Myles Munroe's Children Weep as Thousands Show Up for First Sunday Service Since Crash; Church Recalls Last Sermon

Myles Munroe and his wife, Ruth, (inset), and Myles Munroe Jr. and his sister, Charissa, (R).

Although prominent evangelical pastor Myles Munroe told the world that he had prepared his children to live without him should he die, his daughter, Charissa, and son, Myles Munroe Jr., couldn't hold back their tears as they faced his former congregation for the first Sunday since his untimely death with their mother, Ruth, and seven others in a fiery jet crash two Sundays ago.

Kevin Harris, spokesperson for the Bahamas Faith Ministries, which the renowned evangelical pastor and motivational speaker led before his death, told The Christian Post in an interview Monday that attendance at the church exploded Sunday with supporters who had been rocked by the tragedy.

"We had an overflow. We had to bring in [a] tremendous amount of seating. Thousands of people turned up," said Harris.

One 20-year member of Munroe's church, who asked not to be identified, told CP that the mood inside the church Sunday was "somber."

"It was a sad mood," explained the member. "Everybody was saddened by what happened. There was tears and everything."

A video posted to Facebook from the service shows a few minutes of Munroe's son addressing the church during that service before blacking out to a voice-only recording.

"I was gonna prepare a speech, but as I was getting ready this morning I just knew that I was coming to talk to family," Myles said, struggling with tears. "I figured I would just speak to family. It's been the hardest week for my sister and I and my family, and everyone else that has been affected; and it's because of family why we are able to stand here today," he continued.

"My dad always spoke about his belief in people, nothing else mattered but the people, regardless of how long he spoke or he travelled, he always made time for people. That's just the kind of person that he was. And we sometimes take that for granted just because people are here every day and you just don't think certain people won't be here tomorrow," he added, while urging the congregants not to take each other for granted.

World Cup 2014: Bibles being distributed to thousands

International outreach organization the Bible Society will minister to thousands, if not millions, this week in Brazil during the FIFA World Cup.

Through the organization's Joga Limpo Brasil movement (Fair Play Brazil), the Bible Society of Brazil will distribute four million pocket-sized Bibles, 20,000 copies of the Gospel of John in nine different languages, and World Cup editions of the New Testament and the Bible.

Over half a million soccer fans are expected to flock to Brazil this week for the world's most popular sporting event, and there are millions of Brazilians expected to attend the games. Rev Dr Rudi Zimmer of the Bible Society of Brazil described the excitement in the country surrounding the games, and his motivation for embarking on the huge outreach campaign.

"Brazilians are football-mad and their obsession with football will reach fever pitch over the next few weeks, when we host the World Cup," he said in a press release

Kenyan Christian leaders oppose polygamy bill

Christian leaders are appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta not to sign into law a proposed new marriage bill that legalizes polygamy.

 (Date unknown) A Christian wedding in the Wakamba native reserve near Nairobi, Kenya, which was held in a mission church in the reserve. Religion News Service file photo 

Legislators passed the law last week after an intense debate that saw women members of Parliament storm out in protest. The bill’s passage followed an amendment to the existing marriage legislation to allow men to marry as many women as they want. It awaits Kenyatta’s signature to become law.

But the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, have rejected it, saying the law will undermine Christian principles of marriage and family.

The Rev. Peter Karanja, general secretary the Kenyan church council, said the bill demeans women and fails to respect the principle of spouses’ equality in marriage.

Boko Haram Kidnaps Nearly 200 School Girls in Nigeria; Parents Facing 'Nightmare'

Islamic terrorist organization Boko Haram reportedly kidnapped nearly 200 girls from a boarding school in northeastern Nigeria.

"They took away my daughter," said one woman from Chibok, who asked for anonymity due to the uncertain fate of the children, according to AFP.

"I don't know what to do," the mother added. "They should not allow our daughters' dreams to be shattered by these murderers."

CNN reported that as many as 200 girls were taken from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok Monday night after heavily armed Boko Haram Islamists stormed the boarding school in trucks, vans and buses.

"The Boko Haram attackers came to town around 9 p.m. and made straight for the school where they had a gun battle with soldiers stationed at the school and killed two soldiers," said Chibok resident Maina Babagana.

A father, whose daughter was also taken in the raid, described the ordeal as a "nightmare," and said that the whole town of Chibok is in mourning.

What is the significance of a red heifer in the Bible? Is a red heifer a sign of the End Times?

