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JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-476 * 24 MAY 2004 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN476-1. TYPICALLY GOD: President's death a powerful testimony
JN476-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Beja people in Africa
JN476-3. NEWS: 24-7 prayer in British Houses of Parliament
JN476-4. NEWS: Prayer mountain in Sardinia
JN476-5. WEBLOG: Will blogging change the church?
JN476-6. RESOURCE: Mama Heidi

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PRAYER - http://www.joelnews.org/prayer.htm
On this webpage we publish updates and answers to prayer that are related to the prayer focus we publish in Joel News. The latest information: Breakthrough in Bolivia and God's work among Native Americans.
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JN476-1. TYPICALLY GOD: President's death a powerful testimony

President Boris Trajkovski of Macedonia, who died in an air crash on 26 February this year, was a committed Christian with a heart for unity in his nation. Two years ago, after reading Derek Prince's book 'Shaping history through prayer and fasting', he decided to help the church in his nation to grow in unity, united prayer and partnership in evangelism. In October 2003 he invited 50 pastors for a dinner around this topic. He also facilitated regular prayer meetings in his office with leaders of the seven denominations in Macedonia.

During one of these sessions, just nine days before his death, they prayed for stability and ethnic peace. He told the pastors that "for the stability in the nation it is crucial that the Albanian muslims hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and get to know God's love." Trajkovski was widely respected as a visionary bridge builder between the Albanians and Macedonians in his nation, and other people groups in the Balcan region, and on several occasions he prevented an escalation that could have led to civil war.

In the weeks following Trajkovski's death the Christians had many opportunities to witness. A total of 174 TV crews and 500 journalists from all over the world attended the funeral. Throughout the day national television showed interviews with people on the streets. Many remarked about Trajkovski that "he was a true Christian". One of his political enemies, Mr. Stojmenov, said: "Boris Trajkovski loved three things most: his God, honesty and our country." His personal advisor commented: "I learned a lot from the President, but most of all to forgive. Many times lies were told about him, but he never defended himself, he always decided to forgive and move on."

Source: DPM, Herstel Magazine

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JN476-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Beja people in Africa

The Beja are considered the least-evangelized people in Africa. Numbering more than 2 million, they have lived in Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea for more than 2,000 years. Traditionally herders of sheep, goats and camels, the Beja also have been known as famous warriors. A predominantly Muslim people, only a handful of Christian believers exist among the Beja. There is no Bible, JESUS film, or even Scripture portion available in their Bedawiyyet language.

Ask God to use the pressure and persecution Beja face from governments to open their hearts to the gospel. Pray that God's people would feel his heartbreak over the Beja and take the good news of salvation to them.

Source: Advance

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JN476-3. NEWS: 24-7 prayer in British Houses of Parliament

The Christian community in the British Houses of Parliament are preparing to pray 24-7. From 8th to 15th June 2004 a group of Parliamentary staff from all political parties will be participating in a week of non-stop prayer. A variety of activities including services, prayer meetings, prayer walks, bible studies, fasting and vigils will be taking place. Local churches and Christian fellowships in Whitehall will also be involved, and denominations, prayer networks and Christian organisations will be supporting the event. All MPs, Peers and Staff are invited to participate in some way during the week.

LINK: http://makeashorterlink.com/?D19F21168

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JN476-4. NEWS: Prayer mountain in Sardinia

Sardinia, Italy's second largest island in the centre of the western Mediterranean, has a prayer mountain. This is reported by Matthias and Irene Winkler, Swiss missionaries who moved to the Island in 2001, and started the initiative. "Sardinia has some renewal movements within the Catholic church, and some small evangelical churches, which are hardly growing," they say in Friday Fax. "Something new is desperately needed." They were inspired by the prayer mountains in Uganda and Lüdenscheid, Germany, and initiated the Sardinian prayer mountain - monte pregheira - on 47,000 square metres of land in Orosei, with a view over the island. Local and foreign Christians come to the camping ground for a time of peace and intercession for the island.

In Autumn 2003, the Winklers chartered a yacht with the aim of sailing around Sardinia and its surrounding islands, accompanied by an international team of intercessors, including 10 Sardinians. The tour lasted 14 days. People on the prayer mountain were interceding at the same time. The team laid a 'wine and olive oil trail' around the island, symbolising the facts that Sardinia is washed clean by Jesus' blood, and that only the Holy Spirit is able to lead people to freedom and healing.

LINK: http://www.solideogloria.it

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JN476-5. WEBLOG: Will blogging change the church?

Joel News publisher Marc van der Woude keeps a weblog in which he reflects on God, the Church and daily life. This week he summarizes an interesting and provoking paper by Tim Bednar titled 'We Know More Than Our Pastors: Why Bloggers Are the Vanguard of the Participatory Church'. Bednar explores how Christians are using blogging (keeping a weblog) for spiritual formation and how they are redefining the scope of Martin Luther's 'the priesthood of the believer'.

Bednar states: "As a network, we know more than our pastors. Thousands of bloggers circumvent established hierarchies and relate unmediated with one another. We are part of a participatory phenomenon that is impacting mass media, technology, education, entertainment, politics, journalism, business - and the church."

LINK: http://marcsmessages.typepad.com/mm/2004/05/we_know_more_th.html

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JN476-6. RESOURCE: Mama Heidi

Some of the 'Typically God' stories we published in Joel News International came from Heidi and Rolland Baker who minister among the poor in Mozambique and are witnessing a special outpouring of God's Spirit. Last year a Dutch TV crew visited the Bakers and made a touching documentary about their work. This 52 minute English spoken documentary is available in DVD and VHS (both PAL and NTSC) format.

LINK: http://www.ericveluproductions.com

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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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