| JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-485 * 14 SEPTEMBER 2004 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG IN THIS EDITION: JN485-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Transformation in Boulder JN485-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Peace of Jerusalem JN485-3. NEWS: Christian television touches Iran JN485-4. WEBLOG: Switzerland a prayed-for nation JN485-5. RESOURCE: The ‘Weeping Room’, pathway to strategy --- JN485-1. TYPICALLY GOD: Transformation in Boulder Boulder, Colorado (USA), was a city known for its liberal politics and lifestyle. Even the newspaper editor would take on pastors and churches by name in caustic editorials. But nowadays the church of Boulder has become a friend to the city. The turning point came at a prayer summit attended by Boulder area pastors. While most were praying against the sins and problems of the city, one pastor was moved to read from Jeremiah 29: 'Seek the peace and prosperity of the city. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you to will prosper'. The ten-person leadership team for the emerging community transformation initiative admitted that they did not know their own city. They organized a bus tour taking them to eight human service agencies in the city. These pastors discovered depths of human need they had no idea existed in their city and a quality of human care that stunned them. Rather than competing with these existing agencies that were doing such good work, they committed to channel personnel, finances and referrals to community agencies. A local Christian businessman connected the pastors, the president of Colorado University, the mayor, the chief of police, the district attorney, the editor of the local newspaper, the fire chief, and the school superintendent around a monthly lunch. Every time they raised the same three questions: What is your vision for our community through your sphere of influence? What are three issues you face in your sphere of influence for which there are no earthly solutions? What are three issues you personally face that the faith-community can pray for and encourage you through? Several prominent public leaders have professed faith in Christ and others are turning to Christ as relationships between the Church and the community are strengthened. Public service and community involvement have become commonplace. Church leaders are beginning to ask each other: 'what are you doing in the city' rather than 'how large is your church'? They have given their members 'Kingdom assignments' to encourage community involvement. Christians are now serving in many projects, like the Boulder County AIDS Project. When a student at the local high school committed suicide, the Christians were invited to spend three full days on campus ministering to the kids to help them deal with their fears and questions. Other churches have become deeply embedded in daily ministry on elementary, middle and high schools. By serving the city, the Church in Boulder is modeling the presence and love of God. As a result, many are awakened to the spiritual realities and joy of following Christ. LINK: http://www.jesus.org.uk/dawn/2004/dawn14.html --- JN485-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Peace of Jerusalem On October 3, 2004, millions of people will pray for the peace of Jerusalem. A global coalition of over 500 Protestant, Catholic and Jewish leaders are endorsing the first annual Day of Prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. Robert Stearn, one of the initiators, says "we must realize the hour in which we are living. Throughout the world dark forces are at work, seeking to destroy the Judeo-Christian world and Western civilization as we know it. This gathering is a strategic time in which Jewish and Christian leaders can affirm the importance of faith, the value of unity, and a commitment to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem." LINK: http://www.daytopray.org --- JN485-3. NEWS: Christian television touches Iran Two former Muslims who are now pastors in the United States have separately launched satellite TV ministries that try to reach Muslims in a country where it is illegal to evangelize. Their groundbreaking work in Iran has resulted in thousands coming to Christ, many of whom become such fervent believers that they risk their lives to share the gospel in the Islamic republic. "Islam has held a grip on this land for over 1,500 years," said Reza Safa, founder of Nejat Christian satellite TV station. "Iranians have seen the true nature of Islam and are desperate for change and the truth," Safa told Charisma magazine in its September 2004 issue. Nejat TV (www.rezasafa.com) has seen more than 3,000 Iranians and Afghans accept Christ since they started broadcasting last year. "We are seeing them accept Christ instantly, which has been unheard of in Iran in the past." Hormoz Shariat of Iranian Christian TV (www.iam-online.net) agreed. "One time we had 30 people listening in on a single phone call and all came to Jesus through our show and we ministered to them off the air. The population in Iran is 70 million. Seventy percent of the population is under 30, and we are finding that many young people are converting their families and friends after they come to Jesus," Shariat, said. "Still, they have to hide their viewing of the Christian broadcasts, as they risk imprisonment, loss of residence and jobs, and even death." LINK: http://makeashorterlink.com/?W33222A49 --- JN485-4. WEBLOG: Switzerland a prayed-for nation Joel News publisher Marc van der Woude keeps a weblog in which he reflects on God, the Church and daily life. This week he talked to Ueli Haldemann, who leads the Swiss national prayer initiative. The Swiss have now covered their whole nation in prayer. All 2798 villages (ZIP codes) have been adopted by intercessors. Last June they rented a stadium where 40,000 Christians from all over the nation gathered, including the intercessors of the 2798 villages, and representatives of the 117 nationalities living in Switzerland. They all brought their flags and formed a cross in the centre of the stadium. LINK: http://marcsmessages.typepad.com/mm/2004/09/a_prayedfor_nat.html --- JN485-5. RESOURCE: The ‘Weeping Room’, pathway to strategy Jennifer Miller received a vision in which the Lord gave her insight in how to receive divine strategies for the harvest. "Before me I saw a huge house with many rooms. As I entered, the Lord walked with me through these rooms, each one packed with spiritual meaning. He quietly invited me to follow Him into the most beautiful room in the whole house - the Intimacy Room. As I was admiring this intimacy chamber, I noticed a little wooden hatch door on the floor adjacent to the bed. I asked Him why He would put this door so close to the most beautiful thing in the whole room, the bed. He responded, ‘I keep it here, because down there is where I spend most of my time’. Instantly my curiosity was stirred, so I asked what was down there. He said it was called the Weeping Room." LINK: http://makeashorterlink.com/?F39031A49 --- 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. 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. |
(c) Copyright 1997-2003 Joel News
