Oct-Testify2

testify 

October 2016 testify 

1 

Our Mandate 

Philippians 4:8 

Whatsoever things are 

true, noble, just, pure, 

lovely, of good report, 

if there is any virtue 

and if there is anything 

praiseworthy... 

publish such things. 

October 2016 Our Mission: Information and Education www.testifynewspaper.com 

“If you want 

something 

new, you 

have to stop 

doing 

something 

old” 

Be 

transformed 

by the 

renewal of 

your mind 

Back Page - Sports 

Page 3 

Three Iranian 

Christians charged 

with “acting 

against national 

security” after 

drinking Holy 

Communion Wine 

“I was diagnosed 

with lung cancer 

aged 77. I am now 

85 years old and 

I’m living proof that 

you can survive 

cancer”says 

Wilfred Griffith 

Police stops 

church from 

hiring out 

premises in case 

partygoers use 

crucifixes as 

weapons 

Full Story on 

Page 2 

Page 21

2 

testify October 2016 

Police stops church from 

hiring out premises in case 

partygoers use crucifixes 

as weapons 

A church leader’s plan to hire out his 

building as a music venue was halted 

as police raised concerns that revellers 

would attack each other with “church 

ornaments,” including crucifixes. 

Tom Plant took over as vicar of St. Michael’s 

Church in Camden, London, 

in January this year. According to 

Daily Express He applied to Camden 

Council for an alcohol licence, and he 

planned to hire out his venue to party 

organisers. But the police were concerned 

that the levels of violence and 

drunkenness are already soaring in the 

area, and this new development could 

make it worse. 

The heavy metal loving vicar said he 

wanted to turn his church into a “live 

music venue” - complete with a bar 

and a new stage, lighting, and sound 

system - for bands to come and play 

to crowds of around three hundred 

revellers. 

The thirty-seven-year-old vicar 

planned to put on gigs four nights a 

week. According to him, he wanted to 

put the church on the “cultural map.” 

But the plans look set to be scrapped 

after both local police and council 

bosses raised concerns that turning 

the church into a live music venue 

could lead to increases in drunken 

violence and that the church crucifix 

“Crucifix, candlestick and other church onrnaments may be used as weapons” 

could be wrongly used. 

In addition to the potential misuse of the cross, 

local police even said that “church ornaments” 

including candlesticks could be used as “weapons 

of violence” and could cause serious harm if a fight 

broke out at a gig. 

Alcohol license application for St Michael’s Church in Camden 

testify is a newspaper published to provide 

news and information which may affect the 

Christian community and service providers to the 

Christian sector. 

published by 

Treasure Publishing Ltd 

(www.treasurepublishing.co.uk) 

For general enquiries, please contact us via 

website: www.testifynewspaper.com 

email: media@testifynewspaper.com 

telephone: 

020 3475 8554 

address: Unit 4 Orangery Studios, 

21 Orangery Lane, London SE9 1HN


3 

Alcohol consumption is 

“taking part in a Christian 

ritual” - an act which is against 

national security. 

Three Iranian 

Christians 

charged with 

“acting against 

national 

security” after 

drinking Holy 

Communion 

Wine 

By Jane Amaka 

Iranian police arrested Yasser Mossayebzadeh, 

Saheb Fadaie, and Mohammad Reza 

Omidi in May, alongside Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani 

and his wife. They were charged 

with “acting against national security” after 

drinking Holy Communion wine. 

Communion wine and bread 

The pastor and his wife have since been released 

without charge, but the three other 

men remain in prison for “taking part in the 

Christian ritual,” an act which is against national 

security. 

Holy communion wine, also known as sacramental 

wine, is used by Christians all over 

the world alongside small bread wafers, 

known as sacramental bread. 

Although alcohol consumption in Iran is forbidden 

under their strict Sharia Islamic law, 

enjoying a sly tipple at home is believed to be 

widespread amongst its eighty million strong 

population. 

The three Iranian Christian converts could be 

flogged at a police station if found guilty of 

the crime. 

Offenders are normally sentenced to between 

ten and one hundred lashes across 

the back with a three-foot long whip. Some 

floggings were reportedly carried out in public. 

Many people faint after eight strokes due 

to the severe pain. 

In June, the Deputy Prosecutor General in 

Shiraz announced that five hundred people 

had been arrested and 480 of them had been 

tried and convicted within twenty-four hours 

for publicly breaking their fast during Ramadan. 

People can also be flogged in Iran for kissing 

in public, adultery, homosexual acts, and 

blasphemy. But “taking part in a Christian 

ritual” is seen as an act against national security. 

Advocacy charity Open Doors said: “While 

those considered ethnic Christians, such as 

Armenians or Assyrians, are allowed to practise 

their faith amongst themselves, ethnic 

Persians can never be seen as or convert 

to Christianity. They are defined as Muslim 

for life, and any Christian activity in Farsi is 

illegal. 

Offenders are normally flogged in the public with a three-foot long whip 

“Underground churches are increasingly 

monitored, which makes many people unable 

to attend due to fear of prosecution. At 

least 108 Christians were arrested in the last 

year in Iran. The interrogation methods in 

prison can be harsh and sexually abusive.”

4 


The Bible is more than a catalogue of many 

personalities and characters. This wonderful 

book is God‘s way of telling you that you 

are not alone. It talks about many people 

who went through similar issues that you go 

through. 

Although a Bible story may refer to a particular 

time in history, the message is relevant 

even today. 

Times may change, our cultural and economic 

climate are different, but the lesson and 

message remain the same. 

There are invisible laws governing the 

earth. For example, the laws of nature, the 

life cycle of a plant, weather system, and 

the solar system. These laws strongly testify 

about the existence of God (Romans 

1:19-20). 

If you believe in creation, then you will understand 

that God made human beings in 

His image. In other words, His Spirit. Therefore, 

human is primarily a spirit being 

with a soul and a physical body. 

When God created Adam and Eve, the human 

spirit was connected with God, resulting 

in a union and communion with God. 

