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JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-463 * 22 DECEMBER 2003 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN463-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Sister Chang's obedience
JN463-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Caleb prayer for Wales
JN463-3. NEWS BRIEF: Alpha course beats its millions
JN363-4. RESOURCE: City Reaching in North America
JN363-5. RESOURCE: Anointing the new order
JN363-6. RESOURCE: Trees of winter

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The Joel News team wishes you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed, revived 2004!
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JN463-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Sister Chang's obedience

Sister Chang, leader of a house church in China's Henan Province, heard God tell her to preach the Gospel on the steps of the local Police Station. "Even in the West doing something like that can get you arrested," reports mission agency Asia Harvest, "but in Communist China it's a sure way to be severely punished." However, the impression remained clear after prayer, so Sister Chang boldly preached the Gospel to astonished passers-by from the top step in front of the Police Station.

Only a few minutes later, she was arrested and thrown into the women's jail without due process, together with thousands of lost people. There, she could proclaim the Gospel with boldness and love; in 3 months, 800 women decided to follow Jesus. The whole atmosphere in the jail was transformed. The Director wanted to know what had caused the change, and found out that it was Sister Chang's sermons. He called her into his office, telling her "You have made my job easy! The fights between the inmates have stopped, the women have become gentle and obedient. We need more people like you. From today, you are not only free, but also have a job here (paid an astonishing 3,000 Yuan - US$375 - per month), a car with chauffeur and a spacious apartment."

Chang turned the offer down. "Jesus has been wonderful to me since I've known him. I don't think the offer of a salary, car and chauffeur match his plans for my life. I belong to Jesus alone, and I want to preach the good news." Despite her refusal, Chang was released and can serve her Lord unhindered.

Source: Asia Harvest

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JN463-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Caleb prayer for Wales

Sunday 4 January marks the start of a year of prayer for Wales. In many churches all over the nation Christians will pray the Caleb Prayer:

"O High King of heaven,
Have mercy on our Land.
Revive Your Church.
Send the Holy Spirit
For the sake of the children.
May Your kingdom come to our nation.
In Jesus' Mighty Name.
Amen."

Roy Godwin of the Caleb Prayer Initiative says: "As we move into this New Year we also enter into the Centenary Year of that great outpouring of the Holy Spirit within Wales when scores of thousands found life and new hope in Jesus Christ. Young people were set on fire. Older folk recovered their joy. Whole communities were transformed. Nations were touched. Today, Wales stands in great need of a new outpouring. 'It is time to seek the Lord' (Hos. 10:12). Therefore, we invite you to join with our Christian brothers and sisters across this Land as we cry out anew to God and pray the Caleb Prayer for Wales."

LINK: http://www.ffald-y-brenin.co.uk/4-CalebInitiative/4-main.htm

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JN463-3. NEWS BRIEF: Alpha course beats its millions

The Alpha course, an introduction to the Christian faith, is beating its millions. According to Hong Kong missionary Jackie Pullinger, who is involved in leading Alpha, "God has so richly blessed Alpha because they have always given away what they had. If we continue blessing others, we will never run out. That's how it works."

New Zealand ran more than 1,000 Alpha courses, following a television campaign in which the whole population was 'invited to dinner'.

The Alpha course is also bringing tremendous renewal among Catholics in many nations. According to 'Alpha for Catholics' manager, Kitty Arbuthnott, "we would love to see every country around the world running Alpha in Catholic churches, because it's so moving and inspiring." In France Alpha has done 260 courses, and 15 conference, training 1,000 leaders including 600 to 700 Catholic priests.

LINK: http://uk.alphacourse.org/runningacourse/news/index.htm

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JN363-4. RESOURCE: City Reaching in North America

God is bringing leaders together for a prayer-birthed strategy and ministry in cities across North America. In several cities so called 'City Impact Roundtables' are initiated to bring leaders together for worship (prayer), relationship and partnership.

LINK: http://cityreaching.com

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JN363-5. RESOURCE: Anointing the new order

Many are currently 'networking' the old instead of 'anointing' the new, says David Orton from Australia in this prophetic teaching article. Human reasoning and old mindsets are preventing us to enter into God's purposes. Many citywide pastors' networks for instance are in reality a mere networking of the old - a networking of the existing order. They are often controlled by the expectations and demands of the status quo.

"This is the hour for the emerging church," says Orton. "For men and women after the heart of David, for the pursuit of God's presence over our programs. The time has come to shift gears. To align ourselves with the new Davidic order. To judge only after the Spirit and go with the move of God."

LINK: http://www.lifemessenger.org/teachings/20031202.html

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JN363-6. RESOURCE: Trees of winter

Very few people desire the bleakness of Winter. But the deathly coldness of Winter comes as sure as the warmth of the Summer sun that will eventually drive away the numbness. Nobody hopes or asks for Winter seasons, and yet they come with unnerving regularity, catching us unaware, bringing discouragement and confusion with its icy wind. But if the trees are to bring forth fruit and more fruit in the following Summer, a wintry season is needed. An encouraging article by South African prayer leader Bennie Mostert.

LINK: http://makeashorterlink.com/?K19F12AC6

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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.

Editor: Marc van der Woude. You can contact the editorial office at joel-news@xs4all.nl.

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