Monthly Global News and Information for members and friends of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches around the world from 'World Convention

Number 29 August 2005
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More disturbing news from Zimbabwe

The Churches of Bulawayo on July 26th released a statement in regard to the treatment of displaced people in their city. They state that despite previous agreement by the Police, Social Welfare and Provincial Governors office that displaced people would be treated humanely, the riot police forced their way into a number of churches where people had been sheltering. The churches had made plans to move the people to the rural areas. They had prepared food packs, blankets and seed packs to be distributed. In spite of all these arrangements and agreements the riot police commandeered them into open trucks and moved them. This undertaken under the cover of night, between the hours of 9pm and 5 am. Four people died, many are traumatized. We are asked to voice our protest to the highest authorities and to pray for the safety of Church Leaders and the poor of Zimbabwe.

World Christian Broadcasting reaching the world

With over 3 billion short wave receivers in the world, short wave broadcasting from Anchor Point, Alaska and in the near future from Madagascar is an effective and economical way to reach the world. World Christian Broadcasting has a second antenna in Anchor Point now operating and is about to begin construction in Madagascar. They now broadcast daily for 20 hours, 10 hours in Chinese, 5 hours in Russian and 5 hours in English. This enables about half of the world to have daily access to the gospel.

Registrations for World Convention open

Registrations for the 17th World Convention to be conducted in Nashville, Tennessee, USA in 2008 are now open. There is a special -super early bird- registration at 30% discount being offered to those who register before the en! d of 2005. The registration form is available in issue 48 of the World Christian or by contacting the World Convention office.

Vietnam water project begins

The Australian Churches of Christ have begun their first project in Vietnam with the start of the An Phu Village Water Project in Binh Long District of Binh Phuoc. An Phu village is a resettlement village for 104 Xtieng Minority tribal families that were relocated from another area. Those who reside there have been accommodated in temporary shelters. They have dug shallow wells that have little water especially in the dry season. They have no electricity and the roads are not good. Australian COCOA (Churches of Christ Overseas Aid) and the US based Week of Compassion are jointly funding this first water project. In the second phase of the project it hoped to assist in the construction of new housing for the village. There is also an opportunity for people to assist short term in teaching conversational English. If you are interested in this project please contact the World Convention office for more details.

Disciples appoint a new General Minister and President

The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, senior minister of Bartlesville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Oklahoma, has been elected General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She becomes the seventh general minister and president to head the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) She succeeds Wm. Chris Hobgood and will serve in the disciple's general offices in Indianapolis, Indiana. "We are a church whose! time has come," Watkins told the 3,000 delegates of the Disciples' 2005 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon. "We have so much to share, and we must be bold and courageous in sharing our story."

Iraqi Church Leaders Fear Imposition of Islamic Law

A letter signed by the leaders of nine Christian denominations in Iraq pleads that the new constitution should ensure the equality of all faiths in Iraq. The leaders' concerns arise from reports that the Shi'a majority is pushing for Islamic law (shari'a) to be enshrined in the constitution. According to an e-mail from the Barnabas Fund, the letter reads in part, "If there is a move towards the confirmation of the role of the Islamic religion in Iraqi society, then it is o! nly natural to confirm the role of other religions that have been historically established in Iraq. We are only asking for ... equality, freedom and equal opportunities and the prevention of racial, religious and denominational discrimination." A draft constitution is currently being prepared by a sub-committee of the Iraqi Assembly, which must be completed by Aug. 15. Church leaders are fearful that if shari'a is given a place in the constitution, Christians and other non-Muslims will face the same kind of discrimination and second-class status which they experience in other countries where shari'a law is in effect. Iraq would become an Islamic state. According to the Barnabas Fund, Bishop Andreas Abouna, who presented the letter, said a pro-shari'a constitution would result in such a massive exodus of Christians from Iraq that the Christian presence could practically disappear.

Mob Attacks Boarding House at Indonesian Theological School

An angry mob has twice attacked a boarding house at a theological school in Pulo village, Makasar district, east Jakarta, causing more than $10,000 in damage. The Arastamar Theological School's boarding house served students from other provinces. The mob included members of the F! ront Pembela Islam (FPI or Islamic Defender's Front); the FPI had accused the school of building a church. Local eyewitnesses say government officials accompanied the unruly crowd that attacked without advance warning. When the mob attacked a second time, students were able to turn them away. Local Muslim leaders such as Habib Hussin, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia, have objected to the presence of the school, despite every attempt by school management to meet legal requirements.

Habitat appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Habitat for Humanity International's Board of Directors has named Jonathan T.M. Reckford to serve as chief executive officer. Reckford, 42, has for two years served as executive pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church of Edina, Minnesota. Before joining Christ Presbyterian, Reckford was president of stores for the Musicland division of Best Buy; senior vice president of corporate planning and communications for Circuit City; and director of strategic planning for Disney Design and Development. Rey Ramsey, board chair for Habitat for Humanity International, said the board unanimously selected Reckford based upon his track rec! ord redirecting and leading complex organizations and for his personal commitment to heed Christ's call to serve the poor and forgotten. Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing, is the 17th largest house-builder in the United States and the 18th largest nonprofit.

2006 North American Christian Convention to celebrate unity

The 2006 North American Christian Convention will have the same theme as the 2008 World Convention, 'Together in Christ'. In coming President Dr David Faust say's: 'the 2006 NACC will take place 100 years after the a cappella Churches of Christ were listed separately in the 1906 US Census. Sermons from Ephesians- chapter 4 and a wide array of workshops will focus on the themes of Christian Unity and Restoration History.'! The convention will be conducted June 27 - 30 2006 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. More information can be found on the NACC website www.nac cthemeetingplace.org

Abilene Christian University to celebrate centenary

Abilene Christian University in Texas will begin its centenary year with a special 100th Openi! ng Chapel service in the Moody Coliseum on August 22 at 11 am. A centennial Homecoming will be conducted October 14 - 16.

September 30 - Oct 2 2cnd Annual Regional Conference of the Christian Church (DOC) in South Carolina

October 14 - 16 Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand Conference, Bishopdale Christchurch

October 22-23 75th Anniversary celebration National City Christian Church Washington, D.C.

World Convention seeks to build up fellowship, understanding and common purpose within the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches, now serving and witnessing as part of Christ's church in no less than 178 countries.
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Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.- 1John 2:6.

World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ)
P.O. Box 41487, Nashville TN 37204-1146, USA
Phone +1 (615) 331-1824; Fax +1 (615) 331-1864
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General Secretary: Jeff Weston