We have received an email from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Some of had received the sort of text message mentioned. The fact is, if all those Christians living in fear for their lives in India at the moment sent us text messages the phone network would freeze up.
CSW recommend that we write you our members of parliament. The text of their message is below.
CSW is aware of a number of text messages circulating about threats to Christians in Orissa. The situation in Orissa remains extremely volatile, with threats and attacks continuing to take place. However, we do not consider such text messages to be an accurate indicator of the present situation. CSW is working on the ground with local partners in order to make detailed, accurate and authentic assessments of the situation and to determine the most appropriate path to take with regard to relief, taking into account the responsibilities of the government in the area.
We would encourage all:
to continue to pray for the restoration of peace,
to write to the Foreign Secretary to ask for a statement to be made,
to write to MPs to request that the UK government raise the situation with the Indian government and urge for the immediate restoration of order and the prosecution of the perpetrators of the violence.
You can find details of the outbreak of violence in Orissa by clicking here
There are shocking atrocities happening to Christians in Orissa, India. Please remember them in your prayers. There is a fast taking place on Tuesday for the same cause. Below is a copy of an email from a man called Yohannan, the founder and president of Gospel for Asia:
“Imagine how you would feel if a mob broke into your home, raped your wife and daughters, tried to kill you and then burned your house down—all because you are a Christian. That’s exactly what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Orissa, India, right now. Read the latest update on the continuing volatile situation here.
Dear friend, I have seen a lot of violence against Christians in my more than 30 years of sharing the Gospel with the people of Asia. I have even been on the receiving end of some of those attacks. But the events in Orissa are by far the most orchestrated and horrifying atrocities I have ever witnessed. Please join me in praying for these persecuted brothers and sisters in their time of great suffering.
Yours for the unreached,
K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President”
My heart is saddened as I compose this email, I will be praying, I hope you will too.
Sunday 22nd June is Elim’s World Missions Sunday which is always the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of the Vumba Massacre which took place on 23rd June 1978 in Zimbabwe. On that day nine Elim Missionaries and four of their children were brutally attacked and killed. If you want to find out more, download the Vumba brochure from the Elim Missions Website. On World Missions Sunday please pray for the families of those who lost their lives. Pray too for all our missionaries and national workers that they will receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to enable them to reach people with the gospel.
NORTH KOREA
Please join Christians worldwide for a Global Week of Prayer for North Korea from 23rd-29th June to pray for change in this nation. North Korea is one of the most repressive and isolated countries in the world. Opposition to the gospel is extremely harsh and from a young age North Koreans are taught to worship their leader. Those who escape to China are forcibly returned to suffer torture and even execution. Pray that:
· the enforced idolatry will be broken and there will be religious freedom
· God will uphold believers living in this hostile environment and give them strength and protection
· Christians who do manage to escape will not be detected
· those seeking to take the gospel to North Korea will be protected and the Holy Spirit will guide them and give them wisdom in all they do
· the gospel will spread and the church grow
EAST AFRICA
Pray for Paul Hudson, West & East Africa Missions Director, who will be visiting East Africa 23rd-27th June. Pray for safe travelling and good meetings.
ELIM MISSIONS SHORT TERM TEAMS
A training day for those going to Romania and India takes place on 24th June in Manchester. Pray this will be a good time of fellowship and learning for those attending.
WEST ASIA
Pray for the K family who have returned from West Asia to settle back in the UK. Pray that all the good work they did in the country they were in will bear fruit in the days ahead. Pray for the family as they settle back in and that they will find the right accommodation, work and schools quickly.
SOUTH KOREA
Jonathan and Sungjoo Aird are the proud parents of a son, Lawrence Irenaeus, born 18th June, a brother for Elizabeth, Amethyst and Jesse. Continue to pray for Amethyst who has been diagnosed with scoliosis and may need surgery. There has been some improvement, pray this will continue.
HONDURAS
Some great news just received. Walter and Valerie Huezo have been holding youth meetings over three days and 30 young people have been saved and set free by the power of God. Pray that they will grow in their new faith. Walter and Valerie believe that God will move mightily through the youth of Honduras.
TURKEY
Thank you for your prayers for Phil’s mother. After two months of not been able to get out of bed and eating very little, she has recovered really well and is out of bed, eating and talking. Pray that this answer to prayer will bring Phil’s family to know Jesus as their Saviour.
ZIMBABWE
Only God can change the situation in Zimbabwe and together our prayers can make a difference. If you are able, please join with us at either 8 am, 1 pm or 8 pm each day for just one minute to pray for change in Zimbabwe. Thank you.
