Outdoor church services to raise awareness of persecution
Churches in the UK and Ireland will be holding services outdoor next month as a mark of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world. The Great Out doors Church Service is an initiative of Release International, which works with Christians suffering for their faith. In some parts of the world, authorities have demolished churches or banned congregations from meeting in their own buildings. Worshippers at Shouwang Church in Beijing, China, are banned from entering their building and have been arrested as they meet outdoors. According to Release International, Shouwang Church has now held more than 100 services in the open air after being refused official recognition by the authorities. In Nigeria, the destruction of churches by extremists has forced many Christians to hold their services in the open air. In Central Asia, Christians have resorted to meeting in the countryside to escape surveillance. Churches in the UK and Ireland will be holding their services outdoors on 19 and 26 May as an act of public witness.
Pray: that those who are persecuted 'and where Churches have been destroyed, will be protected and God will provide. (Gen.50:21)
Surge in demand for advice as housing costs rise
The housing and homelessness charity Shelter says it has seen a surge in demand for its advice services as the high cost of housing, rising living costs and cuts to housing support leave rising numbers of people struggling to pay for their homes. Shelter reported a 40 per cent increase in the number of callers in England helped with housing costs, arrears and other debt issues during the last year, while in the last six months alone, visitors to the charity's online housing costs advice have doubled. Shelter’s research reveals that people who are current ly struggling to pay their rent or mortgage have few options for increasing their income: only 21 per cent said they or their partner are able to get extra hours at work, and just 26 per cent said they could get a second job. Last month Shelter reported that almost a third of people have already cut back on food in order to pay housing costs.
Pray: for those who are finding life difficult in the current situation. Pray for Shelter and other charities in this field who offer support. (Ps.18:18)
Gift Aid warning to charities
Charities are being urged to ensure they are clued up about changes to claiming Gift Aid. A new system went live on Monday replacing paper claims forms with an online service requiring charities to connect their databases directly to HMRC's computers or make claims by uploading data via standard HMRC spreadsheets. Charities have until September to update their systems but Stewardship and NCVO are concerned that awareness of the changes is low among the estimated 100,000 charities claiming Gift Aid. They fear many charities have underestimated the challenges involved in making the adjustment. While charities are being advised to review the HMRC guidance with urgency, the organisations are also asking HMRC to take further steps to make sure charities are aware of the changes and able to meet the September deadline.
Pray: for wisdom and understanding as they adjust to the new regulations. (Pr.2:6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gift.aid.warning.to.charities/32222.htm
Thousands of students hear Gospel across Europe's universities
A Europe-wide initiative to bring students to Christ has be en met with an enthusiastic response. The Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe (FEUER) is being led jointly by the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) and UCCF: The Christian Unions. FEUER got underway in 2008 and is in the midst of a campaign to hold university missions in 25 major cities in 25 countries in 25 months. Evangelists are giving gospel presentations across the continent under the leadership of Lindsay Brown, International Director of the Lausanne Movement, Richard Cunningham, Director of UCCF, and Martin Haizmann, IFES Europe Regional Secretary. Thousands of students have heard gospel presentations at over 90 missions in UK universities. In the last six months, missions have also been held in Poland, Romania, Armenia and Malta, the latter being joined by the Maltese prime minister.
Pray: for the ongoing success of this initiative. (2Tim.4:5b)
