AP

NEW AUSTRALIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH BODY ESTABLISHED

Monday 22 July, 2024 a new Lutheran church body called Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A) was established. The LM-A emerged from  a confessional movement in Australia concerned with the theological direction of the Lutheran Church of Australia/New Zealand (LCANZ), notably on the issue of women’s ordination but also on the question of the authority of Scripture more broadly.
The LM-A held its formal launch as a church body on the weekend of November 23-24, 2024 during which time the church also installed Rev Matthew Anker as LM-A president. After his installation, President Anker addressed those present: “Today is about much more than the beginning of a new church body. As Christians, we are called to boldly confess God’s Word with eternity in view, knowing that what we believe, teach, and confess does indeed have eternal consequences for us and for those we serve. LM-A has been established so that together you and I can also testify to those now living and those who will come after us, the whole counsel of God in Christ Jesus, and to do so boldly and without compromise so that when the day comes for us to appear before Christ, we can make this confession with intrepid hearts, knowing that we stand on nothing other than His revealed word. And in so doing, bring forgiveness, life and salvation to all those we are called to serve.”
Several guests also addressed the gathering on November 23, including President Antonio del Rio Reyes of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), who also serves as the Asia region’s representative on the Board of Directors of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). “Today is a day of profound rejoicing and heartfelt gratitude!” said LCP President Reyes. “Our Lord, the God of the harvest and the Master Builder of His Church, has once again displayed His unfailing love and mercy by raising up a faithful assembly under the banner of Lutheran Mission – Australia.” Lutheran Mission-Australia is an observer member of the International Lutheran Council, a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies and groups which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of an unconditional commitment to Holy Scripture and to the Lutheran Confessions.
In response to biblical teaching and practice, LM-A has a strong focus on church planting. The efforts to form this new synod go beyond simply welcoming churches that wish to come out of the LCA; they are also working to start new congregations where pastors can serve people and bring the Gospel to every corner of the land. One of the primary goals of LM-A is to establish a seminary to ensure that Gospel proclamation and the teaching of the historic Lutheran Confessions may continue in Australia for generations to come. So far 14 Congregations have been established covering all states except the Northern Territory. [Compiled from various cites and Newsletters of the LM-A]

 AUSTRALIA: FORWARD MOMENTUM IN ‘RIGHT TO LIFE’ MOVEMENT
Following the defeat of the radical abortion bills in NSW earlier this year, a bill to ban sex-selective abortion was introduced in the NSW parliament. A rally attended by 3000 people was held outside the NSW Parliament, to show the people’s support for the Bill. Dr Joanna Howe, a law professor at the University of Adelaide and a public figure in anti-abortion advocacy, states that this was the first pro-life bill introduced in the NSW parliament, and it was encouraging to see the forward momentum in NSW, as well as in SA where there is currently a bill to ban late-term abortion. However  the amendment to directly ban sex-selective abortions was rejected, because sex-selection abortion was prohibited as part of the 2019 Abortion Law Reform Act. The Act states that the Parliament opposes abortions performed for sex selection, and it mandated a review into the practice to find ways to prevent it happening. The target is protection of every baby. [Source: Dr Joanne Howe News letter and NSW parliamentary documentation]

AT LEAST 20 CHRISTIANS KILLED, 2,000 DISPLACED
From 9 to 12 October 2025, Sunni extremist group, al-Shabaab, launched attacks on Napala village, Mozambique, a predominantly Christian village. The assault resulted in the death of at least 20 Christians with 1,300 homes destroyed, including two churches.  A pastor whose name we cannot share for security reasons said: “We lament the sad death of four elderly sisters who were tied up and burnt inside a house by insurgents.” 
Nearly 2,000 believers have also been displaced. According to a local pastor, the situation quickly deteriorated when Mozambique’s Armed Defence Forces (FDS) withdrew from fighting the insurgents. “Everything got worse when the FDS tried to intervene without success. When they fled, they left everything worse for those people”. Photos received after the attack from Napala village show burnt out buildings, the village empty, and a church building in ruins. Some villagers tried to return to see if anything could be salvaged.  Please join us in praying for Christians from the village of Napala. [Source: Open Doord]

