Berber, Filala in Morocco
Greek, Roman
and Phoenician texts make reference to the forerunners of the Berber
peoples, located in the eastern portion of Egypt. "Berber" is a generic
name given to numerous heterogeneous ethnic groups who share similar
cultural, political and economic practices. Contrary to the romantic,
popular image that portrays Berbers as nomadic people who cross the
desert on camels, their main activity is sedentary agriculture. Today,
significant Berber income comes from the large number of immigrants in
Europe, especially in France.
Ministry Obstacles
Morocco is not an easy place for Christians to enter, and to work.
Outreach Ideas
Perhaps Berbers working in Europe will encounter Spirit-filled Christians, those who seriously follow Christ, and who will be able to assist Berbers as they also seek Christ.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the followers of Jesus who will soon be apparent among the Filala Berbers, that they will clearly understand and rest upon the Gospel of grace, not mixing it with the requirement to do good works. Pray they will understand the need to live obediently to Christ, as a result of his forgiveness and presence within.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Berbers to provide adequately for their families. Pray that the indigent, the widow and orphan, may be cared for.
Scripture Focus
"All nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord, they will bring glory to your name." Psalm 86:9 |
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Sabtu, 26 Desember 2015
Berber, Filala in Morocco
Good News in China
Good News in China
Andrew Palau shares the Good News of Jesus Christ with thousands of people in China during special Christmas events
Luis Palau Association News Release (http://palau.org) – For Immediate Release
For more information, contact: Jay Fordice, 503.614.1500, or by e-mail at jay.fordice@palau.org
BEIJING, CHINA (ANS -- December 24, 2015)
-- For the third straight year, evangelist Andrew Palau (son of Luis
Palau) partnered with leaders in China to share the Gospel at events in
three major cities this December: Beijing, Hangzhou, and Harbin. At each
event, Palau worked with local churches to distribute thousands of
copies of the book What is Christmas?, an evangelistic tool designed to share the story of the birth of Jesus.
Throughout
the week of December 12-19, the Gospel was proclaimed at Haidian Church
in Beijing (the largest church in the city), Chongyi Church in Hangzhou
(the largest church in China), and Hallelujah Church in Harbin (the
third largest church in China). At each gathering hundreds of
individuals responded to the Christmas message.
Everyone
who attended the events was provided with a copy of the book, and many
people took extra copies to give to family members or friends. Palau
also met with seminary students and top government officials regarding
further visits to China, as well as a publisher to discuss further
evangelistic book opportunities in the years ahead.
By
the end of the week, more than 15,000 copies of the book had been
distributed and thousands of individuals had heard the Good News.
“There
was great joy and testimonies shared about the great harvest in these
days to those who are faithfully preaching the Good News and appealing
for response, and there are many doing so,” Palau said. “We found the
same to be true in our opportunities in every city. We are grateful for
the privilege of being able to partner to share with the Chinese people
that we love dearly!”
Since
2013, the Palau Association has prayerfully cultivated an ongoing
long-term vision for a Christmas tour every year using the book What is Christmas?
(co-written by Luis, Kevin, and Andrew Palau). In 2013 and 2014, Palau
shared the Christmas message at churches in Beijing and Hangzhou,
establishing deep relationships with the pastors and churches. This year
marked Palau’s first time sharing the Good News in Northern China,
focusing on the “Ice City” of Harbin (population 3.4 million people).
“They
(government leaders) see us as long-term friends who love China and
really have a genuine heart to bless the nation,” said Tim Innes, the
Luis Palau Association’s Festival Director.
The
Palau team hopes to continue working with a local publisher to produce
evangelistic tools in order to share the Gospel across the country. In
addition, Palau hopes to continue to visit the country and speak at
local churches and events, in accordance with government regulations.
For more information about the Palau Association, visit www.palau.org.
Photo
captions: 1) The Luis Palau Association produced and distributed a book
to share the story of the birth of Jesus in China. (Luis Palau
Association 2015) 2) Andrew Palau spoke at events in three cities.(Luis
Palau Association 2015). 3) Luis Palau with Kevin (left) and Andrew
(right). (Luis Palau Association 2015).
