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Prayer
& Praise Update
ZAMBIAN
GOVERNMENT WELCOMES BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES (FEB
2004)
Last
week we received a letter signed by the President of the
Republic of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa thanking us for “the
book Biblical Principles for Africa…this book will
not only help me grow spiritually but will assist me to
see and appreciate things in a different perspective. …I
thank you for your wonderful gift…”
Shortly
after this, Frontline Fellowship Board Member and partner,
Rev. Bwanali Phiri, arranged for every Member of Parliament
in Zambia to receive a personal copy of Biblical Principles
for Africa.
Last
week, Charl, Jeanine and I conducted a Biblical Worldview
Seminar for about 50 town councillors and candidates for
the ACDP (African Christian Democratic Party) in the Wellington
Town Hall.
This
is an election year in South Africa, and the election date
has been announced as 14 April. Africa Christian Action
has produced another Biblical Issues Voter’s Guide
which is available in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. The
first print run of 100 000 is being completed at this time.
The Christian Action Network has set up a special website:
www.savotersguide.com which has already been receiving tremendous
interest.
On
Sunday 1 February, Sanctity Life Sunday, I was invited to
minister at the Church of England congregation in Khayelitsha
to preach the Sanctity of Life sermon and conduct the Lord’s
Supper.
The
next day, Monday 2 February, to mark the 7th Commemoration
of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa,
we organised a solemn funeral procession to Parliament.
Starting from the Cape Technikon at 12 noon and proceeding
past the Castle and City Hall into Adderley Street up to
the main gates of Parliament, the procession was led by
a hearse, followed by three pallbearers walking behind carrying
small white coffins. They were followed by mourners dressed
in black, carrying crosses and flowers. Behind them, other
marchers carried large Scripture banners declaring: “For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life”; “God hates the hands that shed innocent
blood”; “Now choose life so that you and your
children may live.” Many of the marchers carried posters
declaring Abortion Kills Babies, and Christian flags. Bringing
up the rear of the procession, the Africa Christian Action
six meter trailer with huge full colour pictures of pre-born
babies and the message Abortion Kills included details of
the babies development and the Scriptures: “Speak up
for those who cannot speak for themselves” and “Now
choose life so that you and your children may live.”
Frontline
field workers distributed pro-life and Gospel literature
to passers-by and spectators standing on the streets.
At
the gates of Parliament a display of coffins, teddy bears
and flowers was formed in memory of the 350 000 babies so
far killed in South Africa since abortion was legalised
on 1 February 1997. Prayers of Repentance and an Imprecatory
Prayer Proclamation on the Sanctity of Life were offered
by church and mission leaders.
The
National Day of Repentance march to Parliament and prayer
vigil received extraordinary media attention. Africa Christian
Action’s National Co-ordinator, Jeanine McGill, had
25 radio and newspaper interviews as a result. This included
interviews and debates on national secular radio stations
and debates with pro-abortionists. Numerous daily newspapers
gave prevalent coverage to the march with colour pictures.
The Sowetan published a full colour picture of our prayer
vigil outside Parliament on their front page.
We
continue to receive enthusiastic responses to our Summit
Youth Leadership and Worldview Training Course, and Africa
Christian Action’s Week Of Action.
We
have also had the privilege of hosting many guests, including
at the moment, Rev. Greg Denysschen of Jivannadi Mission,
Christo van Eeden of Good News Community Radio and Rev.
Kjell Olsen of KwaSizabantu Mission. Last night we were
able to interview them all on our weekly Salt and Light
radio programme. We have been told that Salt and Light is
now the longest running continuous programme on Radio Tygerberg
- having started right at the beginning in 1995.
Last
night, we learnt that 8 community radio stations in the
country are in danger of being taken off the air. ICASA,
the government body which seeks to regulate the community
radio stations, has withdrawn the licences for numerous,
long established Christian radio stations, including Good
News Community Radio. Please do pray for them, especially
as their court case comes up on 20 February. Good News Community
Radio is a ministry of Jivannadi Mission. Jivannadi has
for over 20 years been reaching out to the Indian people
in KwaZulu Natal, with many Hindus and Muslims coming to
Christ. Run by Rev. Greg Denysschen, Jivannadi is a dynamic
ministry which reaches out even beyond the borders of South
Africa to Singapore, Sri Lanka and India. Greg recently
returned from ministering amongst people in the north east
of India, many of whose ancestors were cannibals, but amongst
whom a tremendous move of God has brought many to faith
in Christ.
Good
News Community Radio is literally under fire, not only from
the government, but by radicals in their community. Their
broadcast tower with an illuminated cross on top, is riddled
with bullet holes. They have had violent threats and need
our encouragement, prayers and support.
Today
is my daughter Daniela’s 11th birthday. Because of
her love for horses, we organised a horse riding party through
the rivers and vineyards, around the hills and forest outside
Cape Town. It was an exhilarating experience for all of
us.
This
weekend Excellence Christian Academy in Zambia celebrates
their 7th Anniversary. I have been invited to speak at the
celebrations.
Please
do pray for our teams in the field, and for the Bible college
projects which we are involved in. Covenant College is heading
into its fourth year. We are about to launch Holy Trinity
College in Sudan, and Excellence Christian Academy in Zambia
is also preparing to launch a Bible College programme.
“All
the nations You have made will come and worship before You,
Oh Lord; they will bring glory to Your Name. …teach
me Your way Oh Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give
me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name. I will
praise You, Oh Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify
Your Name forever.” Psalm 86:9-12
Peter
Hammond
Frontline
Fellowship
P
O Box 74, Newlands, 7725, Cape Town, South Africa
E-mail:
admin@frontline.org.za ;
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