Scripture reading: Acts 18:26
He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
Followers of Christ are people committed to mentoring and being mentored (as seen in the relationship between Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos).
South Korea
Population: 48,846,823
Religion: Non-religious 35%, Christian 31.67%, Buddhist 23.89%, Indigenous religions 8%
The Republic of Korea is known for its precarious proximity to China and North Korea, its evangelical church, and its missionary-sending heart. The Church needs
There is complete religious freedom. The government has been favourable to Christianity, seeing it as an ideological bulwark against Communism.
Confucianism [more a moral philosophy than a religion] and Shamanism have a powerful effect on all Korean life and religion, although very few people follow these exclusively.
- Pray that growing materialism would not dampen the spiritual energies of Christians.
- Many young people go on short-term missions trips. Pray that this would be translated into lifelong commitment.
- Pray for the effective preparation of Korean missionary trainees, and for many more workers to help in training Korean missionaries.
- There are Korean diaspora communities around the world. Most have churches and some are sending high numbers of missionaries.
- Social concern is growing in the evangelical churches. Pray for a thorough approach to evangelism among the marginalised.
- Pray for unity between the Christian denominations. There has been a history of divisions over doctrine and because of personality clashes among leaders.
- New Christians are often from Buddhist and Confucian backgrounds; pray for good teaching and helpful discipleship.
- Pray for biblical servant leadership to develop. [Korea has a culture of authoritarian leadership, with pastors enjoying a high social status.]
- It is widely believed that success and prosperity are indications of God’s blessing. Pride has been taken in statistical growth, impressive organisation and buildings. Some leaders may be tempted to seek success more than lifting up the cross.
- As North Korea begins to open up, pray for wisdom for the South Korean Church in outreach and support to defectors and Christians in the North.
OCF UniSA
President: Wei Jin, Wong
Theme: Faith! Not fate (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Campus: University of South Australia - City East, City West, Magill
Attendance:
2004: 60
2005: 70
2006/7: 40
2008: 40 - 60
Description:
Our centre consists mainly of Malaysians with a handful of members from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Madagascar and others. The leadership felt that the members had become comfortable in our own lives and a fresh vision had to be cast to challenge each and everyone of us to step up in our walk with God hence, the theme of faith. We have not turned back since. God has grown us as individuals and also as a family of God and we still want more of Him in our lives.
Praise God For:
- A new female advisor, Aunty Lyn from Goodwood Methodist Church. There is someone now able to provide the spiritual covering for the girls in UniSa.
- Praise Him for our advisors who continuously gives us tremendous valuable input
- The launch of Guys (collaboration with Adelaide Uni) and Girls ministry.
- New leaders - students who just came to Adelaide this year.
- The opportunity to send a mission team as OCF South Australia and the provisions for it.
- The support and resources from the International Student Ministries of the Austral-Asian Community church. OCF SA and the ISM of AACC have started outreach efforts and student accommodation areas.
- The commitment shown by the Discovery Group. We have about 10 each week and each one of them has been growing and knowing more about Him.
- He is INDEED working in the individual lives of our members.
- Increase in numbers, we have now moved to a bigger room for our regular Friday meetings.
- The privilege of hosting AGM and Convention this year, it is going to be a blast, just you wait and see. ?
- More collaboration between other OCF centres of South Australia
- For affiliation with the university.
- Campus Prayer Ministry is growing. Prayer warriors rising up and being counted.
- Collaborative efforts with mission organizations like OMF, YWAM and SIM.
Please Pray For:
- More growth (as One - individuals and ONE - a collective member of His family)
- Protection from the evil one
- OCF Magill - Magill is one of the campuses of OCF UniSA. It’s not time yet for a centre to be started there but nevertheless, we are still praying. Pray for someone that can spearhead this.
- Unity among the new committee
- Strength for advisors as they come every week and they also hold important responsibilities in their respective churches.
- Passion and revival ?
- Combined E - night on Aug 22. We will be having a combined evangelistic night with OCF AU and OCF Flinders. Please pray for a harvest of souls.
- That we as an OCF centre will support the convention committee in whatever means possible.
- That God will use the Alpha course in the second semester for His will.
Scripture Reading: Acts 14:21-22
They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Disciples are not developed in a day - it takes a lifetime of daily moulding by God
Himself.
North Korea
Population: 22.5 million
Religion: Non-religious 64.3%, Traditional 16%, Chondogyo 13.5%, Buddhist 4.5%, Christian 1.7%
The Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea [DPRK] is probably the most closed country in the world. While the last 20 years have seen the dramatic collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and the steady opening up of
All religions have been heavily repressed and few autonomous religious activities continue. Christians meet in secret, in small house churches gathering in fields, attics, caves, dugout areas and enclosed spaces inside houses. It is difficult for more than eight people to meet together at one time. Any unauthorized assembly is regarded as a “collective disturbance.” A few government-sponsored churches exist to provide the illusion of religious freedom.
- Praise God for the faith of Christians in North Korea. Pray that they will be able to share the good news with trusted friends and family. Pray for grace, mercy and perseverance for persecuted Christians.