About
Andrew Palau: International evangelist Andrew Palau (son of evangelist
Luis Palau) is passionate about the life-changing power of Jesus Christ
and is committed to sharing the Good News wherever God may call him. He
has personally shared the Gospel with millions people through
evangelistic events in dozens of nations, and millions more through
regular radio and television broadcasts. Andrew Palau festivals have
produced some of the largest audiences ever recorded in cities from
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Kingston, Jamaica. Andrew’s raw journey to
faith in Jesus is told in his debut book The Secret Life of a Fool. Andrew and his wife, Wendy, have three children and live in Portland, Oregon.
** You may republish this or any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assisnews.net)
Vonette Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ Co-Founder passes to her reward
Vonette Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ Co-Founder passes to her reward
By Mark Ellis, Special to ASSIST News Service
ORLANDO, FL (ANS - December 24, 2015)
-- Vonette Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), one
of the world’s largest Christian ministries, died December 23rd due to
complications from acute leukemia. She was 89.
Inspired by a passionate burden to help others find Jesus Christ and learn to follow him, Vonette and her late husband 
Bill
Bright spent more than 50 years leading and building Campus Crusade for
Christ to its current size of more than 25,000 staff members and
300,000 volunteers working in 173 countries.
Bill
Bright spent more than 50 years leading and building Campus Crusade for
Christ to its current size of more than 25,000 staff members and
300,000 volunteers working in 173 countries.
Bill
and Vonette launched Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951 at UCLA with the
goal to “win the campus today, win the world tomorrow.” Remarkably, the
campus ministry at UCLA is still the largest branch of Campus Crusade –
a tribute to the Bright’s enduring legacy.
The
Campus Crusade movement spawned other notable and highly impactful
ministries including Athletes in Action, The JESUS Film Project, The
Josh McDowell Ministry and FamilyLife.
When Vonette finished college she was a nominal Christian, and didn’t really have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“I
can remember when I first heard that if I were the only person in the
universe, Christ would still have died for me, and that I could know and
experience His love and plan for my life,” she wrote later.
“I immediately thought: If God has a plan for my life, I certainly wish He would hurry up and show me what it is.”
She
was already in a relationship with Bill and held a teaching contract in
her hand, but she had some confusion about her standing with God. “I
was trying to figure out why I was put on this earth, and all I got for
my quest was confusion.”
Vonette
said she finally began to consider who Jesus Christ is, and she had to
admit to herself she did not really know Him personally.
One day the significance of John 14:6 leaped into the forefront of her thoughts.
In that classic verse Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
The
recent college grad came to the realization she had tried to live a
good life, had high moral standards and been active in church, but
something was still missing in her life.
Note: A memorial service will be held Jan. 8, 2016, for Vonette at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando in Florida.
Photo
captions: 1) Vonette and Bill Bright. 2) Mark Ellis, Pam Christian and
Dan Wooding, pictured at the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network studio in
Orange, California. (Pam Christian was the previous host of the show
with Dan Wooding).
About the writer: Mary Ellis is senior correspondent for the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net) and also founder of www.Godreports.com, a
website that shares stories, testimonies and videos from the church
around the world. He is also co-host for "Windows on the World" with ANS
founder, Dan Wooding, on the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (http://hsbn.tv)
** You may republish this or any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net).
Christian NFL player held up sign outside stadium looking for work, God answered
Christian NFL player held up sign outside stadium looking for work, God answered
By Mark Ellis, Special to ASSIST News Service
HOUSTON, TX (ANS - December 24, 2015)
-- Wide receiver Joe Anderson was signed by the New York Jets December
22nd, about six weeks after he stood outside a Texas stadium with a sign
asking for an NFL job.
Dressed
in a red sleeveless teeshirt that displayed rippling biceps, the
27-year-old held up a sign outside the stadium that read: “Not
homeless…but STARVING for success!!! Will run routes 4 food
#Whateverittakes #Underdog #I believe #Hungry.
