The new basis for war: Jihadism

- Dagens Nyheter - 

Armed conflicts associated with militant Islamism, so-called jihadism, now account for over 50 percent of all people killed in battle. This is shown by new unique data from peace and conflict researchers at Sweden’s Uppsala University.

Syria dominates the jihadist war category. This is because the researchers have divided the complex Syrian opposition into merely three parties, the Kurds, ISIS and ”insurgents”. The latter constellation contains several Islamist groupings.
– We have made historic comparisons, always with the same definitions, and the change is striking, says Isak Svensson, professor at Uppsala University.

One reason for the surge in the number of deaths in conflicts where jihadism is a component, as well as a surge in the number of conflicts overall, is that ISIS has opened ”franchises” in a swathe of countries. At the same time, some rebel groups have changed their rhetoric from nationalist or socialist to jihadist.

Read mor HERE.

Mission Possible

- From JAC Online by Major Daniel Freeman -

We are called to be missionaries. I know that this is a loaded statement with many cultural and historical context.  Perhaps there are other words that may not carry as much baggage; however, instead of creating a new phrase or using some ambiguous term, allow me to take you on a walk through what it means to me to be a missionary.

One of the best places to begin is with the Great Commission where Jesus tells us in just a couple sentences what our job as the body of Christ is —“…be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)  It is interesting how this list of locations is a progression from the known to the unknown, from the comfortable to the uncomfortable, from the appreciated to the despised.

The first location that Jesus starts with is Jerusalem.  Jerusalem can be seen as a metaphor for the people who we can connect easiest with such as our families, friends, coworkers or others we socialize with.  They understand us.  They know our story and perhaps they have been exposed to Christianity in a positive way so that you have a common ground.  

Judea is a step away from the familiar.  Perhaps in Judea you do not have as much in common.  Maybe the same language, the same sports team, or the types of food you eat.  But it is going to be harder to connect because you do not see things the same way and their values may be different than yours.  Perhaps what they think is important, you do not and it may be that what you see as important they see as irrelevant.

It is with Judea that our work as a missionary begins.  Being a missionary or being missional is about communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ across boundaries. It is about presenting the Gospel in a way that is understood by others. It is so easy to say and so hard to do. 

Read more HERE.

When Muslims Meet Christ: A Growing Trend, An Answer To Prayer

Prophesy News Watch

"For the last several years, researchers have noted what happens when Muslims meet Christ--huge numbers of them are becoming followers of Jesus.

According to some researchers, the number of Muslims who have switched allegiance from Muhammad to Christ has skyrocketed from effectively zero in 1960 to as many as 16 million worldwide today. That includes roughly 470,000 right here in the U. S., including Rima Fakih....

J. Dudley Woodberry, a noted Christian scholar of Islam, cites five reasons Muslims are deciding for Christ: the lifestyle of Christians; the power of God in answered prayers and healing; dissatisfaction with the type of Islam they have experienced; the spiritual truth in the Bible; and biblical teachings about the love of God.

Some of these things we can control; others are up to God alone. For instance, there are reports that Jesus is appearing to many Muslims in dreams and visions, especially to those who have little access to the Bible or Christians."

Read more HERE.

In Depth with Danielle Strickland - Part 3 of 3

- God TV - "Social justice advocate, Danielle Strickland of the Salvation Army talks about William Booth's historic role in helping refugees, which continues today. Danielle believes the Refugee Crisis could be the Church’s greatest opportunity and that we must not allow fear to stop us. “As we share a revolution of kindness, we will enter the Church's finest hour,” she says.

Danielle is a speaker, writer and currently serves as Social Justice Secretary for the Salvation Army in the Western United States, based in Los Angeles. She is also associated with Stop The Traffik, Canada and exposes the vulnerability of refugees to Human Trafficking, sharing ways viewers can help support victims."

Watch the video HERE (25 min)

In Depth with Danielle Strickland - Part 2 of 3

- God TV - "Social justice advocate, Danielle Strickland of the Salvation Army talks about William Booth's historic role in helping refugees, which continues today. Danielle believes the Refugee Crisis could be the Church’s greatest opportunity and that we must not allow fear to stop us. “As we share a revolution of kindness, we will enter the Church's finest hour,” she says.

Danielle is a speaker, writer and currently serves as Social Justice Secretary for the Salvation Army in the Western United States, based in Los Angeles. She is also associated with Stop The Traffik, Canada and exposes the vulnerability of refugees to Human Trafficking, sharing ways viewers can help support victims."

Watch the video HERE (26 min)

Christians In UK Now Outnumbered By Atheists

- Sky News - 

Research says that the Anglican and Catholic churches are failing to hold on to those brought up as Christians.

Almost half of those in England and Wales say they are of no religion, outnumbering those who identify as Christian for the first time.

According to new research, around 48.5% of those surveyed in 2015 said they had no religion, compared to the 25% that said the same in the 2011 census.

Those who identified themselves as Christians, including Anglicans, Catholics and other denominations, made up 43.8%.

The percentage describing themselves as Anglican slid from 44.5% in 1983 to just 19% in 2014.

In the same year, Catholics made up 8.3%, other Christians were 15.7% and those of non-Christian religions were 7.7%.

Read more HERE.

In Depth with Danielle Strickland

- God TV - "Social justice advocate, Danielle Strickland of the Salvation Army talks about William Booth's historic role in helping refugees, which continues today. Danielle believes the Refugee Crisis could be the Church’s greatest opportunity and that we must not allow fear to stop us. “As we share a revolution of kindness, we will enter the Church's finest hour,” she says.

Danielle is a speaker, writer and currently serves as Social Justice Secretary for the Salvation Army in the Western United States, based in Los Angeles. She is also associated with Stop The Traffik, Canada and exposes the vulnerability of refugees to Human Trafficking, sharing ways viewers can help support victims."

Watch the video HERE (28 min)