God is doing wonderful things!

We are delighted to bring you another update from Mark van Niekerk, a South African evangelist who has been partnering with believers in Iraq and Kurdistan to spread the Gospel, amid difficult and dangerous circumstances. Read on and be inspired!

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Dear family in Yeshua,

Once again I’ve been privileged to visit an area of the world very few manage to get to. If truth be told, without us knowing of someone going there and hearing about the people and their circumstances, we’d be none the wiser. I’m deeply conscious of the enormous privilege I have in being called to the Muslims of Kurdistan along with suffering Christian and Muslim refugees of the Nineveh Plains. Is there a place more needing of the good news, the great balm of Gilead, than the land where Jonah was sent and where Nahum served the Lord?

This was my third visit, each time flying into Irbil in the semi-autonomous region of Iraq known as Kurdistan. The ‘work’ in Iraq has pretty much settled into three different areas:

1. The Kurds living in the border region with Iran
   
2. Refugees in Irbil
   
3. Returning refugees and Muslim inhabitants of the Nineveh Plains

There is nothing easy about evangelism in this part of the world. Great care needs to be taken at all times. The costs of leaving Islam remain high - Shariah shows no mercy to apostates. Even though many Kurds are leaving Islam they are not necessarily all turning to the God of Scripture. Some who have turned to Messiah are bold enough, while others, understandably, remain cautious.

A young Peshmerga widow asking about the Jesus at a food distribution. I’m not sure we in the West can fully grasp the enormity of leaving a cloistered, structured and familial society to follow Messiah. An interesting aspect is this: it seems for the most part that it is the men who are coming to faith, while the women hold back. They are no doubt acutely aware of their close family ties and tribal identity which will be negatively impacted by any serious decision to follow Jesus. We need to be praying particularly for the wives of believers.

Coming together is not easy as groups of Christians draw unnecessary attention. Consequently, larger gatherings are held in the privacy of the mountains. Every single night we had visitors, both young and old, who came to meet with us to discuss Scripture. Bibles were handed out to all who asked. Peshmerga widows, a Mullah and numerous men took Bibles. It’s truly an incredible experience to hear a knock on the door at midnight and find men asking for a Bible! It reminded me of Nicodemus.

I’m not sure we in the West can fully grasp the enormity of leaving a cloistered, structured and familial society to follow Messiah.

A meeting with a brother who we visited on the way to Iran was hugely inspiring. He is taking Bibles into Iran regularly where he tells us home groups are exploding.

Writing in bibles destined for Iran. So, on to Irbil. Those fleeing from the marauding ISIS on the Nineveh Plains headed straight to Irbil as their closest place of relative security. They have languished here for four years in various refugee camps spread throughout the city and other Kurdish cities. All camps are divided into religions, Christians and Muslims. None are mixed. Tens of thousands were housed here.

The latest refugees arriving in Irbil are those driven out by the chaos in Syria. Those we met have left for good and seek asylum in any country that will take them.

We had daily meetings at the fellowship of a local pastor. He has been an incredible servant these four years, reaching out with food supplies and the Gospel to the cultural ‘Christians’ (mostly from Chaldean Catholic backgrounds). This group of people are so desperately in need of the Gospel. The notion of these Christians being beheaded by ISIS, literally going as sheep to the slaughter, is haunting. It would appear that most of them were proud of their Christian heritage and culture and were willing to die for it - as opposed to being born-again believers laying their lives down for Christ. This is deeply disturbing – but thankfully we serve a God who is able to know the hearts of all men and who we know judges righteously.

Messages to this ancient Christian community always include the need for God’s saving grace by faith. A works-based righteousness ethic remains entrenched. The Gospel is sneered at and attacked by bishops and priests. Their power is abusive and their spirit controlling. They are no doubt in the character of the Pharisees that Jesus condemned for shutting up Heaven to those wanting to enter.

In one camp, Syrians were flooding in literally minutes before I was privileged to address them. It is not easy delivering a message to a people already broken - mentally, emotionally, financially - and yet we know this is the message that gives hope. I’ve truly sensed the suffering of Messiah, to some degree, when speaking to these people. They too need to appreciate that the Lord enters into these trials with them.

It’s truly an incredible experience to hear a knock on the door at midnight and find men asking for a Bible.

After we left I was told the man sitting next to me was a member of ISIS, himself living in fear of being executed. While in this camp he cannot be arrested, but will be the minute he steps outside. Many of these murderers are back in their communities. They fled cities like Mosul with the liberated inhabitants. All they needed to do was shave their beards, change their clothing and merge in with those leaving.

Muslim women in refugee camp who have lost everything to ISIS - including husbands and children. One group of women were all open to listening to the Gospel. While we visited them three men walked in and sat down. The wife had immediately left once they entered and the conversation was stilted with these intruders. After a few minutes evaluating this new situation, a brother entered the tent and told us to get up and follow. We were leaving. The wife had told him they did not know who these men were and there was possible danger. They had obviously seen us walking around the camp and had caught up with us to hear what we were saying. It was not the first time this had happened to us. But this is life in a world that does not know Messiah.

I left this ancient land, which has been so torn apart, feeling burdened for this people I’ve come to know and love. There is so much to do and there is great need. I’ve realised major players can only do so much. Someone like myself with individuals supporting, along with one or two churches, can truly have a major impact – and just our encouragement, our going and being with them, means a great deal. Paul speaks so much about encouraging the brethren in Scripture. It’s an honour to do this.

I believe it’s the Lord’s will I continue supporting these brave men and women. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated. Again, I do not personally take any money for ministry; our business covers my costs. Finances that have been raised have gone towards provision of food and household materials, kerosene for widows and orphans during the winter, the purchase of Bibles, urgent medical needs and financial aid for Christian families in dire need.

I also value your prayers. I am under no illusion that this is your average mission. I’m desperately in need of being bathed in prayer, not only for my safety, but for those turning to the Lord from Islam who continue to live in these hostile conditions.

Thanking you all in Messiah Yeshua, who alone sustains us and enables us to serve him.

Mark van Niekerk

Additional Information

If you would like to give towards Mark’s work in Kurdistan, please make a direct payment to Prophecy Today (details below) and include the instruction ‘Kurdistan’ – we will collect the gifts and send them directly. Please do not give via our Paypal account – Paypal will take a cut!

Bank transfer details: Prophecy Today Ltd / Account Number: 19560260 / Sort Code: 77-66-03

Please click here and here to read previous updates about the mission work in Kurdistan.

Below, from left to right: Muslim refugee camp where we sat with Islamic fighters of ISIS and their families / A Muslim family who invited us to come and speak to them (this is nothing less than a work of God’s Spirit!) / Distribution to Syrian refugees / Our gracious hosts in Kurdistan - please pray for them.

Latest updates from outreach in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Before Christmas, we published a report about missionary work being done amongst Iraqi Kurds and refugees on the Nineveh Plains. We were able to send some money to aid this work, thanks to your support, and we anticipate a fuller report soon.

