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Switzerland: repentance and evangelisation
- "450 participants from various churches and denominations in all Switzerland met
in Zurich to pray for their country on 21 September 1996. The meeting was the
largest prayer meeting of its kind, and was unique in that only leaders had been
invited," says Ueli Haldemann of FocuSuisse, who organised the meeting. "The
day's main characteristics were common repentance, concern and a desire for a
revived Christianity - all with the aim of reaching Switzerland with the
gospel," says Haldemann. "Marianne Hirzel seemed to hit the nail on the head in
her exhortation to use original and creative methods of evangelism and church
organisation." The meeting was called because an increasing number of Christians
in Switzerland are asking themselves what the worldwide revival in Christianity
outside Europe and North America means for Western Christians.
Source: FocuSuisse, PF 212, CH-8212 Neuhausen 2, FAX (41)-52-6728678
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Switzerland: Prayer march in Schaffhausen
- Around 120 Christians from various churches met for a prayer march along the
German border near Schaffhausen on September 15, the Swiss national 'Prayer
Day'. Ramu Bhalla, leader of a Schaffhausen church, said "Their aim was
principally to repent for the fact that Switzerland returned fleeing Jews to
Nazi Germany, and also for the Swiss arrogance towards Germany." In one of the
woods, they told a local politician whom they met that they prayed for the
government. The politician was visibly touched and thanked them for their
concern.
Source: R. Bhalla, P. Schaublin FAX (41)-52-6801383
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The Serbian borders opened!
- As the prayer walkers taking part in the international "Reconciliation Walk"
following the path of the Crusaders 900 years ago from Cologne to Jerusalem
arrived at the Serbian border, led by John and Yvonne Pressdee, they were
refused entry despite their valid transit visas and intense discussions. As a
result, they were stuck in the pouring rain without shelter and with no idea of
what to do next. Luckily, a German church had sent a transporter carrying new
tents, which were immediately put in service for a few days. One of the walkers
said "After much prayer, we could enter Serbia in small groups." Another said
"It seems possible that a meeting between the evangelical Christians and the
Patriarch of the Orthodox Church can be arranged to talk about reconciliation.
Nothing like that has happened in living memory in Serbia, because the Orthodox
church has been against the evangelicals up to now." "Reactions to the
'Reconciliation Walk', which aims to improve the historically bad relationships
between Christians and Moslems, have up to now been very positive," according to
Lynn Green of YWAM in London.
Source: Brian Mills and others.
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Serbia: "Hope for the Balkans"
- "Hope for the Balkans", a historical meeting of all Serbia's evangelical
Christians took place on 6-7 September 1996. 1,500 delegates, 1,200 from Serbia
and 300 international guests and visitors met in Belgrade "to proclaim the hope
which neither politicians nor economic riches can offer. Only the gospel of
Jesus Christ, the son of God, can bring such hope," as the press release said.
The conference created a new platform for evangelical Christians and gave the
evangelical churches and denominations a voice not only with new unity and
determination, but one which was received with respect by the government,
society and Orthodox church. The conference was organised by the Serbian
Evangelical Alliance UK and received positive and fair coverage in many television
and print media. The conference declaration invites all interested Christian
mission organisations to work together with the Serbian Evangelical Alliance UK to
start a new evangelistic movement and encourage the planting of new churches,
according to the press declaration signed by Rev. Lazar Stojsic, President of
the Evangelical Alliance UK in Belgrade.
Source: Serb. Ev. Alliance, Simina 8, 11000 Beograd, Yugoslavia, Tel/Fax
(381)-11-622642; Fax (381)-11-104831
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Australia: target-oriented evangelistic unity
- Brian Medway, a pastor in Canberra and National Convenor of the Australian
Christian Ministries Network (ACMN), reports that 600 Australian pastors and
leaders recently met for a conference with the title "One heart for the nation".
Medway reports of a "great time of unity." The aim of the conference was not
unity for unity's sake, but unity with a purpose: reaching Australia with the
gospel. The point of the conference was to "help pastors all over Australia
develop evangelistic strategies for their region through prayer," according to
pastor Medway.
Source: Brian Medway, ACMN, Canberra
Switzerland: repentance and evangelisation
