Melbourne University OCF
Reach Out, Build Up, Send Back

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