In the meantime, the following update provides a sneak preview of the spiritual fruit being borne in this region, amidst trials and tribulations we can barely imagine.

Teaching on Israel…in Iraq!

“You crossed a red line.” These were the words of my dear friend and interpreter, Z, after the meeting that night. I have previously been warned never to mention Israel and the Jews in Iraq. “The walls have ears”, I was told. As the Lord would have it, I spoke extensively on Israel, her history, the present and the future, as spoken by the prophets.

“Man, my spirit soared as you mentioned Israel, it was like I was on air hearing these words”, Z said. “We have shackled the Scripture regarding this subject. People are fearful. Your words were what we needed to hear. No-one was arrested and we can now have the strength to speak openly as believers. The time of being fearful is over.”

That night we had a packed meeting where many were left standing. More Syrians came than had been anticipated. We just could not cater for the people who arrived over and above the list of names we had. We have also been asked to help a new list of the latest arrivals in Erbil. We will try to move as the Lord leads.

Refugees from Nineveh Plains Cities and Syria

Our outreach in this region focuses on three groups, thanks to the contacts the Lord has given us: Muslims in towns on the Nineveh Plains, Muslims nearer the border with Iran and refugees living in camps in and around Erbil.

During our trip we have been meeting with Syrian Kurds who have fled the chaos of civil war, as well as Nineveh Plains refugees.¹ Even as I was addressing the refugees at one camp, more were arriving from Syria. The situation is overwhelming. And what do you say to exhort those who have languished for years now in the camps, confined to small rooms?

I have previously been warned never to mention Israel and the Jews in Iraq.

The believing community on the Nineveh Plains comes under extraordinary attack, particularly from the Orthodox Church. One Christian man was arrested five times earlier this year by the Nineveh Plains Militias for preaching the Gospel. He had been reported by the Church as “speaking against the priests”. It’s just like the days of the early Church!

One of his arrests afforded him the opportunity to speak to one of the security members. He spoke about the distinctions between the Quran and the Bible. At 3am the next morning his phone rang. It was the man he had witnessed to. “I can’t sleep since you spoke to me”, he said. “I’m phoning to tell you I believe all you told me is the truth.”

Meeting in SmilaneIt is important to realise that the Orthodox Christian community is decimated and will soon disappear. It is part of the fabric which has held society in this region together for centuries - heaven help the people once it is erased. As one believer says:

[The orthodox clergy] no longer mention the blood of Yeshua, probably to appease Muslims who say Issa never died. So there is no salvation, there is no hope. We see or hear from no-one like you. Someone who has compassion and is able to exhort from Scripture. More than anything these people need the Bible to be opened up and explained.

Please thank everyone who helped you. Thank them from the bottom of our children’s hearts.

Ministering to Muslims and Muslim-Background Believers

We have also been on the Nineveh Plains meeting Muslim converts in Mosul and elsewhere. We were invited to visit some Muslim villages which suffered from ISIS atrocities - the leaders wanted us to come and talk about the Bible.

In one Kurdish village, we met with senior members including the Mullah to discuss the teachings of Messiah and biblical prophecy that concerns them. We then gave the Mullah a new Bible in the Sorani dialect, recently translated. He asked me to pray before we left. I've not experienced such emotion in praying for anyone before.

Late that evening a Muslim convert called us to come and see two young men coming to get Bibles. That was not the only night: men kept coming asking for Bibles. How many in the West would respond this way?

Young men kept coming asking for Bibles. How many in the West would respond this way?

We have also been approached recently by a Muslim involved in the clearance of land mines along the Iran-Iraq border. Many of his workers have been killed. He heard that one of the widows is on our list for food distributions so he came to thank us:

I want you to thank all the Christians who have donated to you for us. Tell them we appreciate it more than they know. When you have no food even a plate of food is a blessing. They don't expect the world - they are just grateful for whatever you've given them.

Our country needs to hear the message of Jesus, the message of love. You are doing a good work here. We welcome you as family.

God Looks at the Heart

A similar message of thanksgiving and encouragement came when we made an extraordinary visit to two Kurdish villages in the Zagros Mountains, in an area where no outsiders have been – only Kurds. “There was one person came to our village, but you are the first one to come up here to these two villages", said IB, as we sat discussing Scripture.

In the Zagros mountains.I had the unique opportunity to speak to them about the words of the Prophet Isaiah in chapter 19. At one point, our young interpreter remarked, “God looks at our heart, not the outside.” His father had previously received a Bible - I wondered if he had heard this from him.

Later on, we were met at the municipal offices, where widows of the Peshmerga (the Kurdish military) had gathered for our food distribution. They were all called into the hall and I was asked to address them. I spoke about God putting a burden on my heart for the Kurdish people, especially them. They have suffered much and the world doesn't care. But there is a people who do, I told them - they are the people of Messiah, believers in Jesus. These are the people who had sent money to help provide for their needs. I was moved by their response - they were really very grateful.

That day we said our goodbyes with much joy, promising if possible to see each other again. Is God working among the Kurds? Absolutely - they are hearing his voice.

Mark van Niekerk

Notes

1 The refugee crisis in this part of Iraq is partly caused by the Syrian civil war. There has been a massive influx of Syrian refugees, particularly since 2013, and four permanent camps now exist in Erbil, holding about 40% of the refugees. Read more here. The other cause of the refugee crisis is internal. ISIS’ capture of Mosul in 2014 caused half the city to flee to surrounding towns and villages on the Nineveh Plains, and from there to Erbil. ISIS has now been pushed back, and some refugees are beginning to return to their homes. Read more here.

Editorial Comment

This outreach in Iraqi Kurdistan owes to the efforts of a number of missionaries, linked to an Israeli Messianic group called Voice in the Wilderness and supported internationally. Our contact, Mark van Niekerk, is a South African missionary.

Our thanks to all those who contributed to our winter appeal, and to those who have been praying for this amazing outreach effort. We hope to bring you a fuller report soon.

Ex-gangster’s amazing story screened in Israeli cinemas

The spiritual restoration of the Jewish people, for which evangelical Christians have been praying for centuries, has taken a decisive step forward, in my view.

And the timing could not have been more apt – with Israel’s imminent 70^th anniversary, now to be accompanied by the US Embassy move to Jerusalem along with the visit of Prince William, marking a watershed in their physical restoration.

As we learn from anecdotal evidence, and from a recent survey which found that 20% of Jewish millennials believe Jesus is the Son of God,¹ it is quite clear that the new generation of Jews are taking Jesus seriously and are open as never before to claims of his being their Messiah.

They are now responding in droves to hi-tech evangelistic efforts from within their own state, with an organization called One for Israel (among others) reportedly making huge strides in reaching their people. Their website is filled with testimonies of Jews who are now following Yeshua, and their various videos have attracted a staggering 55 million views, 15 million of them from Israelis!²

A New Spirit

Indeed, Jesus is even now the focus of an award-winning Israeli movie! Sadly, I understand it met with failure at the box office and was pulled from theatres after just two weeks. It nevertheless represents a major shift as, for the first time in the history of modern Israel, a faith-based film on Yeshua the Messiah has been produced and premiered in the land.

