DAWN Fridayfax 2000 #24

Fiji

A real revival

"How can you explain to people who have never experienced a true revival what it is like to have an open heaven - a situation in which prayers are answered almost as fast as they are spoken?" asks Dr. Kevin Dyson, Deacon at New Covenant International (NCI), a theological seminary in the USA. "One way would be to take them to Fiji," he answers. "Fiji is one of the nations which God is currently blessing in an unusual manner."

No certificate without planting a church

"13 years ago, NCI began working with Christian Mission Fellowship, a national church movement led by pastor Suliasi Kurolo," writes Dyson. "Since then, 1,200 students have completed theological studies. 87 new churches have been planted, three new Bible schools founded, and missions projects in 16 Pacific nations started. At the most recent graduation, 18 new pastors were ordained, which is not possible until they each have a church with at least 50 adult members. In addition, we blessed 83 new church planters, who aim to plant 62 new churches in the next 12 months."

Cancer patient healed in hospital

"Listening to these church planters is like reading a new edition of Acts. We heard of people being raised from the dead, invalids who can walk again, blind who can now see, deaf who can hear and dumb who can now speak, as well as many new believers in the Kingdom of God," he reports. "One Hindu woman, for example, was in Fiji's main hospital, suffering from terminal cancer. Her family was gathered around her as a Bible school student came by, visiting the patients. He was not only able to explain the gospel to the whole family, but also prayed for the woman's healing. The woman was healed, along with others who were healed of deafness and dumbness. In response, 22 Hindus decided to become Christians. The government has asked NCI to develop a programme for the High Schools based on Biblical values, as politicians saw God's power transforming young people and old. It is clearly a true, observable and lasting revival," says Dyson.
Source: New Covenant International, fax (+1)-561-965-3132, e-mail NCIUSA@compuserve.com

China

From Kung Fu fighter to house church leader

Five brothers lived in Jixan in the Chinese province Heilonjiang. All five were excellent Kung Fu fighters, and trained every day against each other. If anyone challenged them, they united to defeat him. The youngest brother's name was Meng, called 'Meng the fifth', and he was reputed to be the best of the five, having defeated his Kung Fu master on four occasions. He was also known for his rough and loutish character. He had a speech impediment, and often gambled. But even when he lost his bets, he collected the winnings, because nobody dared to try to stop him! But Meng's life was about to change. One day, an old Christian woman arrived in Jixan. According to her custom, she looked for the worst person in town, to preach the gospel to him first. She didn't have to ask many people before finding Meng! She went directly to him, and preached. Meng, who heard the name of Jesus for the first time, was convicted of his sins, repented, believed and was saved. From that moment on, he was changed and hungry for God. He wanted to read the Bible, but was illiterate. Shortly after his conversion, he was in a meeting with ten other illiterate Christians. He very much wanted to be able to read the Word of God, or at least encourage those who were hungry for God, but hesitated to speak because of his speech impediment. He stood up, sat down, then stood up again. In faith, he spoke the little he knew - the Lord's prayer. As he spoke, the words flowed perfectly from his lips, with no sign of his impediment, which has not returned since! He has now learned a little of the Bible, and leads an underground church with around 80 members. He also travels in the Jixan region, preaching the Word of God to thousands who, like Meng, take it seriously because they hear Jesus' name for the first time.
Source: The Sowers Ministry, Hong Kong; web page: www.sowers.org

World

This week's numbers...

US$375,000: the amount which 79-year-old Clayton Goward promised to the person who could tell him the truth about life after death. He received over 50,000 letters in response, including a number of marriage offers. He invited ten people from all those who had written to a discussion, but they could not help him. Finally, he met pastor Brad Smith, who did not want the money. Smith had had a dream in which he saw how people had hurt the old man in the past. The discussion ended with Goward giving his life to Jesus in a tearful prayer. Goward reports that the latest tests show no more traces of the intestinal cancer from which he had been suffering.
Source: Charisma news service, USA




£80,000: an Englishman's salary before he gave up his top job because God told him he had an Internet job for him in a town called Chichester. As he hesitated, God spoke to him on the motorway: "Look at the lorry in front!" To his astonishment, he read 'Chichester'. The man then developed one of the presently most successful Christian web pages, for the 24-7 prayer movement which started in Chichester (www.24-7prayer.com , see previous Friday Fax).
Source: Pete Greig

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