Once Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s instruction, 

it was like changing the default 

setting of human nature. In a computer 

What is Christianity all about? 

system, you have a default setting. Mankind’s 

default setting went from one of pleasing 

God to pleasing self with all desires 

that are contrary to God’s words. 

The penalty for Adam’s disobedience was 

both spiritual separation and physical death. 

The Spirit of man was disconnected 

from the life and power of God. From that 

point forward man began to search for the 

meaning of life in a variety of ways. 

In order to reconnect people back to God, 

Jesus came to earth. John 3:16 says “But 

God gave His only begotten Son” who is 

Jesus Christ. 

Who is Jesus? 

Jesus is the Son of God who came to the 

world to pay the penalty for the sin of the 

people on earth. 

Jesus could relate to people at any level, 

including the vulnerable people in His community. 

The Bible explains that “He himself 

bore our sins and sorrow” in Isaiah 53:4. He 

felt the pain of hunger, rejection, isolation 

and poverty. Jesus had personal experiences 

of the struggle of human beings. 

Jesus showed us how to live in victory and 

according to God‘s plan for us. With His death 

on the cross, Jesus paid the price for 

our disobedience. He bridged 

the gap between God 

and humans so that the excommunicated 

spirit of humans 

could be reconciled back 

to God. 

Jesus defeated the power of 

sin through His death on the 

cross and His resurrection 

from the dead. 

If you will allow God in your 

life today, He will work in 

you and with you. As a result, 

you will experience His 

awesome power, grace and 

wonder. 

How can I find God? 

By Janet Adisa 

God gave us a condition for redemption - 

Just believe. Whoever believes in the price 

Jesus Christ paid for their sin will be saved 

from eternal separation from God. The default 

setting would be activated, the Spirit 

of God and that of human would be united, 

and communion with the Heavenly Father 

reactivated. 

Christianity is all about faith in Jesus 

Faith is like travelling on an aeroplane. You 

can only trust that your pilot is qualified and 

experienced enough to fly your aircraft to 

your destination. You must trust the pilot 

and the crew, although you have never 

met them before the trip. You 

are sure they will 

take you safely 

to your destination. 

Perhaps, the 

airline has a track 

record, or the recommendation 

of 

someone convinced 

you. You demonstrate 

your faith in the pilot 

and crew 

by allowing 

them to fly 

you to your 

destination.


5 

Your faith in God is similar. Even though you 

may not have a personal experience of God, 

you might have heard a lot about Him. He 

has a credible track record and passed the 

test of time. You might have heard about Jesus 

Christ and His good deeds. That is why 

people celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, 

Easter, and many other “nice and good” ceremonies. 

You must have faith in Jesus. All you need 

is to trust Him and receive the blessings God 

has prepared for those who accept Him. 

John 1:12 says “For as many as received 

him, he gave the right to become children 

of God.” 

In order to believe in Christ, you need to 

commit yourself to Him. If you trust Jesus, 

you would become totally involved in the 

eternal truths taught by Him in the Bible. 

How to receive Christ 

Two steps: Step (1) Believe in God. Step 

(2) Speak to God. 

Believe 

• Simply believe that you are created by 

God. Accept that you are a sinner just 

like everyone else. 

• Believe that you need to be reconciled 

to God, your Creator. 

• Believe that Christ is the Son of God 

who came to pay the price for the sins 

of the whole world, including yours. 

• Believe that your sins are forgiven 

because Jesus died on the cross and 

resurrected just for your salvation. As a 

result, you do not have to bear the guilt 

for your sins. You must believe that all 

of your past wrongdoings are nullified. 

Of course, you may assume that you 

are a good person, and you may offer 

your time and money to charity, and 

possibly as a result, you think that you do 

not need forgiveness of sins. But the truth 

is that everyone has sinned and needs forgiveness, 

according to Romans 3:10 which 

says, “There is none righteous, not even 

one...” Romans 3:23 clarifies by saying “All 

have sinned and fallen short of God’s 

glory...” 

Speak 

Once you believe in your heart, then you 

need to speak to God about your faith. Verbalise 

it according to Romans 10: 9-10 that 

says “I believe that Jesus died on the 

cross, to pay for all the wrong I had done. 

I believe that he rose up from the dead, 

and He is alive now. I believe that Jesus 

will return, and take me to live with Him 

eternally. I believe in God the Father, Son 

and the Holy Spirit. I believe Holy Spirit is 

given to me to be with me, live in me, and 

help me live as a child of God.” 

As a result of your belief and confession, 

you are reconciled to God, and your human 

spirit is reconnected with the life of God. As 

a result: 

• You are now a child of God, adopted into 

God’s family. 

• God is your heavenly father. 

• Jesus Christ is your Saviour, Friend, Teacher 

and Advocate. 

• The Spirit of God lives in you. 

• You are no longer condemned. 

• Other believers in Jesus Christ are your 

brothers and sisters. 

• Heaven is your destination. 

Congratulations! 

This is the start of your Christian 

journey. Welcome to God’s family! 

Janet Adisa is an evangelist and a minister 

of the gospel. Her passion is to win souls 

to Christ through her message of salvation 

preached on pulpits and gospel tracts. Many 

at her speaking engagements are known to 

have profound spiritual experiences. 

Mrs Adisa is married to Reverend Julius 

Adisa, and they have three adult children - 

Theodora, Miriam and Joshua. 

For more information, please email: 

janetadisa@icloud.com

6 


News anchor 

condemned for 

wearing crucifix 

on air 

By Joe Success 

Marina Nalesso, fourty-four, was condemned 

by atheists and secularists after 

she wore a crucifix during a broadcast on 

Italian state-owned channel TG1. 

The journalist, who on previous occasions 

has worn Jesus symbols, has been 

slammed on social media by some who are 

saying she should keep her religious symbols 

for private occasions. 

Ms.Nalesso said she couldn’t comment further 

because “journalists from RAI are not 

allowed to give interviews without permission 

of the company.” 

Marina Nalesso 

Politician Silvio Viale, a radical 

atheist and member of 

the Democratic party in Turin, 

wrote on Twitter: “Even today 

at TG1 the arrogance of 

a presenter wearing a rosary 

around their neck.” 