A New Spirit was first shown in December 2017 at the famous Tel Aviv Cinematheque to an audience of hundreds of enthusiastic moviegoers. Billboards and posters advertising the film were also plastered on the streets of Jerusalem and surrounding cities.

The new generation of Jews are taking Jesus seriously.

It tells the story of former gangster Yacov Damkani, who fled to America where he was introduced to Yeshua as his Messiah and discipled in singer Keith Green’s community. His life was turned completely upside down and, three years ago, his testimony came to the attention of acclaimed film-maker Doron Eran while producing a documentary on the Messianic community. Doron felt it had the makings of a Hollywood movie, as he shared with Shira Sorko-Ram (as featured in February’s Maoz Israel Report).

He did not, however, anticipate the controversial nature of his subject – he has since been accused of being a missionary and betraying his people. He does admit to being a “student” (of the New Testament) and the actors have clearly also been impacted.

Imri Biton, who plays the lead, responds to criticism by saying: “Look what Yeshua did for Yacov. He was a gangster. When he believed in Yeshua, he became a new person. These Messianic Jews are telling their own truth. As a professional actor, I can join them.”

Misinformation and Fear

Doron believes the Government has unwisely allowed the Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox) to take control of the nation’s soul. “It is a religious dictatorship”, he says. “They are brainwashing our nation.”

He knew nothing of Yeshua before he met Yacov. “I didn’t know that he lived as a Jew and died as a Jew. I was told he was a Christian…”

Yes, it is tragic that both religious Jews and their Christian counterparts (who believe more in form than faith) have conspired to spread such misinformation.

The inspiration for the movie, Yacov’s book Why Me?, has been distributed free of charge to young Israeli tourists in New Zealand for the past 16 years as part of a programme called HIT (Hosting Israeli Travellers) which encourages Christians to host young Jewish tourists at little or no cost. HIT has now been extended to Australia and several other countries.

For the first time in the history of modern Israel, a faith-based film on Yeshua the Messiah has been produced and premiered in the land.

Commenting on the poor box office take-up, a Jewish friend explained:

I am not surprised Israelis didn’t venture into theatres showing a movie that would have been anathema to their parents and society in general. The audience for this movie would have been largely young people who would have been greatly influenced by comments from parents and other relatives the pre-advertising would have provoked. I believe it will have a greater market audience outside of Israel, even with subtitles, and many Israelis might later watch it in private.

I know Israel is the only place where I have experienced feeling intimidated. And as soon as my friends knew I believed in Jesus, I was no longer welcome in their homes, nor would they speak to me. It is okay to be a Gentile believer, but a Jewish believer is looked upon as a traitor. For the movie, I believe that if they will put it up for free on YouTube, asking for donations only to cover production costs, it might still make an impact!

Great Awakening to Come

Many Old Testament prophecies speak of a two-fold return of God’s chosen race – first to the land and then to their Lord. The first stage, though far from complete, has been witnessed before the eyes of the world as exiled Jews from every corner of the globe have resettled in Israel, especially since the re-birth of the modern state 70 years ago.

The second stage began, significantly, around the time of the re-unification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War of 1967 as so-called Messianics recognised that Yeshua was indeed their Messiah and started meeting together in congregations all over the country. The movement has since grown substantially and they have made an impact on the nation out of all proportion to their still relatively low numbers.

Even some Arabs are recognising what is happening. Saleem Shalash, an Arab pastor in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, is reported as saying: “The Bible says God will bring the tribes of Israel back together in this place, and suddenly revival will spring from here.”³

Indeed, the small spring in the desert that bubbled up around 50 years ago is threatening to turn into a fast-flowing stream. The prophet Zechariah, quoting the Lord and speaking of things to come with respect to the Messiah’s reign, wrote: “I will remove the sin of this land in a single day” (Zech 3:9). This suggests a sudden large-scale awakening.

Surely we are not far from that blessed day when they look upon the One they have pierced (Zech 12:10) and welcome him back in the name of the Lord (Matt 23:39). Certainly, it seems that many will have already looked upon the transforming Spirit of Yeshua depicted on screen (whether online or at the movies) – perhaps a foretaste of greater things to come!

Watch the trailer for 'A New Spirit' by clicking here.

References

1 A Jews for Jesus survey featured in the Jerusalem Post, 1 November 2017. The study surveyed 599 Jews born between 1984 and 1999.

2 This figure includes only Facebook and YouTube views, not TV etc (source: One for Israel).

 3 Israel Today magazine, December 2017.

British Muslims flock to hear God's word.

We are pleased to bring you news of the great success of a recent ‘Muslim-Christian Dialogue’ event at the Manor Park Christian Centre (see the report below).

The event was led by minister Steven Hanna, a vicar from Dagenham with a heart to see Muslims come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. 150 people came, 110 of whom were Muslims. Among the Christians present were representatives of a number of missions including Frontiers, Open Air Campaigners and London City Mission. Read on to find out more!

Report: Is this an indication that there is an underlying hunger?

“...but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
is not from God...You, dear children,
are from God and have overcome them because
the one who is in you is greater
than the one who is in the world.”

NIV, 1 John 4:3-4

Everyone was shocked when 110 Muslims in addition to 40 Christians showed up at the Muslim-Christian dialogue that was held at MPCC. With the exception of one regular such dialogue in East London that draws around 50-60 people, there are usually only 5-10 Muslims who show up for these events. We very quickly ran out of table and chair space in our side hall and had to revert to “standing room only”.

Is this an indication that there is an underlying hunger among Muslims to know the truth about God? It could very well be. One imam who is the leader of a local mosque and who was in attendance at the MPCC dialogue event is one such person. Having witnessed the natural death of several of his close friends, he himself is fearful of dying. He admits that Christians have an inward assurance that they will be in heaven, but he does not. He has an inward hunger for the truth about God but is naturally resistant to embracing any element of Christian truth that goes against his social norms, his peer pressure, and what he has chosen to believe his entire life. But he asked for my mobile phone number so that we can get together to privately discuss these things further.

Please pray that the seeds of God’s Word that were sown at this Muslim-Christian dialogue will start to take root within the hearts of many of the Muslims who were present. “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour” (NIV, 1 Corinthians 3:8). We can plant the seed, others can water it, but God is the one who makes it grow and gives the increase.

“The Lord in not slow in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance”

NIV, 2 Peter 3:9

Every blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ,

David Foster

Taking festive opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We are delighted to bring you a prayer request from our friends Syd and Liz Doyle, inspirational evangelists from the US. Read on to be encouraged – and perhaps inspired to do something similar in your community!

Dear Praying Friends,

We are asking for special prayer as we go Christmas caroling in the Dearborn, MI area this Saturday afternoon and evening (2 December, 2017).

