Pakistan Earthquake:
The massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake which struck on Saturday is the worst natural
disaster in the history of Pakistan. The quake was followed by at least 140
aftershocks several minutes later. Kashmir is the most seriously affected area.
The epicenter is located just north of Islamabad in the city of Muzaffarabad,
the capital of Pakistani Kashmir. Several apartment buildings in Islamabad collapsed,
trapping hundreds of people, and many of the roads near the earthquake-affected
region have been completely washed out. According to Tariq Mahmood, Kashmir's
communications minister, the death toll is more than 30,000. Another 51,000
are injured. The United Nations reports 2.5 million people in the affected region
need shelter. Immediately following the earthquake, many Stone – Campbell
Movement organizations have responded with emergency aid. Our thoughts and prayers
are with all affected by this disaster.
Justice for Indian Dalits?
On October 18, India's Supreme Court will review a case that could grant to
millions of Christian Dalits the rights that Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist Dalits
already enjoy. Under current law Dalits, members of the lowest caste in India,
have virtually no rights once they convert to Christianity. There are approximately
300 million Dalits in India; and if those who convert to Christianity from Hinduism
are guaranteed basic human rights, many will be open to the gospel of Christ,
no longer hindered by fear of systemic discrimination and anti-Christian oppression.
White House Christmas Ornament Features U.S. President Who Was A Disciple
James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, who was a member
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will be featured on the White
House 2005 Christmas ornament. Each year the White House Historical Association
in Washington, D.C., produces an ornament that features a U.S. president.
Garfield, who became president in 1881, was an avid participant in the former
Vermont Avenue Christian Church and National City Christian Church (NCCC) during
his days in Washington as congressman and president. The ornaments are both
keepsakes and reminders of the Disciples legacy in Washington, D.C. If interested
in purchasing an ornament, contact Lynne Morgan, LMorgan@NationalCityCC.org.
Church of Christ Mission in India:
The following is a brief report on the work being undertaken in two provinces
of India by the Church of Christ Mission. Most of the work and much of the funding
is from or through Christians in India. Christian training institute (started
in the 1930s): Five Staff. 65 Students. Preparing Men & Women for the Faithful
Ministry of the Word. Church planting ministry over 122 Church congregations
with a trained leadership. 117 Pastoral staff. Over 12,000 baptisms in 55 years.
Six Children’s Homes with nearly 500 youth enrolled. Eighteen full time
staff supervise these. Christian day schools, thirty Primary Schools: Grades
1-5. Eight Middle Schools: Grades 6-8. Four Jr. High Schools: Grades 9-10. Three
Jr. Colleges: Grades 11-12. Thirty Nursery Schools. 170 staff supervise these
educational endeavors. Computer Science taught in 4 institutions. TOTAL ENROLLMENT:
5,600 plus. Medical evangelism: Suryapara Hospital & Clinic. Staff: Doctors
on Call. One Lab Technician. One trained Nurse. X-ray Technician on Call. Twenty-five
beds. Rural development scheme: Providing Agricultural Technology to the area
farmers and High School Students.
New Children’s Home Opened in India
World Convention Board member Ajai Lall reports that in September the Bal Bahwan
children’s home was officially opened and dedicated. The Director Development
of Central India Christian Mission, Ray Murphy and Reggie Hundley from Mission
Services Association attended the service. On September 6 they accepted 41 children
in just one day. Lashi Lall is the Director of the Home. Reggie Hundley also
preached at three revival meetings in Delhi at which over 200 decisions for
Christ were made.
Visitor to World Convention Office
A recent visitor to the World Convention office was Martin Phiri pastor of the
Embakasi Christian Church Nairobi, Kenya. Martin reports that there are many
opportunities to proclaim the gospel in Kenya at this time. The Church has a
school which is providing education to poor children in the local area. Their
great need at present is for a classroom to provide year eight studies. If a
classroom is not constructed before the end of this year the school will be
closed down by the government. Martin also says there is a need for Christian
groups to visit and offer teaching to Church leaders in Kenya. For more information
contact the World Convention office. Meanwhile J.D. and Jenny Whitney also working
in Kenya report that more than 85 children attended their August children’s
camp.
Disciples Minister Called To Serve As Dean at Northwest Christian College
Northwest Christian College (NCC) in Eugene, Ore., recently announced the appointment
of Dennis Lindsay as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.
Lindsay has been on the faculty of NCC since September of 2000 and has taught
classes in the Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries Program. Before coming
to NCC, Lindsay was College Principal and Bible Lecturer at Springdale College
in Birmingham, England.
Greek Mission News
Dino and Mata Tzanetos report from Athens that recently 9 people were baptized.
Recent visitors have been 15 students from Harding University, USA. The students
worked for one month with the school and church. With the help of the bible
school students they visited English speaking people in several areas of Athens.
The Tzanetos also report a successful prison ministry. Over 100 bibles have
been distributed to prisoners in the past two months. Many family members of
prisoners are now coming to Church.
Net Briefs:
· Master Provisions (Christian Church Ind.) report that 38 containers
of clothing and shoes have arrived in 8 countries during the first 3 quarters
of 2005.
· Vinay Kumar preacher at Naidupet Church of Christ, India has asked
for prayer for his baby boy born October 1st. He has developed a kidney problem
and has had two operations on his stomach. Please uphold this young baby in
your prayers.
· Marcia Kay Thomson reports from Zimbabwe that they have the highest
inflation rate in the world. She says most people come back from shopping in
shock. Unemployment is listed at between 70% and 90%. Please pray for these
people who are suffering at this time.
· World Convention Board member Dan Yarnell reports from Britain; “Birmingham
Christian College begins a new intake of students in October. This year we are
adding new degrees (BTh, a practical ministry training degree), and new post-graduate
research degrees (MPhil, DMin and PhD).”
· “Peace in the Holy Land-roles and responsibilities of US Christians”,
will be the topic of a one day seminar to be conducted at The Disciples of Christ
Historical Society, Nashville on November 12th.
· Jeff Fife reports that Campo Limpo Paulista Church in Brazil is expecting
a visit by a youth group from Brasilia on October 22nd. A team of 42 is coming
to promote the National Youth Conference that will be held in Brasilia February
2006. They are expecting 15 youth groups from Christian Churches / Churches
of Christ in the state of Sao Paulo for this celebration.
· The first English Vesper Service at the Institute for the Study of
Christian Origins at Tubingen, Germany will take place on October 23. The first
Graduate Colloquium will take place on October 24th.
· We mentioned in our last ChristiaNet the “mix in 06” women’s
event. A website with all information and a registration form is available at
www.dreamonsisters.com.
· Emmanuel School of Religion will celebrate their 40th Anniversary and
Convocation on October 20th - 27th. They will host the Thai Dance and Drama
Troupe from Chiang Mai, Thailand as part of the celebration. The group will
perform in the Auditorium of Emmanuel School of Religion on Thursday, October
20th, at 7.30 pm.
· We congratulate Cheryl Wissmann on the granting of the degree of PhD
from the University of St Andrews in Britain. Cheryl's thesis (dissertation
in the US) was about 95,000 words long and is entitled, "Worship Practice
in the Churches of Christ, Central Luzon, Philippines." Cheryl and husband
Ross work in Manila with ICCM training local pastors.
Coming Events
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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17th World Convention
“Together in Christ”
NASHVILLE
July 30th – August 3rd