Faith
World Students Join in Global Prayer Day
Faith Facts
- Nearly 30,000 participants from over 130 countries united in prayer for God’s work on World Student Day.
- Testimonies from countries facing hardship, like South Sudan and Madagascar, highlighted God’s faithfulness and the power of student fellowship.
- New features like Prayer Cards helped Christians worldwide pray together for students in every IFES region.
Believers across continents joined hearts on October 16 to seek God’s immeasurable work in students’ lives and campuses. The event showcased unity in faith, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries for a common purpose.
National movements in Asia, Africa, and beyond gathered to intercede for academic communities, uplifting those who serve Christ in challenging environments.
“It was a deep joy to see students from our national movements supporting each other in prayer and an absolute delight to see supporters and churches standing with them,” said Annette Arulrajah, IFES Associate General Secretary.
Christian students, from isolated corners to troubled regions, found encouragement and strength through a fellowship that pointed to God’s enduring presence and love.
“Students have been sharing their testimonies of how God has been faithful in their campus fellowships and in their own spiritual growth,” said Kanywar, from South Sudan. “Students have joined the event from nine universities. It was so amazing for all!”
One student in Madagascar wrote: “Glory be to God for giving us the resilient heart to pursue preparations for [World Student Day] this year despite the social and political troubles.”
Stories of encouragement, such as a student in Vanuatu realizing her connection to the global family of believers, showed how the body of Christ reaches across every border.
Tools like Prayer Cards empowered groups both large and small to lift up nations by name, praying for spiritual influence on campuses from Israel to India.
A Christian in Israel requested, “Let us pray for the courage to lead the way toward peace and justice in a region burdened by hatred and hostility.”
Reji from India also asked for prayer, “Pray for more student groups and that our students may engage the universities with God’s thoughts on their academic disciplines.”
As these students and ministries move forward, they remain committed to regular intercession, shaping future leaders for Christ with Christian unity and hope.
Let us continue to lift up students worldwide, trusting in God’s power to use faithful hearts for His glory in every nation.
Faith Facts
- The majority of pastors now use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly to prepare sermons.
- Sixty-one percent of pastors report using AI weekly or daily, a significant rise from the previous year.
- Church leaders express concerns over the ethical and spiritual impacts of AI-generated content.
Many pastors are turning to AI technology to enhance sermon preparation while emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual discernment and personal connection.
Commonly used AI tools in ministry include ChatGPT for research and creative support, and Grammarly for refining church communications.
Researchers found that church leaders see value in AI for efficiency, yet remain vigilant about upholding biblical truth and safeguarding the unique role of human guidance in ministry.
Churches of various sizes and denominations are participating in the adoption of AI, with a majority willing to invest in further education and ethical training regarding its use.
Leaders are encouraged to approach technological tools with wisdom and transparency, prioritizing faith-based values and community trust as they navigate these new opportunities.
Faith Facts
- Sherry Pogue transformed a French château into a free spiritual retreat for Christian missionaries and their families.
- The ministry, Restored & Renewed, was founded to renew missionaries’ strength and prevent burnout.
- The château also fosters community outreach and Christian fellowship in a largely secular region of France.
Sherry Pogue purchased the 6,000-square-foot Château Claire Fontaine in rural eastern France to advance God’s calling by providing rest and renewal to missionaries. Built in 1870, the four-level home now welcomes missionaries at no cost, offering comfort, recreation, and biblical counseling.
“Our goal is to keep missionaries on the field,” Pogue shared, noting many face exhaustion worldwide.
Sue Foster, a veteran missionary, expressed that Restored & Renewed has “been a tremendous blessing to a great many missionaries around the world, including myself!!”
Pogue, working with life coaches and even a helpful poodle, intentionally opens her doors to missionaries of all biblical backgrounds, emphasizing Christian unity and support. She observed the challenges large missionary families face in affording rest, so her property’s expansive grounds and tranquil setting provide much-needed relief.
Luk Brazle, another missionary, described the experience as healing: “A place where we could sleep, be cooked for and nothing was expected of us was healing.” His family found fellowship with other missionary families, strengthening their connections and faith.
Pogue’s commitment is rooted in her extensive background in education and counseling, all guided by her strong faith in God’s direction. She credits God’s hand for preparing her path, from her early days studying French to her present ministry work in France.
Beyond the château, Pogue organizes Christian services in the local Catholic church—often closed and without a priest—to share the hope of Christ in the village. Professor Robert McCready, whose students join these events, testified, “We would talk about the Lord between songs…it was very encouraging.” His involvement in these faith-filled gatherings was so positive that the mayor honored him as an honorary citizen and welcomed continued Christian fellowship.
Through dedication to biblical values, Sherry Pogue’s faithful obedience is a powerful testimony to the difference one believer can make in God’s kingdom and in the lives of His servants.
Stay connected with us for more stories of faith in action. Subscribe and follow Faith and Freedom Report as we spotlight believers living out Christ’s commission and bringing hope to the world.
Faith Facts
- St Bernard of Clairvaux, born in 1090, was a leading Cistercian abbot and theologian who shaped church life in medieval Europe.
- He described three distinct Advents: Christ’s past coming, His future coming, and His present coming into believers’ hearts.
- St Bernard’s Advent sermons inspired the faithful to experience Jesus’s presence as fulfillment, hope, and joy.
St Bernard of Clairvaux, canonized in 1174, was renowned for his spirituality, wisdom, and service to Christ’s church.
He taught that Advent is a sacred journey, reflecting on Christ’s incarnation, promised return, and daily presence in the hearts of believers.
“If anyone loves me and keeps my word, my Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them.”
Jesus’ message in John 14:23 calls Christians to open their hearts to His love and guidance today.
Let this Advent be a time to renew our faith, honor Christ’s coming, and share His hope in our families and nation.
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