This year we are planning our annual ‘Caroling to our Neighbors’ on 2nd December, meeting at 1pm and also 5pm. It's our 13th annual Christmas Caroling Outreach. We are expecting around 200 carolers from many different churches and groups from southern Michigan and northwest Ohio to join us!

We begin with prayer, a bit of training, simple instructions on how to approach the doors and what to say and do - then we organize ourselves in groups of 6-8 and go out to assigned streets prepared to give out 500 gift bags and share the love of God with our Arab/American friends.

Christmas caroling is a tradition for many of us, but is a new experience for most Arabs. When they open the door they are delighted as they listen to us sing. They are very hospitable and often invite us in for delicious treats.

We also bring a present for them - a gift bag filled with Christmas material, a Jesus story DVD, a New Testament in Arabic, and some candy.

We ask each family if they have any prayer needs, then pray for them. Pray for receptive hearts as the Lord shows His love to them. Pray for the weather to be good, and for us as carolers to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as we sing, pray and give the gifts.

We are also inviting each family to a "Live Nativity" to be presented at church the following day. We hope the draw of the animals and the story of Christmas will bring many to the church and to Jesus Christ the Savior of the world!

Thanks for praying for safety, boldness, love, friendliness and peace for everyone.

Happy Christmas, prayer warriors!

Syd & Liz Doyle

Even in the ashes, the Lord is at work.

We are delighted to feature a testimony this week from the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. Sally Richardson, who co-ordinates London’s Israel and Prophecy Group, visited the area with a friend to pray; they were taken by surprise there as they discovered wonderful stories of God at work.

My visit to pray in the area near Grenfell Tower

Sally Richardson (Israel and Prophecy Group, London)

Dear friends,

After having attended the excellent Intercessors For Britain Prayer and Bible Day in Central London yesterday (Saturday 17 June), where prayer was made for the aftermath of the terrible tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire and the victims and their loved ones, my friend Ralph Brockman and I went to the area of the tower to pray there in person.

We walked there from White City station, near my home on the nearby White City Estate. From North Pole Road, we walked down Latimer Road towards the Westway flyover, and the Tower. We could see its blackened hulk coming nearer and nearer as we walked towards it.

Halfway down the road, we saw a church, the Tabernacle Christian Centre, where we could see people gathered inside and out. Ralph and I went over to them, and asked them if we could go into the church and pray for the victims of the fire.

We were welcomed with open arms and hugs and warmly invited in, where we were told we could pray wherever we wanted. We found two chairs near an open door, and prayed for the victims and for the aftermath of the fire.

The church itself was small and simple, with a large wooden cross centrally displayed, and nearby, a table with a menorah on it. We both really felt the presence of the Lord in this precious little church.

We both really felt the presence of the Lord in this precious little church.

After we had finished praying, members of the church, including the Pastor, Pastor Derrick, came to talk with us. They again thanked us for coming, and told us how they had opened the church at 2am on the night of the fire, and that people had almost immediately began to come in for refuge and shelter. Soon after that, donations of food and clothing, blankets, items of furniture, etc. began to arrive, so much so that the whole church, the rooms off it, the yard at the front and the garden, were full of donations. People had come from all over the country to give, and some had been divinely directed there; arriving in the area, and not knowing where to go, the Lord had then spoken to them and said, "Go to Tabernacle Christian Centre!". So they had done just that.

Pastor Derrick also told us that, on the Tuesday evening as they were praying and having their Bible study, the Lord broke in and gave a word, which was that they must be prepared, as the Lord was going to bring many people to the church. The fire broke out a few hours later; how this Word has been fulfilled, and still is being!

The church has seen a steady flow of victims and survivors of the fire, most very traumatised and in a state of shock. They have come alongside each one in love and compassion, giving them food, water, goods and money, and offering a listening ear and prayer, which some have accepted - including Muslims. We are praying that some of the victims will return to attend the services there and turn to the Lord and be saved; may He be their solace.

As we were speaking, Pastor Derrick pointed to the large wooden cross, so centrally displayed, and said, "The cross is central here; we preach Christ crucified." This is a church which really lives out the Gospel; they practice what they preach.

They also love Israel and the Jewish people and pray regularly for them, as Pastor Derrick told us when we asked him about the menorah. He also told us that their oldest member is a dear Welsh lady 100 years old, who is still very active in the service of the Lord.

Hours before the fire, the Lord warned the church that they were to prepare, for he was about to bring many people.

Family members of those still missing have also come to the church, asking for help in finding their loved ones, and leaving pictures of them on trees and lamp-posts all over the area, including at the church, asking if anyone has seen them and to contact them if so. Some of them also asked for prayer.

Later, as Ralph and I walked round the area, we saw the pictures of the missing, from the the young, including small children, to the elderly, whom, in all probability, have perished in the inferno. We prayed that they had cried out to the Lord as the flames consumed them. It was truly heart-wrenching seeing these pictures, and the tears were never far away.

We finished by going underneath the Westway flyover to a grassy knoll overlooking the tower to pray. As we began, we could see firemen on the roof, obviously conducting part of their investigation. We brought all the members of the emergency services who will be investigating the causes of the fire before the Lord; they will be undoubtedly be seeing some terrible sights in the next few days and weeks.

We can thank God for all the local churches that have opened their doors, day and night, to the victims of the tragedy. They have provided a listening ear, comfort both spiritual and practical, and have fed, clothed, and watered all those who have come to them; what a contrast to the local Council and TMO, whom, according to the victims, have done absolutely nothing and were seemingly deaf to their oft-expressed concerns as to the safety of Grenfell Tower. In the rich borough of Kensington and Chelsea, it seems that North Kensington, where the tower is situated, is very much the poor relative whom everyone ignores.

I also want to mention another church in the area, which I visited for a meeting a few weeks before the tragedy, and which has also been open 24/7 to victims, family members and friends of those missing and which has given continuously and unstintingly. That church is Latimer Christian Centre.

We thank God for the local churches that have opened their doors to the victims of the tragedy, providing a listening ear and both spiritual and practical comfort to all who have come to them.

We also prayed that people's very understandable anger at the lack of response and action by Kensington and Chelsea council, and the TMO, which is real and palpable, would not turn to rioting and civil disobedience such as we saw in Tottenham and other areas following the shooting of Mark Duggan nearly six years ago in 2011. "Lord, contain their anger", we prayed.
I am reminded of the words of the Oxford martyr Latimer, whom, as they burned at the stake, turned to his fellow martyr Ridley, and said, "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out."

Grenfell Tower has burned, but let us pray that a candle will burn in North Kensington that will NEVER be put out.

May the surviving victims of the tower tragedy find Him to be THEIR tower of refuge and strength (Proverbs 18:10).

In Him,

Sally Richardson
18/06/17

This is the day of your salvation!

Whilst we continue to challenge those in positions of leadership in Church, nation and the Islamic world to stop fudging the issue of the divide between the Bible and Qur’an, let us remember God’s high priority: this is the day of salvation!

