Nigeria: Historic election outcome
Incumbent Goodluck Jonathan phoned former military leader Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday to concede defeat in Nigeria's presidential elections, he then followed the phone call with a written statement to his countrymen. Jonathan’s speedy action and words have hopefully prevented violent protests breaking out after calls for calm from the two main candidates and a warning by the United States and Britain against political interference amid earlier claims of vote-rigging and voter intimidation. ‘I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word,’ Mr Jonathan said. A spokesman for Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress party said, ‘Mr Jonathan will remain a hero for this move. The tension will go down dramatically.’ After a close election there will be many who are unhappy with this outcome but ‘democracy is deepening in Nigeria’ even though the poll has revealed dangerous religious and regional differences - violence still threatens. Further reactions and prayer guidelines available on http://www.Pray4Nigeria.org
Ukraine: Evangelicals ‘persecuted, killed’ In Crimea
Amid ongoing fighting, evangelical Christians say they face persecution in Crimea and fear similar problems in other areas. One year after the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia, Ukrainian Christians say they are still facing persecution there by pro-Russian separatists who already have killed several believers. Evangelical congregations in particular have come under severe restrictions in Crimea, according to activists and church officials. In comments distributed by the Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) advocacy group, a key church leader said that separatists accuse evangelical Christians in Ukraine of spying for the West. ‘Separatists have confiscated their church buildings,’ added the official, only identified as ‘Paul’ amid security concerns. Paul, who reportedly planted many churches in the former Soviet Union, said some believers in occupied areas were even killed. ‘After annexation, Ukrainian churches [were told] they had no right to exist there. Every church has had to be re-registered,’ he explained in comments obtained by BosNewsLife.
Norway: Unwelcome extremist
In Norway, an Iraqi Islamist is keeping the entire country on tenterhooks. The man, who calls himself Mullah Krekar, was granted asylum in Norway in 1991, but in the meantime has been held responsible for terrorist attacks by an Islamist group in northern Iraq. Now he's about to be confined to a small village in northern Norway. Krekar has been facing deportation for ten years because he is seen as a danger to Norwegian national security, but according to international law he cannot be sent to Iraq because he would be subject to torture and possibly the death penalty there. The Norwegian government is sending him to the isolated village of Kyrksaeteroera, on a fjord southwest of Trondheim, where he will remain until a deportation order can be enforced.The village residents - neither the Norwegians, nor the 200 well-integrated asylum seekers already there - are enthusiastic.
Report from the WYPA International Dream Team Meeting
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—March 3-6, 2015, at the Koreana Hotel, 28 international and 26 local leaders came together to plan for the World Youth Prayer Assembly (working title) pegged for 2016. 16 countries were represented in the meeting - South Korea, the United States of America, United Kingdom, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Romania, American Samoa, Nigeria, Fiji, Vietnam, India, and Germany. It was amazing how God has orchestrated the meeting and how He has supernaturally provided to see this happen.
To get everybody on the same page, Pastor Jerome Ocampo re-cast the vision for the gathering on 2016 to the young, global leaders present in the meeting. As these leaders made a commitment to run with the vision and to be a part of the International Dream Team (IDT), the planning and stirring team for the event, they were prayed for and anointed by the older generation of leaders who were present. What a beautiful sight of impartation to and empowerment of the next generation!
During the sessions, the IDT was grouped into teams for discussion. It was previously agreed that the WYPA will be an event “for the youth and by the youth.” Thus, the young leaders were given a venue for their voices to be heard-- they gave input on the challenges the youth of today face, and generated ideas on how the WYPA can possibly address these issues and how it will be distinct from other gatherings for the youth. Among the challenges that surfaced across all group discussions are the lack of understanding of identity and purpose, and the lack of mentoring and fathering. One of the key elements the team thinks would be distinctive of the WYPA will be “learning conversations with fathers,” apart from powerful moments of just enjoying being marked by the Presence of the Lord.
They also brainstormed on the form and content of the event. Some ideas that came up were having prayer tents for the “seven mountains of culture,” plus another tent where 24/7 worship will take place. It is foreseen to be highly social and highly interactive; delegates will come out of the event well-connected with people from all over the world who are called to occupy the same “mountain” as theirs.
The team also threw out ideas for the event name, and among the names suggested, “UP: Unified Prayer/ United Prayer” is a direction the team is prayerfully considering going for.
Each of the IDT members were also asked to volunteer for committees they would like to be a part of for the event, aside from committing to mobilize from their respective nations and regions. A faith goal of bringing 1,254 delegates was generated from the commitment of the IDT alone! Faith for fund-raising was also challenged as each member believed for a specific amount to raise for the event.
Tentative dates were also set for the event: July 26-30, 2016 or July 18-23, 2016, pending the Korean Executive Team’s confirmation.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) - the border between North and South Korea. In the freezing cold weather, the team’s hearts burned in prayer for the unification of Korea. It was a foretaste of what is planned for 2016 - to bring the delegates from all nations to the border to release declarations for the freedom of North Korea and for the unification of the North and South.
What was remarkable in this meeting were the relationships forged among these young, global leaders. It was a joy to see them get along so well in just two and a half days of being together! Seeing these strong bonds formed, it will not be a surprise if the IDT will take their friendships and partnerships beyond 2016.
Praise the Lord for all that He has done!
Sarah Torres, WYPA and IDT Administrator
Prayer concerns:
1 For the IDT members to move strongly ahead in the work of mobilizing in their nations and regions.
2 For the Korean Executive Team’s formation and effective efforts within their nation to bring many other leaders and organizations on board and in support of the WYPA.
3 For Jerome Ocampo and his team in the Philippines to effectively lead and coordinate planning along with the IDT members.
4 For His provision of funding for this major event since there will be very significant financial needs to make it happen.