Another critic wrote: “Religion 

MUST be a private act. Leave 

rosaries at home, don’t take 

them to a public TV channel.” 

Another tweeter who was critical 

of her actions said: “Since 

when is TG1 with the Vatican? 

Rosaries and medals everywhere.” 

wear such as the burkini, which has caused 

controversy in Europe over the summer. 

The burkini was recently banned on some 

French beaches. However, the ban was 

later revoked by the country’s highest administrative 

court as judges said such bans 

“seriously, and clearly illegally, breached the 

fundamental freedoms to come and go, the 

freedom of beliefs and individual freedom.” 

Despite the calls from people to ban all religious 

symbols being worn by news broadcasters 

and others on television, RAI has 

never made a decision to do so. 

However, GiorgiaMeloni, leader of the 

Others moved to defend the 

journalist for her decision. 

One Twitter user wrote: “Veil 

yes. But crucifix no?” 

On Ms.Nalesso’s Facebook 

page, a fan posted: “We 

have been marginalised for 

some time, not the other way 

around.” 

Others were also riled up by 

the complaints, citing Islamic 

Fratellid’Italia party, defended the news anchor.She 

wrote on Facebook that she wished 

to show “solidarity” with Nalesso.”This is absurd,” 

she wrote. “Christianity is part of our 

culture and of the history of Italians and Europeans.Anyone 

who is annoyed by a crucifix 

should go and live somewhere else,” she 

added.”Most of the values that underpin our 

civilisation are contained in that crucifix: a 

symbol that represents a wealth to all of us, 

that we are proud of and that we want to 

continue to defend.”


7 

MIRACLE Healing Rally (DUbai) 

with overflowing crowds - with Pastor Dill (Every Week) 

Signs, Wonders, Miracles & Healings 

Greater Works Than These (John 4:12) 

“THIS IS WHAT MULTITUDES SAY” 

“God has truly visited His people.” “We have never seen like this before.” “This is truly the genuine power of God.” 

Testimonies and Healing Praise Reports 

Abigail and Ashbel – These are the children of a young couple. The daughter was 

having a teary eye and the son was coughing terribly; but as they were brought in 

the house of God, the mother noticed before the service ended that both of their 

children were healed completely. The teary eye and the coughing stopped 

completely. 

Ashima – She was having pain on her left hand for five months and finally during 

the service, she just received her healing instantly. There had been no traces of pain 

even after she got healed instantly. All glory to Jesus alone. 

Mary –She was ailing on her shoulders for long time. During the ministration, acting 

in faith, she started rolling her shoulders to confirm the healing she believed she 

had received. Halleluiah! She didn’t feel any pain at all. She got totally healed. All 

praises to Jesus. 

Peter – For five months she was ailing on her lower back. Due to that he couldn’t 

bend easily. But when the power of the Holy Spirit touched him, all of a sudden all 

the pain he went through for several months disappeared completely. 

Princess – She came to church with a terrible pain in her stomach. She couldn’t 

stand even and she was crying unto Jesus because of excruciating pain. Suddenly, 

she heard her name was called through the word of knowledge. Immediately she 

felt and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit flowing into her. She was healed 

and delivered instantly. Praising Jesus for her healing. 

James – For 5 months, this brother was ailing with chest pain. He was healed during 

the Miracle Healing Rally by the power of the Holy Spirit. He rejoices & gives all glory 

to Jesus Christ. Thanking Jesus for his healing. 

Florence – For one year, she’s been badly affected with a painful boil in her toe. She 

trusted Lord Jesus for her healing. Lord Jesus Christ honored her faith & healed her 

completely. No more pain. Now, she can move her toe easily. She rejoices and 

thanks Lord Jesus for the divine healing. Blessed be the name of Jesus. 

Datron – For the past seven years he’s been having rashes on his face. He testifies 

that during the Miracle Healing Rally, he’s been healed by the power of the Holy 

Spirit. Now it’s all gone. Praising and thanking Jesus for his healing. 

For our televiewers, 

you can watch us on the following 

• Word Network - Thursday at 1:30 AM / Tuesday at 1:30 PM 

• TBN Europe - Saturday at 2:30 PM (GMT) 

• INI TV - Friday & Sunday at 2:30 PM (GMT) / 10:30 PM 

• Revelation TV - Monday at 7:00 PM (GMT) 

• Premier Radio (UK) - Sunday at 5:30 PM 

Email : godslove@yourmiraclelife.com 

TBN Live with Ptr. Dill 

• CTS (Canada) - Saturday at 12:30 PM & Sunday at 5:30 PM 

• Life TV - Friday / Saturday / Sunday at 10:30 PM 

• Hope TV (Canada) - Sunday at 5:30 PM 

• Gospel Vision (Sri Lanka) - Sunday at 10:00 AM / 4:00 PM / 10:00 PM 

Website : www.yourmiraclelife.com 

Facebook MiracleMomentsIntl You tube Pastor Dill Mobile Apps DMI

8 


Five men 

jailed for life 

over murder of 

Christians in 

Turkey 

A Turkish court sentenced five men to three 

consecutive life sentences each for the 

murder of three Christians, including a German 

national, nearly a decade ago. 

The judgement was reached after the 115th 

hearing of the trial, the court in the city of 

Malatya found the men guilty of premeditated 

murder when they cut the throats of 

the employees of a Bible publishing house 

on Easter Sunday in 2007, the state-run Anadolu 

Agency reported. 

Two military officers were also sentenced 

to around 14 years in prison for “violating 

secret communications and forging official 

documents”, while 16 defendants were 

acquitted, Anadolu said. No further details 

were provided. 

The victims were employees of a Protestant 

publishing house in the eastern 

city of Malatya. Necati Aydin 

and Ugur Yuksel were Turkish 

converts from Islam, while 

Tilmann Geske was a German 

national. 

99 percent of Turkey’s population 

of 78 million people is officially 

Muslim. Also, there is an 

estimated 100,000 Christians. 

The European Union, which 

Turkey aspires to join, has often 

criticised Ankara’s record 

on protecting the rights of its 

religious and ethnic minorities, including 

Christians. 

