Going On Around Us

(Unrelated to Maranatha, but of mild interest to our members)
( posted occasionally)
World-Famous Atheist Anthony Flew Changes His Mind and Now Believes in God --- The "Temple Mount Faithful" March & Perform Temple-Period rituals in Old Jerusalem for Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) (good photos) --- Catholic Priests Consider Unionizing to Resist Internal Investigations --- Census Reports that Americans are “Fluid” about Faith --- Sri Lanka’s Proposed Law to Prohibit Religious Conversions Fails --- Kazakhstan Turning to Christianity? --- Isolated Jewish Village in Northeast India Identified with the Tribe of Manasseh? ---Presbyterians Divided Over Punishing Israel? --- Texas Supreme Court to Hear Important Church-State Education Case --- Israel May be Part of Wider Europe?

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Iran

IRAN has been in the news a lot lately, but we have asked our church members to continue to pray for the plight of one particular Iranian family (the Salman's, who have converted to Christianity) attending our church near Ft. Wayne, Indiana. At their asylum-related hearing this past week the judge postponed their case until next February. We had hoped for a final resolution, naturally, but postponment is better than an unfavorable ruling. The Becket Fund has championed their cause, and has full website coverage of the story here, including photos. The family's saga is also reported in the Chicago Tribune and other mainstream news portals. Also, if you are Iranian (whether Persian, Kurdish, Gilaki, etc.) and would be interested in more information about our churches or more contact with us, please email askapastor@maranathacentral.org.

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A First for Austin

This past weekend we had a wonderful seminar in Austin, Texas at the Renaissance Hotel. It was the first such seminar for our churches in Texas (there are now churches or groups in Austin, Houston, and Dallas). Topics taught included the spiritual contrasts between David & Saul, the prophetic significance of the Song of Solomon, Faith (distinguishing true faith from false faith), Jesus seen in the stories of the Old Testament, an introduction to the book of Daniel, a brief history and structural overview of Maranatha, and the evangelistic ministry of Jesus. The local church from Austin attended, and were joined by 18 people from the nascent groups in the Houston area and five or six members from Dallas – plus about forty other people from around the country. The breaks and mealtimes between class sessions furnished great opportunities for fellowship among those who attended, many of whom attend our churches in different regions of the country. Many people received a blessing and found the classes helpful and clear. For some, it was their first Maranatha seminar and first exposure to some of these teachings. No report would be complete without mentioning the deep time of prayer spent together in the opening session of the seminar on Saturday morning. One woman received prayer for her sickness and appeared to be completely better shortly thereafter. BTW, the music sounded GREAT this weekend!

Sunday morning was devoted to a more outreach-oriented event with two sessions: the first devoted to the prophetic significance of the story of Rebekah in Genesis (including a challenge to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and homes), and the second describing the spiritual application of the shipwreck near the end of the book of Acts, and particularly the promise that “No life will be lost” given by the Apostle Paul in the story. An encouraging number of newcomers and visitors from other churches in the Austin area joined us for the morning, and the response to the teachings was very positive. For more information about this seminar or the topics covered (or to express interest in attending an upcoming seminar in your area), email askapastor@maranathacentral.org

Please click here if you'd like contact information to visit one of the existing groups near you in Texas, or might be interested in starting a group where you live.

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A "BraveStart" in Scotland Last Weekend...

This past weekend (Dec. 4-5), two of our pastors had the opportunity to visit and fellowship with three Pentecostal churches in the area of Glasgow, Scotland. The pastors who went (who both currently reside in Ireland) shared some messages and testimonies, which seemed to be received well by the brethren there. We pray that these contacts continue to develop, that God will bless these Spirit-filled churches in Scotland, and that His Work will continue to grow and progress in that region.

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