www.joelnews.nl

JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-492 * 14 DECEMBER 2004 * WWW.JOELNEWS.ORG

IN THIS EDITION:

JN492-1. TYPICALLY GOD: God among the tribes
JN492-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Restoration in Darfur
JN492-3. NEWS: Whole denominations pray 24-7-365
JN492-4. NEWS: Unity and prayer in Ukraine
JN492-5. WEBLOG: Bards, money miracles and dna
JN492-6. RESOURCE: Six steps to settling differences

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JN492-1. TYPICALLY GOD: God among the tribes

"How do we recognise when a new Christian church has been planted in a people group?" asks New Tribes Mission, a ministry working among unreached people groups around the world. "Is it the presence of a concrete church building, or a straw-thatched meeting room? No, a new Christian church has been planted when the locals start to tell their own story of how God freed them from their life of sin to worship him."

Asiam of the Solong in Papua New Guinea says: "I have lost count of how many years I have been a priest here. I never understood the Bible until this year, when missionaries explained it to me in a way we could understand." Mamaduba Bangura of Guinea's Mixe tribe says: "God brought you here to teach me His Word. I had never sought it. If anyone spends their time with anything other than Jesus, they should make every effort to follow and trust him alone. He is the Son of God."

Lydia of the Yagaria tribe in Papua New Guinea says: "I was always afraid to die. Now I think differently: Wow! When I die, I will be with my Lord in a wonderful place!" Ibrahima Nghodhiou of the Manjack tribe in Senegal says: "I decided to trust in Jesus as my saviour, and immediately felt an invisible weight fall away from me."

LINK: http://www.ntm.org

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JN492-2. PRAYER FOCUS: Restoration in Darfur

Various mission organisations developed a joint prayer focus for the troubled Darfur region of Sudan:

1. Many women, children and men have been traumatised by the terrible violence they have suffered. Pray for Sudanese Christian workers to have God's heart to comfort and heal the brokenhearted.

2. Many terrible atrocities have been committed. Please stand in the gap that the people responsible may be set free from evil, and receive the Lord's forgiveness and acceptance.

3. Thank God for the involvement of many governments and pray that they may have the wisdom and stamina to continue to pursue long term just solutions in the region.

4. Some see no change of policy of the Sudanese Government concerning Darfur. Please pray that the Sudanese Government may impartially seek the common good in the region, and for all men in authority.

5. The media has referred to Darfur as the world's worst humanitarian crisis in recent times. Please pray that the Lord may transform the situation to save many lives.

Source: Joel News

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JN492-3. NEWS: Whole denominations pray 24-7-365

The Methodist Convention of Great Britain recently made the historic decision to mobilize 24-7 prayer for an entire year (2005-2006). After 51 years without any designated day of prayer, the church returns to the very roots of the movement. Meanwhile, UK National Director for 24-7prayer, Phil Togwell, has been approached by up to twelve other denominations and national organisations that want to pray 24-7 for the entirety of the coming year.

LINK: http://www.24-7prayer.com

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JN492-4. NEWS: Unity and prayer in Ukraine

Two weeks ago Joel News launched a weblog with fresh reports and pictures from Ukraine. A pastor reports:

"The top leaders of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches got together on stage and each of them prayed for Ukraine. That was very powerful. Each day of meetings on Maidan was started with the Lord's Prayer and each evening was finished with the Hymn of Ukraine. These are two important things that people have learned very well during these days: the Lord's Prayer and the Hymn."

LINK: http://www.joelnews.org/blog.htm

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JN492-5. WEBLOG: Bards, money miracles and dna

Joel News publisher Marc van der Woude keeps a weblog in which he reflects on God, the Church and daily life. This week he reports on a team meeting of the Connect Europe network. The emerging generation is getting their hands on some challenging things. The return of the bards, supernatural purse fillings, covenanting and mobile apostolic teams.

LINK: http://marcsmessages.typepad.com/mm/2004/12/bards_and_money_1.html
LINK: http://marcsmessages.typepad.com/mm/2004/12/covenanting_and.html

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JN492-6. RESOURCE: Six steps to settling differences

Six months into our church plant, the two most influential families had a fight. Nasty words were exchanged, battle lines drawn. Both sides began recruiting people to their cause. Something had to be done, but what?

Steve Larson asked a professional conflict-solver to lead a 'peace conference'. "He led the meeting gracefully, compassionately, and thoughtfully. It was a great success. At the beginning of the meeting the two sides wouldn't even look at each other. Afterward, they were laughing and hugging. Not only did he help resolve the biggest conflict we'd ever had, he taught me skills on how to deal with conflict. Here's what he did."

LINK: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2004/004/13.32.html

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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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