USA: risking all to cross the border
14 Feb 2019
President Trump calls the ‘migrant caravan’ an invasion of the USA. . A desperate 2,600-mile walk from Honduras with children and a few possessions is an odd invasion. Honduras has suffered much since President Hernández’s fraud-marred re-election in 2017. As resistance to him persists, scores are killed by government security forces. Also gangs and drug trafficking cause one of the highest rates of homicide. Some are fleeing not because of crime or political oppression, but because of economic inequity and lack of opportunity. Scripture says we should care for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. Pope Francis said, ‘It is hypocrisy to call yourself Christian and chase away refugees, those seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty. If I say I am Christian, but do these things, I am a hypocrite.’
Malaysia: Open Doors urges action
14 Feb 2019
In 2017 Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in a professional attack caught on CCTV. He has not been seen since. Open Doors has urged the government to throw its weight behind locating him and three others who disappeared around the same time. They said, ‘The facts of this case are utterly outrageous. We urge the new government to expose the truth behind these abductions, and root out the corruption which allegedly led to their disappearance.’ A whistle-blower said Raymond had been targeted for having a minority faith, and his abduction was carried out with the approval of the then inspector general of police. A human rights commission investigation into his disappearance ended in December 2018, with a response expected in March 2019.
Myanmar: kidnapped pastor could be dead
14 Feb 2019
On 19 January, in Myanmar, Pastor Tun was kidnapped with several others and held captive by a group of Buddhist militants. He is believed to be dead, but Barnabas’ contacts in the region say that his body has not yet been found. Pastor Tun was a spokesman for his village, and his missionary work made him a target by the ‘truly brutal’ group. Concerns are mounting that more abductions of Christians are likely.
A NATIONAL CALL TO PRAYER - 28 MARCH 2019
13 Feb 2019
As Christians working in government, members of Christians in Government, we, like many others, have recently felt a strong sense that Christians need to come together, whatever our views, to pray for God’s Will for our nation. We are therefore inviting Christians across the nation to join us in a National Day of Prayer on 28 March 2019.
This is inspired by a vision of all the prayers across our nation. These may be small or large groups, in homes, villages or churches – but all are connected and are lighting up our nation like a Christmas tree with lights shining all over it. And we believe, at this key time for our nation, the King, our Lord, calling His tribes, the many denominations, and groups, to come together and seek His will for our nation.
We believe there is power in unity and we want to show the UK that the church is alive and cares about our nation; that God has answered prayers in the past for the UK, and He can do it again! And we would love to pray for God, to be our Good Shepherd of Psalm 23, to guide, comfort and bless the UK at this key time in our history.
Therefore, whatever your views, your denomination, wherever you are in the UK, we invite you to be part of this National Call to Prayer, to bring people together to pray for our nation.
We would love for you to join us! You are warmly invited to pray individually, and to mobilise your friends and communities to pray for our nation, and to join events in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, or to host events in every town and village across the UK for a NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER on Thursday 28th March 2019. To sign up to host an event, please go to our website: www.nationalcall2prayer.com
Prayer for Britain
08 Feb 2019
On 26 January 3,000 people gathered for a day of prayer for Britain in the Wembley Arena. A further 100,000+ joined from every ethnic, racial, social, cultural, and church divide around the world on YouTube, Facebook, GOD TV and Revelation TV. They asked God to change the nations’ destiny and to align the UK with God’s purposes. We can praise God, knowing that prayers and declarations bring positive changes in the land. They usher kingdom values into our politics, businesses, education, arts, media, families and the church, building a defence wall against Satan’s influence and receiving grace for a United Kingdom under God’s authority.
Church minister wins award for prison work
08 Feb 2019
Rev Bob Akroyd has won the Butler Trust Award for his pastoral care work at Edinburgh prison. He was praised for the 'exceptional support' he provided 'to both prisoners and staff' and 'his outstanding pastoral care, helping families and colleagues through grief as well as in celebrations of life'. Joanne Smith, an officer at the prison, said, 'Bob makes you feel safe and encapsulated by his love and devotion to God, delivering support and guidance that I have never known anywhere or with anyone else before. He unlocks potential and transforms lives. He helps individuals to shoulder their burdens, and empowers them to move forward to a more positive future, where they can successfully tackle life and its problems head on, becoming the best and strongest version of themselves - a version which they might not have even known, or dared hope, existed, before Bob’s unwavering hand was offered in support.'
German-Israeli cooperation in Africa
08 Feb 2019
Since 2012, Israel and Germany have worked together on policies to aid the development of African countries. Germany is providing 90% of the financial support, which enables the Israelis to bring their expertise into the latest agricultural developments. Large projects, which Israel cannot carry out alone, will grow with German provision. As Israel was forced within its own land to find solutions for the lack of water in desert areas, Israelis are now blessing many countries in Africa with their knowledge, fulfilling God’s word ‘and you will be a blessing’ (Genesis 12:2).
Children’s Mental Health Week (4 to 10 February)
08 Feb 2019
The charity Place2Be says, ‘At least three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health issue, and even more worry about everyday things such as school work, family life and friendships’. In Northern Ireland one in ten school children have a diagnosable mental illness, and in 2018 some 35,000 children were treated by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Across the UK schools are in the front line dealing with day-to-day anxiety manifesting itself in children. Many are developing programmes and offering counselling services. Body image, exam stress and bullying are the main topics they cover. In spite of financial and working time pressures for families, parents have an important role to play: quality time is the most important investment to be made in children’s future emotional health. See