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