Jacksons, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Jacksons Update – December 15th 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

(excerpts)

Give thanks that Hylma could have a Christmas/end of year celebration in both Maximum and Medium A today.  Pray for the effect on the men of the cake, squash, toothpaste and flannels that people outside have been willing to contribute, and that what they’ve learned over the year will draw them closer to Jesus.  Thank God for Hylma, in her mid-70s, her love and enthusiasm for ministering to incarcerated men.

The presentation for Jurgens (NetACT founder) went well.  Pray for Fraser as he takes time off from day-to-day work over December to get on with one or two projects. 

Our church in South Africa has an Elders’ Meeting on Thursday about issues raised over the past month.  Pray that those hurt by various issues can put that to one side. 

Pray also that neither Dawn, nor Ruth nor anyone they meet will catch any variety of Covid in Scotland and England during the coming week.

Pray that Dawn clearly communicates the amazing things God does and can do with ordinary, willing lives – at the Inverness East church lunch time prayer meeting on Wednesday, Highland International Church on Sunday morning and Zoom meetings for Drumnadrochit at 19:30 on Thursday and Dingwall Castle Street on Sunday night.

On Monday she and Ruth return to Glasgow before heading back to Lincolnshire on Wednesday.  Then we’ll have a break from sending out weekly prayer notes until January.

Barnabas, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Barnabas Update – December 1st 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

Christian Journalist arrested in Nigeria

Barnabas Fund, 22 November 2021

A Nigerian Christian journalist faces prolonged imprisonment following his reporting of attacks against mainly Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and critical assessment of the government’s response.

Luka Binniyat was  charged under the Cybercrimes Act with transmitting electronically information known “to be false”.

He has persistently challenged the narratives of the Kaduna State government on the issues of security and the killings in southern Kaduna.

The charge relates to his story on 29 October, “In Nigeria, Police Decry Massacres as ‘Wicked’ But Make No Arrests”, quoting Senator Danjuma Laah, who criticised Kaduna’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan for concealing facts concerning a “genocide against Christians in the southern Kaduna State”.

He has “written a lot about the plight of the people under the persistent attacks by Islamist Fulani militia groups and challenged Kaduna State government narratives on issues of security and killings in southern Kaduna”.

Binniyat “has remained resolute in challenging the information put out by the Kaduna State government”.  If convicted, he could face a 3-year prison sentence.

Attacks on Christian communities in Kaduna State have been numerous.  In his report, he was critical of police for failing to make arrests after gunmen killed 35 people in 2 separate attacks on churches on 26 September.

Jacksons, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Jacksons Update – December 1st 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

Pray for everyone in South Africa affected by the covid virus because of new travel restrictions, especially by divisions caused by strong feelings over whether the vaccinations are a good or an evil.  Pray that people will still love whilst disagreeing over some things.

Pray for Fraser as he works on the presentation for Jurgens (the NetACT founder)’s farewell on Thursday.  Videos and messages for the presentation are only now trickling in.

Continue to pray for Zebulun church in the drug-rife area of Wellington.  Any materials for secondary school age work you don’t need could be very helpful if Dawn can take it back with her in January. Please get in touch if you have any.

James and Ruth are coming at the weekend for Dawn’s Mum’s 80th birthday.  Pray for a good reunion and journeys.

Pray for Gareth in Medium A.  The Head of Drakenstein Correctional Centre isn’t signing off on a well-arranged plan for a video call to his parents in England for the 2019 Restorative Justice course he participated in.  Pray the problem will be revealed and overcome and that Gareth will honour God in his continued disappointment.  Also for the Drakenstein inmates to live out Jesus’ love, whatever the circumstances. 

Dawn speaks at Epworth Baptist Church on Sunday.

Barnabas, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Barnabas Update – November 17th 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

Myanmar military shell Shan church a second time

Barnabas Fund, 12 November 2021

The Myanmar military attacked a church building in Pekhon Township, southern Shan State on 9 November, for the second time.  There were no reported casualties, but windows and pews were damaged by artillery fire.

A previous attack on the church in June 2021 forced several internally displaced persons to flee into the forest, resulting in the death of a new-born baby from exposure.

Christians across Myanmar are the victims of violence and persecution which has intensified since the February 2021 military coup 

The shelling is part of a spate of attacks against churches and other Christian sites in Shan State, which according to the most recent census is 10% Christian.