- Praise God that some food aid is reaching the country. Pray that it will get to those who need it, and that the Bread of Life will accompany it.
- Praise God that some medicinal aid has been accepted by North Korea.
- Pray that NGOs will feel burdened to serve in North Korea and help to improve the health system. Pray for the safety and effective witness of Christian NGOs in the country.
- Pray for all those in prison camps in North Korea. Prison staff are taught to regard prisoners as lower than animals and unworthy of respect, mercy or kindness. Pray that God would convict the hearts of prison guards who have been cruel, and that he would pour down his grace and mercy on those suffering in unbelievably harsh conditions.
- Pray that non-Christian prisoners would be struck by the faith of Christian prisoners and hunger to know more.
- Pray that Kim Jung-Il would discover the reality of the true God. Pray that he will care and work for the good of the North Korean citizens.
- North Korea is beginning to open up. Pray for wisdom for the South Korean church in outreach and support to Christians in the North.
- Praise God for how North Korea has tried to open up to other countries. Pray that it would become a country that can be trusted by the international community.
- Pray for North Koreans who have defected to South Korea via China and other countries, that they will be treated with mercy and kindness. Pray for Christians helping to shelter or rehabilitate defectors.
- Pray for reunification under a just government that honors God.
OCF Flinders
President: Sumihiro Tanaka
Theme: One in Christ
Campus: Flinders University
Attendance:
2004: 25
2005: 30
2006: 35
2007: 40
2008: 35 - 40
Description:
OCF Flinders is a multicultural and interdenominational fellowship of believers and pre-believers. We are a close knit family with a heart for reaching out to those around us, particularly our campus community. We are in partnership with Flinders Evangelical Students as well as a few local churches in Adelaide. What we hope to achieve through our bible studies, praise and worship, speaker sessions and activities is unity; being One in Christ. We thank God for His favour and grace upon us and we want to continue blessing our campus community and international friends with God’s hope, truth and love in years to come.
Praise God For:
- an increase in membership and new members who are willing to serve
- salvations and baptisms
- the support from local churches, advisors and individuals who believe in our vision and mission
- diversity within our centre; a rich melting pot of cultures
- the missionaries that we support and the vital work that they are doing in Asia
- friendships and bonds formed within OCF Flinders
- the committee’s commitment and zeal in serving God and OCFers
Please Pray For:
- a spirit of excellence when serving God and others
- creative ways to reach out and build up
- spiritual growth: maturity, wisdom, discernment, understanding, and the fruits of the spirit
- a burden for and commitment to prayer
- good advisors
- our bible studies, returnees program and evangelistic efforts to be relevant, challenging, and inspiring
- new leaders to capture the vision and serve faithfully
- more salvations and re-dedications at our annual Easter Camp
- an effective and empowering discipleship program
- continued unity between the OCF centres in SA: OCF Adelaide Uni and UniSA
Scripture Reading: Acts 13:43
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Followers of Christ must maintain a learning posture throughout their whole life - learning from the Master.
Tibet
Population: 2.5 million
Religion: Lama Buddhist 80%, Muslim 0.2%, Christian 0.2%
Challenges for prayer:
- Tibet is a contentious international issue. It lost its temporary independence as a theocratic Buddhist state in 1950 when China invaded the land. The Communists have systematically sought to destroy the culture, religions and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people. Resistance to the occupiers has resulted in frequent revolts and unrest. Over 1 million people may have lost their lives and a further 100,000 may have been forced into exile including the spiritual and political leader of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama.
- Pray for a just and peaceful settlement for all concerned
- Tibetan Buddhism has a strong hold on the people. There is much demonic bondage; the pre-Buddhist Bon religion with its spirit appeasement and occultism permeates society. Blood covenants were made with the powers of darkness in past centuries - these must be renounced. There are officially still 1780 monasteries and 46000 Buddhist monks.
- Pray that present sufferings may be God’s means for bringing spiritual freedom to Tibetans
- After centuries of failed attempts and limited fruit there may be about 1000 evangelical and 2000 Catholic Christians among the 5m Tibetans in the world. There are 2 secret groups of Tibetan believers in Tibet.
- Pray for all efforts through radio, the Jesus film, personal witness in Tibet and from the surrounding provinces to reach them.
- Political sensitivities and tensions in Tibet make entry and travel difficult for both Chinese and foreign Christians who desire to share the love of Jesus there
- Pray for open doors and freedom to proclaim the gospel
- There is a growing number of Han Chinese in Tibet
- Pray for the planting of house fellowships among them - some have been started
OCF Adelaide
President: Aaron Wong
Theme: More than Just an Ordinary Love
Campus: Adelaide University
Attendance:
2004: 90
2005: 90
2006:60
2007: 80
2008: 60-70
Description:
This year has been a challenging year for the committee. We had an awesome start, enjoying high attendances and had an eventful start. However, as time passed by, the numbers started to drop and for some time, the committee has been greatly discouraged. Nevertheless, God has been merciful and gracious on this centre. Much effort has been done to “save” the centre from dwindling further and many prayers have been said. God, with His mighty power, never neglected us a single bit. Even though we had lower attendance in the centre, He has been faithful in providing us with many new strong leaders and many have been built up and integrated into the centre. It has certainly been our privilege to be able to witness the power of God at work in every member’s life during the good and hard times. We’ve been really privileged enough to be involved in a prayer revival in our centre, with about a third of the centre praying before Friday night meetings.