In its progress report on Turkey’s accession 

bid, the EU cited the slow-moving trial of the 

Protestants’ killers to highlight its concerns 

about the quality of Turkish criminal investigations. 

The defendants were detained at the publishing 

house in the immediate aftermath 

of the crime. Their victims were found with 

their throats cut after they had been tortured. 

The suspects were released from prison in 

2012 and kept under electronic surveillance 

during their trial. 

The view points expressed in Testify Newspaper 

are those of their writers and are not necessarily held by the advertisers, 

publishers, editors, or staff members of Testify Newspaper 

or Treasure Publishing Ltd.


9

THE NEWNORMAL 

10 


CHRISTIAN CONCERN PRESENTS 

TWO CONFERENCES TACKLING TODAY’S PROBLEMS OF 

SEXUALITY AND GENDER IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE 

EMMANUEL CENTRE, 9-23 MARSHAM STREET, WESTMINSTER, LONDON SW1P 3DW. 

FRIDAY 

11 

NOVEMBER 

10AM - 5PM 

£50 (£40 EARLY BIRD/CONCESSIONS) 

FOR ALLL THOSE INTERESTED IN THE ORIGIN OF 

TODAY’S ‘NEW NORMAL’, IN PARTICULAR HOW THE 

ROLE AND STATUS OF CHILDREN HAS CHANGED. 

FEATURING : PROF. BOBBY LOPEZ & DR LISA NOLLAND 

7.30PM PERFORMANCE OF ‘SUNLIGHT’ 

DAY TICKET INCLUDES LUNCH AND ADMISSION TO EVENING PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAY ‘SUNLIGHT’ 

CHRISTIANCONCERN.COM/THENEWNORMALACADEMIC 

‘SUNLIGHT’ THE PLAY... 

CHRONICLES THE LIVES OF A CHRISTIAN ARTIST AND A CHRISTIAN SCHOLAR STRUGGLING TO STAY TRUE TO 

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 WHILE STILL SEEKING TO BE BOLD, TRUTHFUL, AND BIBLICAL IN HOW THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES 

AMIDST STRUGGLES WITH THE LGBT LOBBY. 

SATURDAY 

12 

NOVEMBER 

10AM - 5PM 

EQUIPPING TEACHERS AND CONCERNED ADULTS 

TO ENGAGE AND CHALLENGE SEXUALITY AND 

GENDER CONFUSION AT HOME, IN SCHOOLS AND 

IN SOCIETY. 

FEATURING : PROF. BOBBY LOPEZ & DR LISA NOLLAND 

DAY TICKET INCLUDES LUNCH AND ADMISSION TO FRIDAY’S PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAY ‘SUNLIGHT’ 

£40 (£30 EARLY BIRD/CONCESSIONS) 

CHRISTIANCONCERN.COM/THENEWNORMAL

Don’t ignore persistent heartburn – talk to your doctor about it 


11

12 


PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL 

The ultimate Israel trip that 

will bring the Bible to life and 

actually allow you to 

experience the holy land 

In Partnership with 

Testify Newspaper 

Come and Join Us 

on this fascinating journey to see the Holy 

Land and discover the footprint of Jesus 

and some amazing characters in the Bible 

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Holy Land to see the 

places we read about in the Bible, we’d like to invite you on a 

special TESTIFY tour of Israel. This trip will take you to the 

most vibrant communities Israel has to offer. Hear the rooster 

crow, touch the ancient stones, taste different types of ethnic 

cuisine and walk through the Bible. 

We will be departing for an 8-day Mission to Israel 

from Sunday 28th May to Sunday 4th June 

2017. 

We have secured a brilliant deal with our tour 

operators, coach companies and hotel - we are 

able to offer a special All-in-one low price - exclusively 

to Church and Ministry Leaders, enabling 

you and your spouse to come on a familiarisation 

tour of the Holy Land. 

For £1100 you will fly from either London Luton 

or Stanstead Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel 

Aviv. (Prices based on twin sharing. Otherwise a 

single room supplement will apply). 

You will tour Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, 

Masada and more. Hotels with breakfast and 

evening meals and entrance fees are all included. 

You only need a travel insurance, lunches 

and spending money. 

The city of Jerusalem 

Places are limited so please register your interest 

very soon. Flexible payment terms are 

available for early birds. 

This deal includes most of your needs, however, 

it does not include: Visa fees, travel insurance, 

lunch and gratuities 

* Please note that the number of single rooms 

are limited, please confirm early if you need a 

single room, and an additional costs of 15% 

could be added. 

For more information, 

please contact 

Mr Julius Adisa 07956385946 

Ms Crystal Chamkhi on 020 3475 8554 

River 

Jordan 

Sunshine in 

Tel Aviv 

Floating on 

the Dead Sea


13 

by INNOVATION 

Crystal Callow 

by Crystal Callow

14 

testify October 2016


15

16 


This 

month 

in 

Christian 

history 

October 2, 1187 Muslim general Saladin 

captures Jerusalem from the crusaders. 

October 25, 1400 English poet Geoffrey 

Chaucer dies in London, having stopped 

writing his famous Canterbury Tales some 

time before. Though not a religious writer, 

his characters aptly illustrate the best and 

worst of the church in his day. Chaucer was 

buried in Westminster Abbey, a high honour 

for a commoner, and became the first of 

those entombed in what is now called Poets’ 

Corner. 

Geoffrey Chaucer 

October 27, 1553 Michael Servetus is 

burned at the stake in Geneva for his heretical 

beliefs regarding the Trinity. 

October 29, 1562 George Abbot, translator 

of the Gospels, Acts and Revelation for the 

King James Bible is born. He became head 

of the Church of England in 1611, but his 

popularity (and his health) declined sharply 

after he killed a man in a hunting accident 

in 1621. 

October 14, 1633 James II of England, 

whose conversion to Catholicism in 1670 

created a constitutional crisis in Anglican 

Britain, is born. 

