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.