'ChristiaNet'

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 30 – September 2005
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Events this year have been beyond most people’s comprehension level. Few of us have ever seen the loss of human life and extent of personal tragedy which humanity has suffered this year. Just as our hearts went out to those who suffered with the Tsunami early this year, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Gulf Coast of the USA who are victims as a result of hurricane Katrina. What can we say? What makes sense in this day and hour? Commentators, Politicians and Preachers of all sorts have spoken many words some of which have bought comfort to troubled souls while others have raised more questions and discomfort than compassion and hope. I don’t intend to add to these words. Let us instead hear Gods word at this time;

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46

This is a time for the global family to pull together and support each other no matter what our race or religious orientation. Let us express our faith to the needy by the way we share hope for today and tomorrow. Enough words have been spoken, now is a time for concrete expressions of God’s love that draws us together as one family. God has already given us the provisions needed to meet the needs of those affected. Now is the time for us to stand with the needy and share God’s provision.

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34 & 35

All supporters of the World Convention are encouraged to support the relief effort being conducted by our US churches. Donations can be sent to any of the following who are active in the relief work;

· Week of Compassion (Christian Church-Disciples of Christ) www.weekofcompassion.org P.O. Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206 USA.

· IDES International Disaster Emergency Service (Christian Church) www.ides.org PO Box 60, Kempton, Indiana 46049-0060 USA.

· Churches of Christ Disaster Relief www.disasterreliefeffort.org 410 Allied Drive
Nashville, TN 37211 USA.

Overseas supporters can also send gifts to the World Convention if this more convenient. We will forward these onto the three agencies above. If you do send your gift to the World Convention then please ensure that it is clearly marked for “Flood Relief”.

More Pain in Burma:

A Karenni Free Burma Ranger (FBR) relief team recently undertook a mission trip to Internally Displaced Persons hiding in the jungle. Team members provided medical treatment for 957 (IDPs) during the mission. Malaria, worms and vitamin deficiencies were the top three illnesses they saw among IDPs. The team met many people who were sick, particularly women and children. The team provided medical treatment to those they could visit, but could not visit all the sick villagers due to Burma Army troop movement in the area. Human rights abuses are ongoing in this area of Northern Karenni State. Throughout the months of February to June 2005, Burma Army troops demanded rice, chickens, pork, money, horses and forced labor from IDPs. Each family has to support the Burma Army and KNPLF (Karenni group allied with the SPDC) troops with 16 kg of rice per month. If the political situation does not improve in Burma, the villagers will continue to have problems with health, education and food supply. The team encouraged them to pray for hope, peace and to support the efforts for education, health and peace-building inside Karenni State. This generation is living in tragedy and the outlook for the coming generation is gloomy if we can't support the people and make a change.

Disciples Pastor to Speak at Conference on Black Religious Life.

Cynthia Hale, pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church (DOC)in Decatur, Ga., will be one of several speakers at The National Conference on Black Religious Life on Oct. 12 -13, in Atlanta, Ga.  Hosted by the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) and operating on the theme "Coming Together, Strengthening Partnerships, and Planning for the Future" the conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency and at ITC.  It will examine topics that are critical to the growth, development and future of the Black Church.  It also will serve as an opportunity to engage in meaningful interaction with religious leaders representing a wide range of Christian denominations and faith traditions.  Cynthia Hale will also speak at the 17^th World Convention July 30 through August 3, 2008.

Church Growth in Central India:

World Convention Board member Ajai Lall reports; “The Shahdol church reports 20 baptisms and 16 new families added to the church. Darjeeling reports 8 baptisms and 7 families added. The Korba church added 12 families. The Delhi churches added 27 new families with 25 baptisms. Our churches in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana—Agra, Jhansi and Faridabad—report 185 decisions. The Raipur area churches report 120 decisions; the Katni church had 50 decisions. The churches in the Basna tribal area report over 480 decisions. Six new churches were planted in the cities of Balko, Dhamori, Pandaria, Charbhatta, Sakoli and Tumsar. In each church an average of 15 families are worshipping together. It looks like the year 2006 will exceed all of our expectations and will be a record year in the history of Central India Christian Mission, as far as evangelism and church planting is concerned. However, from various sectors Satan is attacking us. Our work has become so visible that now extremists are gathering together to prepare a plan to stop our work and attack us. PLEASE DO PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY.”

New Missionaries.

Asia Pacific Christian Mission International-Indonesia mission training school (MTS) graduated sixteen students on August 11, 2005. Representatives of six Bandung theological schools were present including the chief government official of the Department of Religion of the West Java province/state. The climax of the graduation was the sending out of the new graduates. Ten mission trainees, were sent out to North and West Sumatra (strong Muslims), Central and Southeast Sulawesi (strong Muslims, where Christians are persecuted), East Kalimantan, Southeast Nusa-Timor island (the people of Smau island-next to Timor island asked for them to come and minister), and Jakarta, capital of the nation. Pray for wisdom, boldness in witnessing and safety of these young church-planters.

Papua New Guinea Baptisms

James Bringi Secretary of the Melanesian Evangelical Churches of Christ in Papua New Guinea (Australian Churches of Christ supported), reports that on September 4^th 57 people were baptized at Tamo village. “People from 17 village churches began arriving in the isolated village on Saturday for a wonderful night of fellowship and praise to God. The singing went late into the night and recommenced just after 8.30 am on Sunday morning when the baptisms took place in the nearby river.” The people of Papua New Guinea will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of their country’s independence on September 16^th. We pray it will be a wonderful celebration.

Dream on Sisters

More than 5,000 United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) women are dreaming of gathering for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, June 21-25 2006. The Mix in 06 Women’s Event is designed for women to celebrate and affirm the ministry and spirituality of all women, as it rejuvenates and inspires.

Coming Events

October 2 World Communion Sunday

October 16 – 18 Restoration Forum – Lexington, Kentucky.

October 23 – 30 Centenary Celebrations the Conference of Churches of Christ in West India

November 17 – 20 National Missionary Convention Atlanta, Georgia.

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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17^th World Convention

“Together in Christ”

NASHVILLE

July 30^th – August 3^rd 2008

General Secretary: Jeff Weston