Last weekend Britain’s multinational churches took to the streets to celebrate the birth of Christianity in vibrant style. Pentecost festivals called 'the Biggest Birthday Party Ever' took place across the country drawing on the culture of some of the world’s fastest growing churches – sharing free food, dance and music as expressions of their Christian faith. For example churches in Islington, London, staged a free multi-cultural festival in Caledonian Park with music, dancing and food from almost every continent. There was a Ghanaian choir, Argentine opera, Ethiopian and Eritrean traditional music, Mexican music and dance, a Spanish choir and Brazilian traditional music as well as jazz, soul, gospel and folk. Coventry's Big Birthday Bash run by HOPE Coventry organised a free BBQ funded by the local churches, including African drumming, a Chinese choir, and a huge birthday cake cut by the Lord Mayor. The events were linked as part of HOPE.

The 35th Prayer for Revival gathering started this week with pastors and churches from across the city and the region praying together in unity. Organisers are delighted that more churches are joining and actively supporting and praying for each other. The intent of Prayer for Revival is church leaders standing in agreement by involving themselves in cooperating with Jesus in building healthy churches that impact communities; bringing the rule the reign and works of Jesus across the cities, regions and beyond. The pastors and churches choose to honour one another by speaking well of each other and praying for success, growth and blessings in one another’s churches. Their ethos -‘Your success is our honour’ is a kingdom value that emphasises the words of Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’ It is an ‘in honour preferring one another.’

In a country of 76 million where 99.9 percent of the population are Muslim, positive pro-Christian news is rare. But, Turkey's Ministry of Education has requested that Behnan Konutgan, Director for International Needs Network, would lead a group of Christians to create a Christian curriculum for a religion class for the public schools. ‘Because Turkey is on its way to joining the European Union, they have created a new thing for next year,’ said Konutgan. ‘They will have an elective course for the schools for 5, 6, 10, and 11 grades. They promised to print it. This is wonderful!’ According to the report, Christian students in the past were required to take Islamic education classes. Now any Christian student in a public school can request the alternate religion class. ‘This is the first in the history of Turkey. Pray that this project will be done,’ added Konutgan.

Some 4,000 children have been protected from trafficking following Tearfund's 'No Child Taken' campaign at this year's Big Church Day Out at Wiston House, Steyning, West Sussex. The festival, now in its sixth year, partnered with Tearfund to raise awareness and generate support to prevent the unlawful trafficking of children across the globe. Big Church Day Out continues to grow each year and focuses on gathering people from across the church family, along with attracting increasing numbers of non-churchgoers because of its value as a great family day out. Crowds of more than 20,000 gathered on the Bank Holiday weekend and were greeted with a mixture of rain and glorious sunshine, classic festival weather. The incredibly varied line-up included artists from all over the world, with genres ranging from Latin rock to R&B, bluegrass to gospel choirs, and much more. It was attended by families and church groups, all connecting with each other on their journey of faith.

Ali, a Kurd, suffered from alcohol addiction when friends persuaded him to make the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Islam's holy city, Mecca. It was in Saudi Arabia, where liquor is banned, and the religious ritual might cure him, they suggested. When he got there, he cried out to God for help (if indeed He was there) and fell asleep. Jesus then appeared to him in a dream and touched him, saying: ‘You believe in me now; leave this place.’ After taking a shower next morning, he discovered what he thought was dust on the part of his chest Jesus had touched, but in fact the hair on his chest had turned white in the shape
of a hand! At the traditional celebration marking his return from Hajj, he announced to his incredulous family that he had seen Jesus in Mecca and had come back a Christian.

Alejandro was a terrorist with a militant Islamic organisation in Mindanao. He’d bombed civilians, government soldiers, US Marines and the homes of Christians. ‘I was not afraid to kill anyone for the glory of Allah,’ he said. Alejandro was the only son in a strict Muslim family. He'd brought honour to his father by joining the Islamist rebels and was considered a worthy heir. His work required that he travel around the island of Mindanao, and in 2009 he met a Christian who invited him to church. At first Alejandro turned down the invitation; he wasn't interested in Christianity. But the Christian persisted, finally he agreed to visit the man's church. Alejandro suddenly found himself crying and walking to the front of the church. ‘I was a tough military guy, an Islamic killer,’ he said. ‘I never cried, never. That day, I decided to leave Islam and follow Jesus.'

Dr Zoe D Scounos, speaking to delegates from 38 countries at the Annual World Christian Doctors Network Conference last week, told of a surgical emergency that could have taken the life of her father. However with a strong faith in God, a recovery defying medical odds unfolded. During a family meeting with her mother and sister they were faced with an impossible situation medically so they joined hands and prayed, ‘Father God, your Word says when two or more people gather together in prayer you are present. Please restore the circulation through the rest of the bowel and restore Dad completely.’ She then stated, ‘Within 24 hours a rapid clinical improvement ensued, TPN was no longer required within a few days of discharge from intensive care, and successful recovery came 5 five weeks later. This was an example of a miraculous recovery from a surgical catastrophe, with a limited chance of survival.’

What started three years ago in the Dutch ‘cheese city’ Gouda has developed into an annual wildly successful pop culture phenomenon in the Netherlands: The Passion, a live open-air re-enactment of the last supper, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In previous years The Passion visited Rotterdam and The Hague, and this year on the Thursday before Easter Groningen hosted the event, with over 20,000 people participating locally, and 3.2 million people watching the drama unfold on national television. The popularity of The Passion is surprising, as the Netherlands has a reputation for being one of the most secularized countries in Europe. A large cross is carried through town and followed by a long procession of people. The programme's different scenes are portrayed with Biblical characters like Jesus, Mary and Judas, and Dutch pop bands playing famous songs. The Passion is thus the modern version of the St Matthew Passion.

There have been many testimonies in recent years, of the Lord Jesus revealing Himself to members of Islam through dreams. Dreams are one of the main ways that Muslims believe God will speak to them. Before he became a believer, the Apostle Paul dragged Christians out of their houses to imprison or kill them. A modern day Iranian named Taher was no better. He even threatened to kill his own family because they became Christians. Like Paul, he received a vision of the Lord that turned his life upside down. Taher was the last one anyone expected to convert to Christianity. He was well respected pilgrim who had made the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife, so when his daughter came to Christ, Taher was very angry. When his wife became a believer in Christ, he grew even angrier. When even his son turned his back on Islam and accepted Christ, his anger turned to rage. To read the full account of his amazing story click the link by the more button below.

The following is part of a letter from a Christian buisnessman who wishes to remain anonymous. ‘For 30 years people have smuggled Bibles into the Arabian Peninsula in suitcases, been caught, deported and the Bibles destroyed. Six years ago I became a neighbour to some very powerful sheikhs. We met regularly for conversation over tea. As we talked about the Qur'an I would mention the Injil (Gospel) and the position of the Bible in the Qur'an. I challenged them to read the Injil, saying that we could not dialogue fairly as I have an unfair advantage.’ His story goes on to explain how he discussed and examined scripture with the sheikhs over a period of time which finally led to them agreeing to 25,000 copies of the Gospels and the Book of Acts to be imported and distributed amongst Muslims in Saudi Arabia. For the full story click the link below.