October 28, 312 

Roman emperor Constantine, 32, defeated 

the army of Maxentius, a contender to the 

throne, at Milvian Bridge, after trusting in a 

vision he had seen of the cross, inscribed 

with the words, “In this sign conquer.” Constantine 

was converted soon after and became 

the first Roman emperor to embrace 

the Christian faith. 

October 25, 431 

October 

The Council of Ephesus replaces Nestorius 

with a new patriarch of Constantinople. Nestorius 

was anathematized for holding the 

belief that two separate persons dwelled in 

the incarnate Christ. 

October 8, 451 The Council of Chalcedon 

opens to deal with the Eutychians, who believed 

Jesus could not have two natures. 

His divinity, they believed, swallowed up his 

humanity ‘‘like a drop of wine in the sea.’‘ 

The council condemned the teaching as 

heresy and created a confession of faith 

which has since been regarded as the highest 

word in Christology. 

October 27, 625 Honorius I begins his reign 

as Pope. His belief in Monothelitism (that 

Christ had only one will, not two), since condemned 

as heresy by the Roman Catholic 

Church, has long been a point of conflict for 

Catholic discussion of papal infallibility. 

October 14, 1066 William the Conqueror 

leads the Normans to victory over the English 

Saxons in the Battle of Hastings. William 

is also considered one of England’s 

most important religious reformers; he 

spent his last days in intense Christian devotion. 

October 30, 1451 Christopher Columbus, 

who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, both 

to spread Christianity and (as his crew members 

complained) to ‘‘make a great lord of 

himself’,” is born. 

October 26, 1466 According to some accounts, 

Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus 

was born on this date. The first editor of 

the Greek New Testament, he also wrote In 

Praise of Folly (a satire of monastic and ecclesiastical 

corruption) among many other 

works. 

October 12, 1492 Christopher Columbus 

arrives in the Caribbean. 

October 26, 1529 Thomas More becomes 

Lord Chancellor of England. Though he defended 

religious freedom in his book Utopia, 

he strongly opposed the Reformation and 

wrote against Luther, Tyndale, and others. 

Because he also opposed Henry VIII’s 

claim to be the supreme head of the English 

church, as well as the king’s divorce, he was 

executed. 

October 6, 1536 English reformer, William 

Tyndale, who translated and published the 

first mechanically-printed New Testament in 

the English language (against the law at the 

time) is strangled to death. His body is then 

burned at the stake. 

James 11 of England 

October 13, 1670 Virginia bans slavery for 

Negroes who arrive in the American colonies 

as Christians. The colony repealed the 

law twelve years later. 

October 16, 1701 Unhappy with growing 

liberalism at Harvard, Congregationalists 

founded a Collegiate School, later known as 

Yale. 

October 14, 1735 John and Charles Wesley, 

co-founders of Methodism, set sail for 

America as missionaries. 

October 27, 1771 Francis Asbury, sent from 

England by John Wesley to oversee America’s 

600 (or so) Methodists, lands in Philadelphia. 

During his forty-five year ministry 

in America, he travelled on horseback or in 

carriage an estimated 300,000 miles, delivering 

some 16,500 sermons. By his death, 

there were 200,000 Methodists in America. 

October 3, 1789 George Washington 

names November 26th as a day of national 

thanksgiving for the ratification of the Constitution. 

On the same date in 1863, Abraham 

Lincoln designates the last Thursday in November 

as Thanksgiving Day. 

October 2, 1800 Slave and lay preacher Nat 

Turner, is born in Southampton County, Virginia. 

Inspired by biblical texts, the deeply 

religious and ascetic Turner received visions 

of liberating his people. On August 22, 1831, 

he led a major revolt with 60 other slaves, 

killing 57 white Virginians. 

October 10, 1821 Law student Charles 

Finney, 29, went into the woods near his 

home to settle the question of his soul’s sal-


17 

This month in Christian history 

October 10, 1821 Law 

student Charles Finney, 

29, went into the woods 

near his home to settle the question 

of his soul’s salvation. That night, he 

experienced a dramatic conversion, 

full of what seemed ‘‘waves of liquid 

love throughout his body.’‘ Finney later 

became American history’s greatest 

revivalist and purportedly converted 

500,000 people. 

October 19, 1856 A Sunday evening 

service led by Charles Haddon 

Spurgeon turns tragic when someone 

shouts ‘‘Fire!’‘ in London’s enormous 

Surrey Hall. There was no fire, but 

the stampede left seven people dead 

and twenty-eight more hospitalised. 

Though the episode plunged Spurgeon 

into weeks of depression, it also 

catapulted him to overnight fame. 

October 16, 1859 Militant messianic 

abolitionist, John Brown, leads 

a group of about twenty men in a raid 

on the federal armoury at Harper’s 

Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). 

Brown believed that only violent action 

would end slavery and that a 

massive slave uprising would bring 

God’s judgment upon unrepentant 

American Southerners. Furthermore, 

he believed that God had anointed 

him as the cleansing agent for his 

country’s sin. But when the slaves 

around Harper’s Ferry failed to rally 

to Brown’s cause, he was overpowered. 

He was arrested, tried, and 

hanged. 

October 15, 1932 A small party 

of supporters gathers in Liverpool, 

England, to send Gladys 

Aylward, a 28-year-old parlor 

maid, off on a dangerous 

missionary journey to China. 

Though she’d been turned 

down by the missions agency 

she applied to, she went on to 

become one of the most amazing 

single woman missionaries 

of modern history. Her dramatic 

rescue of a hundred orphans is 

told in the movie The Inn of the 

Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid 

Bergman. 

October 15, 1949 Billy Graham 

skyrockets to national prominence 

with an evangelistic crusade 

in Los Angeles. 

October 26, 1950 Mother Teresa 

founds the first Mission of 

Charity in Calcutta, India. 

October 26, 1966 The first 

World Congress on Evangelism 

opens in West Berlin, attracting 

approximately 600 delegates 

from about 100 countries. 

October 12, 1971 The rock musical, 

‘‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’‘ 

debuts on Broadway. 

October 23, 1976 Presidential 

candidate, Jimmy Carter 

responds to a public outcry 

over comments he made in an 

interview with Playboy magazine. 