When God revealed in the mid-1980s that he was about to bring forth a great harvest from among Muslims, there was not much evidence to back it. Yet, since then such prophecy has been verified as true, as millions of Muslims have turned to the Lord across the world. Is it any wonder that our spiritual adversary has risen up in hate, whipping up jihad and drawing up battle lines?

We must be careful not to be fully diverted into this battle and miss the opportunities on our doorstep. There are many young people who have been born into Muslim families but whose hearts are being stirred for truth. God is opening hearts to receive the Gospel message as never before in the Muslim communities on our doorsteps. It is God’s time for the Muslims!

Millions of Muslims are turning to the Lord across the world - is it any wonder that our spiritual adversary has risen up in hate, whipping up jihad?

Time for Equipping

There are a number of ways that God will send the Gospel to these people, but every Christian would do well to be equipped to be God’s mouthpiece for one-to-one evangelism. Witnessing to our Muslim neighbours could bring one or many to salvation - the angels in heaven rejoice over each and every sinner brought to faith in Jesus.

It is time for churches, especially those near Muslim communities, to ask questions of their own understanding and attitude. If God is holding out a loving hand of invitation, we must be his willing ambassadors.

Practical Preparations

It is foremost a time for prayer: prayer for understanding, prayer for wisdom, prayer for opportunity, prayer for individuals.

But there are also preparations we can make. There are resources available from existing missionary organisations to equip us to understand the Islamic mindset and to develop a right approach (scroll down for some). Here are key areas that we can consider:

• The history of Islam, its missionary zeal and its methods.
  
• The five ‘pillars’ on which Islam is founded: statement of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca.
  
• The call to and nature of jihad.
  
• The structure and message of the Qur’an.
  
• Islamic teaching on sin and good works.
  
• Islamic teaching on Jesus.
  
• The role of the Mosque.
  
• The character of the Islamic god Allah.
  
• The intent of the Islamic movement in the West.
  
• The sects of Islam.
• The basics of Shariah law
• The missionary intent of the Islamic movement (House of Islam versus House of War)
• The concept of the Dhimmi (treatment of Christians and Jews under Islam)
• Women in Islam
  
• Recent evangelistic moves among Muslims, especially individual testimonies of those coming to faith in Jesus.
  
• Testimonies of Christians in fruitful evangelism among Muslims.

In studying these issues, the goal in personal evangelism is not to confront Muslims aggressively, but to be good listeners. Let’s not be seen as crusaders. There are tracts available from some Christian missions to read and have in one’s back pocket. Let’s be serious about our Bible study and prayer and not be on the defensive, or on the attack.

We must be careful not to be fully diverted into this battle and miss the opportunities on our doorstep.

If, as the evidence shows us, this is indeed the day when God is calling many Muslims to himself, some of us will be privileged to find already prepared, open-hearted Muslims ready to respond to the Gospel message. If we meet someone in the earlier stages of questioning, let us leave a good and loving testimony on which the Lord can build as time goes on.

It is one thing to face up to the spiritual battle against Islam. It is another to win Muslims to the Lord. This is the day of salvation.

Resources for Outreach to Muslims

Understanding Islam (including its history, theology and worldview)

Unveiled: A Christian Study Guide to Islam. Barnabas Fund. Suitable for individuals and groups. Available here for £3.50.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide (8 sessions). Nabeel Qureshi, with Kevin and Sherry Harney. Suitable for individuals and groups. Available here for £7.60 (paperback), designed to accompany a DVD study.

Booklets from the Barnabas Fund (£1 each, discount available when purchasing the entire set. Click here to buy):

• What is Islam?
  
• Is the Muslim Isa the Biblical Jesus?
  
• Islam and Slavery
  
• Islam and Truth
  
• What is Sharia?

Books by Patrick Sookhdeo: Unmasking Islamic State (2015), Understanding Islamic Theology (2013), A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Islam (2013), The Challenge of Islam to the Church and its Mission (2009), Faith, Power and Territory: A Handbook of British Islam (2008), Understanding Shari’a Finance (2008), Understanding Islamist Terrorism (2004) and many more. Click here to purchase from the Barnabas Fund.

What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Qur’an (James R White, 2013, £8.99 paperback)

Books by Sam Solomon: Not the Same God (2016, £7.99 paperback), Modern Day Trojan Horse (2009, £11.95 paperback)

Articles by the team at Christian Concern – all available online. Click here to read.

Resources for Engaging with Muslims

Leading the Way (international ministry): plentiful online resources, testimonial videos, books, DVDs/CDs. Many free downloads. Click here to explore the UK site.

Say Hello (US ministry): Online resources for Christian women seeking to engage with Muslim women, including prayer resources, articles, videos. Click here to find out more.

Breaking Through the Barriers: Leading Muslims to Christ (Rosemary Sookhdeo, 2010, £6.99 paperback)

Barnabas Fund Evangelism Pack: Contains Breaking Through the Barriers and Unveiled (both above) plus a selection of tracts designed for outreach to Muslims. £10. Available here.

Mahabba The Friendship Trio courses: three courses (comprising DVDs and worksheets) aimed at equipping Christians to engage with Muslims. Available to purchase in parts or in full - click here. Plenty more resources are available on the Mahabba site.

Books about Mission/Testimonials of Conversion

A Wind in the House of Islam (David Garrison, 2014. £15.20 paperback) – read our review here.

Miraculous Movements (Jerry Trousdale, 2012. £6.99 paperback)

Books by Nabeel Qureshi: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (2016), No God but One: Allah or Jesus? (2016), Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward (2016). Click here to find out more.

Hiding in the Light: Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus (Rifqa Bary, 2016, £13 paperback)

Face to Face with Jesus: A Former Muslim's Extraordinary Journey to Heaven and Encounter with the God of Love (Samaa Habib, with Bodie Thoene, 2014, £8.99 paperback)

The Torn Veil (Gulshan Esther, 2004, £6.99 paperback)

I Dared to Call Him Father (Bilquis Sheikh, 1978, repr. 2003, £8.99 paperback)

Mission Organisations with Which to Engage and Support

• Frontiers
• Leading the Way
• Barnabas Fund
• Mahabba Network
• Arab World Ministry
• Pioneers

If you know of any more useful resources on this topic, do comment below!

Though Wednesday brought fear to London, God has made opportunities for his love to be shown.

We bring you a report from David Foster and the Manor Park Christian Centre, who have had opportunity in the aftermath of the attack to show God's loving care to London Met police.

London Terrorist Attack & MPCC’s Ministry to the London Met Police

One important ministry of the Catering Team of Manor Park Christian Centre has been to cater for regular Police Breakfasts that we host for the London Metropolitan Police here in Newham. The MPCC Catering Team come in the day before to set-up and decorate the tables and to start the food preparations. Since another Police Breakfast was planned for this morning, Thursday 23^rd March, the MPCC Catering Team were just finishing all their preparations when the terrorist attack took place on Wednesday afternoon.

