MISSIONARY NEWS FEATURE #16

India:
The “New India” is a youthful, ambitious, cosmopolitan and modern entity, where differences of religion, caste and gender mean less and less. It is increasingly urban and tech-savvy. The India of call centres, cricket, Bollywood, bhangra and globally connected Indian culture is exposed to and open to new ideas and ways of living, including Christianity. The most significant influence in this context is materialism - as capable of entrapping Hindus as any other group. This younger generation - 70% of India is under age 35, and 31% under age 15 - will shape India's future. As such, they are a hugely strategic group to reach for Jesus; completely new and different missiological strategies must be undertaken to communicate and model the gospel to them. Indian churches and missions are now focusing on this issue; initial success thus far is very modest.

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/06-21/to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 21st June 2022)

French Guiana:
French Guiana has a new image as a developed multicultural society, rather than as a place for imprisoned criminals. This change also brought French secularism and moral challenges. Many young people cannot find employment and are restless. Graphic pornography from French satellite TV disturbs the moral framework. Families suffer with high rates of illegitimate births and many single-parent homes. Harm to the environment, illegal immigration, and human trafficking for the gold mine industry all cause problems.

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-26/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 26th May 2022)

El Salvador:
Praise God that peace has held since the end of the civil war in 1992. Since then, corruption in politics has been a big problem in El Salvador, but multiple free elections have occurred, with different parties prevailing at different times. El Salvador’s main struggles are now against poverty and gang violence. Money sent home from Salvadorans working abroad is the largest part of the economy.

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-14/#el-salvador to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 14th May 2021)

Dominican Republic:
Practicing Catholics have substantially decreased in recent years, indicating a high degree of nominalism. Do pray for those who still adhere to Catholicism and those who have disaffiliated themselves that the Holy Spirit might speak to their hearts about the reality of the gospel.

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-10/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 10th May 2022)

Denmark:
Denmark retains a core of Christian traditions and values in its social laws and values. And Danes began to show more openness to spiritual things in recent years. But over half the population is agnostic or atheist by some reports. And many people’s spiritual search does not lead them to Christian faith and the Church. Do pray for the Danes to rediscover the faith that shaped so much of the nation’s history and society.

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-08/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 8th May 2022)

Cyprus:
The 50-year conflict between the two communities (Greeks and Turks), fuelled by the involvement of foreign powers, has gone on too long. Political intransigence by a few hampers the reunification seemingly favoured by the majority. Do pray that old grievances and bitterness might be overcome by forgiveness. Do pray that external meddling would stop and that Cypriots might move forward into a unified future

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-06/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 5th May 2022)

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
The powerful spiritual evil that influences much of this land shows itself in deeper ways than wars, killings, greed, and corruption. Wicked men committed widespread rape, unspeakable brutality, cannibalism, and witchcraft against adults and children. The DRC is the worst country in the world regarding sexual violence against women. How could these horrors spread throughout a land with over 90% who profess Christianity? This moves our hearts, and calls us to spiritual warfare. Cry out for God to deliver this land, and to bind the spirits that have such power over a suffering people.

(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/04-28/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 28th April 2022)

Devotional for Father’s Day

 

As did my weekend’s reading, I pondered upon what Matthew 1:19 (NIV) said, ‘Because Joseph was faithful to the law,’  I saw how Joseph was a righteous man who handled Mary’s pregnancy in a right way and how Jesus’ birth brought him to the challenge of being a father to the Saviour of the world. His moral behaviour too was exemplary as seen in Matthew 1:25 (NIV). Without reacting with bitterness or harshness, I noted how Joseph made every effort to protect the love of his life. He did not want to expose Mary to public shame (Matthew 1:19, NIV).

Yet, God spoke to Joseph many times, but initially through an angel who appeared in a dream (Matthew 1:20– 21, NIV), and by this, his wedding was alive again. Truly, Joseph heard from God in Matthew 2:13b saying, ‘Escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you’ and in Matthew 2:19–21, the Lord instructed him to return to Israel, and in Matthew 2:22–23, he again heard from God and decided to settle down in Nazareth.

Fathers, let’s always strive to do what is right, even when it may not seem the best way forward; even when life seems unfair and painful. Thus, we set this best example for our children on Father’s Day. We have to learn to handle crises with dignity and a ‘quiet spirit’ like Joseph.

Truly, Joseph obeyed the Lord and how he faithfully fulfilled the requirements of the Scriptures with regards to his family and his Son (Luke 2:21-24, 27, 39, 41, NIV). As a result, Jesus ‘became strong, was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him’ (Luke 2:40). By this, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52, NIV).

Hence, I pray for fathers to implant the Word of God in the hearts of their children as I did my weekend’s reading.

Are you upholding the task of a father today?

Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus, help us to fulfill our role as a father and pray for God’s grace and wisdom to enable us to implant the Word of God in the hearts of our children

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 20th June 2021 – Father’s Day)

Profile Background:
Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

“I Will Pour Out My Spirit”

 
 

Notice:
On 19th June, your Father's Day article (Sunday) will be posted up from 3.00pm onwards.

As I meditated upon how the prophet Joel recorded what the LORD said, “In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants – men and women alike – and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:18, NLT), I read how the Holy Spirit came and began the “last days” – an era of God’s work, and how the Holy Spirit has descended upon all disciples from the young and old, men and women to slave and free, regardless of nationality or race, and that they had professed Christ in their faith when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit into their lives that unite them to be with Christ, like how Jesus commissioned this baptism of the Holy Spirit to all of His disciples (Galatians 3:27, Matthew 28:19, NIV).

Hence, I thank Jesus for baptizing me with the gift of the Holy Spirit enabling me to exercise speaking in tongues and how He has made me a heir when He adopted me to be a son of God (Galatians 4:7, NIV). By this, I live in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit within me, as God speaks His message to others through me and accomplish His work through my life as I did my weekend’s reading.

 Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit today?

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, reveal your will and do your work in the present time, with the people you have placed near us, to bring you glory.

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 5th June 2022 – Pentecost Sunday)

Profile Background:
Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.