Salvation Army Global Prayer Wave 24/7/365
The Salvation Army is celebrating its 150th anniversary on 1 July this year. On 1 July 2014 a global prayer wave of 24/7/365 prayer was launched. This initiative, called ‘Boundless’, has been a magnificent wave of continuous prayer starting in the South Pacific, through South Asia, the Americas and Caribbean, Africa and Europe. The baton of prayer has been passed from nation to nation and the United Kingdom will enter into their time slot for prayer, from 15 to 30 June. This will complete an unbroken Boundless prayer wave rolling over nations that will culminate with an international conference entitled ‘Boundless - The Whole World Redeeming’. The prayer wave has been purposefully focusing Salvationists in continued united intercession for the Salvation Army and our world.
Street preachers win cases
Two Christian street preachers have been cleared of all charges after they were arrested in Basildon and Hereford respectively. Rob Hughes was arrested in Basildon on 4 September 2014 after a confrontation with a member of the public who wrongly accused him of using homophobic and offensive language. Despite clear evidence to the contrary, Rob was arrested, interviewed by police and held in custody for 11 hours. A DNA sample was taken as well as his fingerprints and a mug shot. He has now received £2,500 and a contribution towards his legal fees for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and breach of his human rights in an out-of-court settlement. On 23 April 2015, after preaching once a week for eleven years in Hereford streets, Andrew Geuter was arrested following false accusations of homophobic comments. After five hours in jail he was released on conditional bail. The police later said they would not take further action due to insufficient evidence.
Born-again Christian set for love reality show
A born-again Christian is to be one of the contestants on ITV reality show 'Love Island'. Zoe Basia Brown, 24, will take part in the programme which sends 12 single people to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca in an attempt for them to 'find love'. The model said she would avoid controversy in a bid not to embarrass her priest or mum. She said, ‘I'm a Christian and that is the number one thing in my life, so I can turn the other cheek. I started going to church two years ago. It's the opposite of fashion and I love it because everyone is so nice. I'm not going to start giving sermons on the island, but it's a big part of me. I'm not going to mess around on Love Island, I'm going to maintain my dignity. A cheeky snog might happen, but nothing more’. It launches on Sunday 7 June at 9 pm.
Gay marriage: Belfast City Council says 'yes'
Last week Prayer Alert reported: ‘The ‘Yes’ result in the same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland has led to calls for its introduction in Northern Ireland.’ On Monday this week Belfast City Council voted in favour of same-sex marriage; 38 councillors voted for, 13 voted against and there were two abstentions. Councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party, PUP, People Before Profit, and Alliance spoke in support of the motion. All but three Ulster Unionists also voted for the motion. In April, the Northern Ireland Assembly rejected a proposal calling for the introduction of gay marriage, after debating the issue for a fourth time.
