Melbourne University OCF
Reach Out, Build Up, Send Back

Scripture reading: Acts 13:3

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Praying is not some distant goal the church is striving to reach, but rather it should be a present and continuing fact of their experience.

Mauritius

Population: 1,274,189
Religion: Hindu 49.44%, Christian 32.86%, Muslim 16.3%

A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather, declining sugar prices, and declining textile and apparel production, have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.

Challenges for Prayer:

1. Evangelism is a challenge in this complex, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Pray for much wisdom and discernment.
2. Pray for older churches which are in gradual decline, and are traditional and nominal. Many Catholics are affected by the infiltration of Hindu beliefs and practices into the Church.
3. Among Evangelicals, growth has been most rapid within the Pentecostal and charismatic groups. Other evangelicals and independent house groups are also experiencing more modest growth, but not without opposition. Pray that Evangelicals might be united in their presentation of the gospel to non-Christians.
4. The training of leaders is of prime importance. Praise the Lord for the development of Bible training, but pray also that Mauritius might receive more teachers of the Word who are well-trained models of godliness.
5. There is a great openness among young people. Opportunities for ministry in schools and campuses are limited, but pray for mission organizations that are seeking creative ways to reach students.
6. Missionary work in Mauritius is limited due to the difficulty of obtaining long-term visas and lack of appropriately trained personnel. Pray that Mauritian believers may become more active in supporting world evangelization.
7. Specific unreached minorities:
   • Muslims. The number of converts is insignificant compared to their population size, and there are only 2 Christians actively working among them
   • Rodrigues Islanders (35000) are poor and isolated. The Anglicans and several Pentecostal denominations have started churches on the island
   • Speakers of major Indian languages, Bhojpuri, Hindi and Urdu, all representing large unreached groups in India. The Jesus film and literature distribution are being used to reach them.
   • The Chinese community. Evangelical believers number only around 600 in 4 or 5 congregations. Pray for the removal of the combined barrier of demonic powers and the drive for wealth that keep many from a full commitment to Christ
   • The Chagos Islanders. Pray for the return, resettlement and continued opportunities of these 5000 Chagossians to hear and respond to the gospel
8. Pray for the provision and distribution of appropriate Christian literature

OCF Geelong

President: Pascal Leung
Theme: Solidifying our foundation
Campus: Deakin University Geelong

Attendance:

2008: 5-6

Description:
Beginning of 2008, we have been separated from Christian Union which is under the university student association. Therefore, we have to run every activity outside the university and by our own. At the moment the centre is run by 3 core members. There were few bible studies held at one of the member’s house, attended by 2-3 of non-Christian friends during the semester. Due to lack of commitment and man power, core members have decided to close down the centre.

Praise God For:

• There were 2-3 non-Christians attended the bible study
• That we still keep persevering though the number is very small

Please Pray For:

• That we can have more Christian as core members
• Leaders who are willing to commit in serving this centre
• The Lord’s guidance if we are to still continue to run as a centre