When you hear red heifer is born it might be the sign that the temple will soon be rebuilt

According to the Bible, the red heifer—a reddish-brown cow, probably no more than two years old which had never had a yoke on it—was to be sacrificed as part of the purification rites of the Mosaic Law. The slaughtering of a red heifer was a ceremonial ritual in the Old Testament sacrificial system, as described in Numbers 19:1-10. The purpose of the red heifer sacrifice was to provide for the water of cleansing (Numbers 19:9), another term for purification from sin. After the red heifer was sacrificed, her blood was sprinkled at the door of the tabernacle.

The imagery of the blood of the heifer without blemish being sacrificed and its blood cleansing from sin is a foreshadowing of the blood of Christ shed on the cross for believers’ sin. He was “without blemish” just as the red heifer was to be. As the heifer was sacrificed “outside the camp” (Numbers 19:30), in the same way Jesus was crucified outside of Jerusalem: “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood” (Hebrews 13:11-12).

The Bible does teach that one day there will be again be a temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezekiel chapters 41-45). Jesus prophesied that the antichrist would desecrate the temple (Matthew 24:15), and for that to occur, there obviously would have to be a temple in Jerusalem once again. Many anticipate the birth of a red heifer because in order for a new temple to function according to the Old Testament law, a red heifer would have to be sacrificed for the water of cleansing used in the temple. So, when a red heifer is born (which is quite unusual) it might be a sign that the temple will soon be rebuilt.

 

Source:  gotquestions

Ugandan Gospel Singer Mac Elvis went to be with the Lord

Youthful Ugandan gospel singer Mark Elvis Mutalya a.k.a. Mac Elvis is dead.

 

He is said to have drowned in a swimming pool this morning in Tanzania where he and a number of other Ugandan artists were involved in school and church tours. Elvis was aged 26.

A Watoto Child Care beneficiary, Elvis was taken in after losing his parents at the age of 6. He managed to complete his high school exams after which he embarked on pursuing his music career. Elvis attributed the messages in his songs to the hope that he found in God and His people despite personal suffering.

Elvis was a born again Christian who put in his bid for royalty as an urban gospel prince with his 2011 release, “Church Boy”, an album full of mid-tempo jams and occasional club rockers

 

Source :Radiocity and other Ugandan websites

Non-Muslims Targeted in Deadly Kenya Mall Attack, Witnesses Say

A general view shows cars parked at the Westgate shopping mall during a shootout between armed men and the police in Nairobi September 22, 2013. Kenyan security forces were locked in a stand-off on Sunday with gunmen who killed at least 39 people at the upmarket shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, and it was still unclear how many hostages the al Qaeda-linked militants were holding. Source: REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya, Kenya

 

 

Gunmen carrying grenades and automatic weapons attacked a shopping mall in Nairobi on Saturday, leaving at least 30 people dead. Westgate Mall is an upscale shopping destination, popular with expatriates in Kenya’s capital city.

The Red Cross has reported that 30 people have died in the attack, and a Kenyan government official says that at least 100 people are injured. One suspected gunman is reportedly dead after a clash with police.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group based in neighboring Somalia, has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in which gunmen targeted non-Muslims.

The militant group took responsibility for the attack on Twitter hours after gunmen entered the mall. “The Mujahideen entered #WestgateMall today at around noon and are still inside the mall,” the group posted, according to CNN.

The group’s Twitter account, followed by some 6,000 people (including many journalists) had been suspended earlier this month.

Journalist Martin Cuddihy of the Australian Broadcasting Corp was at the scene of the attacks. He reports that authorities are saying as many as 36 hostages are still being held by the gunmen inside the mall.

62% of Evangelical Pastors Oppose Syria Strike, NAE Says

The National Association of Evangelicals conducted a poll of its member pastors and found that 62.5 percent oppose U.S. military intervention in the Syrian civil war.

"Should Congress authorize direct U.S. military intervention in Syria?" the survey asked. Only 37.5 percent answered "yes," NAE President Leith Anderson announced in a statement to Jonathan Merritt at Religion News Service.

The National Association of Evangelicals represents 40 evangelical Christian denominations and over 45,000 local churches. Not all evangelical denominations are NAE members, though.

The largest evangelical denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, for instance, is not a member. So, the views of Southern Baptist pastors would not be included in the results. (Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, does not support a military strike against Syria.)

Two arrested in Tanzania over acid attacks

POLICE in Tanzania say they have arrested two suspects in last week's acid attack on two British women on the East African holiday island of Zanzibar.

                        

The women, both aged 18 and volunteering at a charity, were attacked in the streets of the island's capital, Stone Town, on Wednesday.

 

The assailants fled on a motorcycle.

 

There has been no indication of their motive.

 

The government offered a reward of 10 million Tanzanian shillings ($A6,815) for information leading to the capture of the attackers.

