DAWN Fridayfax 2003 #12

Taiwan

Church deserts idols

"In Taiwan, 28th February 2003 was a day of national repentance," reports Egyptian doctor David Demian, now living in Canada. He attended the event with a group of Canadian Christians. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people from various denominations and people groups gathered in Lingko Stadium, Taipei, to pray for their nation for 12 hours. Pastor Nathaniel Chow called on the Taiwanese Christians to repent. David Demian pointed out that only prayer with a passion born of desperation would move God to act. Pastor Andrew Ko had visited 25 Taiwanese cities before the prayer meeting, calling on Christians to rediscover their passion for Taiwan. Pastor Brian Liu challenged them to "deal with the idols in their own hearts and churches before considering the idols in the nation." "Thousands, in tearful desperation, asked God to forgive the idolatry in the church and turn his face again to Taiwan," writes Demian.
Source: David Demian, www.watchmen.org

India

Doctor witnesses healing through prayer

Dr. Roy Verghese experienced God's dramatic intervention when a senior member of staff at a company he used to advise suffered a heart attack. The man was taken to hospital in Vellore, southern India, and his condition appeared to stabilise. Shortly before midnight, though, Verghese received a call from the hospital to tell him that the patient's condition was critical. "When I arrived on the intensive care ward, the man was fighting for breath, and his lips were blue. His lungs were filled with fluid. His relatives had been informed that he would not live much longer," he recalls. Sitting on the man's bed, Verghese had the unusual but very insistent thought that he should pray for the man. Verghese's mind fought against the idea, but he eventually gave in. He asked his colleague and friend, a Parse (a member of Zoroastrianism) if he had anything against him praying for the patient. He prayed "Dear Lord Jesus, I do not understand this insisting thought. If that is you, and you want to heal my friend, please do it." "What then happened was a surprise for all the cardiologists involved: the man's condition changed within 15 minutes. His lungs became free, and he fell asleep like a baby. He is alive today because Jesus touched and healed him!"
Source: Brennpunkt, www.haggai-institute.com

Sudan

Co-operation to plant thousands of new churches

Bruno Bayer, member of the Swiss church planting team Kingdom Ministries spoke at a conference for church planters in the northern, predominantly Islamic part of Sudan in February 2003. Sudan is geographically the largest nation in Africa, and has been dragged into poverty by civil war; the nation has been in a state of war for 36 of the past 50 years. Today, the people are tired of war. 2.5 million were killed in the war or its consequences, or martyred for their faith. Many Christians recognise that the nation only has a chance if it turns to Jesus Christ. They have decided to cooperate in planting thousands of new churches, despite persecution and terrible circumstances. Networks of small, flexible house churches will play a major role. "It is important to forget about church politics and religious traditions, and turn to Biblical standards," says Bayer.

Muslims surprised by the presence of God

On the last day of the conference, four Muslims surprisingly came directly from the Mosque into the meeting room. They were not only surprised by the Christians' joy and dancing during the worship time, but were suddenly gripped by the Holy Spirit during the prayer time, and could no longer remain standing. That made them very inquisitive about the Gospel...

Vice President is a Christian

The Swiss Christian leaders also had the chance to meet Moses Mashar, the nation's Vice President. Amazingly, Mashar is a confessing Christian, and agreed to pray with the Swiss visitors.

Invisible hand cuts rope

"The reports from evangelists and pastors gave us a good impression of what God is doing throughout the nation," says Bayer. One leader told of his work in a war-damaged city in the south. During a prayer time, God showed him that they should bind 'the spirit of suicide' over the city. They obeyed. At just that time, a young man wanted to hang himself in his house. Suddenly, an invisible hand cut the rope he had tied around his neck. He fell on the ground and ran into the street. God led him to the prayer group, where he decided to follow Jesus.
Source: Bruno Bayer, Kingdom Ministries, Switzerland

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