In Afghanistan, after America and its allies withdrew, the Taliban controlled the government, declaring an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, employing harsh tactics to expose Christians. This has brought persecution in Afghanistan to its highest levels since the Taliban’s first government in 1996. In Nigeria Fulani Militants, the largest nomadic ethnic group, have killed tens of thousands of Christians and left many more homeless since 2000. Having seen increasing violence against Nigeria’s Christian population in the Middle Belt, it is alleged that the Fulani militant aggression is aided by stakeholders within the Nigerian government. Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s Supreme Leader, exerts control over every aspect of Iranian life, both physically and spiritually. As an Islamic republic, Iran poses severe limits on the ability of Christians to practice their religion, enforcing a hardline regime that allows the brutal torture and execution of many Iranian Christians.

The US's overturning of women’s rights to abortion is reverberating globally, with activists on both sides of the debate responding. In 1978 Italy legalised abortion. The current rise of politics, closer to the Catholic church, has brought it back into focus, and the US decision is rumbling in Italy. A former foreign minister said it showed the risk in Italy of moving backwards and ‘losing achievements that seemed permanent’. But on the right, ‘A great victory’, declared Simone Pillon, hoping Italy and Europe would follow suit. In Ireland, America’s ruling triggered a swift, passionate response, stirring deep emotions where abortion was only recently decriminalised. Many vocal Irish campaign groups and activists still exist on both sides. A pro-abortion rights' activist in El Salvador, where abortion is banned in all cases said, ‘This will embolden the most conservative groups in our countries who consistently deny women rights.’ In Canada and India similar loud debates are being discussed in the media, Twitter and online.

Australia, for almost a decade, has called the nations of the world to join in 6 days of prayer and fasting for the United States of America. This year will be from 30 April – 5 May 2021.

May 5 is America’s National Day of Prayer http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org
The theme is “EXALT THE LORD WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US.” Colossians 2:6-7

April 30 is America’s National Day of Repentance  http://www.dayofrepentance1.org
Promo YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/tToauKY3FdQ

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of America’s heritage, as is the USA Day of Repentance. The first national call to prayer was in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation.

Kym Farnik the Prayer Coordinator said, ““Both America and Australia desperately need to experience an Awakening to Christ. It is significant that this call to have communion Daily is in the month of May.  This month also celebrates Go20, a call for the Christians of the world to pray and share the Gospel with 5 people in the month of May. The simple goal is to reach a billion people with God’s love. Let us pray for the release of the gospel.”

Kurt Mahlburg features editor with the Canberra Declaration said, “We believe it is critical for us to continue to pray for America. All our respective nations including Australia and America, are at the point of moral and economic collapse despite the fact that our Western world as such was built on Judea-Christian Foundations.  America with all its faults is still a bastion of hope for the Gospel and a strong tower for the free world.”

Warwick Marsh an Australia Faith & Family advocate said, “Pray & Fast between the 30 April – 5 May as you feel led, but our main call is to ask individual believers all over the world to have communion each day of May 2022 and pray for revival, repentance & transformation for America. The celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through communion as a prayer of intercession exerts great power in the realm of the spirit. Now is the time to celebrate Jesus for America.” 

Kym Farnik: 61 438 014 007
Kurt Mahlburg now in USA: +1 (310) 985-4763.
Warwick Marsh: 61 418 225 212
https://www.gomovement.world/en
www.canberradeclaration.org.au

(by Bekele Shanko)

WHY GLOBAL CHURCH PLANTING DAY?

The New Testament church was born in the second chapter of the book of Acts, a day that can be considered as the birthday of the global church. It was a special day and a part of God’s eternal plan. The disciples of Jesus who received the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as the God-fearing Jews who had come to Jerusalem from all over the world to celebrate the day of Pentecost, had witnessed the birth of the church on that day. However, two significant things had happened prior to the church’s birthday, during the 50 days between the Resurrection and Pentecost.

First, during the period of 40 days between his resurrection and ascension, Jesus presented himself to his disciples with many convincing proofs that he was alive. That means the death and resurrection of Jesus and repentance for the forgiveness of sins was proclaimed with clarity and conviction. Jesus also preached about the kingdom of God, turning the attention of his disciples to what was more important, unifying and eternal. Second, during the ten days after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples prayed in unity and anticipation for the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.

As part of our commitment to celebrate the birth, the life and the ministry of the church on earth, what if the body of Christ were to intentionally use a day like the one in Acts 2 as a Global Day of Church Planting? This doesn’t mean that we should only plant churches on that day. But if we were to set aside a day in which the body of Christ could prioritize and strategically think about church planting, it would give us a sense of unified vision, purpose and priority, as well as opportunities to collaborate with one another.

Therefore, the Global Church Planting Day is a vision to celebrate the birth of the Bride of Jesus by inspiring and equipping churches to start churches and groups in places and among peoples who do not have one. The 50 days between Resurrection and Pentecost could be used in the same way Jesus used to birth his church – 40 days of focusing on God’s kingdom, preaching the Good News and training church planters, followed by 10 days of concerted global prayer. Then on the Global Church Planting Day, each church plants at least one church.

