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Christian Church Taking Off In Dubai |
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Missions News: Missions in the Muslim World
CBN News has an excellent story today about the Christian church in Dubai. Dubai, home of some of the world's most luxurious hotels and tallest buildings, is also apparently one of the best Muslim countries in which to work and live as a Christian.
Of course, 76% of the country is Muslim, Islam is the official religion, and it is illegal to share the gospel with Muslims. Moreover, printing the Bible or other evangelistic materials is not permitted, and there are harsh penalties for converting people from Islam.
Still, relative to other Muslim countires, Dubai is remarkably tolerant of the Christian Church. For example, Kings Revival Church International, like everything else in Dubai is huge: 7,000 members, 24 pastors and 14 services, including 4 in English. Not surprisingly, King's Revival is the largest evangelical church in the Middle East.
The church apparently does not balk at the restrictions on sharing the gospel, taking the attitude of being open to whatever God has for them in the circumstances they are in. And God reportedly has a lot for them: The church reports remarkable miracles -- cancers being cured, lame walking, blind seeing -- and supports charity and 170 pastors in the Middle East and Asia. Perhaps churches like Kings Revival that send Arab missionaries and pastors to their own people, are partly responsible for increasing reports of "revival" in the Middle East.
The KIngs Revival Church Dubai website is interesting. It is has a name -- http://www.miraclesforyou.org -- that might sound a bit too packaged and sensationalistic to many United States Christians. United States Christians are (perhaps rightly) increasingly wary of presenting Christ as a one-stop solve-all-your-problems commodity. The gospel should be about redemption and turning away from sin (think Kirk Cameron wearing Christ as a parachute). The Western World is largely rejecting the notion of sin, and even the concept of right and wrong, and thus needs to be reminded that God will judge us for our sins -- or so the theory goes. Presenting God as a commodity that will make life Wonderful diminishes His Greatness.
Yet who are we to question how God is apparently making himself known in the Muslim World, where no one can argue that the concept of God is taken quite seriously, and people live with a fatalistic view of sin and life? Isn't the model the Kings Revival Church is following arguably closer to the approach Christ took when presenting himself to a highly religious Jewish society that clearly maintained a high view of God: Healing the sick, caring about people's practical problems, explaining that the Sabbath was made for man and not the man for Sabbath, etc? Maybe.
Read More: Links
Dubai: A Spiritual Oasis
Revival Comes To the Muslim World
The Christian Revival in the Muslim World
Kings Revival Church International Dubai
Kirk Cameron: The Parachute
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The International Faith Telegraph
http://www.faithtelegraph.com
The latest and most unique Christian news stories from around the world. Bizarre, groundbreaking, worldchanging. Exclusive stories from a wide variety of sources. Missions news directly from missionaries and numerous denominations and organizations.
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Missionaries In Spain Find Taco Bell |
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Missions News: Various
The Andrews family, missionaries to Spain, recently discovered that the home of the Alhambra, the Segovia Aqueduct and Plaza Mayor is now also home to Taco Bell, the Irvine, California based fast-food restaurant specializing in Mexican food.
That's right: Taco Bell has apparently opened a restaurant in Spain as part of a test trial in Europe -- and not a moment too soon for the Andrews family: Never mind Paella, Gaspacho and the other wonders of Spain: When you are overseas, you suddenly discover what you really miss about home -- bean burritos, beef tacos and a soda fountain with free refills!
Curiously, as much as they enjoyed visiting Taco Bell in Spain, the Andrews family reports that they can "count on one hand" the number of times they actually ate at Taco Bell in the United States. This strange phenomon would surely make a fine thesis topic for any aspiring Ph.D student. If you need some test subjects, just contact the Andrews family, or any other missionaries far from home....
LINKS: READ MORE
That All May Know: The Little Things In Life By Jeffrey Andrews
Yum Brands: Taco Bell To Expand
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The International Faith Telegraph
http://www.faithtelegraph.com
The latest and most unique Christian news stories from around the world. Bizarre, groundbreaking, worldchanging. Exclusive stories from a wide variety of sources. Missions news directly from missionaries and numerous denominations and organizations. |
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China Aid: Significant Increase In Persecution In 2008 |
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Missions News: Persecution
China Aid has released its report on persecution in China during 2008, finding a "significant increase" in persecution of Christians during 2008. The report comes just in time, as the UN is going to review China's human rights record in a few days.
