In This Issue: Egyptians Unite in Prayer for Their Nation
- EGYPT: Millions Unite for Night of Prayer
- NIGERIA: Terrorist Accepts Christ
- ALGERIA: Citizens Unite to Vindicate Condemned Christian
- SERBIA: Portable Churches for Sale
- TURKEY: God’s Word Impacts the Heart
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EGYPT: Millions Unite for Night of Prayer
Source: SAT-7, November 18, 2011
The live broadcast of a 12-hour night of worship and prayer from Egypt has helped unify millions of Christians across the Middle East and North Africa [in prayer] for their countries at this time of critical change in the Arab world.
The event took place on 11/11/11 at the “Cave Church” in Cairo, under the title, “A night to repent and return to God.” Up to 70,000 Egyptian Christians, including those from the Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical churches participated in the worship and prayers.
The Egyptian national press also provided positive coverage of the night and a Facebook page created especially for the night attracted more than 800,000 comments.
The participants remained enthusiastic to the end – sending “love cheers” to Muslims through SAT-7’s broadcast and, at one point, cheering ‘JESUS’ for a full 15 minutes.
>> Full story.
>> See also Egypt’s Remarkable Prayer Gathering (Tyndale University). Thanks to Joel News for pointing us to video coverage of the event (100 Huntley Street).
>> Another recent, large gathering of Christians represented more than 100 churches in the seven emirates of the UAE. Read Christians Thank UAE Leaders for Religious Freedom (Gulf News).
NIGERIA: Terrorist Accepts Christ
Source: Christian Aid, November 23, 2011
More than 130 Christians, including several indigenous missionaries, were brutally slaughtered on November 11 when members of a fanatic Islamic sect viciously attacked the mostly Christian community of New Jerusalem in Yobe State, Nigeria. The Muslim extremists, belonging to a terrorist group called Boko Haram, demanded that Christians recite the Islamic creed. Those who would not were butchered on the spot.
As one of the Boko Haram terrorists was poised to slit the throat of his Christian victim, he was suddenly struck with the weight of the evil he was about to commit. Dropping his machete, he ran to the nearest church, asking a pastor for help. The pastor referred him to [an indigenous ministry].
When the call came, the ministry leader was grieving the loss of several close missionary friends who were murdered in the Yobe State slaughter. He immediately met with the confessed killer and joyfully led him to Christ. He is discipling him in a secret location because of the extreme danger.
>> Full story.
>> Worthy News reports Christians Are Still Being Killed in Plateau State.
ALGERIA: Citizens Unite to Vindicate Condemned Christian
Source: ASSIST News Service , November 23, 2011
The long-awaited trial of Algerian Christian Siagh Krimo was postponed last Thursday after a large gathering of Muslim and Christian supporters rallied for his acquittal. In the unusual show of public solidarity, the demonstrators’ message rang loud and clear – to unjustly condemn one Algerian is to violate the rights of all Algerians.
Krimo, 29, was arrested on April 14 and detained for three days in Oran for giving a CD about Christianity to a neighbor. On May 4, Krimo was given a five-year prison sentence for blasphemy based on the neighbor’s accusation that he had insulted the Muslim prophet Muhammad. Krimo was sentenced according to Algeria’s Penal Code, which criminalizes acts that “insult the Prophet and any of the messengers of God, or denigrate the creed and precepts of Islam.”
The day before the anticipated trial was to be held, a gathering of human right activists, journalists, and concerned Muslims and Christians assembled outside the Ministry of Justice in Algiers demanding that Krimo’s prison sentence and fine of 200,000 dinars (US$2,700) be overturned. To many Algerians, Krimo’s verdict was viewed not merely as an offense committed against a Christian, but as a direct violation of the human rights of all Algerians.
>> Full story.
SERBIA: Portable Churches for Sale
Source: The Christian Post, December 1, 2011
One family in Serbia is taking church planting to a whole new level, delivering portable minichurches right to your door.
Svetislav Mancic, founder of an interior and exterior design company named Mancic Granit in the southern Serbian city of Nis, is the creator behind these unique churches-to-go, which are transforming the way people view worship and service, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported.
With the help of his son Goran, Mancic started the project, basing his idea on the portable churches utilized by the army for services. He envisioned a wide market for the mobile churches and believed the buildings could be used in a number of public settings including restaurants, hotels, motels, and hospitals.
Each building, customized to the client’s needs, could accommodate up to 15 worshippers. They weigh approximately five tons, stand 4.5 meters tall, and are made of a combination of stone and steel. A cross, bell tower, altar, and frescoes also detail the small structure.
Everything about the church is simple and convenient, from the delivery to the setup. “We load it onto a truck and deliver it to the address,” Mancic shared with the broadcaster. “The church is painted with frescoes, you just have to take a cable and connect it to electricity and you are ready in 10 minutes.”
>> Full story. The original story from RFE/RL also includes pictures.
Turkey: God’s Word Impacts the Heart
Source: Operation Mobilization, December 7, 2011
Mary’s friend Nilufer came to her home for a visit. Because Mary’s two children were napping, Nilufer put her baby daughter to sleep in the bedroom as well. This allowed the mothers to talk and drink coffee together in peace.
Nilufer shared about her family problems and broken relationships with a sad and heavy heart. Mary had read Psalm 37 that morning and offered to share it with her. Nilufer, a devoted Muslim woman, prays five times a day, and often speaks passionately about her faith.
Mary passed the Bible to her, suggesting she read the first nine verses. Nilufer read the first three verses, paused, and said enthusiastically, “So nice!” She continued reading, paused again and remarked, “So true!” When Nilufer got to verse nine, she asked Mary, “Can I keep reading?” She read the whole chapter before the children woke up. Lastly, she asked, “Does this book talk about marriage and relationships? Does it speak about the Day of Judgment?”
>> Full story. Readers might also be interested in another OM story, this one from Sweden. See Hungry for Bibles.
Pat Noble has been the “news sleuth” for Missions Catalyst since 2004. In addition to churning out the news, she is working to create a SWARM (Serving World A Regional Mobilizers) in Northern New York using the NorthernChristian.org website. You can connect with her at www.whatsoeverthings.com.
Hello, MissionsCatalyst friends,
Regarding the article on the Egyptian prayer gathering… First, yes, this was a remarkable event and I even mentioned it in my sermon the Sunday after 11/11/11.
But I’m concerned about “numbers creep” – First the financial funders of the event reported as 20,000-30,000, and you’d think they would be accurate.
Then other reports (by enthusiasts?) bumped it up to over 50,000, and now I see you reporting it as up to 70,000 based on some sources.
I want to express concern about our tendency to inflate numbers. This isn’t a critique so much as a request to help the Christian community resist the urge to inflate numbers.
Thank you, Dave! We appreciate the correction. In poking around a little further I see estimates varying widely. Sorry for not checking this out more thoroughly before we published!
Marti