OPERATION NEHEMIAH

"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:13‑16

You can start an action group. One person can make a difference. Africa Christian Action has been equipping and mobilising Christians to be salt and light in their communities since 1991. Our training seminars, radio programmes, rallies and literature have helped many thousands of concerned Christians make a difference for Christ in their communities.

Since ACA launched Operation Clean Sweep in 1991, over 9,000 stores were persuaded to stop selling pornographic magazines. Several magazines we targeted, such as Scope, went bankrupt and closed down. ACA has been in the forefront of the battle against pornography, in the campaign for Christian education and in the fight for the Right to Life of pre-born babies. ACA published the first pro‑life handbook for South Africa, Fight for Life. ACA also published the first South African book against pornography, Finding Freedom from the Pornography Plague, the first book exposing the Homosexual Agenda in South Africa – The Pink Agenda: Sexual Revolution and the Ruin of the Family as well as Make a Difference – A Christian Action Handbook for Southern Africa.

ACA launched the first pro‑life demonstrations, co-ordinated the first Life Chains, Sanctity Life Sundays and the Marches for Life to Parliament in South Africaand pioneered the first Biblical Issues Voters’ Guide, which evaluates political parties on where they stand on pro‑life, moral and family issues. ACA has established Christian Action groups in Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Nigeria, which have had an impact on those nations.

PRINCIPLES FOR GRASSROOTS ACTION

In the Bible, in the book of Nehemiah, we see principles for grassroots action.

INFORMATION

“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6. We must be informed. It is when people are informed that they can be inspired to prayer and action. The Christian Action magazine, website and E-updates seek to provide the spiritual ammunition that you need to be effective in the fight for the Right to Life of pre-born babies, the war against pornography and the battle for the family.

INVOLVEMENT

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets With Dwellings.” Isaiah 58:12

Nehemiah researched amongst the rubble and developed a plan to motivate and mobilise the community to rebuild their portion of the wall. Yet, while each group of families had their own part of the wall to work on, they were united in the common goal. They “worked with all their hearts” together to achieve the main goal to rebuild the wall. And when Nehemiah sounded the trumpet, all rallied to that part of the wall that was under attack for the common defence.

“The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” Nehemiah 4:19

Our trumpets in Operation Nehemiah include the Christian Action Emailing list,the Christian Action magazine and the www.christianaction.org.za website. For Cape Town events, we have an SMS list. Do be sure that you are subscribed and on the mailing list for the Christian Action magazine, and that ACA has your email address or cell phone number so that you can be kept up to date on news and upcoming events. Visit the Christian Action website regularly to stay in touch with upcoming events and projects. Listen to From the Frontline Podcasts for up-to-date report backs and information. Also, if you are in Cape Town, you can attend Reformation Society meetings on Thursday evenings at Livingstone House (contact us for directions).

Information is cheap. Raw information, which makes up the bulk of newspapers today, does not cost very much and, in fact, is used to start fires or to line cat litter boxes and is thrown out only a few days after it is published.

Understanding is valuable. Wisdom and discernment, which helps us to grasp the essence of an issue, are of great value. Penetrating articles and any insightful analysis, or relevant newsletters, should be cut out and filed for future reference or action.

Participation is precious. That which helps us get involved in making a difference to any important project is most precious. Whatever can help us be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ is of eternal importance. Christian Action not only provides valuable insights and Biblical perspectives on the tough issues of the day, but invites your active participation in applying the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life. The goal of ACA is not only to inform and to inspire, but to involve. You are encouraged to educate and enlist others in this Biblical movement to motivate and mobilise the church to be salt and light in society.

INTERCESSION

“Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” Luke 18:1

We are either praying or we have given up. If we have given up, it is probably because we neglected to pray. We need to be informed, we need to be involved, and we need to be interceding. Prayer is our foundation for action.

If you are interested in starting a Christian Action group, all you need to do is to find one or two others who will join you in meeting together regularly, to pray over and discuss projects and strategies. Sign up, subscribe, tune in, get networked and stay in touch. Together we can transform our communities – by changing lives.

“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud.” Proverbs 8:1-3

A PRACTICAL STRATEGY FOR REBUILDING THE WALLS

WHY WE NEED GRASSROOTS ACTION

Newsletters are a great start. They are the foundations from which we can launch our projects. The Bible says that “My people perish for a lack of knowledge” Hosea 4.6. That is why the first step must be information distribution.