China Aid's report documents not only an increase in the number of abuses of religious freedom but also the use of "tougher tactics" against Christians in urban areas.
Persecution in China is apparently focused on Christians in unregistered "house churches." The rule is quite simple: Join an official registered church or you will be harassed, tortured, imprisoned or killed as a member of an "evil cult." Trouble is, if join a "legal church" you will have to follow numerous strict government policies and regulations severely restricting religious freedom.
Let's pray for our Christian brothers in China, and pray that the UN will hold China responsible for its abuses.
LINKS: READ MORE
ChinaAid Announces The Release Of 2008 Persecution Report
Spotlight Glares On China As Believers Speak Out
China Releases Elderly Prisoner To See Dying Husband
Chinese Christian Activist "Near Death"
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The International Faith Telegraph
http://www.faithtelegraph.com
The latest and most unique Christian news stories from around the world. Bizarre, groundbreaking, worldchanging. Exclusive stories from a wide variety of sources. Missions news directly from missionaries and numerous denominations and organizations.
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Updated: China Releases Christian Activist To See Her Dying Husband |
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Missions News: Persecution
China Aid has released pictures of 79 year old Christian activist Shuang Shuying at the bedside of her husband Hua Zaichen in the hospital.
Zaichen, near death, had previously been denied one final meeting with his wife. Upon release, Shuang immediately went to the Beijing hospital to be with her husband.
China Aid has also released an open letter from Shuang Shuying detailing the torture she experienced while in custody, and the power and strength she felt upon hearing of the prayers for her worldwide:
I am Shuang Shuying, 79 years old. Two years ago, my son Hua Huiqi was put in jail by the Chinese police. In order to force my son to compromise his faith and betray brothers and sisters, I was sentenced to two years in prison as a hostage by the Public Security Bureau. During my imprisonment, the PSBs of Beijing went to my prison interrogating, threatening and harassing me numerous times. They even directed other prisoners to take off all of my clothes and forced me stand alone outside in the evening without letting me sleep. Seven prisoners kept watching me in turn. I was not allowed to move even when the mosquitoes bit me or I would be slapped on my face and poked on the veins on my hands. I still had wounds that were unhealed on my hands. The PSB officers even forced me to drink my own urine. They threatened me not to tell anyone about the tortures I experienced. During these terrible circumstances, I prayed without ceasing. I asked God to give me strength. Every time when my son came to visit me and shared with me that brothers and sisters from all over the world had been praying for me, I felt greatly strengthened and empowered which has enabled me to continue to live. When I was released from jail this morning (February 8), I went to visit my hospitalized old companion (husband) who is not even able to recognize me anymore because of losing consciousness. So I sincerely plead to brothers and sisters all over the world to continue to pray for me and my husband. At the same time, I want to thank each one of you for your continuous prayers, care and support for my husband, Hua Zaichen, and me.
China Aid. There had been mounting pressure on the Chinese government as this story gained attention in the international media. The government was reportedly furious at Shuying's son for refusing to act as an informant and for releasing information to the media about his mother's treatment in prison.
Despite being released, Shuying is not yet out of danger. She is being monitored at the hospital, and she is banned from seeing any visitors except direct family members. Her son and other family members are being followed wherever they go. This story is only one part of what some see as a systematic campaign against Christians in China as Communist officials become increasingly concerned about the spread of Christianity.
LINKS: READ MORE
China Aid: Shuang Shuying, 79, Released From Prison; Her Open Letter Reveals Torture
China Releases Elderly Prisoner To See Dying Husband
Chinese Christian Activist "Near Death"
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The International Faith Telegraph
http://www.faithtelegraph.com
The latest and most unique Christian news stories from around the world. Bizarre, groundbreaking, worldchanging. Exclusive stories from a wide variety of sources. Missions news directly from missionaries and numerous denominations and organizations.
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