The Police Breakfasts are always an opportunity for our Catering Team to lovingly serve the Met Police here in Newham. A small number of police, usually up to 36 police, from the 1,000 strong police force here in the London Borough of Newham are given an opportunity to attend these breakfasts. As Met Police Chaplain here in Newham, I have the opportunity to share a short relevant Biblical message with the police officers who are in attendance at the Police Breakfasts and then to pray for them.

With the unfolding aftermath of the terrorist attack in Central London, I received a telephone call late on Wednesday afternoon from the London Met Police to say, not surprisingly, that the Police Breakfast we were planning would need to be cancelled. This was certainly understandable considering the circumstances. After a quick consultation with the MPCC Catering Team, the decision was made to still prepare at least some of the food which had already been purchased and to instead take it to the main Newham Met Police Station in Forest Gate at 10:15am on Thursday morning. I then sent word to the Met Police to let them know about the new plans.

When the food was delivered this morning at the Forest Gate Police Station, I was quickly ushered into the Acting Newham Metropolitan Police Borough Commander’s office where he said: “David, I hope you don’t mind me doing this, but..." ...whereupon he grabbed me and gave me a big bear-hug. With tears in his eyes, he said: “Thanks so much to all your Catering Team. You don’t how much this means to us!” We both stood together for a few moments, choking back the tears.

What I was then told was that many of the London Met Police who had been policing the area of the terrorist attack since Wednesday afternoon were from Newham. With over 1,000 police officers stationed in Newham, many of them are often called upon to also help with events such as the terrorist attack. Word had been sent to these police officers, who had been working for over 19 hours straight in Central London since Wednesday afternoon without having any opportunity to eat, that there was food waiting for them at the Forest Gate Police Station. As hungry, tired police officers started arriving at the station from Central London, I sent word to our Catering Team that more food was needed, if possible. They quickly prepared more food, which was delivered to the Forest Gate Police Station. Upon arrival, one of the commanding officers took a photo of the food and sent the photo to New Scotland Yard as a testament to the loving care and service that had been shown to London’s Met Police.

Some of the police officers commented that the Police Breakfast had ended up having a far greater impact upon London’s Met Police than we had originally planned. For the MPCC Catering Team, what could have initially been seen as a disappointing cancelled ministry opportunity was turned into a far greater opportunity than could have ever been imagined. God’s purposes and plans stood firm. God’s Word holds true. “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (NIV, Psalm 33:11).

David Foster

Manor Park Christian Centre

Paul Luckraft interviews Piers Crow, Bible teacher and director of The David House, a charity and para-church ministry with a vision to share God's heart for the Jewish people.

When I met Piers over a late breakfast one sunny morning, I soon realised I was in for a fascinating time. The more he shared the clearer it became that this ministry has an important role to play in what God is doing, not just in this country but elsewhere around the world, especially in Ukraine. Moreover, his own background and the way he was led into this work offers encouragement and stimulation for those seeking to serve God in similar ways.

Prior Preparation

Piers had the benefit of a Christian family and upbringing, but rebelled in his teenage years and dropped out of school. However, at the age of 19 he was saved and his journey with God began. After beginning A-levels again, Piers chose to study Christianity, Judaism and Islam and went from there to study Theology at Cardiff University. He describes this experience as intellectually stimulating but spiritually dry. However, one major plus point from his time there was meeting a Swedish girl who would quickly become his wife.

However, God had a plan for all that study and a 'chance meeting' on a shuttle bus going to the airport in Sweden led to a conversation about biblical prophecy. Chatting with his fellow passenger during this brief journey, Piers was challenged by the fact that the Bible has so much to say about Israel and the Jewish people - something that he had not come across before, either in his university degree or at his church. This made a lasting impression and was a turning point in his life leading to more and more study of the Jewish roots of his faith. But what should he do about this new revelation?

The David House charity has two main aims – to reach local Jews and to teach Jewish roots to the wider Church.

Piers Arthur-Crow, director of The David House.Piers decided that the next step was to enrol for a year at a Bible school in Sweden known for its heart for Israel. This was a much more inspiring experience which ignited his faith and helped him grow towards what God had planned for his life. Yet, where was all this leading? Piers was not at all clear about what to do next but he was determined not to lose sight of the Lord and the life of prayer and study he had encountered whilst away.

He took up a part-time job as a postman so he could continue to study Hebrew and the word whilst praying into God's plan for him. Then, in 2007, out of the blue, The David House came into his life.

Encountering The David House

The David House was not a new venture at this time. It had been started in the late 1960s by Ken Price and since 1966 it had been the UK distributor of the Vineyard magazine, a world-wide publication which aims to stimulate readers to faith in God and his Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua). This magazine is still going strong and is available today.

In 1972 The David House became a charity with two main aims: to reach local Jews ('local' meant in the Cardiff area) and to teach Jewish roots to the wider Church. Ken never went out of his way to seek funding, standing on the word God had given him from Isaiah 49:23, "for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me". He simply prayed and the finances came in, even when the charity grew to such an extent that it was necessary to purchase a building in Cardiff out of which to operate the ministry. God clearly had his hand on this work.

Looking back, Piers finds it astounding that this ministry building was on the same street where his father had had his family business and where Piers had lived as a student in Cardiff. He had passed The David House building many times, never knowing what a key part it would play in his life and calling!

Piers first joined The David House as a trustee, but God had destined a greater role for him there. He later left the Board in order to become an employee of the charity, with the specific remit of running The David House in the UK. Piers very much wanted to continue in the way that Ken had operated and with the same degree of faith. He regards himself as having inherited the mantle from its founder.

The ministry stresses to Gentile believers the need for a firm understanding of the Jewishness of Jesus and the Hebraic nature of God's word.

Mission: The One New Man

What does The David House do today? Its aims have not changed over the years. A primary goal remains to reach the Jewish people and share God's love and purpose for them. But alongside this is the equally essential task of teaching the Church about God's heart for the Jews and of the nourishing root they provide to the Gentile branches of the Olive Tree. It is a key part of the ministry to constantly stress to Gentile believers that without a firm understanding of the Jewishness of Jesus and the Hebraic nature of God's word, it is impossible to fully discern God's plans and purposes for the world, both today and in the future.

In recent years the Lord has impressed upon those involved in The David House the global work he is doing in this day to bring together Jew and Gentile as 'one new man' in Christ, as laid out by Paul in Ephesians 2:11-22. This work was won at the cross (Eph 2:16) but for so long the Body of Jesus has not realised the fullness that Jesus has purposed in bringing Jew and Gentile together in himself.

The stirring of the Gentile Church to realise its Jewish roots goes hand in hand with the steady and significant growth of the Messianic movement in the last few decades. Piers is reminded of Romans 11:12, "Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!" Rather than a passing phase, it is part of the promise of the return of the Jewish people to their Messiah as the Gentile Church becomes ready to provide a greater witness and welcome than it ever has before.