God is truly faithful in any and every possible ways. There is nothing too difficult for Him and there’ll be anything too difficult for Him. Our God is able, He won’t fail.
Praise God For:
- Even though the number of members are currently at a low point, God gave us many new potential leaders
- Heart of prayer in members has been revived. A group of faithful prayer warriors, made up of normal members, meet up every morning to pray for both the centre and the lost in the community and globally.
- New members are more integrated into the centre
- Greater partnership with local churches, namely ISM and coastlands
- Growth in members, through Bible Study and leadership training workshops
- Greater heart of ownership of OCF in members
- A challenging year it has been, but the growth in each committee member is undeniable
- Unity among all three centres in SA
Please Pray For:
- A generation of God fearing leaders will rise up and take possession of what God has promised in our lives
- Continuous ownership of the vision and growth in every member
- Enight 08 - pray that we will continue to believe for transformed lives and salvations on that night
- Convention 08 - pray that the committee will continue to be united and strive forward for the kingdom of God
- God’s will to be done in OCF - sensitivity of hearts to God’s word and prompting
- More opportunities to partner with the local churches
- Continuous unity in and between three centres in SA
- Salvation
Scripture reading: Acts 11:15-16
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Barnabas and Saul (or Paul) must have taught about Christ, making sure that the converts knew both the facts and the significance of His life, death, resurrection, exaltation, spirit-gift, present reign and future coming.
Nepal
Population: 29,519,114
Religion: Hindu 74.82%, Buddhist 16%, Muslim 5%, Christian 1.89%, Other religions 1.7%
The world’s only Hindu Kingdom. Hinduism is recognized as the national religion, but the constitution guarantees some religious freedom for other faiths. People are free to choose their religion but it is illegal to convert others.
Answers to Prayer:
- Opening up of Nepal. No Christian was officially allowed to live in Nepal before 1960. By 1990 there was a measure of religious freedom to worship, but not to proselytize.
- Thrilling growth of the Church. The first group was formed in 1959 with 29 Christians. By 1985 there were 50,000 believers. By 2000 there were 400,000; some estimate even 500,000 in 3000 or more congregations! The secret: prayer, willingness to suffer for Jesus, dynamic Nepali initiative in evangelism and church planting, and God’s miracle-working power.
- There is a church planted in every one of the 75 districts of Nepal and there are at least some believers in most peoples and caste groups of the country
- Increased unity after some difficult years during the 1990s
Challenges for Prayer:
- Political stability and continuity of government. Pray for the King crowned in 2001 - he has neither the stature nor popularity of the former king. Pray also for peace. Pray for an honest, balanced, fair government.
- Pray for full religious freedom to be guaranteed in the constitution and upheld by the authorities. Pray for the thwarting of the designs of extremists and for their eyes to be opened to the Lord Jesus.
- Pray that the Church may be kept from divisions, doctrinal disputes and error. Pray specifically for the Nepal Christian Society as it seeks to provide a forum for prayer, sharing, unity and cooperative ministries
- Pray for grace and perseverance for believers through persecution. Pray that Christians may be accepted and appreciated for their contribution to the country’s well-being
- Pray for wisdom and sensitivity in partnership between churches and foreign agencies
- Pray that many Nepalis may be challenged, called, equipped and sent out by local churches to Nepal, the Himalayan region, needy North India and beyond
OCF Sydney
President: Xiangliang, Lin
Theme: -
Campus: University of Sydney
Attendance:
2004: 25
2005: 20
2006: 20
2007: 16
2008: 14
Description:
Our centre consists mainly of Malaysians, Singaporeans. We thank God for continuing to sustain our centre and raising new leaders ever year willing to take up various positions. We thank God for Esther Lukaybo who has been serving as our resource person until this year and thank God for Roopesh Dhar, a former ocfer who is now guiding us. This year we are praying that God will continue to unite our centre as we grow seeking after God and His righteousness and that God will send new members into our midst even as we reach out to them.
Praise God For:
- Roopesh Dhar for guiding us over the last semester
- Bringing us through the book of James and reminding us that faith cannot be divorced from works
- A committed group of regular members who are faithful in attending our meetings
- A new committee for this year and bible study leaders who are willing to serve in joy
- The faith of our fellow brothers and sisters that we share
Please Pray For:
- That members will continue to thirst and hunger for the righteousness of God
- That members will reach out actively to the student body of Sydney and their friends
- That members will be bonded together as one serving in unity as we are grown in Christ’s body each individual performing his role
- That God will grant us wisdom in serving Him that we may bear good fruit for Him.