Circumstances may hinder some churches from starting new churches or missional communities on that day or week, but we pray and hope that many churches could. You can imagine how many churches could be planted around the world even if 10 percent of local churches were able to implement this vision. Moreover, to ensure growth, sustainability and multiplication of the newly started churches and groups, continuous evangelism, discipleship and coaching of church planters would need to continue beyond that special day.

WHEN IS THE NEXT GLOBAL CHURCH PLANTING DAY?

The Global Church Planting Day of 2022 is on May 29, 2022. We know that the day of Pentecost for this year falls on June 5, 2022, and this day is variable from year to year. With strategic input from the World Evangelical Alliance, a decision was made to make the last Sunday of May each year a Global Church Planting Day.

This also perfectly coincides with the vision and activities of the GO Movement and the GO Decade to mobilize believers globally to share the Good News with people around us. In a sense, the Global Church Planting Day will be a culmination of all the evangelistic activities done in the month of May, and it will enable us to integrate evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

HOW DO WE LEVERAGE EXISTING PLATFORMS AND EVENTS?

As we pray, plan, and prepare to implement the vision of the Global Church Planting Day, we must recognize the many significant existing factors that can help accelerate the work we are going to do. These factors include:

• The examples of unity, prayer, and expectation the disciples modeled for us in Acts 1: 12-26.
• The importance of focusing on the kingdom of God, the teaching and the training that Jesus demonstrated during the 40 days after his resurrection (Acts 1: 1-3).
• The growing unity and spirit of collaboration already taking place in the body of Christ.
• Easter weekend, during which many congregations see increased church attendance that can be maximized toward starting new churches and groups.
• The activities and results of the GO Movement and the body of Christ that mobilizes believers for evangelism during the month of May.
• Global prayer movements that inspire, unite and connect millions of believers around the world to pray for world evangelization from Passover to Pentecost.

WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE BETWEEN NOW AND THE GCPD?

Prior to April 10, 2022 – Every local church can develop plans to start at least one church. The plan may include identifying priority places and peoples in which new churches are needed; recruiting, training and supporting church planters, and mobilizing believers to pray and support the work of church planting.

April 10, 2022 –Launch the journey of 50 days and train church planters.

40 days after April 10 – Small groups and congregations study together a 40-day purpose-driven curriculum designed to unite our hearts and focus our attention.

Modeling and mobilizing prayer – Prayer Movement Networks, prayer groups and church congregations pray and mobilize prayer.

May 29, 2022 – Global Church Planting Day. This day can be used to celebrate the birth of the New Testament Church in Acts 2, to praise God for what he has done through the month of evangelism through the efforts of the GO Movement, and to launch new churches and groups.

Beyond May 29, 2022 – Church-planting-movement networks, local churches, and church denominations continue to train and coach church planters for sustainable church planting and multiplication.

WHO ARE IMPORTANT PARTNERS?

The GO Movement

• World Evangelical Alliance
• Finishing The Task (FTT)
• GACX
• GCM
• JesusFilm
• Church denominations, mission agencies and local congregations

April 10, 2022: training of church planters begins
May 29, 2022: Next Global Church Planting Day

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Melanie Washington put her arms around the young man who killed her son and hugged him. She said, ‘It’s more important to love and forgive than to hold on to the pain and the hurt.  I found myself putting my arm around him. I didn’t feel a murderer that killed my son. I felt my son.’ Today Melanie Washington lives in Long Beach, California and is helping troubled youth make it out of a destructive culture. She herself came out of a childhood that she said was ‘pure hell’ To read her story click more.

Some of the best golfers in the world are striving for more than a trophy or prize money. In each Professional Golf Association tournament are players whose Christian faith is being communicated to fans and co-competitors. A growing number of competitors are using the rising popularity of golf to share their faith with others. They are becoming more interested in speaking out about their faith  during post-event interviews. On 11th April the winner of the US Masters tournament, Scottie Scheffler, said ‘The reason why I play golf is I'm trying to glorify God’ (See) Scheffler has spoken often about the impact his faith has on his life. He is a regular at a Bible study held by professional golfers on tour, while it's understood he chose his caddie because he too was a committed Christian.

Khalia says, ‘After fleeing Iraq’s war, I had concerns about my Islamic faith. With violence, war, and bloodshed everywhere, I rejected the Quran teachings. In a search for truth, I began attending a local Jordanian church and was intrigued by the love I felt there and the teachings about Jesus. I started going over the weekly sermons with members from a Ministry Team. They helped me better understand the Bible. Slowly, my heart began opening to the truth. At an Easter Sunday celebration, I came to personal faith in Christ. Today, I am an active church member and regularly serve with the children’s ministry outreach team. Jesus has given me new life. No matter the cost, I will serve the Lord.’

There needs to be more and better laws and legislation to safeguard children from online sexual exploitation. Later this month the Online Safety Bill will be debated in Westminster as it enters its second reading. The bill will require online platforms to take action to improve child protection. Pray for consensus on the importance of further strengthening child protection, particularly in preventing the livestreaming of child abuse.