Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
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It's a spiritual battle!
“Saul of Tarsus was a zealous persecutor of Christians – yet God changed his heart and he became one of the most outspoken of the apostles as Paul. For those living in regions sharing the hope of Christ, they’re seeing and reporting changes in people that is supernatural. He’s identifying the crux as spiritual warfare and calling all followers of Christ to pray for the hearts of the extremists to be changed like Saul of Tarsus.”
Together our prayers can stop ISIS!
Mission Network News
Beware of the spread of ISIS
“Pray that Christians in the region will have the opportunity to provide those answers. Keep up to date on prayer needs in the ISIS areas by joining a worldwide daily prayer vigils (Romans 8:38).
“Recent stats from the International Mission Board Southern Baptists, are saying that some of the fastest-growing churches are in the Middle East and Central Asia – right in the heart of Islam. There’s a hunger now, because these are people that believe they are serving God. They’re looking at what’s happening in their religion, from groups that say they’re literally studying the Quran, following the Prophet. It’s making them look at their religion and say, ‘We have a lot of questions’.
Pray for Syria - 350 kidnapped Christians
“E3 Partners is sending resources. They’re doing training; helping them form underground, life-giving churches that can multiply. We want them to be sustainable. We want them to know that their brothers and sisters in the West are walking arm-in-arm with them. We’re praying for them daily.
Iraqi child forgives ISIS
“It’s striking how similar the situation seems. Doyle says it’s obvious Satan is using the group. ‘It’s as if recently everybody’s eyes have been opened, like that servant of Elisha. We’ve been able to peel back what’s been going on and see this physical war for what it is: a spiritual war that’s raging in the heavenlies.’
“In contrast to the methods of ISIS, the Church is also growing, but it’s flourishing in private homes, face to face. Doyle says, ‘Remember there are believers standing firm for Jesus right in the middle of ISIS. They are losing their lives, but this is bringing the Church together to realize what we’re up against in these days.’
Destruction of ancient, priceless artifacts
“Doyle compares the situation with ISIS to the story of Elisha in II Kings 6. The king of Syria came after the prophet Elisha to find out how he knew to warn the king of Israel away from ambushes and other military traps. The Syrians surrounded the city where Elisha and his servant were. ‘He prayed that his servant (who was afraid of attack), that his eyes would be opened.’ His eyes WERE opened, and he saw the chariots of fire surrounding them, and realized that the God of Israel was on their side.
“Doyle acknowledges that there are people who don’t have jobs, ‘… but it’s the failure of the Islamic government to develop a cohesive financial plan for their nation. It isn’t a financial issue, it’s a spiritual issue.’
21 Coptic Christians from Egypt beheaded
“Tom Doyle, a Middle East expert and spokesman for E3 Partners disagrees. ‘There haven’t been terrorist groups that have had this kind of money since Arafat did when he was leading the Palestinians. ISIS started with $1.2 billion. Al-Qaeda started with $35 million. Right now ISIS is selling oil to the Iraqi government.’
Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,
“Story after story of the brutality of Islam has people wondering what it will take to stop them. The U.S.A. State Department spokeswoman says the war won’t be won by killing ISIS members…rather, give them jobs. In Marie Harf’s interview on “Hardball With Chris Matthews” she believed the root cause of war was poverty.
INTERNATIONAL – WHO WILL STOP ISIS? Letter from Mission Network News
Pastor Celestin evangelizing high school students
RWANDA, KIGALI AREA. In letter #2 Pastor Celestin tells of the untimely death of Pastor Bukuru, a beloved man of God, and the comfort that Guardian Angel’s Ministry brought to that church.
Dear Mama & Bush Mission,
“We are forwarding some photos taken during our ministry at local churches. This church is called Zion Temple Church, Kabuga branch. They lost their Senior Pastor, Mr. Bukuru. He was a friend of Guardian Angel’s Ministry and died when he was poisoned (according to medical reports). Pastor Bukuru … attended our planning session last month. The entire congregation was traumatized by his sudden death….
“My Team and I went to Zion Church to encourage the people as they were so discouraged. Pastor Charles and I preached at the main service; Pastors Maurice and Enock ministered in Sunday School. Our message was from Matthew 6:33 about the Kingdom of God. As I said earlier this is our topic for this year. The kingdom of God … is not about an ‘I don't care’ attitude and relaxing. It's about … ‘being aggressive’….
“Pastor Charles preached on Matthew 25 - Parable of the 10 Virgins…. His message was, Be ready always because the Kingdom of God is near … our ‘spiritual lights’ should be on all the time….
“We also visited a vulnerable primary school run by Zion Temple Kabunga. It is sponsored by this Church…. Guardian Ministry used 75,400 francs ($109) to buy small note books, pencils and pens. We handed them out to 90 of the most vulnerable students. At the end of the service we spent 54,400 francs ($79) to buy tea, bread and mandazi for the whole church. Receipts are attached….
“We thank the Lord for what our ministry is doing in Rwanda through Bush Telegraph. This season we touched many hearts of mourners through spiritual encouragement. Please pray for this school because Pastor Bukuru was a great Man of God; may He send to them another pastor. We are scheduled to evangelize 3 Secondary Schools [high schools]: Ruhango, Kigoma, and Zaza Secondary Schools. Pray for us as we plan to reach teenagers in February….”
May the Lord bless you,
Pastor Celestin, Rwanda
Pastor Celestin meets with 15 church leaders
RWANDA, KIGALI. Here is the 1st of two letters from Pastor Celestin, Director of Guardian Angels, our partner.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Guardian Angel had a meeting yesterday with Christian Church Int’l. We did 4 things:
* We accessed what was achieved by Guardian Angel’s ministry training. 15 evangelical churches were present. We go to these churches for evangelism, youth camps, children ministries, VBS, retreats, etc.
* We met to plan for 2015. Our ministry wants these leaders to discuss our main focus - Evangelism Outreach. Our priority in 2015 is Seeking First The Kingdom of God…. This subject is shaking my heart and I want people to know this is the central message our Lord preached…. Church leaders now know the plan so we can move forward together.
* We wanted to know how we may help their churches: Do they need training? Preaching? What topics?
* Finally, the meeting was to enjoy our success in 2014. At the end we shared food from money you sent. We fed our guests beans, potatoes and cool drinks. We cooked the food ourselves. Everybody left happy.”
In Christian Love,
Pastor Celestin
SPECIAL REPORT ON RWANDA & ISIS