Number 68 – February 2009

Thank you to those who have responded to the current financial situation of the World Convention. We want to update you with the current situation. As was mentioned in the November issue of ChristiaNet our financial situation was such that Clinton Holloway was to conclude his ministry with us at the end of January. Some of our wonderful supporters have contributed to enable us to maintain Clinton’s ministry on a reduced salary for three months at this stage. Clinton has agreed to continue working the same number of hours at reduced salary in order to facilitate the valuable ministry he performs. If you would like to make a gift to assist us to continue Clinton’s ministry please forward to our office clearly marked for this purpose.

We praise God that Jeff and Rosemary Weston have been successful in returning to the US for the balance of their work permit. At this stage we envisage the Weston’s will conclude their ministry with World Convention at the end of April. Currently the Board is negotiating with a person who will be appointed as interim General Secretary, meanwhile plans for the 2012 World Convention at Goiania, Brazil are proceeding with much enthusiasm.

Our good friend Tom Mackey has offered to send a complimentary copy of his new book “40 Days of Praying Jesus’ Prayer” to the first 20 people to send a donation of $100 or more over and above their normal gifts to World Convention. What better way to celebrate this 200th Anniversary than to spend 40 days immersed in
the prayer of Jesus in John 17 that inspired Campbell's passion for the unity of believers! That's why 40 Days of Praying Jesus' Prayer was brought together, with 45 Christian leaders from 11 countries around the world, opening their hearts concerning Jesus' prayer.

President B. J. Mpofu has selected “Sharing the Love that Unites” as his theme for the 18^th World Convention to be conducted at Goiania, Brazil in 2012. The selected text is Romans 15: 5&6. President Mpofu indicated that the theme is a call to all Christians to make unity a priority in their lives and for their ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins was tapped by President Barack Obama to deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service on January 21, part of President Obama’s Inauguration festivities. Rev. Cynthia Hale, one of the featured speakers at the 17^th World Convention, gave the Scripture lesson. Watkins was the first woman to deliver the sermon at the prayer service, a tradition that dates back more than two hundred years, to the first U. S. President, George Washington. To read a transcript of the sermon go to www.disciples.org/Default.aspx?tabid=483

The Australian Churches of Christ Historical Society’s monthly electronic periodical, Historical Digest dedicated the February 2009 issue (number 162) to themes of Great Communion. The lead article, by World Convention Executive Director, Jeff Weston, is titled Value of Links to the Past. Dr. Stephen Curkpatrick, lecturer at the Churches of Christ Theological College in Mulgrave, wrote: Declaration and Address, Churches of Christ’s ‘ever-contemporary’ foundation document turns 200.” To have a copy of the Historical Digest emailed to you, contact Editor Kerrie Handasyde at history@handasyde.com

World Convention and Global Women Connecting have partnered together to support “The Women’s Desk”, an initiative to develop electronic network communication among the women of the World Convention. The GWC Executive Committee has long been aware of the difficulties in maintaining timely communication among the women of the Stone-Campbell Movement. In February World Convention Office Coordinator, Julia Keith assumed responsibilities in the project to connect sympathetic women for the purposes of building friendships and sharing prayer, concern, and issues quickly on a global scale. The March issue of the World Christian will include ‘Global Women Connecting News.’ To contact the women’s desk, write to Julia at worldconvjulia@aol.com

European Mid-Winter Rally 48 Christians (Americans, missionaries, and European nationals) met in Colditz Castle, (Colditz, Germany) from Dec. 26-30, 2008 for the European Mid-Winter Rally. The retreat is sponsored by Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Countries represented were Italy, France, Czech Republic, Kosovo, USA and Germany. The speakers were various missionaries in Europe. The sermons were from 2 Thessalonians and the workshops were on contentment, new worship music, post-modernism and the “Emerging Church”. The children’s program was done by a group from Louisville, KY, led by Paul Daniels, a former worker in Poitiers, France. More information about the 2009 retreat will be found in German and English at: www.MidWinterRally.com

World Convention Board member Ajai Lall has reported that his Central India Christian Mission has in early February been involved in a series of evangelistic meetings on Madku Island in which 150,000 people were anticipated, including thousands of non-believers, government officials, the head of State and many divergent political parties. 200 evangelists and staff people from CICM were on hand to do follow-up work. As part of their evangelistic efforts, it was reported that literally tons of literature, New Testaments, CDs, etc. would be distributed. This year marks the 100^th anniversary of this annual evangelistic effort.

Prayer Request: At the time of writing severe fires are raging out of control in the Australian State of Victoria ravaging vast tracts of land, burning everything in its path. Around 200 human deaths have been counted with the toll expected to rise. An estimated 1,000 homes and business have been destroyed by what has been identified as the worst disaster in Australian history. Please remember our Australian Churches of Christ family during this terrible period. If you would like to donate to the Australian Bushfire relief appeal in the US you can send to the office of World Convention and we will forward these to Australia. If you would like to send direct to Australia please mail to: Care Works 2009 Bushfire Appeal, Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania 1^st Floor, 582 Heidelberg RoadFairfield, VIC 3078 Australia.

Please remember that the ministry of World Convention relies upon you in order to carry out our mission of building fellowship, understanding, effectiveness and common purpose within our global Stone-Campbell Movement family. Thank you for your support.