WPA Media Track Report
I went to Jakarta to experience what God was doing in the world through prayer and I came back so humbled, excited and inspired that I praised Him for the experience. As the Founding Director of the Hollywood Prayer Network, I brought my associate, Caren Bream, and she and I walked into the global world of prayer with great anticipation. We had the opportunity to not only meet prayer leaders, pastors and "regular people" from around the world, but we saw that the heart of God was vital and powerful in Asia. In fact, it made me ask the Lord to PLEASE put the same fire into the hearts of the people in America, and especially in my community of Hollywood, California. I experienced a heartfelt love for Jesus that I had almost forgotten was possible and I got a fresh understanding of trusting Him COMPLETELY. I left with the confirmation that we need Jesus DESPERATELY and that's right where He wants us.
We also saw incredible breakthrough in the hearts of creative community there at the WPA. I spoke to two large groups of people who were either involved in or interested in the global entertainment industry. Both times, I was joined by Mark McClendon, Pres. of CBN, Jakarta and once by Chris Mitchell, head of CBN, Jerusalem. They had the same vision as I did to encourage Christian media professionals to see their workplace as a mission field and to encourage others to understand the need to pray for professionals in the media. Many people approached us saying that they struggled with pouring their lives into secular media, because they thought they needed to just do God’s work in Christian media. We got to encouragement them to see the importance of being salt and light in the secular world. It was very freeing to many people.
On woman had wanted to start a secular television station in Malaysia. She hadn’t done if for the past decade because people in her life and in her church said it needed to be a Christian TV station, which she didn’t want to do. After our talk, she came up crying and asking for the strength to start her commercial station, now that she understood it’s value and importance in God’s eyes. We prayed with her and cried with her and she went off, committed to do the desire of her heart for the past decades. What a thrill.
We also got to see that the media is still an area that Christians are still afraid of. We commented on how our sessions were all smaller than the other sessions. The people who came were passionate and creative, but it was always smaller groups. It made us realize how important it is to continue being available to spread the word and the vision that praying for people in the arts, entertainment and media industries is a crucial priority. Our American culture and cultures all over the world are influenced and even shaped, by the entertainment and media industry. So, if we want to see cultural revival, we must PRAY.
Thank you for the opportunity to have me come and pray, speak, share and listen to these incredible, global prayer warriors. It was my honor and privilege and I look forward to any other ways I can serve you in the future.
With great appreciation,
Karen Covell
Founding Director
Hollywood Prayer Network
India Church Growing Stronger Despite Hostilities
With Hindu extremists constantly perpetrating attacks against the church, Christians in the northern region of India find themselves in a very hostile environment. Persecution has also come through politics as some states have implemented laws against conversion to Christianity. One such law is ironically called the "Freedom of Religion Bill." Similar legislation has been approved by lawmakers in Madhya Pradesh. The bill, which now awaits the governor's signature, would make it a crime to convert to Christianity without government permission. But Pastor Abraham, who works everyday with average people in the region, says that not everyone is hostile toward Christians. "When you bring the salvation, the healing, the blessings from Jesus, the common people always respond to the Gospel," he said. "Otherwise we can't do the work." Despite the persecution and the challenges, God is moving and the church is growing, Abraham said.
Pray: for true freedom of religion and for those who do wish to convert to Christianity. ( Jn.10:28)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/September/India-Church-Growing-Stronger-Despite-Hostilities/
New era of learning for Methodist Church
The Methodist Church has formally changed its learning structure to offer more training from locally placed staff across 11 regions. The Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network will work through two institutions, Cliff College and the Queen's Foundation in Birmingham, as well as from homes or regional offices. The changes will result in more staff being based regionally than before. Jude Levermore, head of Discipleship and Ministries, believes the changes hold enormous potential for the Church's growth. "This is a response to the challenge of being a 'Discipleship Movement shaped for Mission'. To be a vital, growing church, we need to be a learning church," said Levermore. "By having more Connexional Team members in the regions, we can combine the strengths of being a Connexional church with the strength of local mission. Being closer to where people are allows the Church to get the best out of what is already happening and what will be developed. The potential is huge."
Pray: for this 'new era' in the Methodist church and that it will bring the Gospel to even more people. (Eph.4:11-12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.era.of.learning.for.methodist.church/33833.htm
