News briefs

Prayer for persecuted -- with a twist

The Canadian version of this year's International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians had an unusual theme: 'Pray for the Persecutors,' based on Romans 12:9-21. The event, involving Christians in well over 100 nations, occurred November 9 in many countries, and will happen November 16 in other locales. Just prior to the Canadian event, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's legal counsel Don Hutchinson encouraged believers to pray. Quoting Tennyson, he said: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of . . . For so the whole round earth is every way bound by gold chains about the feet of God."

Congo crisis in spotlight

The Catholic-based Development and Peace (DP), Kairos and other organizations have asked Canada to intervene in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "The whole civilian population is being held hostage," said DP advocacy officer Mary Durran at a November 7 news conference in Ottawa. A DP press release said renewed fighting in the region "has caused panic amongst [people] already displaced from previous conflict." The activist groups are asking the Canadian government to support international action that will maintain peace in the region and protect the millions of civilians caught in the crossfire. Contact: 1-888-664-3387.

'Just Us' for justice

Many young people want to make a difference when it comes to global issues like poverty, HIV-AIDS, gender inequality and child mortality -- but many doubt they can. Ontario couple Alex and Meghan Nicholls hope to inspire young Canadians to move beyond doubt -- and to that end, they launched the Just Us Project in Oakville November 5. Its purpose is to present the case that there is no 'us vs. them,' but rather, there is 'just us.' The no-cost presentation, scheduled for 30 communities across Canada, includes a film featuring interviews with young Rwandans.

Ancient scriptures explained

Hebrew University professor Menachem Ben-Sasson, a world-renowned expert in the history of Medieval Jewry in Muslim lands, will deliver a key lecture on ancient Jewish literature at the Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Toronto November 17. He will be speaking about the Cairo Genizah, which was uncovered in the ruins of an ancient synagogue in 1895, represents hundreds of thousands of document fragments dating between the 8th and 15th centuries. The event is co-sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem Canada (ICEJ).

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West rewards its own musicians

Several musicians known for Christian faith were honoured at the Western Canadian Music Awards in Edmonton last month. Outstanding Country Recording winner was Paul Brandt, for his album Risk, while Steve Bell's The Symphony Sessions won Outstanding Christian/Gospel Recording. Other nominees in that category included: Fresh I.E.'s LockJaw; Jon Bauer's Surround; Jon Buller's The Hymn Project; and Tripmeter's Wide World Crashing. Also nominated were Laurell's Fears Aside, for Outstanding Pop Recording; The Sojourners' Hold On, for Outstanding Roots Recordings; and Solo nominee Cara Luft for The Light Fantastic.

Changing of the CHP guard

Former Christian Heritage Party (CHP) leader Ron Gray was honoured by the party faithful for his 13 years of service at the party's national leadership convention in London, Ontario November 5 - 8. Deputy leader Jim Hnatiuk, of Nova Scotia, was chosen as Gray's successor. Hnatiuk is a church deacon and has been recognized for extensive community volunteer work. "The family unit is what builds a community and our country," he said. "The government would do well to focus on protecting it."

Tyndale getting more popular

Thanks to an 11 percent increase in the number of new and returning students, Tyndale University College & Seminary has welcomed the largest incoming class in the institution's history this year. "We have become much more strategic in our activities and sponsorships," said Philip Kay, senior director of admissions and marketing. "We have also expanded programs and partnerships that have brought new students to the institution."

CMU joins AUCC

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) has been named the newest member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)."We are delighted that the quality of the university education offered by CMU has been recognized by the AUCC," said CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt. "We look forward to being part of, and contributing to, this venerable organization." The AUCC represents 93 Canadian schools.

November 13/2008