When he posted a photo of himself on Instagram holding the sign, it quickly went viral.
“Lord
it’s all in your hands, all I know is that I believe it by faith and
see it all happening even when it looks like a joke before the eyes of
man!” he wrote on his Instagram post.
Anderson
continued to exalt the Lord in his post. “I fill myself with humility
and say let your Will be done and use me to allow others to believe in
your power!!!! I’m not looking at my situation with a worldly mindset
and that’s what’s gonna separate me.”
Some
might have thought him foolish as he stood outside the stadium used by
the Houston Texans. “I’m outside the Houston Texans facility every
morning, because I know what type of gift God has blessed me with!!!” he
continued on Instagram.
The
married father of two noted it was not a publicity stunt, but he was
pursuing a dream and wanted to encourage others in their journey.
His
faith in God upheld him in his lonely quest. “I’m not just chasing
greatness for myself/family but for all the people that lack faith and
wanna quit and don’t believe God still moves,” he wrote.
Photo
captions: 1) Joe Anderson outside Houston Texans stadium. 2) Anderson
kneels in prayer in front of his new locker with the New York Jets,
offering gratitude to God. 3) Mark Ellis.
About the writer: Mark Ellis is senior correspondent for the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net), and also the founder of www.Godreports.com, a
website that shares stories, testimonies and videos from the church
around the world. He is also co-host for the "Windows on the World" TV
show with ANS founder, Dan Wooding, on the Holy Spirit Broadcasting (http://hsbn.tv). The program features the best stories of the week from the ASSIST News Service.
** You may republish this or any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net).
Bethlehem pilgrims celebrate Christmas against backdrop of violence
Bethlehem pilgrims celebrate Christmas against backdrop of violence
By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News Service
BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (ANS – Dec. 24, 2015)
– Thousands of pilgrims began celebrating Christmas on Thursday
(December 24, 2015) in the birthplace of Jesus, but festivities were
subdued against a backdrop of violence in the Holy Land and a growing
jihadist threat across the Middle East.
According
to Sarah Benhaida of AFP, in other parts of the Middle East, and in the
world beyond, Christians were fearful for their future, and some even
prohibited from celebrating the holy day.
“In
Bethlehem, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land
arrived ahead of the traditional midnight mass at the Church of the
Nativity, built over the site where Christians believe Jesus was born,”
she said.
Travelling
from Jerusalem nearby, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Jordanian
Fouad Twal, had to pass through the Israeli wall that separates the two
cities, with Bethlehem located in the occupied West Bank.
“A
wave of violence has led to a sharp decline in pilgrims visiting
Bethlehem and the rest of the Holy Land this year, and only a sparse
crowd was on hand to welcome Twal's procession,” said Benhaida.
Violent
protests and a wave of Palestinian attacks on Israelis since October
have killed 129 Palestinians, 19 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean.
“Many
of the Palestinians have been attackers, while others have been shot
dead by Israeli security forces during clashes,” she wrote.
“Three
more were shot dead in the West Bank, and another killed during clashes
with Israeli forces at a refugee camp in the West Bank on Thursday.”
Still, she continued, pilgrims who were at Manger Square in the heart of Bethlehem were proud to have made the trip.
It
was “important to be here, to react and send a message of peace for
Christmas,” said an Italian nun, Sister Donatella, as she walked among a
procession of pipers and drummers.
Linaras Oceani, a Christian Indonesian taking selfies, said she was not deterred by travel warnings from back home.
“God
is with me, so all will be well,” said the young woman, wearing
sunglasses and a fur coat. She called herself “privileged, because not
everyone has the opportunity to come here”.
Mass dedicated to victims
The
mass commemorating the birth of Jesus is dedicated to victims of
violence and their families, Twal said, with celebrations “moderate” due
to violence in the Palestinian territories, Israel and the world.
In
his Christmas message earlier this month, Twal said “a deadly ideology
based on religious fanaticism and obstinacy is spreading terror and
barbarism amidst innocent people”.
