www.joelnews.nl

JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-403 * 21 JUNE 2002 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN403-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Swiss youth re-covenant nation to God
JN403-2. PRAYER FOCUS: G8 gathering in Calgary, Canada (2)
JN403-3. NEWS BRIEF: 9,000 house churches planted in Northern India
JN403-4. KINGDOM DEVELOPMENT: Millions attend Alpha courses
JN403-5. RESOURCE: State of the American Church in 2002
JN403-6. RESOURCE: Lessons from the Argentine revival

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JN403-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Swiss youth re-covenant nation to God

On 30th March 2002 over 3,000 young people gathered in the Swiss Alps to re-covenant their nation to God. Susanna Richliger reports:

"Switzerland was formed in 1291 when 3 guys gathered on the Ruetli to commit themselves to each other and to God. Recently our nation has been humbled by many crises and scandals. We figured it was time to give things back to God. There were no big names or flashy publicity. And you can't reach the Ruetli by road. So we could hardly believe it on 30th March when 3,000 young people crossed the lake and hiked through the forest to covenant the nation back to God. Some had even fasted food for 40 days in preparation for the moment. We built a platform on the side of the mountain. The few politicians and journalists who came could hardly believe their eyes! There was repentance for the proud Swiss heart, our immorality and much more. Prophetically, all 3,000 of us made a huge cross on the ground, visible from the sky. We also shared bread and wine, laying down the flags of all 26 cantons (states) to make a statement, that we are ONE! Pray with us for the tide to turn here in Switzerland."

Source: http://www.24-7prayer.com

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JN403-2. PRAYER FOCUS: G8 gathering in Calgary, Canada (2)

On June 26 and 27, 2002, the Heads of State of the eight most powerful industrialized nations of the world will gather in Calgary, Canada. Pete & Pip Gardner of the Institute of Global Affairs and Ian & Pauline Cole of the World Prayer Centre in England, submitted the following prayer points:

1) Pray for the protection of the G8 leaders from the possibility of a terrorist attack. That any terrorist plans would be uncovered and foiled.

2) Pray that all ten leaders along with their advisors will have a personal encounter with their Creator. Also, pray that George Bush, the only known committed believer among them, may be bold and sensitive in sharing his faith in Christ with them.

3) Pray they will be moved with compassion for suffering and poverty-stricken nations, realizing that their rich and powerful nations must be their "brothers' keepers". Pray for the release of hundreds of billions in debt relief to the poor countries, all that has been committed already and more. For the redirection of significant additional resources from arms industries and other programs to development and poverty eradication for the poorest nations. Pray that the aid offered will not be tied into demands for anti-christian policy change in the African nations.

4) That the G8 will give up any intentions to dominate and control other nations and international organizations.

5) Unity for the advancement of Kingdom values rather than anti-Christian ones.

6) Raising up of a team of wise people (like Joseph and Daniel of old) gifted with intercessory and prophetic capabilities to advise these leaders.

7) Favour and permission for access to the G8 leaders by local Christian leaders who would like to pray for them during the summit. Once again for your joining together with us in all of this.

Source: Joel News

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JN403-3. NEWS BRIEF: 9,000 house churches planted in Northern India

Between the start of the recent house church movement in India (around 1996) and the end of 2001, some 9,000 house churches have been planted in India's 12 northern states. In 2001 alone, the number of churches grew by 66 percent, according to an Operation Agape report.

The staff and leaders of some of these movements assign each person a particular area of responsibility, according to their gifting and calling. 'T-I leaders' are responsible for a small number of believers (10-12) in one village. T-II leaders are responsible for the T-I leaders in a 20-30 km radius. Both groups have normal day jobs. T-III leaders are trained and work full-time for the ministry, training T-I and T-II leaders, meeting their spiritual needs and mentoring them as they plant new house churches. T-IV leaders have full-time responsibility for whole regions, and T-V are the visionary leaders who influence a whole nation or more. Their task is to mobilise prayer support and other resources, organise conferences and to motivate and mobilise Christians for the process of 'spiritual harvest'.

Source: Operation Agape, e-mail alexagapeldh@cs.com, through Friday Fax

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JN403-4. KINGDOM DEVELOPMENT: Millions attend Alpha courses

Almost 4 million people around the world have taken part in the successful Alpha evangelistic course in the last six years, says the British organisation Christian Research (CR). The low-key lecture-and-discussion series that introduces non-churchgoers to the basics of Christianity has proved particularly popular in the United States, with recent growth outstripping that in its native England.

About 4,200 American churches are currently running the courses, a figure that is double the number 18 months ago. CR estimates that worldwide more than 1 million people participated in Alpha courses in 2001 alone, Assist News Service reported.

In England Alpha has enjoyed even wider exposure with a 10-part series on the secular TV channel ITV. Presented by internationally known media figure Sir David Frost, the series followed 10 young people through the course. Some became Christians as a result, and others said the course had changed some of their attitudes toward life.

Alpha leader Nicky Gumbel originally turned down ITV's request to make a documentary but changed his mind when they asked again. "Here was an opportunity for people to hear more about Alpha, and therefore it would help the churches that were running it to attract more people. So we agreed to do it." About a million viewers tuned in each week.

Dan Wooding of Assist Ministries wrote an article on the background of Alpha and explains the course's success.

LINK: http://www.assist-ministries.com/Stories/s02060010.htm

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JN403-5. RESOURCE: State of the American Church in 2002

Every year American researcher George Barna tracks the health of the Church in his nation by measuring a battery of indicators related to religious behavior and beliefs. I his new book 'The State of the Church' Barna reviews numerous statistics that provide a robust sense of America's spiritual nature.

He ends his book with a challenge to Christian leaders and institutions to think creatively and strategically about the future. Among the nine challenges he raises are comments regarding the marginalization of evangelicals, the escalating spiritual influence of non-white ethnic groups, the dangers emanating from the spread of theology built on 'cheap grace', and the tensions arising from the expectations and demands of the emerging generation (the Mosaics).

LINK: http://www.barna.org

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JN403-6. RESOURCE: Lessons from the Argentine revival

One of the most successful models of urban evangelism is taking place in Argentina. Although all church growth is a complex interweaving of sets of contextual factors, institutional factors and spiritual factors, in Argentina spiritual factors, particularly power evangelism and spiritual warfare, seem to be paramount. In this article C. Peter Wagner draws lessons in evangelism and spiritual warfare from the Argentine revival. He also included a number of highly encouraging testimonies.

LINK: http://www.consumingfire.com/awesome.htm

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COLOPHON

Joel News International is a leading special interest bulletin on prayer, church growth and revival. We offer a keen selection of the most encouraging news reports, the most challenging developments and the best resources from over 100 reliable sources in six continents. Joel News International is a great help and time-saver for thousands of Christian leaders and intercessors in over 120 nations.

Editors: Branko Bjelajac, Adriaan van der Hoeven and Marc van der Woude. You can contact the editorial office at joel-news@xs4all.nl.

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