JOEL NEWS INTERNATIONAL 642  |  27 MAY 2008 IN THIS EDITION: 1. South Africa: School answers bad behaviour with love and prayer 2. India: Children in prayer global consultation 3. South Africa: Children's prayer ministry takes off, bishop humbled 4. Egypt: God visits children supernaturally 1. South Africa: School answers bad behaviour with love and prayer The Paarl Gymnasium in Cape Town has an inspiring approach to bad behaviour. The school has over 600 students, of which around 400 participate in one of the 70 student-led Christian small groups or cell groups. When the school was asked how they approach challenging personalities, their response was surprising: "We gather our intercessory team which is made up of a cross-section of the cell groups and give them the name of the student and then mobilize every group leader to connect with the student by showing small acts of kindness. They might give him or her some chocolate, buy them a cup of coffee or even befriend them. Eventually the problem student is swamped with kindness and prayer. He or she is then invited to an evangelism adventure camp where the message of Jesus is presented. Whether they make a commitment to follow Him or not, the relationships they've formed continue to grow and many become members of the cell groups they've connected with." Source: Nadine Arendse, 24-7prayer South Africa 2. India: Children in prayer global consultation A global consultation will take place in Chennai, India, 2-7 July 2008, for networks and movements that mobilize and equip children to pray. It will be held under the auspices of the International Prayer Council, a global network of prayer ministries. And estimated 200-250 adult and child prayer leaders from many regions of the world will participate to hear from God together, share what He is doing through the rapidly developing children in prayer movements, and learn about new resources and methodologies. The participants will also meet and pray with over 2,000 Indian children affiliated with the Royal Kids ministry of Father Anton Cruz. Many of them were discarded as the 'trashes of society' and have now become the 'treasures of heaven'. They are being educated by Father Anton and his colleagues to serve the Lord in various careers, and, in the meantime, the children run the whole prayer ministry with 24-7 intercession for the nations as a major focus. Source: John Robb, IPC 3. South Africa: Children's prayer ministry takes off, bishop humbled In his ministry as a tent worker bishop Peter Sekhonyane from Orange Farms, South Africa, had been coming across hundreds if not thousands of children wherever he went. But often he rebuked them and chased them away instead of accepting their help in setting up the tent and the sound system. "During the day we would hire somebody to look after the tent and chase these kids away," Sekhonyane says. "You see, they had nothing to do. To them the tent was a good mountain to climb and slide down from. It was a time for them to break bottles and experiment as to how sharp the broken bottle was against the tent ropes. Many times we found the tent down on the ground, brought down by these 'jobless mighty warriors'." Then one day Father Anton Cruz from Chennai, India, came to minister. "This was an unforgettable experience for me," shares Sekhonyane. "God used this man to really open my eyes to see that God will use these children as raw, unused and neglected power to change the heart of our nation." On 1 April this year Sekhonyane launched the 'Children In Prayer' ministry in Orange Farms. Pamphlets were typed and delivered house to house by the children themselves, announcing the day and time of the launch. But 24 hours before the launch 83 kids turned up at the venue, some with their mothers, because they were so eager to join. From 1 April to 30 April, there were 12 places in Orange Farms where a total number of 1,513 children were taught to pray. Every day the figures increased. "You need to see this!" Sekhonyane reports. "Now they do prayer walking, home visits, pick up prayer requests and in childlike faith pray over these requests. Parents and pastors testify of the change in their children. Today I took the Police Superintendent to some of these places and she was just speechless. Let's not leave the children out, because we need them now more than ever!" Source: Peter Sekhonyane 4. Egypt: God visits children supernaturally Jane Mackie of the Children's Prayer Network in Australia attended a children's prayer conference in Egypt last month and reports that God visited them in a powerful way. "Day after day the children experienced God's powerful presence. Of the 200+ children most had some kind of encounter with Jesus. They were seeing visions, weeping in intercession and repentance, being healed, or just overwhelmed by His Presence. In one session God touched the boys, one after the other, with fervent and passionate prayers, prophetic words and proclamations for their land." Source: Jane Mackie, CPN C O L O P H O N The book of Acts is still happening today! Joel News International offers a weekly high-quality selection of the most inspiring stories on the advance of God's Kingdom in six continents. Joel News International inspires thousands of active Christians in over 120 nations. More information: http://www.joelnews.org/frontpage.htm.  Joel News International is published on the basis of an annual donation. Did you receive this copy from a friend? Sign up yourself and receive Joel News International for a full year in your mailbox: http://www.joelnews.org/subscribe.htm. Joel News partners with a wide range of international networks and ministries in the area of prayer, saturation church planting, revival, world missions and community transformation. News reports (no regular mailings) can be sent to our editorial team at info@joelnews.org. (c) JOEL NEWS, 2008 | republication only with full creditline www.joelnews.org