66 mission agency staff must leave UK
18 Dec 2015
One of the world’s largest mission agencies will lose 66 staff from its British office after UK Visas and Immigration officials removed its licence to sponsor visas. Following an inspection by officials, Operation Mobilisation can no longer bring in missionaries from outside the European Union to staff its UK office: non-European employees and volunteers must leave the UK within two months. Expectations and requirements on visa sponsors have increased dramatically in recent years, and unfortunately, as with many similar organisations, OM can’t keep up with those requirements quickly enough. They respect the decision, and will realign protocols and internal procedures to ensure they are in full compliance with current legislation; then they will reapply for their licence in twelve months’ time. Last year YWAM had 300+ missionaries and their families removed from Britain, and in 2014 Wycliffe Bible Translators had the same challenge.
Using Star Wars to spread the gospel
18 Dec 2015
As people flock to see the latest episode of Star Wars, The Force Awakens, churches are hosting Star Wars-themed Christmas services, making Star Wars-themed videos and dressing up as Star Wars characters. This is a good example of what the church was born to do: take what is culturally relevant and use it to talk about Jesus. All Hallows Church in London is led by self-professed Star Wars geek Rev Cris Rogers. It is home to a Jedi training school and has a monthly Star Wars-themed family service. He says, ‘The rebel alliance fought against the empire, and kids are asked how - as Christians – we can live in the world and challenge it.’ However ‘the force’ is not a good analogy because the Holy Spirit is a person, not a strange cosmic thing.
The three-day trial of Pastor James McConnell had moments of theology, ideology and comedy. At first people in the public gallery were struggling to hear the defence barrister, so the judge asked him to speak up, saying, ‘Pretend you're a preacher.’ There were 120 supporters of the 78-year-old pastor filling the public gallery. He was on trial for words he used about Islam in a sermon to his congregation that was later published online. Although he described Islam as satanic, heathen and spawned in hell, the prosecution focused on his words, ‘People say there are good Muslims in Britain. That may be so - but I don't trust them’, which were considered a breach of the Communications Act. The judge will decide whether the sermon broke the law or not and deliver his verdict on 5 January.
‘Stop the Traffik’ on Christmas chocolates
18 Dec 2015
This month, people will be feasting on Christmas chocolates and buying sweet treats for friends and family. Christmas is a time of year when chocolate sales soar and it means big business for chocolate companies! But for the many children trafficked and made to harvest cocoa beans, December is just another month of back-breaking, dangerous forced labour. Consumers have the power to make a difference and Stop the Traffik are urging us all to join their Christmas in campaigning to protect vulnerable people by buying chocolate that is traffic-free.
Vulnerable young people homeless
18 Dec 2015
Three months ago the Guardian reported, ‘Homeless young people are being given bus tickets to allow them to sleep on London’s night buses as the number of young people sleeping rough in the capital soars.’ Young and Homeless research into the situation in 2015 says the problem is growing across the UK. This week police launched an appeal to find three runaway London schoolgirls, 13-year-old Fardowsa Hassan, and sisters Abir Salah, 16, and Ahlam Salah, 15. It is thought that the trio have not left the country:, but are sleeping on buses or elsewhere on the transport network. Young people make up nearly half of those accessing homeless accommodation services. They are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Without the right support homelessness can have a serious impact on a young person’s life. See http://www.homeless.org.uk/sites/default/files/site-attachments/201512%20-%20Young%20and%20Homeless%20-%20Full%20Report.pdf
A call to pray for the United Kingdom
18 Dec 2015
The World Prayer Centre has made an urgent call for God’s people to stand in prayer for the UK. The nation has entered a new phase of conflict with IS, and is particularly vulnerable to terrorist attacks and fear around Christmas and New Year when people gather in large numbers. WPC believes we are in a wider time of shaking for our nations. ‘God is challenging His Church. It is time for all God’s people to pray, to be alert, to protect, guard and bless our communities and nation.’ WPC have prepared a helpful guide for use in prayer groups, churches and personally, asking for God’s mercy for our communities and for the UK to turn to Jesus - the Prince of peace. Many people gathered to pray between 12 and 14 December, and we are being encouraged to continue to intercede over Christmas and beyond. To download the prayer guide, click the ‘more’ button.
Operation World (OW) reports on socio-cultural trends that are opening doors for Christian witness. There is disillusionment with the emptiness of enforced secularism and hyper-modernity, leading to a new interest in spirituality and the supernatural. OW believes that, presented rightly, Jesus is of great appeal to such seekers. Due to the upheaval and uncertainty in economics and politics, civic disintegration, crime and violence, many are asking questions about morals and meaning. In some parts of Europe, militant atheism with strong anti-Christian, anti-religious rhetoric is strident and ugly enough to cause people to reconsider questions of faith and God. Christian immigration has brought the presence of dynamic and lively congregations into nearly every part of Europe. Alongside this, the influx of non-Christian religions raises the issue of the religious identity of Europe, both in history and for the future.
Opposition MPs disrupted the Kosovo parliament again on Monday by setting off tear gas in chambers - the latest in a series of violent incidents against the government and politicians. Over last weekend several government-owned cars were set on fire by protesters. Such incidents began after the 25 August agreement between Pristina and Belgrade to establish Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo to champion minority Serbs’ interests. The three opposition parties in Kosovo’s parliament strongly oppose it, claiming Serbs will have too much power. The opposition parties also reject a border agreement reached with neighbouring Montenegro in Vienna in August, through which it says Kosovo is losing territory. (Kosovo’s population is predominantly ethnic Albanian. It declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade rejected the move and still considers the breakaway territory as its southern province.)