Zimbabwean church leaders encourage peace after Mugabe claims disputed victory

President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF wins a disputed landslide victory in the Zimbabwean national election

The Roman Catholic churches and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe have asked their followers to wait patiently for talks to resolve outstanding issues and to not be consumed by bitterness that leads to violence.

However, the Zimbabwean police, prepared for possible disturbances on Sunday by putting up extra roadblocks in the capital, some of which were manned by police with automatic rifles. In downtown extra troops and water cannon trucks were brought in.

According to official results, Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader to Mugabe, took only 34 percent of the presidential votes as compared to Mugabe’s 62 percent and Tsvangirai said that the vote was “a monumental fraud,” which he will challenge.

Mugabe’s party also claimed a two-thirds majority in the 210 seat parliament which will give it the opportunity to change the country’s new constitution which it opposed when the charter was being rewritten.

Elizabeth Joseph, an Anglican worshipper said that it was inconceivable how Tsvangirai could have lost by such a huge margin. She added that church service that morning had been more like a funeral.

Merging gospel to African fashion

Just because you are religious does not mean you should not care about looking good. These are not my words

Lindani Ndwandwa, a 25-year-old Johannesburg-based designer, is targeting the Christian market and says "if you are looking for sexy, you've got the wrong guy".

"Christians are often viewed as not being stylish. So, I want to bring style and trends to them. My designs are a bit more conservative compared to a lot of what is out there. That is what my market wants," he says.

Ndwandwa has been responsible for styling gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration since 2010 and later went on to style several other gospel artists, including the likes of Jabu Hlongwane and, lately, Judith Sephuma.

As a result of working so closely with gospel artists and because of his design style, Ndwandwa has attracted a largely religious client base.

"Most of my clients are also Christians. Even when they come to my shop for fittings, we will end up praying together," he says.

"I'm talking of people like Sophie Ndaba and Penny Lebyane. They are not necessarily gospel singers, but they are Christians."

Oprah Winfrey Joining TD Jakes, Joel Osteen for MegaFest 2013

Bishop TD Jakes and Oprah Winfrey on a "Lifeclass" episode in April 2012

 

Oprah Winfrey announced on Tuesday that she is joining Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House and other big-name Christian pastors for MegaFest 2013, the multi-day event that is scheduled to take place on Aug. 29 in Dallas.

"[Winfrey] will be joined by Bishop Jakes and together they will continue the important work of reaching out to the many fatherless sons and daughters who are struggling and in need of healing," a press release on Winfrey's website states.

"Earlier this season on Oprah's Lifeclass, Oprah and spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant started the in-depth conversation around fatherless sons and daddyless daughters, a crisis affecting nearly 21 million children in the United States today, that elicited a strong and passionate viewer response."

Some other notable leaders that will participate in MegaFest include World Changers International Church Pastor Creflo Dollar, as well as Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church.

Kidnapped Christian Released after Miraculous Prayer

MINDANAO, Philippines - Very few kidnap victims have been freed from the Abu Sayyaf, a radical Muslim group linked to al Qaeda, but an encounter with God changed the life of one hostage who eventually made it out alive.

Raymund, not his real name, will never forget that afternoon when heavily armed Abu Sayyaf rebels seized him from his car.

"For two hours I was questioning God, 'why me Lord?' I was terrified for my life because just a few days before, there were victims who did not make it. The Abu Sayyaf killed them," he said.

Raymund prayed he would not suffer the fate of the other kidnap victims. 

"I told God, I am different from them. I will survive because you have a purpose why you allowed this to happen," he told CBN News.

Kenyan Leaders Ask Obama to Respect Christian Beliefs, Policies on Homosexuality

Obama arriving to Tanzania

Kenya's president and deputy president urged U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday to respect the African country's culture and religious beliefs following comments made by Obama in Senegal, in which the president encouraged African governments to decriminalize homosexuality.

While speaking at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, located in Maili Kumi in the Bahati constituency, Kenya Deputy President William Ruto urged Obama to "respect Kenyans" and their belief that homosexuality is a sin.

"No one should have any worry about Kenya's stand as a God-fearing nation. President Obama is a powerful man but we trust in God as it is written in the Bible that cursed is the man who puts trust in another man," Ruto said on Sunday, as reported by the Daily Nation.

The deputy president went on to add that Kenya would not accept "alien mannerisms" which are not in line with African culture.

"Those who believe in other things, that is their business," Ruto said, referencing Obama's support of same-sex marriage. Kenyans, he said, believe in God.

Ruto noted that the African country is grateful for the aid it has received from America, saying, "America has made tremendous contribution to Kenya's well-being and we are very grateful, and as a government we are ready to receive any help from America that will improve the lives of our people."

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also dismissed Obama's comments on same-sex marriage at a separate religious event on Sunday.

