| JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-439 * 22 APRIL 2003 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG IN THIS EDITION: JN439-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Archbishop swaps robes for towel JN439-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Crisis in Argentina JN439-3. NEWS BRIEF: 17-hour celebration draws a million to Mexico City JN439-4. RESOURCE: The Call JN439-5. RESOURCE: Spiritual mapping for effective spiritual warfare JN439-6. RESOURCE: Interview with Jonathan Graf of Pray! Magazine --- JOIN OUR TEAM - Joel News would like to get in touch with editors for our international edition. Do you have proven writing skills and good insight in the worldwide prayer movement, church growth and church planting, revival and transformation, then contact Marc van der Woude at joel-news@xs4all.nl. We would also like to get in touch with people who have a calling/vision to make Joel News available in their own language, especially in French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Japanese. --- JN439-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Archbishop swaps robes for towel Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is the first primate in four hundred years to wash the feet of the poor in his congregation. On Maundy Thursday he performed the ceremony on twelve worshippers in a symbolic act of humility. He washed one foot each, dried it and kissed it. It was the first time an Archbishop of Canterbury has performed the act since the Church of England split with the Roman Catholic Church. BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said Williams discarded some of his ceremonial robes - and carried a towel instead. The ritual commemorates Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet - at that time a very demeaning act - just before his crucifixion. Source: BBC --- JN439-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Crisis in Argentina Argentina is going through its most trying political and economic time ever. But at the same time churches all over Argentina are dispensing hope and practical help like never before to the millions totally devastated by the ineptitude and the corruption of politicians. "In the midst of the chaos this is an hour of tremendous opportunity," says Ed Silvoso, "because somehow Argentina has to go through a crisis every ten year in order to get a move of God. Because our redemptive gift as a nation is that of an exhorter, once we have been broken by God - like Moses, David and Paul, we are faithfully and passionately obedient to the celestial vision." Ed Silvoso's prayer focus for Argentina can be retrieved by sending an empty e-mail to lyris@xc.org with only this command in the body of your mail: get joel-news-international silvoso-prayer-focus-argentina Source: Joel News --- JN439-3. NEWS BRIEF: 17-hour celebration draws a million to Mexico City In what Christian leaders hailed as a historic event, a million believers from various denominations in Mexico united over the Easter weekend to proclaim Christ in the country's capital. They say the Mexico City gathering - which evangelicals deemed inconceivable just 12 years ago because of anti-Protestant laws in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation - reflects the growing revival that is sweeping through the majority of Latin America, where the great majority of believers are Pentecostals. On Saturday, pastors, ministry leaders and laypeople representing more than 20,000 churches converged in the world's largest city - population more than 23 million - for Marcha de Gloria, or March of Glory. "This is a historic day in Mexico," said pastor Carlos Quiroa, 42, who helped start the march in the early 1990s. "This meeting is the largest meeting ever of Christians." The march - which took three hours to complete - featured a praise band and 400 dancers in white and green uniforms. Young and old alike carried Christian signs, banners and balloons with Scripture verses. Broadcast live on 130 Christian radio stations throughout Mexico, the march culminated at the Zócalo, the city's main square, the historical, political and religious heart of Mexico. Source: Charisma News Service --- JN439-4. RESOURCE: The Call Significant moves of God are occurring in cities across the world. Throngs of hundreds of thousands of mostly young people are coming together to cry out to God with desperate hunger for revival to sweep their cities and nations. They simply are in love with God and desire Him above all else in life. One of these many streams or moves of God is known as 'The Call'. The Call became known as 400,000 people, mostly young men and women, gathered on September 2, 2000 to fast and pray for revival in Washington, DC USA. Since then 'The Call' gatherings have been held in nine major cities of the world. The last one was on 5 April in San Francisco, the next one will be on 16 August in Berlin. LINK: http://www.thecall.com --- JN439-5. RESOURCE: Spiritual mapping for effective spiritual warfare What is spiritual mapping and how does it make for effective spiritual warfare? Diane Buker wrote a simple handbook for Christians who want to engage in 'mapping'. She deals with issues like 'the biblical mandate for mapping', 'territorial spirits', 'forming a mapping team', 'accountability', 'research methods', 'prophesying over your city', 'the work of the Holy Spirit', 'the power of Jesus' blood', and 'growing in wisdom and discernment'. LINK: http://www.keepersofhisgates.com/spiritualmapping2.htm --- JN439-6. RESOURCE: Interview with Jonathan Graf of Pray! Magazine Jonathan Graf, editor of Pray! Magazine tells about his spiritual journey, the health of the prayer movement and the power of personal prayer. He also gives advice on mobilizing your church to prayer. LINK: http://www.nppn.org/InnerViews/Innerview007.htm --- 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, Alex ten Cate and Marc van der Woude. You can contact the editorial office at joel-news@xs4all.nl. Joel News International is distributed weekly by e-mail on the basis of an annual donation. For more information see http://www.joelnews.org/donation-jni.htm#options. Has this bulletin been forwarded to you? Then subscribe directly by sending an empty e-mail to: subscribe-joel-news-international@xc.org. |
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