‘‘Christ said, ‘I tell you that 

anyone who has looked on a 

woman with lust has in his heart 

already committed adultery,’‘‘ 

Carter said in the interview. 

‘‘I’ve looked on a lot of women 

with lust. I’ve committed adultery 

in my heart many times.” 

October 27, 1978 The complete 

New International Version 

(NIV) of the Bible is published. 

October 17, 1979 Mother Teresa 

is awarded the Nobel Peace 

Prize. 

Mother Teresa 

Charles Finney 

October 29, 1837 Dutch theologian 

and politician, Abraham Kuyper is 

born in Rotterdam, Holland. He became 

so popular and famous that on 

October 29th, 1907, the whole nation 

celebrated his 70th birthday, declaring; 

‘‘the history of the Netherlands, in 

Church, in State, in Society, in Press, 

in School, and in the Sciences of the 

last forty years, cannot be written without 

the mention of his name on almost 

every page. 

October 22, 1844 Between 50,000 

and 100,000 followers of Baptist lay 

preacher William Miller prepared for 

‘‘The Day of Atonement’‘—the day 

Jesus would return. Jesus didn’t, 

and though Miller retained his faith 

in Christ’s imminent return until his 

death, he blamed human mistakes in 

Bible chronologies for ‘‘The Great Disappointment.’‘ 

Several groups arose 

from Miller’s following, including the 

Seventh-Day Adventists. 

October 18, 1867 The United States 

purchases Alaska for $7.2 million, or 

about 2 cents an acre. Ten years 

later, after the military administration 

had only worsened the territory’s 

moral condition, an army private stationed 

in Alaska begged, ‘‘Send out a 

shepherd who may reclaim a mighty 

flock from the error of their ways, and 

gather them into the true fold.’‘ Presbyterian 

missionary Sheldon Jackson 

answered the call and spent decades 

raising funds, building schools and 

churches, and crusading for better 

laws. 

October 15, 1880 Germany’s Cologne 

cathedral is completed, 633 years after 

construction began. 

October 4, 1890 Catherine Booth, 

English ‘‘mother of the Salvation 

Army,’‘ dies of cancer. Besides preaching 

as a Salvation Army minister, she 

persuaded her husband, William, to 

make women an integral part of Salvation 

Army leadership and work. 

Cathrine Booth 

Charles Spurgeon

18 


27 Christians deported from Saudi Arabia for praying 

Saudi Arabia has deported 27 Christians for 

having a prayer meeting in their home, according 

to news reports. 

The group of Christians, most if not all of 

whom were Lebanese nationals, were 

having a prayer meeting when authorities 

stormed their residence and arrested them. 

Saudi authorities carried out the deportation 

of the men, women and their children 

because they were “conducting Christian 

prayers” and are “in possession of Bibles,” 

something considered as “unIslamic” acts 

in the country. Many of the deported immigrants 

argued in vain that because the 

Koran esteems Mary, their prayers should 

not be seen as insulting. 

The authorities, the dreaded “religious police,” 

forcefully entered their home, arrested 

them, strip them of their visas and deport 

them back to Lebanon. Ironically, this is a 

much better fate than that suffered by other 

Christians caught engaging in “acts of 

Christianity” in the Islamic kingdom, including 

torture and long jail sentences. 

In 2012, 35 Christian Ethiopians were arrested 

and abused in prison for almost a 

year, simply for holding a private house 

prayer. One of them reported after being 

released: “They [Saudis] are full of hatred 

towards non-Muslims.” 

By James Iroha 

In 2006 the Saudi government pledged to 

stop interfering with private worship of non- 

Muslims. However, today, anyone seen 

wearing a cross can have it removed by any 

Muslim, not just police officers or government 

authorities. 

Christians make up about three per cent 

of the population of Saudi Arabia, where 

churches are banned and apostasy is a 

capital offence. 

Americans, 

French and Italians 

celebrate 

Christmas and 

Easter services 

inside their 

embassies but 

there is no legal 

Christian, Jewish, 

Hindu or 

any other worship 

anywhere 

else in Saudi 

Arabia, a law 

enforced by 

5,000 religious 

police officers. 

Professor 

Camille Eid, of 

Milan univerisity, 

an expert 

on Christianity 

in the Middle 

East, told the 

TV show Where 

God Weeps 

that Christians 

in Saudi Arabia 

have to practice 

their faith in secret. 

“They say that 

Christians can 

pray privately 

but what does 

Saudi Police carrying during a deportation excercise 

private mean? Does it mean alone or with 

your family? When more than two, or a 

group of families, are praying together in 

the privacy of their home the religious police 

can come in and intervene and arrest 

them.” 

The professor described the case of a Saudi 

girl who converted 

to Christianity 

and wrote a poem 

to Christ. She had 

her tongue cut, disappeared 

and was 

later found dead. 

The UK Ambassador 

to Saudi Arabia, 

Simon Collis, recently 

converted to 

Islam. 

Saudi Arabia is currently 

number 14 

on the Open Doors 

persecution watch 

list. 

Open Doors says: 

“The majority of the 

population is under 

thirty and the youth 

culture has changed 

radically under the 

influence of satellite 

TV, the internet and 

social media. Young 

people are longing 

for more freedom, 

especially for women, 

and do not want 

to be restricted by 

the religious police.” 

Open Doors reports that the internet revolution 

has reached Islamic leaders and several 

Imams have Twitter accounts. “The 

number of Christian converts from Islam 

and other religions is increasing, along with 

their boldness in sharing their new faith.”

I’m an Athiest… But I guess I’m also a Christian 

I know some of you may not believe me, but 

this was a real life actual conversation I recently 

had with someone I consider a very 

good friend of mine. We’d gone out for one 

of those dinner-catch up dates and were in 

the middle of cutting into the juiciest lamb 

I’ve ever tasted in my life (sorry Vegans – 

thank you Sarastro Restaurant) and, as always, 

the discussion of my work came up 

which invariably leads to the greater discussion 

of my faith. 