Mombasa grenade attack on open-air church service rattles Kenya

Ten-year-old Dominic Maseno being attended to after the Likoni grenade attack, his mother looks on

A grenade thrown last evening at around 7:00 p.m. into a crowd of Christian worshippers at an open-air prayer meeting in Mombasa injured at least dozen people, while in Nairobi, an hour-and-a-half later, at least 4 people were injured in a similar attack. The devices were thrown from a motorbike, according to witnesses in Mombasa, and a car, as seen in Nairobi, and no arrests were made until this morning.

The Mombasa attack comes almost exactly a year since a similar act of terror was carried out, but in Nairobi grenades thrown at local bars, pubs, and bus stages have been a recurring situation since Kenya invaded Somalia in hot pursuit of Islamic terrorists to dislodge with the help of AU troops from Uganda and Burundi the Al Shabab militias from their strongholds. While this objective has by and large been accomplished, even though periodic attempts are made by remnants of the terrorist group affiliated to Al Qaida to re-enter the main cities and cause disruption, life has been progressively returning to normal in Somalia, while Kenya sadly remains at risk for her courageous action.

Sources in Kenya agreed that both attacks were likely carried out by Al Shabab sympathizers but expressed their disquiet over the apparently coordinated way, since both were only an hour-and-a-half apart.

Rick Warren's Son Takes Own Life After Lifelong Battle With Mental Illness

The Late Mathew Warren,Rick Warren`s Son

The 27-year-old son of Pastor Rick Warren has taken his own life after a lifelong struggle with mental illness. The internationally known Christian leader at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., made the announcement about his son early Saturday morning in an email sent to his staff.

 

"No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. Our youngest son, Matthew, age 27, and a lifelong member of Saddleback, died today," wrote Warren.

"Over the past 33 years we've been together through every kind of crisis. Kay and I've been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill. Today, we need your prayer for us," began the staff email from him.

Warren described Matthew as "an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man," as those who grew up with him would also say.

Kenyan religious groups ready to work with President-elect

Amongst their first formal meetings as President and Deputy President-elect of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto on Tuesday March 12 met senior religious leaders, even ahead of meeting outgoing President Mwai Kibaki.

Uhuru emerged the winner by garnering 6 173 453 votes, meeting the threshold of the country’s Constitution which required a 50% + 1 vote of all total votes cast. This was the first election to be held under a new Constitution passed by Kenyans in 2010.

Rick Warren Preparing for Humble 'Retirement'

Pastor Rick Warren,author of Purpose Driven Life

 

 Rick Warren, the 59-year-old pastor at the 20,000-member Saddleback Church in California, is preparing for "retirement" in a few years much like he has spent his ministry – by living simply and focusing on God.

Warren, the author of A Purpose Driven Life, the most reprinted non-fiction book on a global scale after the Bible, has often spoken about the importance of living humbly and within one's means.

"The Bible teaches that we are to love people and use money, but we often get that reversed and you start loving money and using people to get more money. Money is simply a tool to be used for good," the California pastor has said.

Renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe is dead

The Late Prof Chinua Achebe

Mr. Achebe, 82, died in the United States where he was said to have suffered from an undisclosed ailment.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt he died last night in a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

 A source close to the family said the professor had been ill for a while and was hospitalised in an undisclosed hospital in Boston.

 

The source declined to provide further details, saying the family would issue a statement on the development later today.

Contacted, spokesperson for Brown University, where Mr. Achebe worked until he took ill, Darlene Trewcrist, is yet to respond to our enquiries on the professor’s condition.

Until his death, the renowned author of Things Fall Apart was the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown.

The University described him as “known the world over for having played a seminal role in the founding and development of African literature.”

Benny Hinn and Suzanne Hinn renew marriage before congregation

Woooww.....

It is done! It is done! It is done! Glory on earth to our precious Jesus!
Pastor Benny and Suzanne were married on Sunday, March 3, at the Holy Land Experience Church, 3 pm, in Orlando, Florida. It was a beautiful and very anointed ceremony—very moving, touching, and life-changing. Those who attended left deeply moved, saying that they would never be the same again. The presence of the Holy Spirit was rich from start to finish. The ceremony was flawless, beautiful and heavenly!
Pastor Benny and Suzanne want to thank you from the bottom of their hearts, for your love, prayers and support. Truly this is a glorious beginning for the Hinns and entire ministry. There is only one way to describe the entire event and this season—GLORIOUS!!!
They say, “To all of our partners and friends, we love you with all our hearts. Thank you. You are the greatest!”

To our precious Jesus belongs all glory, all honor, and all the praise forever, amen.


Source: Benn Hinn Ministry