Conference DVD's now Available!
DVD's of all Dr Peter Steinke's sessions from our Annual Conference and Learning event are now available. Please download the order form below and return to our head office.
Impacting China through the 2008 Olympics
Dear Friend,
It is hard to describe the importance and significance for China of the 2008 Olympics, which will open in Beijing in just a few weeks time. After many years of planning, promoting and embarking on a massive building programme, such as the country has never seen before, the 'perfect' opening date of 08/08/08 is now fast approaching. Along with the rest of the 250 nations represented at the Games, China will be striving for success in the medals tally. But alongside this, China will also be attempting to highlight the amazing economic success and social change it has achieved over the past 30 years, and to show the rest of the world that it has finally 'come of age'.
In the midst of all the national pride, glamour, success and glory, what is God's agenda? During previous Olympic Games, there have been many opportunities to share the message of Christ's love openly with athletes, coaches and spectators. Many have heard the Gospel and some have entered the Kingdom of God. Yet the situation in China will be different.
Many of you will know of the incredible growth of the Christian Church in China over the past 30 years. Yet at the same time Chinese believers have faced much suffering and persecution; in some cases they have even lost their lives for their faith. While officially tolerating religion, the Chinese government has done much to control and restrict the growth of Christianity. Over the past 12 months or so leading up to the Games, the pressure has intensified. Visas for foreign workers have also been cancelled and greater restrictions imposed on tourist visas.
Despite this, thousands of Christians will be working in creative ways to share the message of God's love through their actions and attitudes during the Olympics. At the same time, we would love to see tens of thousands of Christians around the world praying that God's Kingdom purposes would be established in China. Can your church join in bringing this flood of prayer before God's throne? Here are three ways you can do that:
Firstly, by joining with churches around the world to pray for three minutes during your normal service on Sunday 3rd August. To help with this, we have prepared a three-minute DVD featuring short messages from a Chinese pastor and a past Australian Olympic athlete. After watching the DVD, you can spend three minutes praying for China with the help of the attached Olympic Prayer Guide&.and/or
Secondly, by copying the Olympic Prayer Guide for each member of your congregation and including this with your church bulletin. Rather than just being spectators to the various Olympic events, encourage people to participate in God's agenda by keeping the prayer sheet close to the television and spending time praying during the commercial breaks&.and /or
Thirdly, by organising a combined churches prayer meeting some time during the week leading up to the opening ceremony on Friday 8th August. A number of the Churches in the Fremantle area of W.A. are combining together for an Olympics focused prayer meeting on Wednesday 6th August. It is being held at the Fremantle Freedom Christian Centre in Bibra Lake from 7 - 9pm. All are welcome!
The people of China need your prayers at this important time in history. Simply email your postal address to Mr. Ming Lai on M.lai@kellerge.com.au or call us on 0430144266 and we will post you a free copy of the three-minute DVD. Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Yours together in His Kingdom purposes,
James Goss
Australian Director Chinese Church Support Ministries
'Piece by Piece' by Tammy Tolman
'An Amazing Race' Volunteers
National Council Announcement - Constitution & National Media
Focus on the Family Facilitator Training in 2008
No Apologies is a character- based curriculum that specifically promotes abstinence and helps adolescents identify the harmful effects associated with premarital sexual activity. It brings a fresh message of hope to a generation who are seeing an increasing rate of teen pregnancy, abortion, single parent households and divorce.
Starting Points is to assist parents respond with confidence to the constant demands of parenting preschoolers. This community based parenting skills program is for mothers, fathers and caregivers of preschoolers. It encourages parents to share their parenting experience the joys and responsibilities and understand that they are the most important influence on their child's future.
How to Drug Proof your Kids is an education, prevention, and intervention program developed by Focus on the Family Australia, motivated by the increasing drug problem among young people and the frustrated attempts by parents to steer their children away from the harmful use of drugs.
If you are interested in being trained to run these courses in your community or church, please download the registration forms below, or contact Emma Marshall from Focus on the Family, on 1300 300 361. Or visit www.families.org.au
NSW Council of Churches
THE NSW COUNCIL OF CHURCHES EXISTS TO:
- promote unity and united action among evangelical churches in NSW
- encourage fellowship and discussion between member churches
- support effective strategies for evangelical outreach, mission and ministry
- apply biblical and theological principles to contemporary issues
- engage local, state and federal governments on public policy issues
The Council comprises representatives of seven evangelical denominations. For more than 80 years the Council has proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ and advanced a Christian perspective on public issues.
For more information on the NSW Council of Churches, please download the icon below, or visit thier website www.nswchurches.com