After hearing how my day/week/month had 

gone my friend uttered words that I am getting 

more and more used to hearing, “I’m an 

Atheist!” The usual set of questions followed 

around, “how can you believe in a God?” 

from him and “how can you NOT believe in a 

God?” from me. After much discussion and 

debate he said the strangest thing; “But I 

guess I’m also a Christian!” 

Delicious succulent lamb totally forgotten, I 

asked him to clarify on what basis he considered 

himself both Christian and Atheist? 

by Jacqueline Malcolm PES 

Confussed! Am I a Christian or an Athiest? 

“Well, I follow the same Christian values. I 

don’t go to church but I’m good to people. 

I work hard. I don’t do anything wrong. I’ve 

never stolen a thing in my life…” and so his 

resume of “Christian goodness” went on. I 

let him speak uninterrupted as I gathered 

my thoughts and I was surprised to find that 


19 

what he considered to be a “Christian” and 

“Christian values” didn’t actually surprise me 

at all – especially because that has been the 

same message we’ve been sending from 

our pulpits. 

No, I’m not suggesting that anyone has ever 

taken a microphone and declared forget 

God, let’s do Church without Him, but at the 

same time haven’t we so diluted down the 

Word of God that sometimes it’s effectiveness 

and influence on our society is outrageously 

lacking? Even within the church, 

hasn’t there been such a shift of focus from 

His “amazing Grace” to our own ability, 

achievements and “goodness”? Before we 

judge him too harshly, isn’t my friend, “the 

atheist” just a product of the effectiveness 

of the Church and our communicating of the 

Word of God to our communities? 

Once he had finished his verbal memoirs of 

goodness, I put my fork down and said as 

calmly but as plainly as I could so that not 

one word could be mistaken, misinterpreted 

or forgotten. I said, “You being a good person 

has nothing to do whatsoever 

with whether or not you’re 

a Christian. Muslims are good 

people – but they’re not Christians. 

To be a Christian means 

one thing - you have to believe 

in a God! You have to believe 

that this God had a Son and that 

He loved you so much that He 

sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, 

to this earth just to die for you. 

You then have to accept both the 

death and resurrection of Jesus 

Christ, ask God to forgive your 

sins and accept Jesus in your 

Jacqueline Malcolm is a Project & Event 

Strategist who is dedicated to seeing 

the Kingdom of God established in London. 

If you have a project or an event that you 

would like to discuss, you can contact her 

to arrange your free consultation on 

jacquie@jacquelinemalcolmpes.com 

For more information, please visit 

www.jacquelinemalcolmpes.com 

heart as your saviour – accept Him as the 

person who died to give you eternal life. That 

and only that makes you a Christian.” 

We both took a moment to let those words 

settle and then he simply said, ‘So, I guess 

I’m not a Christian then… yet!” 

Yet! I like that word…

20 


I will 

build my 

church 

SOUTH EAST 

12 – 13 October 2016 

Kent Event Centre, Maidstone 

THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND A HUGE RANGE OF 

CHURCH RESOURCES UNDER ONE ROOF! 

• 100+ exhibitors featuring everything to equip 

and inspire your church from pulpits to 

puppets, stained glass to sound systems, ways 

to worship and what to wear 

• Seminars and Worship 

• Massive shop featuring books, CDs, DVDs 

and other resources 

• Arts Theatre 

For all the latest information and to 

buy tickets go to CREonline.co.uk 

or call 01793 418218 

CREonline 

CREonline.co.uk/tv 

@CRE_churchshow 

Christian Resources Exhibitions is part of Bible Society (Charity Reg. No 232759)


21 

“I was diagnosed with lung cancer aged 77. I am now 

85 years old and I’m living proof that you can survive 

cancer”says Wilfred Griffith 

Wilfred Griffith features in Public Health 

England’s current Be Clear on Cancer 

campaign. The campaign focuses on a 

persistent cough, or getting out of breath 

doing everyday things such as vacuuming 

or walking up a short flight of stairs. These 

symptoms could be a sign of lung cancer 

or other lung diseases. Breathlessness can 

also be a sign of heart disease. Anyone experiencing 

these symptoms should see their 

GP as finding these conditions early makes 

them more treatable. 

family and I knew something was wrong 

when I had a cough that wouldn’t go away, 

pain in my chest and I was feeling weak.” 

His concerned children took him to see the 

doctor. After investigation Wilfred was diagnosed 

with lung cancer “The diagnosis was 

a complete shock. No one in my family had 

ever experienced cancer so I didn’t know 

much about it or what to expect.” 

Wilfred came to terms with the diagnosis 

“My family were there for me through this 

His treatment went well and he made a 

good recovery.Wilfred now aged 85 has 

been in remission for the last 8 years and 

is enjoying spending time with his family. He 

encourages others by sharing his personal 

experience and is keen for people to know 

that you can survive, he says “I was diagnosed 

with lung cancer aged 77. I am now 

85 years old and I’m living proof that you 

can survive cancer.” 

He advises others who may have had a 

“I am so pleased that Public Health England 

is running this campaign to highlight that a 

cough for three weeks or more could be a 

sign of lung disease or even lung cancer. It’s 

so important that people are aware.” 

Dr Philip Abiola, GP and Clinical Lead for 

Cancer at Newham said: “Symptoms like 

a persistent cough or getting out of breath 

easily could be signs of lung cancer, lung 

disease and heart disease that can be easy 

to ignore. Anyone who has these symptoms 

should see their GP, don’t worry about wasting 

our time, we want to see you. The sooner 

these big diseases are spotted and patients 

start treatment, the greater the chances to 

save lives and help people manage these 

conditions.” 

Wilfred Griffith shares his story of 

surviving Lung Cancer 

Wilfred Griffith, originally from Barbados 

was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. 

Reflecting on his symptoms he said “My 

difficult period.” He also acknowledges the 

support of the doctors and other healthcare 

professionals “The staff at the hospital were 

really supportive and attentive. They explained 

everything to me, I felt informed and 

less apprehensive about the treatment.” 

cough that has lasted three weeks or more 

“Don’t ignore your symptoms or try to selftreat 

it. Just go and see your doctor. Finding 

lung cancer early could save your life and 

give you more time to spend with your loved 

ones.” 