Twal
had also called for parishes to switch off Christmas tree lights for
five minutes in solidarity with victims of violence and terrorism.
Lights on trees in Manger Square were shut off for a few minutes at 7
pm.
The mass was attended by religious leaders and dignitaries, including Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis celebrated mass at St Peter's Basilica.
In a recent sermon, he said: “Christmas is approaching... it's all a charade. The world continues to go to war.”
His
concerns were playing out in countries including Libya and Syria, where
Christians have been threatened by the advance of Islamic State (IS)
group.
In Iraq, the mood was somber, as the dwindling Christian community trickled in to churches.
“We
are praying for the restoration of peace and security and the return of
the displaced to their land,” said Farida, as she arrived at Our Lady
of Salvation church in Baghdad.
She
said 12 of her relatives lost their homes when IS took over Iraq's
second city Mosul in 2014 and ordered Christians to convert to Islam,
pay a heavy tax as second-class citizens or face death.
The
AFP reporter said that in Somalia, the government has banned
celebrations of Christmas and New Year in the Muslim majority country,
saying the festivities might attract Islamist attacks.
The
same has happened in oil-rich Brunei, where the oil-rich country's
authorities have threatened five-year jail sentences for those who
violate a ban imposed on “open and excessive” celebrations.
“And
in the troubled nearby southern Philippines, seven Christian farmers
were killed as Muslim guerrillas launched a series of attacks,” she
said.
Meanwhile,
the US and British embassies in China issued an unusual warning about
possible threats against Westerners in a popular Beijing neighbourhood
ahead of the Christmas holiday.
And
security was stepped up at churches in France for mass, following last
month's jihadist attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead.
Note from Dan Wooding:
What a sad reflection of the increasingly violent world we live in,
that the celebrations in Bethlehem, and around the world, of the arrival
of the Prince of Peace are clouded by such fear and terror. But I have
personally experience that terror, for on one of the last times I was in
Bethlehem with my wife Norma, during her first-ever trip to the Middle
East, we were held up by 
five
teenage Islamic gunmen carrying automatic weapons, who stopped the taxi
we were travelling in and pointed their weapons at our heads through
the window, and were apparently planning to murder us, thinking we were
Jewish settlers coming into city to for a gun fight. Fortunately,
however, our Arab driver, who had brought us from East Jerusalem, was
able to persuade them that we just tourists, and after some
heart-stopping discussion with their leader, they let us go. We then
proceeded to the Bethlehem Bible College to meet with Bishara Award, the
founder of this fine institution the trains Palestinian Christians, and
as we got out of the taxi to enter the college, another group of youths
began raining down rocks on us. When we finally were able to escaping
the attack, we got into the Bethlehem Bible College, we were pleased to
not only see Bishara Awad, but also my dear friend, Dutchman, Brother
Andrew, the author of “God’s Smuggler”, and both of them prayed for us
as we tried to recover from our brush with death. So I guess I shouldn’t
be surprised at the present situation that is going on in Bethlehem and
the region, as it has gone on for decades. So let’s not only pray for
the Peace of Jerusalem, but also for the Peace of Bethlehem, and for the
small Christian population that remains there.
five
teenage Islamic gunmen carrying automatic weapons, who stopped the taxi
we were travelling in and pointed their weapons at our heads through
the window, and were apparently planning to murder us, thinking we were
Jewish settlers coming into city to for a gun fight. Fortunately,
however, our Arab driver, who had brought us from East Jerusalem, was
able to persuade them that we just tourists, and after some
heart-stopping discussion with their leader, they let us go. We then
proceeded to the Bethlehem Bible College to meet with Bishara Award, the
founder of this fine institution the trains Palestinian Christians, and
as we got out of the taxi to enter the college, another group of youths
began raining down rocks on us. When we finally were able to escaping
the attack, we got into the Bethlehem Bible College, we were pleased to
not only see Bishara Awad, but also my dear friend, Dutchman, Brother
Andrew, the author of “God’s Smuggler”, and both of them prayed for us
as we tried to recover from our brush with death. So I guess I shouldn’t
be surprised at the present situation that is going on in Bethlehem and
the region, as it has gone on for decades. So let’s not only pray for
the Peace of Jerusalem, but also for the Peace of Bethlehem, and for the
small Christian population that remains there.
