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JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-420 * 4 DECEMBER 2002 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN420-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Children hear God better
JN420-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Churchplanting among Baskirs and Tatars in Russia
JN420-3. NEWS BRIEF: Prayer revival in public schools in USA
JN420-4. KINGDOM DEVELOPMENT: Cowboy churches in Texas
JN420-5. RESOURCE: Passion for Jesus
JN420-6. RESOURCE: Altars of worship

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QUOTE: "When people ask me about the time they should spend in prayer, I simply tell them they should spend enough time to build a good love relationship." (Alvin Vandergriend)
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JN420-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Children hear God better

Jesus once told his disciples that the Kingdom of God belongs to the children. "In our children's ministry, it is particularly the 8- to 12-year-olds who have special supernatural experiences," says Ulrike Tetzlaff of the FCJG church in Lüdenscheid, Germany.

"When we go to pray on the prayer mountain on Saturdays, they sometimes see things in the Spirit which are described in the Bible, but which they have never read. For example, they have described the golden Jerusalem, the jewels, the clear river and God's throne room. They sometimes have prophetic impulses to pray for people in other parts of the world, and they prophesy freely. God's presence can become so strong that we can hardly remain standing," she says.

"These things grow a deep love for Jesus, a familiarity with the Holy Spirit, and the desire to pray more. Could it be that children hear God better because they have such a pure spirit?"

Source: FCJG through Friday Fax

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JN420-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Churchplanting among Baskirs and Tatars in Russia

Only a few years ago, there were no indigenous Christian churches among the Bashkirs and Tatars, two Islamic people groups of Russia's Ural region. In the past six years, however, Christian workers have started two missions schools, which in turn have trained church planting teams that have planted more than 50 new congregations. At the end of 2001, a Tatar New Testament was published. Rejoice in these inroads for the gospel among the Bashkirs and Tatars. Ask God to make these church planters bold and effective witnesses to multiply the church in the Urals. Pray that the goal of 100 self-replicating churches by 2003 would be far surpassed.

Source: Kingdom Ministries

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JN420-3. NEWS BRIEF: Prayer revival in public schools in USA

A movement known as the '30-Second Kneel Down' is sweeping the nation as high school students boldly kneel in prayer for the teachers, students, and administrators of their schools. According to the movement's website, the vision is "to see an awakening come to the youth generation around the world, in order for them to reap a last days' harvest." Testimonials indicate a very real and tangible impact in American schools as some teens involved report witnessing opportunities as other students ask them why they are kneeling.

LINK: http://www.30kd.org

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JN420-4. KINGDOM DEVELOPMENT: Cowboy churches in Texas

Someone once said there are two kinds of people in life-those who like horses and those who don't. 'Cowboy churches' across Texas are serving both. Cowboy churches are springing up across the state to minister to western heritage people, including cowboys, cowgirls and those interested in the ranching and rodeo lifestyle.

About five percent, or 1 million people, of the Texas population belongs to this unreached group, estimated Ron Nolen, a regional consultant for the Church Starting Center of the Baptist General Convention of Texas who modelled many of the Texas cowboy churches. There are as many as 15 cowboy churches in the state trying to reach these people where 400 churches could be used, he said at the Cowgirl/Cowboy Church Planters Conference in Waxahachie on Sept. 27-28 that was attended by more than 180 people. Interest in the western heritage culture is strong outside Texas, as well. Groups from Illinois, New Mexico and Arkansas attended the Waxahachie conference. While some have said the cowboy culture cannot be reached, churches have built arenas of their own to host rodeos and serve as a place of fellowship and fun on the church grounds.

The cowboy is familiar with many of the basic notions and ethics of Christianity because the ideas are commonly present in their music and culture. Many cowboys idolize John Wayne and all he stood for in his movies, unknowingly embracing many of the morals that Christianity emphasizes. Because of these common connections between the faith and the culture, cowboy churches are reaching people at an astounding rate.

Source: Baptist Standard

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JN420-5. RESOURCE: Passion for Jesus

An article by Jack Deere on cultivating a passion for Jesus. He writes: "I have often seen people confuse loving Jesus with doing ministry. It's even possible to love the Christian life more than Jesus. There is a sense of security and purpose that comes from being surrounded by Christians and having a lifestyle that our friends approve of. Christian fellowship is wonderful but some have more affection for that than for Jesus himself."

LINK: http://www.openheaven.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000142.html

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JN420-6. RESOURCE: Altars of worship

During the Gideon's Army II conference in Hannover, Germany, in October last year, Ana Méndez and Rony Chavez from Mexico taught on the role of 'altars of worship' in taking and keeping a territory.

LINK: http://www.globalharvestministries.org/home.qry?ID=2153

During the same conference Gerda Leithgöb from South Africa gave a very insightful teaching on 'identifying spiritual altars'. This is key information for intercessors everywhere.

LINK: http://www.globalharvestministries.org/home.qry?ID=2170

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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.

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