her words come from the Holy Spirit. When asked ‘What are
your feelings towards those who drove you out of your home and caused you hardships?’ She
replied, ‘I won't do anything to them, I will only ask God to forgive them.’ She also
said, ‘In the Bible Jesus said, 'Don't be afraid, I am with you,' and also, He said
‘forgive others no matter who is hating you. You have to forgive them.’
On Saturday 4th July, 2000 people joined together in prayer and worship to ‘blow the trumpet’ in the ‘heart of the nation’. Christians from different cultures, denominations and ages descended on the International Convention Centre in Birmingham as World Prayer Centre hosted a national day of worship and prayer in response to God asking them to blow a trumpet in the land.
It was an awesome day of declaration, prayer and worship and there were powerful times of prayer for nations represented at the event- Greece, South Korea, Germany, and others. Prayer stations were created around the hall and people were encouraged to pray for the pillars of society – health, sport, education, business, religion, finance and the arts, media and entertainment.
DECLARING THE PURPOSES OF OUR GOD
A trumpet is blown to announce change and mobilise the Body of Christ. This is the time for rivers in the desert, for a dramatic and fresh move of God. It is time for God’s Word and Spirit to raise our faith, draw us closer to Jesus and fill us with a deep desire for His presence. He is calling his whole church to pray and prepare for an unparalleled spiritual harvest. These will be turbulent times – but Jesus reigns over every situation – and His love and grace will prevail.
PREPARING TO BLOW THE TRUMPET
Feel free to use the trumpet call declaration (below) used at TRUMPET CALL 2015 to mobilise people locally. You may wish to use this in a small group, prayer meeting, and church meeting or declare it over your village, town, neighbourhood or city. You may not have an actual trumpet – but making this declaration is a call for God’s people to be ready for action. There are four elements to the declaration.
- It is an announcement by faith of God’s heart and purpose.
- It will release prayer – determined, ongoing prayer to see His Kingdom come.
- It raises our expectation – God is moving in new ways in our land by His spirit.
- It positions us in a new place – with a passion for the presence of Jesus and a heart to bless.
OUR DECLARATION
The Supremacy of Christ
We declare that Jesus is the Creator and sustainer of all things, He is the Saviour of the world, He is the Head of the church, He is the Lord of our lives, He is the Hope for the world, and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!
The Salvation of Christ
We declare the Gospel of Christ, His life, death, resurrection and ascension is God’s plan for the redemption of all mankind. We declare Christ and Him crucified; that Calvary is a place of forgiveness, cleansing, healing and victory over death. We declare it’s time for harvest; a mighty move of God touching every part of this nation and our continent.
The Unity of God’s Church
We declare that our strong desire is to fulfil the prayer of Jesus that we be one, believing the Scripture that, “When brothers and sisters dwell together in unity, there God bestows His blessing even life for ever more.”
Release for our Children and Young People
We declare and prophesy a Jesus Generation of boys and girls, young men and women who will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing God’s protection, mercy and blessing as they take the Gospel to their families, friends, communities and the nations.
We declare the Grace and Mercy of God over each other and from this place the Trumpet Sound to reverberate in every village, town, city and nation, “That the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Amen and Amen.
If you were at TRUMPET CALL 2015 and have a testimony to share, please contact World Prayer Centre on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Nigeria: Another bomb blast kills 25
09 Jul 2015
A suspected suicide bomber targeted civil servants at a government building in Zaria city, killing 25 and wounding 32. Boko Haram, which often targets northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks since President Buhari took office in May. The group has not yet commented on the latest attack, which came a day after police chief Solomon Arase announced new measures to curb the rise in bombings. The measures include banning street trading and hawking in Abuja, and strengthening security at all mosques and churches countrywide. Witnesses in Zaria said people including primary school teachers had been queuing up seeking employment under Mr Buhari's administration when the bomb was detonated. Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufa'i said citizens were to be vigilant and avoid crowded places like markets, mosques, churches and motor parks in the next few weeks.
The persecution of religious minorities is now official Vietnamese state policy after Human Rights Watch released a June report revealing that Vietnam’s government intends to persecute any ethnic Montagnards who follow ‘unauthorised’ Christianity (Montagnards are the indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands of Vietnam - the term Montagnard means ‘mountain people’). This latest threat to Montagnards is causing many to flee into Cambodia where they hope to worship Christ freely; but many are deported back to Vietnam. Last year Cambodia returned 54 Montagnards without allowing them opportunity to seek refugee status. Formerly animists, ethnic Montagnards began converting to Christianity in the 1950s and are now a Christian group. In addition to being persecuted for their Christianity they are being targeted by the Vietnamese government because of their past allegiance to the US during its war in Vietnam.