GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK: ADVISORY: Churches Warned that Islamic State Might Be Plotting More Terror Attempts

Jumat, 18 Desember 2015

ADVISORY: Churches Warned that Islamic State Might Be Plotting More Terror Attempts

By Michael Ireland, Senior Reporter, ASSIST News Service, www.assistnews.net

PHOENIX, AZ (ANS, Nov. 18, 2015) – Churches and faith groups across America are being encouraged to increase vigilance and awareness of potential terror attacks in the wake of last week’s events in Paris.

In a briefing yesterday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with faith leaders subsequent to the attacks in Paris which killed 120 and wounded 352, intelligence and protective service officials reiterated churches and faith groups should increase their vigilance, connect with local law enforcement, and review their security plans because the central figure in the Paris simultaneous attacks had been plotting to attack a church prior to the Friday incidents.

In a ‘Situational Update’ from Christian Emergency Network (CEN), www.christianemergencynetwork.org, the terror watchdog and emergency preparedness group said, “While DHS indicated, ‘there is currently no known credible or specific threat to the homeland,’ the aspirational language of the terrorists continues to be directed at the U.S.”

Germany has canceled sports events after uncovering concrete evidence of an attack and Russia confirmed the airplane bombing in the Sinai October 31st, which killed 224, was a terrorist attack.

CIA Director John Brennan warned that Islamic State might be plotting more attempts to conduct operations similar to the Paris attacks, according to the CEN update.

CEN said Brennan discussed the challenges faced by foreign fighters traveling between Europe and Middle Eastern countries into the U.S.

Director Brennan stressed the importance of information sharing and joint action throughout the law enforcement, faith and international community to combat these threats.

Following the DHS briefing, CEN Founder and President Mary Marr told CEN Security Officers: “Mathew 25:13 says: ‘Watch therefore, for you know neither the day or the hour.’ "

Marr added: “This means prayerfully watch whether at home, at church, or in your city for suspicious activity, care for the safety of others by reporting any suspicious activity to local law enforcement, and be ready spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically to share the Hope of Christ with people who are confused, fearful and hopeless all around us."

To learn how you and your church can be prepared for these uncertain times download CEN’s FREE ReadyChristian, ReadyChurch or ReadyCity training to be ready:

** Spiritually - to share Christ in any emergency large or small
** Emotionally – to absorb the shock waves from crisis
** Mentally – to minister in all crisis circumstances
** Physically – to survive and help others
CEN will be conducting security briefings as events warrant. To learn more how your church or ministry may receive CEN Security briefings. You may contact them via: http://www.christianemergencynetwork.org/contact-us
CEN suggests the following SIMPLE STEPS to Getting Started:
1. Go to www.christianemergencynetwork.org
2. Create an Account Profile
3. Download CEN’s FREE ReadyChurch online training
4. Contact a CEN Advisor for assistance as needed

CEN says every Christian needs to be ready to respond biblically to emergencies large or small.

Christian Emergency Network unites Christian volunteers, community leaders and emergency professionals in equipping the Church to be aware and ready to respond in emergencies large and small.

To learn more about how you or your Christian organization can be prepared to respond to emergencies big and small go to www.christianemergencynetwork.org.

For interviews with CEN please contact: (800) 260-5637 or mail@christianemergencynetwork.org

About the writer: Michael Ireland is a Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as a volunteer Internet Journalist and Ordained Minister who has served with ASSIST Ministries and ASSIST News Service since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. Click http://paper.li/Michael_ASSIST/1410485204 to see a daily digest of Michael's stories for ANS.