Church planting increases
Church planting is back on the Baptist agenda - but though more congregations are being started it's harder to reach people, as fewer know the Christian story. The results of a survey about new Baptist congregations from 2005 and the denomination's latest work were posted on the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) website last week. The information shows the number of new churches is rising with more on their way, while a renewed focus on the subject at national level is seeking to recapture the Baptist heritage of 'radical mission, risky pioneering and planting', and fund and equip those who wish to do it. Nevertheless, for this activity to have a meaningful impact there needs to be a sustained commitment across the denomination. 'Church planting is harder now than 20 years ago as we increasingly encounter communities and individuals with little or no knowledge of the gospel and negative perceptions of the institutional church,'
Pray: for all new churches and those that are planned that they will be effective in delivering the Gospel message to more and more people. (Ac.16:5)
More: http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm
Denmark: Radical Islamic threat
On Mohammed's birthday, Denmark's Muslims marched under a banner that said ‘Islam is peace and love.’ But elements of Denmark's Muslim community have radicalized. Two years ago on the same spot as a peaceful demonstration, Muslims met a pro-Israel demonstration with Hitler salutes, shouts of ‘conquest,’ and ‘kill the Jews.’ Denmark is infected with the same multiculturalism that has been declared a failure in other European nations because it fosters Islamic radicalism. Copenhagen city government is allowing construction of a Shia mosque, which will be funded in part by Iran. Iranian refugees to Denmark who fled the Islamic radicalism now face the nightmare of that radicalism following them to Copenhagen. Iranian immigrants have been demonstrating against it. ‘It's not really a mosque. It's more like a barracks,’ said Islamic expert Lars Hedegaard, president of The International Free Press Society, headquartered in Copenhagen. Pray: for God to prevent further Islamist agendas from taking root in Denmark (and elsewhere). (Ps.24:1)
Denmark: Radical Islamic threat
On Mohammed's birthday, Denmark's Muslims marched under a banner that said ‘Islam is peace and love.’ But elements of Denmark's Muslim community have radicalized. Two years ago on the same spot as a peaceful demonstration, Muslims met a pro-Israel demonstration with Hitler salutes, shouts of ‘conquest,’ and ‘kill the Jews.’ Denmark is infected with the same multiculturalism that has been declared a failure in other European nations because it fosters Islamic radicalism. Copenhagen city government is allowing construction of a Shia mosque, which will be funded in part by Iran. Iranian refugees to Denmark who fled the Islamic radicalism now face the nightmare of that radicalism following them to Copenhagen. Iranian immigrants have been demonstrating against it. ‘It's not really a mosque. It's more like a barracks,’ said Islamic expert Lars Hedegaard, president of The International Free Press Society, headquartered in Copenhagen. Pray: for God to prevent further Islamist agendas from taking root in Denmark (and elsewhere). (Ps.24:1)
Russia: Evangelicals v Orthodox Church
For decades, the Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under the Soviet Union's Communist Party. For eight years, Yuri Sipko ran one of the largest Baptist organizations in Russia. Now, 20 years after the fall of Communism he worries about the growing threats against the country's evangelical movement. ‘The government recently introduced religious classes based on the principals of the Orthodox Church in public schools, Then the president announced appointing Orthodox chaplains to all army units. Our constitution clearly states no religion can be the state religion.’ Sergey Ryakhovski, head of Russia's Pentecostal Union, worries that the Orthodox Church's influence is coming at the expense of religious freedom, especially for minority groups. Muscovite Human Rights advocate, Roman Lunkin, said the head of the Orthodox Church is on a mission to expand its powers and influence.
Pray: for God to strengthen, empower and renew all the Russian churches. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/April/Russian-Evangelicals-Leery-of-Orthodox-Church-/