A great crowd gathered in York Minster on Sunday May 11th for the Global Day of Prayer.
We were called together to pray by a great trumpet blast then we prayed in various formats, led by various people through the evening.
There was a joint ‘act of turning’ as we forgave, confessed our personal sin and that of our nation.
The church leaders of the city and surrounding areas were called out into the great aisle of the Nave of York Minster as we prayed for them, releasing a blessing and calling for the spirit of Jesus to form the fruits of Galatians 5 in their lives.
We called out for revival, then began a ‘prayer parade’ as we walked around a 12 part display in the minster, past prayer points for our council, education and health services, police, churches and the many facets of greater York.
We prayed for our world, with the nations of Burma and Zimbabwe very much on our hearts. After focusing on some youth issues we all joined together for the world prayer and declarations. Representatives of various nations from our church led the closing world prayer.
At the close the Lord Mayor and her party lead us out of the building with flaming torches. Outside church leaders and those from Elim who had led the world prayer, had already formed a huge semi-circle with flaming torches held high, surrounding the crowds with fire as Graham led the final prayer on the steps of the Minster.
Another great act of unity has taken place in our city. We must continue to call upon God for revival in our city and nation.
See the report on the One Voice York website.
We are getting news from our Elim Kenya leadership and other partners in that nation. The picture they paint is one of chaos and absolute horror with houses and churches being burned and people killed.
Our Elim Kenya General Superintendent says,
“So far the Elim Pentecostal Church has lost two churches, one in Nairobi and one in Eldoret. Most of our church members have been misplaced and killed. I have 22 families camping in my home. Transport has been damaged and shops looted. A convoy of buses and lorries carrying displaced people cannot move without paramilitary escort. People are having a difficult time picking up bodies and taking them to various hospital mortuaries, which are getting congested.”
We rise with many believers around the world and pray for mercy and grace.
This email was sent to the church office this morning from Elim International Missions:
NIGERIA
This is a special request for prayer for Elim in Nigeria.
We have just been told that the Elim church in Bauchi, the first Elim church and the largest, has been burnt down by Muslims with everything inside. Thankfully all the church members are safe and also the schools (nursery, primary and secondary) which are a quarter of a mile away from the church. We understand that when trying to stabilise the situation, the police shot and killed the Muslim leader of the riot.
Matthew Ayodele, the President of Elim Nigeria, has moved from the area for safety as have many of the church members.
Please pray that God will surround our Elim leaders in Nigeria, the Bauchi church congregation and the schools with His protection. Pray that this terrible incident will not lead to further uprising. Pray that Matthew and the other leaders will have guidance and wisdom in everything they do.
We really appreciate your continued prayer support, thank you.
Please feel free to copy and distribute Prayerline.
If you do not wish to receive this mailing any longer,
please contact Kathy on kcooper@elimhq.net
Luc pastors an Elim church near Lake Geneva, in France. The recording volume is a bit low for the first minute or so but the volume does go up so you can hear this inspiring sermon on the theme of “passion”.
Steve Redman did such a good job at reviewing this event on the One Voice website I won’t bother reinventing the wheel and just redirect you there! I have added some text from the City Council website here just to give you a bit of info about the office of Lord Mayor. Enjoy!
“The Lord Mayor is Chairman of City of York Council and the first citizen of the city. It’s an appointment made by the council each year in May, at the same time appointing a Sheriff, the city’s other civic head. York’s Lord Mayor is second only to the Lord Mayor of London in precedence and its Sheriff holds the oldest office of Sheriff in England and Wales.
The Lord Mayor chairs meetings of full council and together with the Sheriff, represents the city on ceremonial occasions, welcomes international visitors and attends events organised by local people and community groups.
The Lord Mayor also hosts formal and informal functions at the Mansion House which is the Lord Mayor’s residence during their year of office. The Mansion House is also available for tours and private hire.”
Praise God for another fantastic International Church Lunch! I think I speak for all who were there when I say I was blown away by the quality and variety of Indian Cuisine provided by our Indian brothers and sisters. Perhaps we could ask them to do us an Indian Church Lunch every month?? Well maybe not but we’ll look forward to next month’s theme scheduled for the 2nd December, East Asia.
Thank the Lord for providing Soul and Bissy with a new job in Clyde Bank, Glasgow. We pray that He will watch over and bless them both.
Our very own pastor was raised a Mormon and can verify that the information in this animation is an accurate portrayal of Mormon beliefs, although some of it is kept secret from their members until they reach a certain level of Mormonism.
