As of the 15th of April 2020, South Africa had 2,415 confirmed coronavirus cases, the highest number in Africa. Although the novel coronavirus pandemic has not yet caused widespread devastation in South Africa, there is serious concern about the country’s ability to cope with its anticipated health and economic consequences. Continue reading “African Enterprise South Africa Response to COVID-19”
Prayer in the Pandemic: Inside the Emergency Field Hospitals
By: Clare Bruce
Above: Medical crew gather to pray inside the Emergency Field Hospital in Cremona, Italy. Photo: Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse
Christian aid organisation Samaritan’s Purse is busy responding to the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, with two emergency field hospitals set up in Italy and New York, and two Australians deployed on the hospital medical teams. Continue reading “Prayer in the Pandemic: Inside the Emergency Field Hospitals”
The Architect of Anzac Day
By: Graham McDonald
Our History and the Christian Connection
The catch cry of Canon David Garland was “nothing is too good for our soldier boys”. It epitomises the heart of a man dedicated to the soldiers he served.
Continue reading “The Architect of Anzac Day”
Is There an End to Infectious Disease?
By: City Bible Forum
Infectious disease is the topic of conversation at the moment. We explore the challenges and risks of infectious disease, vaccines and a hope for the future. A timely conversation to mark the three year anniversary of Bigger Questions Continue reading “Is There an End to Infectious Disease?”
Coronavirus: — Latest Important Information
By: Clare Bruce
This article provides you with information released up until Tuesday 31st March in regards to COVID-19
Continue reading “Coronavirus: — Latest Important Information”
Coronavirus: Call for Calm — Latest Updates
By: Clare Bruce
This article provides you with information released up until Tuesday 24th March in regards to COVID-19
Continue reading “Coronavirus: Call for Calm — Latest Updates”
Dr Catherine Hamlin, the Aussie who Change Ethiopia, has Died Age 96
By: Clare Bruce
Dr Catherine Hamlin, the Australian woman who changed the face of Ethiopia with her dream of eradicating obstetric fistula in that nation, has died Wednesday at her home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Continue reading “Dr Catherine Hamlin, the Aussie who Change Ethiopia, has Died Age 96”
COVID-19: National Call to Prayer at 7pm, Every Night
By: Clare Bruce
In times of national emergency, people of faith are always ready to lend a hand to those in need—and to pray.
Now, in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the combined Christian churches across every denomination in Australia have launched a ‘National Call to Prayer’ . Starting March 19, it’s a campaign calling people to take a moment to pray, every evening at 1900 hrs (7pm), for God to bring an end to the crisis.
The time of 1900 hours has been chosen as a simple prompt, linking it to the ‘19’ in COVID19, and because most families will be able to gather at that time to take a moment to pray.
Pastor Wayne Alcorn (pictured), head of the Australian Christian Churches, a network of Pentecostal churches in Australia, is leading the campaign. He said that some people may only pray for a minute, others may choose 19 minutes or more, but either way, the message is simple: seek God for his healing, strength and peace across our nation.
“I just think it’s a wonderful thought that at 7pm across all the different timezones, and now it’s going beyond Australia, that people in their timezone turn off TVs and other devices and distractions and seek a God who said, ‘if you call on me, I’ll answer you’,” he said. “And that’s what we have to do right now. It’s so simple. It doesn’t require budget, or program, or promotion. It just requires God’s people to pray.”
Unity Across Denominations
Wayne, who is pastor at Hope Centre in Brisbane, said that as the pandemic has developed, he’s been encouraged to see the the great unity among different faith traditions, to put aside their differences and together seek God for help.
“It’s one of the most encouraging, heartwarming things,” he said. “I’ve been in Christian leadership of different shapes and forms for 40 years [and] I’ve never seen such wonderful unity. We’re not talking about doctrine, we’re not talking about styles and tradition, we’re talking about a need to seek our Father in heaven. 100 percent [of denominations are] right in, standing together in faith. [This is] a magnificent time in church history, despite the pain that a lot of people are in.”
He also encouraged people who aren’t sure about God, or faith, to have a go at prayer, too.
“100 percent of denominations are right in, standing together in faith. This is a magnificent time in church history, despite the pain that a lot of people are in.”
“Start a conversation with heaven,” he said. “We complicate prayer; we think that God’s impressed with big and flowery words. He [just] wants to hear the heart of people that want to connect with Him.
“I think if we can take all the complicated nuances out of prayer and just begin to say, ‘God help us right now…would you just begin to speak words of comfort and clarity into my own heart?’ [When] people start that, I think they’ll be surprised about the journey that God would begin to lead them on.”
He encouraged believers to exercise their faith by being ‘salt and light’ in the community – being calm, being kind, and loving their neighbour; by asking people how they are going, and looking after those who are vulnerable physically and financially.
Call to Prayer from ACC National on Vimeo.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media
- About the Author: Clare is a digital journalist for the Broadcast Industry.
Coronavirus Update 18 March — Latest Important Information
By: Clare Bruce
This article provides you with information released on Wednesday 18th March in regards to COVID-19 Continue reading “Coronavirus Update 18 March — Latest Important Information”
Coronavirus: Call for Calm – Helpful Information
By: Clare Bruce
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is calling for calm over the coronavirus outbreak, since January 2020, as people strip supermarket shelves of food and toilet paper. Continue reading “Coronavirus: Call for Calm – Helpful Information”