ChristiaNet 69 - March 2009

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.

As Great Communion celebrates the 200^th Anniversary of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address this month’s news item looks at the document itself. An accurate reproduction of the original text (as well as other renditions and paraphrases) can be found online at: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/tcampbell/da/DA-1ST.HTM

People who wish to have a paper copy of the seminal document can order a new printing from Doulos Christou Books at http://douloschristou.com The cost of this 160 page volume is $8.00. For those who might like to know more about the document, said to contain the DNA of the Movement, may want to visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_and_address

We continue to receive word about Great Communion events taking place around the world. Recent news indicates that several Australian churches are planning events while several US colleges of the Stone-Campbell Movement are hosting events on their campuses and extending invitations to all their area congregations, Christian-Churches of Christ-Disciples of Christ.

Nikki Grimes is a children’s book author and a member of Crossroads Christian Church of Corona, California. Her beautifully illustrated children’s book, Barak Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope chronicles the childhood and rise to leadership of America’s first African-American President. The book has spent more than four months on the New York Times Best-Seller list, topping that list on February 8. The book is available via most online book retailers.

News from the Women’s Desk: DisciplesWorld magazine has announced the publication of a new quarterly magazine for Christian women, JUSTWOMEN. The 32-page magazine will include themes inspired by Scripture, devotions, meditations, prayers, and news and notes from international Disciples women’s ministries. Some content available in Spanish, Korean and French. A one-year subscription is available for $19. Order at: www.justwomenmagazine.org or in the US call 317-375-8846.

Volunteers Sought to make Stoles for General Assembly: Disciples who love working with fabrics are needed to create stoles for the 2009 General Assembly. The garments will be worn by 300 worship leaders at the Assembly, which will be held July 29 - Aug. 2 in Indianapolis. Volunteers are asked to create simple stoles with multicolored hands on one side and green hands on the other side. Creators of the garments are invited to select the fabrics for their stoles based on the colors in the General Assembly logos, which are leaves of hands on a tree from the Assembly theme: "...for the healing of the nations" (Rev. 22:2), and to pray for those who receive them. To get specific instructions on making the hands stoles, visit: www.disciples.org/portals/0/pdf/ga/2009/ga09-StolesInstructions.pdf(PDF). For more, see: www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/192/General-Assembly-Stoles.aspx

In the last issue of ChristiaNet, we passed along word that World Convention Board member Ajai Lall was involved in a massive evangelistic meeting on Madku Island. After the meeting Ajai reported that of the 150,000 people reached with the Gospel at least 5300 first-time decisions for Christ were made! Pray for the Central India Christian Mission team as they follow-up with these new believers in Christ.

Also in the last ChristiaNet was mentioned the opportunity to give aid for the brush fires in Australia. As a result of that plea $5000 in aid was sent in response to that tragedy. Thank you for giving to the Lord in this generous way!

Taxation of missionaries working in Kenya has always been waived by the Kenyan government because of the taxation occurring in the country of birth—until recently. Due to the economic downturn, the government is looking at any option for additional money and has therefore levied a 30 percent tax on all salary and project income of missionaries. This directly affects many of Stone-Campbell Movement missionaries and workers. Please pray for either a return back to the original ruling or for God’s people to provide the additional funds required to cover this substantial tax amount.

Jamaica Christian Mission has reported that the recent 36^th annual YOUTH CONVENTION was held at the Old Harbor Church of Christ with 700 in attendance. Highlights of the event included a Song Competition among the youth. Contact Winston Scott at jamchris@cwjamaica.com

TCM International Institute based outside of Vienna, Austria, and one of our vital Stone-Campbell Movement missions reports that they are currently training 751 students from 19 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Over half of these are preachers and church planters! www.tcmi.org

The March issue of World Christian is anticipated by the end of the month.I n an effort to contain costs, readers will see a new format with this issue as it will be emailed as a PDF file to the ChristiaNet mailing list and posted on the website. Those wishing to have a paper copy mailed to them can write to worldconv@aol.com or 1279 Brentwood Highlands Drive Nashville, TN 37211 USA. A donation to cover postage of the paper copy will be appreciated.

ChristiaNet Editor, Clinton J. Holloway, has written a children’s message which lifts up the life and ministry of Saint Patrick, whose feast day is commemorated around the world every March 17th. To request an electronic copy of Beyond the Leprechauns, the Meaning of Saint Patrick’s Day,write to milligan95@yahoo.com

Prayer Request:World Convention Office Manager and Global Women Connecting coordinator Julia Keith recently underwent back surgery to relieve a herniated disk. Please pray for Julia’s speedy recovery. Please pray also for the upcoming World Convention Board Meeting April 16-19 and for decisions to be made about the future direction of World Convention.

World Convention on the Road: Beginning in early March, World Convention President B.J. Mpofu and his wife,Chipo, will begin a three-continent tour, spending from March 10 to April 13 in Australia, after which they will travel to the United States for the World Convention Board meeting April 16-19. After a time in the US they will travel to England before returning home to Zimbabwe. We seek your prayers for President and Mrs. Mpofu, and all the Board members as they travel. March 29-31 Executive Director, Jeff Weston will attend the Stone-Campbell Dialogue.The 2009 host is Cincinnati Christian University in Ohio. World Convention Board members Doug Foster, Dick Hamm and Robert Welsh are also participants in that Dialogue.