GO Messenger - NOV 2021
- Global Outreach
- Feb 10, 2022
- 4 min read
Hello,
Have you discovered what your role is in the Great Commission yet? Central has partnered with 18 other churches in Arizona to offer a FREE conference THIS weekend at Scottsdale Bible Church! Don't miss Mission Connexion this Friday evening, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6. Enjoy keynote speakers like Pastor Noe Garcia and Dr. Florence Mundi! Plus learn from the 70+ workshops and 40+ exhibits. IT'S NOT TOO LATE!
Attend both days or go for just 1 session!
Nov. 5 & 6
Get your FREE TICKET HERE
Please also consider serving in a small capacity and then attending the remainder of the conference by VOLUNTEERING HERE
Plenary speakers, workshop tracks, exhibitors info can all be found HERE
Sunday Nov 7 is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
When considering the persecuted church, it is essential one lifts up the great needs of the Afghan church. Thankfully, J&R Johnson, have given us seven important considerations as we pray for the Afghan church.
The underground church of Afghanistan is one of the fastest growing in the world.
The Afghan church has been under a great deal of Persecution since 1973 when King Zahir Shah was deposed. In 1973 there were a few missionaries and Christian believers in a very modern Afghanistan. A large church was built in Kabul where foreign believers openly worshiped Christ (Afghans were not allowed). Eventually, a group of Muslim clerics challenged the King to remove the Church before it destroyed the Islamic culture. The Mayor of Kabul told the lead pastor of their intent to tear down the church. The pastor responded, "I can not give you permission to tear down that which belongs not to me, or the believers, but to God." In a dream, given by God to one of the church members, a message was delivered to the mayor and government officials of the time, "If you destroy this church God will destroy your government." The day after the church was bulldozed there was a coup and the King had to flee the country. Hence 227 years of monarchy ended, the mayor was killed in the coup, and Afghanistan has been at war for almost 50 years. Not a single Afghan generation living has known peace, but rather only war, strife and death.
Recently, with the Taliban takeover, a new form of persecution has begun, Sharia Law. Sharia means "The Way." Less than two years ago, a law was passed that Afghan Christian believers could openly worship Christ and register as Christian. The Taliban rescinded that law making it punishable by death if suspected of being a Christian or having any portion of Christian documents or portions of the Bible. Currently, the Taliban are going door to door and searching homes for believers. Every Friday the Taliban carry out Sharia Justice. In the main soccer stadium in Kabul anyone accused of breaking Sharia Law is punished. If caught stealing, the right hand is cut off; if a woman is accused of inappropriate dress, she may be stoned to death; if accused of being a believer in Christ, one has 3 days to repent, or they are put to death by hanging, and left to hang in the stadium for three days in order to deter others.
For the believers, pray for freedom from fear and that the Lord will be ever near their side.
Pray the believers will not seek/desire revenge but instead be able to live out Acts 4:29-30, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Pray for the thousands of Afghans dispersed around the world to hear the good news of Jesus.
Pray for believers in the West to welcome and boldly share the great love of Christ with refugees. True transformation can only happen when Jesus shines into darkness creating REAL HOPE, REAL JOY, REAL LIFE!
Do you LOVE Thanksgiving? Are you already prepping for the big day? Would you be able to add two more plates to your Thanksgiving table and invite someone to experience this American tradition? Be a Thanksgiving Dinner Host! 15,000 international students from all over the world are studying in our community. Many have yet to be invited into an American home. Inviting them to Thanksgiving is a great way to make these students feel welcome and experience the love of Jesus! They are excited to learn about American life and are open to learning by attending a Thanksgiving dinner. Will you invite two or three international students to share in your Thanksgiving celebration? Pick your guests up at their apartment(s) near the ASU Tempe campus, and take them home after your Thanksgiving is over. Celebrate Thanksgiving just the way you normally would…and perhaps explain to the students why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving and share about your family's special traditions. Enjoy building a relationship with your students! Your family will be blessed and your children's horizons widened. When you sign up to host, we will provide suggestions to help you prepare for a wonderful time with your special guests. STEP 1 - Click HERE to register to HOST international students!
If you would like more information, please contact: Renee at 602-579-9620, rroelants@gmail.com
For more helpful ideas on hosting, join Jake Embleton from Central's International Students ministry, via Zoom this Monday, Nov. 22, at 7 PM. Hope to you you there!
コメント