The same anti-Christian atrocities occur in other parts of Buddhist-majority Myanmar, including Christian-majority Chin, Kachin and Karen states and Kayah State, which also has a large Christian presence, mainly among the ethnic-Karenni population.

In October 2021, they shelled the town of Thantlang, Chin State, causing fires that destroyed or damaged more than 160 homes and three church buildings.

On 10 November a UN Security Council statement, drafted by the UK, called for an end to attacks on civilians.  “The Members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at further recent violence across Myanmar,” read the statement.  “They called for an immediate cessation of violence and to ensure the safety of civilians.”

Jacksons, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Jacksons Update – November 17th 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

(excerpts)

Pray for the men at Drakenstein.  The questions Hylma dealt with on false beliefs about emotions provoked a lot of discussion.  May the Holy Spirit keep the men individually turning to the Bible for help to cope with different emotions.

Pray for more funding and suitable volunteers for Hope Prison Ministry’s Restorative Justice courses.  We haven’t been able to run as many as we would like.

Give thanks for the youngsters who gather at Zebulun church after school instead of getting involved with gangs.

NetACT have a new research project for 2022 – “What do NetACT member institutions have but still need in computer literacy?” which entails site visits to every partner for on-the-ground research.  (Fraser will be doing some, but not all).  Pray that partners will be open and honest.  Pray for strength and peace for Fraser as he tries to finish up a few things for NetACT before the Christmas break.

Continue to pray for our church situation in Wellington – for wisdom, clarity, courage, demonstrable love and a time of peace-making which takes effort but has healthier and more lasting results, both for the individual and the congregation.

Give thanks that Dawn’s journey went smoothly and she’s now safely in England.

Student Finance have finally sorted out Ruth’s loan application and everything’s in order now.

Barnabas, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Barnabas Update – November 3rd 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

Christian protest in Karnataka, India

Barnabas Fund, 26 October 2021 (excerpts)

Hundreds of Christians staged a demonstration on 25 October in Hubballi, Karnataka state, India in protest at the state’s proposed anti-conversion law and a recent attack on a church.

Hindutva extremists had forcibly entered a church there on Sunday 17 October to protest against alleged forced religious conversions. Some members of the congregation, including the pastor, sustained injuries in the incident. 

The march by Christians began at St Peter’s Church and culminated at a well-known landmark and roundabout in the city centre, where a demonstration was held. Finally, the protesters proceeded to demonstrate outside government buildings. 

Sunil Mahade, the local president of the Christian Pastors and Leaders’ Alliance for Peace March, addressed the gathering, saying that there was no evidence to support unfounded accusations of forced conversions levelled at Christians. It is common in India for Christians involved in legitimate evangelism to be falsely accused of forcing individuals to convert to Christianity.

“We are Indians and we lead our lives according to the Constitution. Don’t make baseless allegations against us and victimise us,” he affirmed. He also challenged the validity of a survey announced by the government of Karnataka into Christian activity designed to prevent allegedly forced conversions to Christianity.

Jacksons, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Jacksons Update – November 3rd 2021

by Robert MacNaughton

(excerpts)

With 20 minutes’ notice, Dawn was asked to start a teenager group at Zebulun church, in an area where you can see piles of stones which gangs throw at each other before shooting when they gather to fight.  Some youngsters want to study the Bible so pray Dawn can pitch it at the right level.

Jessica, Dawn’s age, lives behind the church with a great heart for youth. Pray for her protection from outside threats.

A Muslim inmate recently saw the pastor in Medium A chapel. Two Bible study regulars prayed with him. He was led there by God, has renounced Islam and his intention to stab someone. He has given his heart to Jesus who alone can help him.  He feels very different now he’s committed.

It was great to be in Maximum this morning and experience the wholehearted singing.  God’s joy is not dependent on outward circumstances but is deep in the heart.

Fraser has been advising 2 South African non-NetACT Christian institutions on online library systems.   Give thanks that the Stellenbosch University IT helpdesk was able to fix a major issue with his laptop remotely.  He’s currently working on short videos about his work for Dawn to use in the UK – way outside his comfort zone! Pray that the films will give a feeling of the contribution he’s making.

Dawn will be in the Dingwall area from December 13-20 with still space for encounters.  Let us know if you want one.