Wilfred features in Public Health England’s 

film produced to support the campaign, the 

film can be viewed athttp://po.st/HZmwQq. 

For further information about the signs and 

symptoms of lung cancer, lung disease and 

heart disease, search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’. 

@ 

testifynews 

@ 

testifynews

22 


Continued 

from back 

page 

Innovation 

Be transformed by the renewal of your mind 

Manchester City is the first football club 

in the world to introduce a global chain of 

clubs. That is what you call innovation. 

Innovation is crucial to the continuing success 

of any organisation. The Bible described 

it as “being transformed by the renewing 

of your mind.” 

Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City 

said “With this structure, we’re doing something 

that has never been done before. That 

means you have to take risks, innovate, and 

not be afraid to try new things. There is no 

limit to what we can achieve.” 

This carefully coordinated approach is apparently 

reaping rewards. CFG claims it 

now reaches over four hundred million fans 

globally across its four clubs and is attracting 

an expanding roster of sponsors who 

are drawn to the prospect of activating campaigns 

at both a global and a local level. 

“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth 

on an old garment. If he does, the patch 

tears away from it, the new from the old, 

and a worse tear is made. And no one 

puts new wine into old wineskins. If he 

does, the wine will burst the skins—and 

the wine is destroyed, and so are the 

skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” 

Mark 2:21-22 (ESV) 

Manchester City Football Club 

Yokohama F. Marinos striker Manabu Saito with tea 

mascot 

David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and other players of New York City FC 

Melbourne City FC


23 

“If you want something new, you 

have to stop doing something old” 

Innovation is all about looking for new ways 

of doing old things. 

Another innovative person in English football 

is Arsene Wenger. Wenger revolutionised 

the English game. We had never and 

may not ever see the like of the Arsenal 

boss again. 

Technical, Passing, Possession 

Technical, passing, possession football is 

now the norm for teams who want to be regarded 

as world contenders, but it was not 

so when Wenger arrived twenty years ago 

in English football. It was his blueprint that 

made it so. 

Diet 

On arrival in 1996, the philosophy of Arsenal 

players like most English clubs was teambuilding 

through pub crawling. Before then, 

diet and fitness were still seen as relatively 

inconsequential compared to team spirit 

usually fostered by mammoth boozing sessions, 

and feasting on pub food after every 

training session or match. 

Wenger came in, banned Mars bars and 

beers, gave his players vitamins supplements, 

and watched the victories and trophies 

roll in. Thereafter, every club in England 

and Europe copied his philosophy. 

Today, no leading manager works without a 

battery of dieticians, sports scientists, 

and analysts at his disposal. 

Foreign and local youths 

Wenger started the idea that 

young overseas players could 

come to England in their formative 

years and thrive. Nicolas Anelka, 

Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Robin 

van Persie, and Cesc Fàbregas 

came, saw and conquered. Today, 

every manager have scouts all 

over the world who are searching 

for new talents. 

Successful foreign manager 

Pre-Wenger, there was scepticism 

that foreign managers would be 

able to understand English football 

let alone foreign youngsters 

who were brought up by passing 

the ball rather than running up and 

down pebbles at Brighton Beach 

to aid fitness. 

Self-made club 

Every top British Club has a huge foreign 

financial injection. Arsenal is the only selfmade 

members of that ‘Big Six.’ Without 

Wenger, it is entirely probable, let alone 

possible, that the Gunners would not be 

the force they are today even with their 

great tradition. 

In the four Premier League seasons before 

Wenger arrived, Arsenal finished 

tenth, fourth, twelfth and fifth. These positions 

are unthinkable today. For the last 

three of those years, they lagged behind 

Newcastle United, but since then, they’ve 

not been outside of the top four. 

He may not have won many trophies in 

the last ten years, but in twenty years, he 

has revolutionised English football. Today, 

English football is the market leader 

for any club football. The impact has been 

astounding. 

If Wenger is a failure for always finishing 

inside the top four, that’s nowhere near as 

big a failure as other so-called big clubs. 

Everton hasn’t won a trophy since 1995, 

Liverpool hasn’t won a title since 1990 and 

Tottenham since the early 1960s. 

Every other club including Chelsea, Manchester 

United, Liverpool and Manchester 

City - have spent time outside the Champions 

League. Arsenal hasn’t under Wenger. 

Whatever happens next, if Wenger never 

wins another game of football in his life, 

his legendary status is assured. 

This is nothing but pure innovation. 

Arsene Wenger 

m 

Arsenal FC

24 testify October 2016 

testify 

sports 

Be transformed by the 

renewal of your mind 

“If you want something new, 

you have to stop doing something old.” 

By Alex Iwuoha 

Peter Drucker, the Australian-born American 

management consultant once said, “If 

you want something new, you have to stop 

doing something old.” Call it transformation, 

alteration, innovation or whatever you 

like, you have to develop new methods, 

ideas, or product if you want to remain on 

the cutting edge. 

The City brand 

After many years of decline, culminating in 

relegation to the third tier of English football 

in 1998, Manchester City is now transformed 

into one of football’s most innovative 

business models. 

City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester 

City Football Club, set up the Abu 

Dhabi investment fund and paid £200 million 

in 2008 for the purchase of the club. 

Thereafter, they bought three other clubs in 

different parts of the world, making CFG the 

first global chain in world football. The sister 

clubs are the New York City F.C., established 

in the United States Major League 

Soccer (MLS) with players such as Frank 

Lampard and Andrea Pirlo in its squad. 

Also, the company has Melbourne City 

F.C., an Australian A-League club bought in 

2004, and Yokohama F. Marinos, a Japanese 

J-League club acquired in 2014. 

Continued on Pages 22-23 

testify is a newspaper published to provide news and information which may affect the Christian community and service providers to the Christian sector. 

For general enquiries, please contact us via the website: www.testifynewspaper.com, or by email: media@testifynewspaper.com Telephone: 020 3475 8554 

published by Treasure Publishing Ltd (www.treasurepublishing.co.uk) Unit 4 Orangery Studios, 21 Orangery Lane, London SE9 1HN

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