News

North Korea

In first position on the World Watch List 2010 is again North Korea, the country where every religious activity is recognized as an insurrection to the North Korean socialist principles. The situation for Christians is extremely harsh at this moment, even though the North Korean regime is slowly and steadily losing her iron control on North Korean society, and Kim Jong Il’s physical health worsened after his stroke. Through mobilizing every resource of power, North Korea is desperately trying to control society in order to eradicate Christian activities. By means of combat campaigns of 150 days and 100 days , the North Korean government is trying very hard to demolish the street market system. Furthermore, many Christian believers were exposed during North Korea’s strict searches. During the mentioned campaigns, the North Korean regime especially targeted secret Christians all over North Korea to arrest and kill them. They have used various horrible ways of torture against arrested Christians. Christians were sometimes used as a means of testing biological or chemical weapons. In spite of these inhuman circumstances, Christianity is growing and chances to hear the Gospel are growing, especially for those who live in cities nearby China.

The devastating earthquake which has taken approximately 50,000 lives and left Haiti in ruins has moved the hearts of people around the world to get mobilised and give to help the survivors. As Christians it is an essential part of our faith to help those in need and demonstrate the love and provision of God in the most dire situations. We would encourage you to give to the relief effort in whichever way the Lord leads you. To help you give we have researched just a few Christian and Secular aid organisation for you.

Compassion

Compassion are our trusted ministry partners working with children in poverty around the world. The following excerpt is taken from a letter sent to Compassion sponsors…

“In the midst of the carnage, communication with our staff in Haiti has been cut off. We are anxiously waiting for news of how the earthquake has affected the more than 64,600 children and their families that Compassion currently cares for through the over 225 churches we partner with in Haiti.

We know they will be depending on us for food, clean water and medical attention and our staff and churches in Haiti will be working tirelessly to ensure that their needs are met. We will be there for them in the months ahead as they come to terms with what has happened and we commit to continuing to show them God’s love and hope for the future.

Our immediate desire is to be found ready and able to do all we can to help them in rebuilding their shattered lives. Will you join us?”

You can donate through this Christian organisation by following the link here www.compassionuk.org

Tearfund

Tearfund is dispatching emergency aid funds to help survivors of the earthquake that has shattered impoverished Haiti. You can donate through this Christian organisation by following the link here www.tearfund.org

Christian Aid

Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti after a major earthquake struck the country. Thousands of people are dead, many are buried alive and countless have been left homeless. You can donate through this Christian organisation by following the link here www.christianaid.org.uk

Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian international relief organisation currently sending help to Haiti, you can donate through this Christian organisation by following the link here www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

Disaster Emergency Committee

The DEC brings together both Christian and secular charities in aid efforts such as the Tsunami and now the earthquake in Haiti. You can donate by following the link here www.dec.org.uk

Other organisations providing relief and aid to Haiti

British Red Cross (Secular)

Hopegivers International (Christian)

New Directions International (Christian)

Please sign the petition to the Prime Minister to remove the current employment provisions set out in the Equality Bill which will further restrict the rights of churches to refuse to employ practicing homosexuals.

Link: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/harryhammond/

More information can be found on the Christian Concern for Our Nation (CCFON) website.

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove the current employment provisions set out in Schedule 9, Paragraph 2, subsection 8 of the Equality Bill (the occupational requirements relating to sex, marriage and sexual orientation for the purposes of organised religion). These restrict the rights of religious bodies to employ personnel who conform to their teachings only if their duties are confined to worship activities or the explanation of doctrine.”

Join with Christians all around the world as we agree in prayer over our lives and over our nations throughout the first month of 2010. Simple to follow prayer fuel has been prepared for each day of the month. These daily prayer points and scriptures will be published to the website at the start of each day, you will be able to see these on the home page and in the Prayer Fuel area.

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)

An In-depth Look in at Persecution Around the World

Each year Open Doors releases the World Watch List, a detailed analysis of Christian persecution worldwide. In this free resource, countries are evaluated and ranked according to the severity of persecution that occurred in the past year.

Find out more from www.opendoorsusa.org