ICELAND A SPIRITUAL WASTELAND
Is Iceland a spiritual wasteland? Though having a population of only 350,000, Iceland is among the world’s leaders in living standards. Christianity is the majority religion, but a lifestyle that denies self and follows Christ is a concept alien to most. The release of The 100-Minute Bible some years ago has resulted in many people acquiring Bibles.
PRAY that people will read these Bibles and open their hearts and minds to the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. [Source: Operation World]

CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY FATHER AND DAUGHTER DIE WHEN PLANE BOUND FOR JAMAICA CRASHES IN FLORIDA
A Christian missionary father and his daughter were killed when a small plane bound for a hurricane relief mission in Jamaica crashed in a South Florida neighbourhood. Christian ministry organization Ignite the Fire identified the two victims as the group’s founder, Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena Wurm, 22. The Beechcraft King Air plane they were flying crashed into a pond in a residential area of the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Coral Springs, narrowly missing homes. The evangelist had recently acquired the plane to further his missionary work across the Caribbean, describing the aircraft as “perfect” to ferry deliveries of generators, batteries and building materials to Jamaica. Alexander Wurm had been a pilot since 2005.
In recent weeks, Alexander Wurm had helped deliver medical supplies, water filters and StarLink satellite internet equipment to Jamaica for the relief organization Crisis Response International. “What I can tell you about Alex is that he had a huge vision for the people of the Caribbean nations. And when this hurricane happened, he didn’t hesitate. He sprang into action and did what he could,” Crisis Response International founder Sean Malone said. Police and Federal Transportation officials are investigating the crash. [Source: CBN News]

NEARLY 75,000 PACK STADIUM IN ARGENTINA FOR GOSPEL CRUSADE,
9,000 MAKE INQUIRIES
A move of the Holy Spirit took place in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, over the weekend, as nearly 75,000 heard the Gospel and more than 9,000 people made inquiries about the Christian faith. Franklin Graham shared about the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ before thousands during the Esperanza Buenos Aires Festival at Vélez Stadium. 
One organiser said: “This is not common—we’re not used to seeing things like what just happened.” On the Friday night, more than 30,000 people crowded into the stadium despite the rain, and a 30-year-old woman named Adriana said her life changed after hearing the Rev. Franklin Graham preach. “He spoke about sins and that really touched me. The fact that he was willing to tell all people (about sin), from the stage, in front of so many people—I know that impacted all the people here, not just me. God is calling me back. God spoke to me a lot about my sins and it really got to my heart. This event renewed my faith. I go home very blessed and encouraged to follow Christ.” [Source: CBN News]

PASTOR IN NIGERIA FACING DEATH THREATS FOLLOWING PLEAS FOR PROTECTION
Christian Daily International-Morning Star News – A pastor in Nigeria is facing death threats for speaking out on Islamic extremist attacks on Christians and calling for protection against “genocide”. The Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, based in Plateau state as regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, told reporters in Jos on Oct. 24 that Islamic extremists have marked him for assassination, for calling on the Nigerian and U.S. governments to help protect Christians against genocide. “My life is in grave danger. Even the Nigerian Army issued a press release against me, accusing me of inciting people. As I speak, I am on the lookout for attacks. I no longer sleep with my eyes closed. I have been attacked before but escaped,” Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo said.
The statements followed an Oct. 15 video of Pastor Dachomo standing in a mass grave with the bodies of at least 12 slain church members, criticizing the Nigerian government for denying genocide against Christians and seeking help from the U.S. administration, the U.S. Senate and the United Nations. The bodies in the mass grave were those of Christians killed by Fulani herdsmen. “The Nigerian government keeps denying that a genocide against Christians is taking place in Nigeria, but look at the corpses buried here today,” Dachomo said pointing at the graves of the 12 slain. 
According to Open Doors, of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69%) were in Nigeria. In the country’s North-Central zone, where Christians are more common than they are elsewhere and where federal government control is scant, Islamic extremist Fulani militia continually attack farming communities, killing many hundreds of Christians. Abductions for ransom have increased considerably in recent years. 
STOP PRESS: Persecution.org reports that on the 12th Nov, seven people, including women and children, were abducted  during an attack in the Local Government Area of Chibok. Those kidnapped were mothers and their children, including two daughters of a local pastor and an infant. None have so far been released.

– compiled by Guido Kettniss