| Lausanne Connecting Point - February 2005 |
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NO TRANSLATION AVAILABLE In This Issue:
The fourth Lausanne Researchers Conference is taking place in Cyprus from Sunday 10 to Thursday 14 April 2005. (www.christian-research.org.uk) These International Researchers Conferences provide fellowship for Christian researchers across the globe, insight into some the latest developments of methodology and practice and information on some of the topics that others are researching. Our time is divided into three broad areas of consideration: topics which relate to mission; topics which relate to the spatial framework of the nation and; topics are specific to the church in a particular country. We encourage most of those attending to come prepared to give a paper but this is not essential. Those who are new to research as well as those who have been undertaking Christian research for many years are equally welcome. Already more than 30 people have booked in for this April Conference and there is room for many more yet. For information about the event please contact Gwen Gowers at Denne e-postadressen er beskyttet mot programmer som samler e-postadresser, du m sl p Javascript for kunne se den. . Details of the cost are given on the web site above. Some of the topics that have already been promised are: Mega-Trends in Europe; Analytical tools for the World Christian Database; FEBA Radio audience survey in Mozambique; Youth Spirituality; Well-being and Security in Life and Spirituality; Challenges on Relationship; Training; Report of a visit to Georgia. The First Lausanne International Researchers Conference was held in the Netherlands in 1987, the second in the UK in 1996 and the third in Thailand in 2001. Since then Christian research has moved forward dramatically across the world and many have expressed the desire to meet and share together. The Conference is being organized by a small committee consisting of Dr David Greenlee, OM, Cyprus and Dr Peter Brierley, Executive Director of the Christian Research Association in the UK and Senior Lausanne Associate for Research. Dr. Brierley is also facilitating the conference. The Conference is being held under the auspices of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and all who support that movement and accept the Lausanne Covenant of 1974 are warmly invited to attend. Business as Mission Issue
Group - October 2004 The Lausanne 2004 Forum Business as Mission Issue Group worked for a year, addressing issues relating to God’s purposes for work and business, the role of business people in church and missions, the needs of the world and the potential response of business. The group consisted of more than 70 people from all continents. Most came from a business background but there were also church and mission leaders, educators, theologians, lawyers and researchers. The collaboration process included 60 papers, 25 cases studies, several national and regional Business as Mission consultations and email-based discussions. The culmination of the discussion was one week of face to face dialogue and work. These are some of our observations. Affirmations
Recommendations
Conclusion For more information: www.businessasmission.com By Rev. Adrian DeVisser (Sri Lanka), LCWE International Deputy Director for South Asia A team from Northland Church recently spent two weeks with us. During this time they conducted “TRAUMA COUNSELING SEMINARS” – two seminars in Colombo, one in the South and one in the North. It is estimated that about 600 believers participated in these sessions. The sessions were focused on equipping believers, so that they could minister to those in need. The teachers were excellent, they did a fantastic job. We have divided the country into three areas for future tsunami-related ministry: North, South and East. Our focus will be the following: RELIEF: Providing food for those in need. We continue to empower local Churches (six in the South, three in the East and three in the North). This week trucks will carry large consignments of food for all three areas. DEVELOPMENT: Some lost their homes, many lost family members, but almost all in the affected areas lost their livelihood. This is the most serious and crying need. People are desperate and looking for help. We are empowering the Churches to provide small loans for people to commence small cottage industries. RECONSTRUCTION: We are in the process of purchasing land and building homes. The government has delayed allocating land for this purpose so we have decided to move ahead. We appreciate your prayers as this is a very challenging task. CHILDRENS HOME: Building work will commence on the first of March. (This will be the boy’s home). We received government permission to build and are looking at the possibility of building two homes in two different locations, one for the boys and the other for the girls. This is very exciting but keeps me up in the nights too. Taking responsibility for nearly fifty children means we will need help feeding and caring for the children. TSUMANI MUSICAL CD: We consider developing indigenous music for the Church as one of the task God entrusted to us. The tsunami is also providing us with a platform to produce music for the nation. We launched out in producing a musical CD on the tsunami. Our CD will contain lyrics expressing our sorrow, talking of the environmental hazards created by us humans and offering songs of hope through Jesus. Our prayer is that this CD will serve as a pre-evangelistic tool. MINISTRY FOR WIDOWS (Women): The civil war in the North and the tsunami added to the number of widows in the country. This is a people group that is exploited by many. Non-Christian religions perceive them as unlucky individuals who are paying for the sins of their previous life. While they are shunned by many, others try to win their confidence and make friends with ulterior motives. If the Church does not care for them who will? It is interesting to note the scriptural admonition to care for the widows and for the orphans. We are moving towards establishing a centre for widows. This center will focus on ministering to them and providing them with the vocational training that will enable them to earn a living. We deeply appreciate your help and prayers.
A Christian broadcasting ministry is delivering thousands of radios to areas of south Asia that were hard-hit by December's tsunami disaster. The Far East Broadcasting Company is shipping 10,000 high-tech radios to Indonesia for distribution to the needy. By Glenda Weldon, Chair, Intercession Working Group Jesus’ earthly ministry flowed ceaselessly from the intimacy of His relationship with God. Communion with God through prayer was integral to every aspect of His life. No wonder, as is recorded in Luke 11:1, “. . . one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ . . .” As we seriously consider how to accomplish the task of world evangelization our response must be the same – “Lord teach us to pray!” We need God birthed strategies, creative ideas and resources in people and funding to keep pressing on towards the goal that the Lord has given us. Paul Eshleman, in a recent LCWE Administration Committee meeting, listed a few of the dreams God had put in his heart - “a portion of scripture in every language, an evangelism discipleship presentation in every language, a church in an understandable language within access of every person and training for pastors in every language.” “We are totally dependent on You. Please, teach us to pray!” Praise God:
Pray that the Lord will continue to stir the hearts of His people with the renewed heart, vision and call to world evangelization that flowed from Forum 2004. May each of us open our hearts daily to be refreshed in the wonder of His love for us and be filled again with His love for the world. 1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.” Please Pray:
Younger Leaders Conference Praise God:
Please Pray:
International Deputy Director Agnes Lui - North Asia Please Pray:
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