Photo
captions: 1) The head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land,
Fouad Twal (C) sprinkles holy water on worshipers outside the Church of
the Nativity in Bethlehem, on December 24, 2015 (AFP Photo/Musa
Al-Shaer) 2) Palestinians clashing with Israeli troops in front of the
Intercontinental hotel in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. 3) Nigerian
Christian worshipers visit and pray inside the Grotto at the Church of
the Nativity, which Christians believe to be the birthplace of Jesus
Christ, in the West Bank biblical town of Bethlehem on December 24, 2015
(AFP Photo/Musa al-Shaer). 4) Pipers playing outside the Church of the
Nativity. (AFP Photo/Musa Al-Shaer). 5) Iraqi Christian priests hold a
Christmas mass at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of
Deliverance/Salvation (Sayidat al-Nejat), in central Baghdad, on
December 24, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ahmad al-Rubaye). 6) Dan Wooding
interviewing Bishara Awad at the Bethlehem Bible College on a later
occasion. 7) Dan Wooding outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
shortly after the young gunmen had threatened his and Norma’s life.
About
the writer: Dan Wooding, 75, is an award-winning author, broadcaster
and journalist who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents,
and is now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he
has been married for 52 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter,
and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the author of some
45 books and has two TV programs and one radio show in Southern
California. He has reported widely for ANS from all over the Middle
East.
** You may republish this or any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)
Algerian, Arabic-speaking in Algeria
Algerian, Arabic-speaking in Algeria
An Arabized
Berber is an inhabitant of North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and
Libya) of Berber origin whose native language is a variety of Arabic.
This perspective maintains that North Africa from Libya to Morocco is
mainly Berber from sociological, historical, and ethnic standpoints
despite the language shift to Arabic. The process of Arabization began
with early invasions by the Arabs (7th Century); some parts of North
Africa were only recently Arabized.
Ministry Obstacles
Berbers at one time were largely Christians, but today that memory has long passed. Islam has become an integral part of Berber identity.
Outreach Ideas
The Lord is building his church among the Berber peoples of North Africa, calling some to return to the faith of their forefathers. Pray for multiplying church planting movements to gradually spread throughout North Africa.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the followers of Jesus among the Arabized Berbers, that they will grow in their knowledge of Christ, and in their love for him and for each other. Pray they will be united around Truth, and will be zealous to represent Christ well.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Berbers to increasingly be drawn to the person of Christ (Isa), as they read the Koran. Pray their eyes will be opened to the deity of Christ, that He is more than a prophet.
Scripture Focus
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." Psalm 96:3 |
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Jat (Sikh traditions) in India
Jat (Sikh traditions) in India
The Sikh Jat
trace their origin to the time of the fifth Sikh Guru Arjun Dev (AD
1581-1606), when a large section of the Majha Jat embraced Sikhism. At
the village level, the Jat Sikh have felt a threat to their identity,
but not on a national level. During the naming ceremony for a child the
Sikh religious book (Granth Sahib) is opened and the child is given a
name beginning with the letter of the word of the page. Though they
staunchly adhere to the tenets of Sikhism, many visit Hindu pilgrimage
centers.
Ministry Obstacles
The Sikh Jat speak well over 30 languages and are spread over several states of northern India, probably requiring a number of separate evangelistic and church planting projects to fully reach the community.
Outreach Ideas
Focused prayer for the Jat community coupled with several ministry projects will be necessary.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the few followers of Jesus among the Jat to make every effort to keep the unity of Christ's Spirit through the bond of peace. Pray they will learn to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in every circumstance.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Jat community to prepare their children well for the challenges of a rapidly changing society, and to care adequately for the indigent within their community.
Scripture Focus
"The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory." Isaiah 66:18 |
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