This might seem a daunting task, especially as similar initiatives elsewhere have not always proved successful. But it has become increasingly clear that the One New Man movement is not just the work of a few enthusiasts trying to spread their ideas. Rather, this is both spontaneous and Spirit-led, the mark of God himself upon his Church, clearly indicating the direction in which it should, and eventually will, go.

The Lord is currently doing a global work in this day to bring together Jew and Gentile as 'one new man' in Christ.

Fruitful Conferences

It was perhaps most astonishing to hear that Ukraine is at the forefront of this. God is clearly moving most significantly in that country and The David House has recently started running conferences there, beginning in the spring of 2015 and continuing at six-monthly intervals, with its fourth conference being held in Kiev this coming September.

Hundreds of leaders are attending with an approximately 50-50 split between Jews and Gentiles. Believing rabbis meet with Christian pastors to consider topics such as the identity of Israel, the nature of the Church, the Hebraic context of the Bible, the curse of anti-Semitism and God's will to establish the One New Man. Overall the growth of one new man through these conferences has the dual success of defeating Replacement Theology within the Church and providing a strong Messianic witness to the Jewish people.

The David House also runs conferences in the UK, both on the south coast and in south Wales, and puts on events to celebrate the main feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles to bless and edify believers.

Overall, talking to Piers gave the impression that this is just the beginning and that the One New Man movement is really gaining momentum. The outcome of efforts so solidly biblical and providential is more certain and the fruit more lasting. This is definitely the case in those areas where The David House is involved.

To find out more about The David House or for regular mailings please contact Piers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or PO Box 5395, Hove, BN52 9YD.

A Tribute to Chief Solomon Lar, Governor of Plateau State: Clifford Hill looks back on how God used Prophecy Today to help bring about huge transformation in Nigeria.

A presidential prophecy...

It was the final day of a conference in Port Harcourt Nigeria on 28 December 1987. A small team from Prophecy Today were speaking. There was a sudden stir among the large company present. Into the hall came an imposing-looking man in the traditional dress of a Nigerian Chief. He slowly made his way through the hall accompanied by a small group of attendants, mounting the platform to huge applause from the delegates and warm embraces from the platform party. Our Prophecy Today team had no idea who this man was, but clearly he was well-known and well-loved by the 1,000 Christian pastors in the hall.

The conference chairman extended a warm welcome to him, explaining that as a political prisoner he had just been released by the military junta ruling Nigeria. He was invited to speak and did so without making any reference to his personal circumstances or to the political situation. He simply expressed great joy at being in there and his prayers for God to extend the work of the gospel and to bless the preachers and evangelists.

The chairman then asked me to pray for this man whose name I had not even been told. I began to pray asking God's blessing upon the man while at the same time I was desperately seeking divine inspiration. Suddenly I found myself prophesying over him and saying that the day would come when great power would be bestowed upon him and he would be the ruler of the nation. I also prophesied that God would intervene in the affairs of the nation and that before the end of the century Nigeria would have its first Christian President.

"Suddenly I found myself prophesying over him and saying that before the end of the century Nigeria would have its first Christian President!"

The prophecy was received with great joy and acclamation by the conference although I myself was immediately assailed with anxieties and doubts. There have been very few occasions in my life when I have given a prophecy with an actual date for its fulfilment. My anxieties were increased by a conversation I had after the meeting with the man whom I learned was Chief Solomon Lar from Jos in Plateau State. He explained that he had come to the conference because he wanted to meet the Editor of Prophecy Today and he knew that we were speaking there.

We sat and talked a lot about the political situation in Nigeria and he said that he greatly appreciated my prayer for him but unless God specifically worked a miracle the prophecy could not be fulfilled. The military rulers had decreed that none of the politicians who had previously been in government would ever again be allowed to hold power. Solomon stayed for the remainder of the conference and we promised to keep in touch. I was, nevertheless, surprised to receive a letter from him the following year inviting Monica and me to visit him in his hometown of Jos and to speak at an Easter Monday Christian celebration as well as to fulfil other engagements in Lagos.

Chief Solomon Lar, with Clifford and Monica Hill and Dr Mary Lar

Chief Solomon of Jos

The Easter Monday celebration was amazing with the main city street filled with more than a quarter of a million Christians and non-Christians in this ethnically mixed city. There were a number of musical events with local choirs and a time of inspirational worship before the speeches. Both Monica and I spoke through interpreters. The man who interpreted my message was also an evangelist who added to the word that I had given, concluding with a powerful call for salvation to which hundreds responded.

It was when we visited their home that Solomon told us of the circumstances that had led to his imprisonment and the reason why he had made the journey to Port Harcourt to meet us soon after his release, after four years in jail as a political prisoner of the military Government. Solomon was a Member of the first Government of Nigeria elected in 1959 just ahead of independence from Britain the following year. He served faithfully in several different positions and was a popular Governor of Plateau State.

In 1966 the democratically elected Government was overthrown by a military coup. This led directly to the Biafran Civil War which lasted from July 1967 until January 1970. Military government continued in Nigeria until the assassination of the military head of state in 1976. His successor, General Muhammadu Buhari, initiated a process of transition to a democratically elected Government in 1979. Solomon was a Minister in this Government which lasted until 1983 when another military coup brought General Ibrahim Babangida to power. He was overthrown in 1985 by the worst dictator of all Nigeria’s rulers, General Sani Abacha.

Imprisonment

Following the 1983 coup most of the Government Ministers were either executed or imprisoned. Solomon was sentenced to 88 years on 31 December 1983. He shared a prison cell with a British pilot who had been attempting to rescue members of the Government when the military rebels intervened. It took the British Government more than two years to obtain the release of the pilot during which time he complained about the food and succeeded in getting the Red Cross to send him food parcels.

"Following the 1983 coup most of the Government Ministers were either executed or imprisoned. Solomon was sentenced to 88 years in prison."

A British missionary heard that Solomon was in prison. She had been his teacher at primary school in the northern town of Langtang and had kept in touch with him from boyhood. Somehow she got get letters into the prison and Solomon told her he was sharing a cell with the British pilot. When the next food parcel was being prepared by the Red Cross she took a copy of the first issue of the magazine Prophecy Today which fitted exactly inside a cornflakes box. She included a letter to Solomon urging him to read the magazine. It was to be a life-changing experience for Solomon and he says that the magazine was passed all around the prison and read by many of the thousand men.

That issue of Prophecy Today had two articles that particularly spoke to him. One was about injustice and inequalities whereby the rich Western nations are overfed and millions in the poorer countries die from malnourishment and preventable diseases. This was a cause close to Solomon's heart. The second article was about listening to God and how the great biblical prophets learned to discern what God was saying to them. Solomon had been a Christian all his life but he had never before had time on his hands to study the Bible in depth. Slowly he learned to take things before God, to intercede, and to listen.

God's faithfulness

One of his fellow prisoners, also a Minister in the Government, was condemned to death. Although a Muslim he was a particular friend of Solomon who had worked with him in the Cabinet. Solomon began to intercede on his behalf and he heard God say that his friend would not die at the hands of the military junta. Solomon reported this and the man gladly received it; but no word of reprieve came and the day was set for his execution. Solomon prayed all the more fervently and he was convinced God would save his friend. He continually reassured the man that God is faithful and he never breaks his promises.

The day prior to his execution arrived. He was due to be executed at dawn. Solomon prayed throughout the day and right through the night. Then the most amazing thing happened. During that night another military coup took place. The Military Government was overthrown by another group of power-hungry colonels. The first thing they did was to cancel all political executions. News reached the prison one hour before dawn.

In the morning Solomon's friend came to him and threw himself on the ground in front of him saying, "How did you know?" Solomon said quite simply that Jesus had told him. His friend said he wanted to know Jesus and Solomon had the joy of leading him to the Lord. This man later became a powerful evangelist with a great testimony to the faithfulness of God who answers prayer, even at the 11th hour!

Nation-wide oppression

We visited Nigeria several times in the next few years doing missions in Lagos, Ibadan and other parts of the country. Solomon and Mary also visited us in England and our friendship grew; so too did our love and concern for Nigeria. We went a number of times, always with an armed escort, but it became too dangerous to take a team to Nigeria where social unrest was widespread. Throughout the 1990s the Military Government in Nigeria became increasingly oppressive and corrupt. Foreign aid was siphoned off into the pockets of the military rulers, and bribery and corruption were present at all levels in Government and among petty provincial officials.

General Abacha reportedly siphoned off £5 billion from the national purse into his own offshore accounts, aided by members of his family. Social unrest in the 1990s became more violent with high rates of unemployment and poverty. The British Government put great pressure upon the military rulers to allow the country to return to democratic rule, but they continually broke their promises. Nigeria was suspended from the British Commonwealth and the UN imposed severe economic sanctions, but General Abacha refused to relinquish power.

The whole country was rapidly degenerating into social and economic chaos and there was grave fear that, unless there was a complete change of Government, Nigeria would slide into civil war. From the mid-1990s Solomon had been secretly meeting with former members of the last democratically elected Government. Their communications were always exchanged with great care as they all knew they were risking their lives. If Abacha had heard of their secret liaisons they would undoubtedly have been executed.

"The whole country was rapidly degenerating into social and economic chaos- there was grave fear that Nigeria would slide into civil war."

In 1998, the 'Group of 18', as they called themselves, resolved that the national situation was so serious they could no longer delay. They decided to challenge the President that if he did not resign and give way to an elected Government they would bring the whole country out on strike and force his hand. But how could they get the message to Abacha? They decided to write a letter setting out their demands. One of the 18 had to take the letter and confront him. The group all asked Solomon to do this, and after much prayer and discussion with Mary, Solomon agreed to take the letter.

God's intervention

Solomon said goodbye to Mary, not knowing if he would ever see her again, and set off for Abuja, the new capital of Nigeria. He was kept waiting for six days before being granted an audience with the President. On the sixth day he went into the closely guarded presidential palace and came face to face with the General. He told him he had come to read a letter to him. As he read the letter Abacha flew into an apoplexy of rage and shouted "Treason! Treason!" He called the guards and ordered them to arrest Solomon and hold him overnight. He said that he would pronounce sentence in the morning.

Solomon was led away and spent the night in prayer in a police cell, expecting this to be his last night on earth. But during that night God intervened. General Abacha often used the presidential jet to fly Asian prostitutes for his use. That night he had two Indian girls flown in from Dubai cavorting in his bed. He suffered a massive heart attack at 4:30am and by 6:30 he was dead.

In the morning the guards came to Solomon with the news of Abacha's death and senior officials from the military junta implored him for the sake of the nation to take control. Solomon immediately went on air and broadcast to the nation announcing the death of the President who was buried that same day according to Muslim tradition. Solomon promised that political parties would once more be legalised and there would be a swift return to democratic government.

Solomon himself led an Interim Government. He ruled the nation for a year; overseeing preparations for a General Election in 1999. He became Chairman of the People's Democratic Party and when elections were held his Party won a clear majority. Solomon did not wish to become President himself. The years of imprisonment had taken their toll on his health and he asked his friend Olushegun Obasanjo to become President. He was installed in July 1999.

The prophecy fulfilled

Six months before the end of the Twentieth Century Nigeria had its first Christian President. The prophecy I had given in Port Harcourt in December 1987 was fulfilled. That prophecy had been widely circulated throughout Nigeria and soon after the new President had settled in Abuja, Solomon (as chairman of the ruling Party and close confidante and adviser to the President) invited Monica and me to come to Abuja to meet the new President. We were impressed that among his first actions he had built a church in the grounds of the Presidential Palace where a former president had built a mosque.

"Six months before the end of the Twentieth Century Nigeria had its first Christian President: the prophecy I had given was fulfilled."

President Olushegun Obasanjo was a devout Christian who had a room in the church set aside for his daily quiet time. It was plainly furnished with just a table, a chair and a Bible. Faced with huge social and economic problems, the legacy of years of political corruption, plus the tensions of a racially divided nation, he knew that it was only divine guidance that would enable him to survive. We spent some time talking and praying with him as well as enjoying a family meal at his table. The next time we visited Nigeria we had a meal with two presidents: the President of Nigeria was hosting the President of the USA, Bill Clinton. So we had dinner with him and his daughter Chelsea.

President Obasanjo strove to root out the corruption endemic in Nigerian society but he was constantly impeded by Parliament who even attempted to impeach him. It is a deeply divided society between Christian and Muslim and although President Goodluck Jonathan is a Christian, he has been powerless to control the army which has always been controlled by Muslims from the Northern states. Today that is the home territory of Boko Haram, the jihadist terrorists who kidnapped 200 girls in 2014, and in January 2015 razed to the ground a whole area of villages around the town of Maiduguri, killing an estimated 2000 men, women and children.

Goodluck Jonathan also failed to deal with the widespread corruption in Nigeria. When the Governor of Nigeria’s central bank reported that $20 billion had been stolen, Jonathan sacked him. It is because of these failures that many voters deserted the PDP and voted for former General Muhammadu Buhari, who briefly ruled Nigeria some 32 years ago. His human rights record at that time was appalling and political opponents were executed, but as a Muslim from the North he may be able to deal firmly with the jihadist terrorists. His election on 1st April 2015 is a triumph of democracy for which Solomon Lar laid the foundation.

Solomon Lar died in October 2013. His moderating influence is greatly missed in Nigeria today, but there are many who still thank God for his great contribution in saving the nation from military dictatorship and establishing the principles of godly democracy. The whole of Nigeria has much to thank God for this courageous man of prayer who learned to listen to God and to be obedient even when it put his own life at risk. We thank God that Prophecy Today was helpful to him in his hour of need. We continue to pray that violence against Christians will cease and that a new era of peace and prosperity will come to Nigeria.