It is when people are informed that they can be inspired to prayer and action. When they read the material mailed out, or on social media, many times they are outraged and are motivated at that given moment to do something about it, yet seldom are they given direction. When a community is informed, we can activate our resources. Other­wise we have too many heads and not enough feet.

Each person who receives an independent Christian magazine or email is a potential leader in his or her community or local church. They are the ones being informed, they know their pastors, and Cell Group Leaders, they know the people in their area. This is what we call grassroots mobilisation, when the people get organised from the ground up.

When grassroots groups are informed, organised and active, then the whole Christian community can be called into action in a matter of a few days. Then when a crisis or opportunity comes, we can mobilise God's army. Our network will already have been involved in local battles, so they'll be prepared, prayed up and ready to go.

OPERATION NEHEMIAH

1. Nehemiah received the call to oversee the project of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 1: 1‑4). The remnant of Israel was living there amongst the rubble, yet none of them had done anything about it. The people were definitely informed concerning the problem; after all, they lived there. They needed a leader. They needed to be united under one co‑ordinator. This was to be Nehemiah.

2. While working together they each had their own portion of the wall to rebuild (Neh 3). This was their part, their focus. Each one worked in his own community, close to his home, rebuilding that part of the wall that was most important to him.

3. Each group of families had their own part of the wall to work on, yet they were united in their common goal to rebuild the wall (Neh 4:6). They "worked with all their hearts" together to achieve the main goal, to rebuild the wall.

4. The most important communications asset to their project was the trumpet. The trumpet bearer was always with Nehemiah (Neh 4:18). Quoting from verse 19:

"Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!'"

Their commander was also their watchman. When one portion of the wall was under attack, he blew the trumpet and they all ran to its defence, realising that if the enemy obtained a foothold in one portion of the wall, the whole city would be threatened.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF NEHEMIAH

1. They needed a leader. All armies must have a commander for practical purposes so that everyone knows exactly what part of the task he is responsible for. It prevents chaos and provides direction. It is necessary for mass movement. To call the people from grassroots, they must have a contact point. Someone they can call on with questions, someone who is overseeing the projects and can give direction. We need a person or organisation to take the lead in this grassroots project. At the moment there are many organisations doing many projects, yet we all have the same goal and that is to reclaim Africa for Christ, applying Biblical Principles to every area of life. As we unite in the Christian Action Network for our common cause, while working on our own portion of the wall, we will become much more effective. Imagine, instead of being able to reach several thousand people on our own, together we could reach millions for Christ.

2. They each had their own portion. God has given each one of us a distinctive call. He has called some to fight Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) indoctrination in schools, some to fight for the right to life of the pre-born and still others to fight against pornography, human trafficking, or for Bible and home education… this is our portion of the wall. We must continue to work in these areas. These are the issues that are close to our hearts that we've focused on; these battlefields are our God‑given responsibilities in the building of the wall.

3. They were united in their common goal. The goal we all share is to restore Biblical principles to our society and to lift up a standard of righteousness in a world enslaved by sin. God has put into all of our hearts the desire to see our nation return to Almighty God and His Law. Nehemiah shows us that to achieve this goal we must not only work on our own portion but we must also unite to achieve our common goal of fulfilling the Great Commission. We can unite by calling on all the members of our separate organisations and asking them if they would like to start a Christian Action group in their home church. These groups are prayer, strategy and action groups networked through the Christian Action Network. This way, when an important issue comes up and the whole country must react, then these groups are informed. They can mobilise their community and together we can rally to fight the common enemy at whatever point he is, at that moment, attacking.

4. The trumpet. In Nehemiah we see that if one portion of the wall was being attacked the trumpet was blown and all the other people ran to that point to fight the enemy. Practically speaking, there are times when a certain issue comes up before us that requires national attention. For example: the legalisation of Abortion, blasphemous movies like “The Last Temptation of Christ", sleazy billboards, changes in the education system. These issues may fall under that portion of the wall dealt with by Africa Christian Action, Cause for Justice, Doctors for Life, FORSA, Stop Trafficking, The Pestalozzi Trust, or Original Design. However, they are issues that are so important that they need the attention and support of the whole Christian army. With the availability of a co‑ordinating agency and Christian Action groups formed in local churches all around the country, these attacks can be faced immediately and efficiently. Instead of thousands of concerned Christians working in different directions independently, we will have a combined voice and force with which to act. The trumpets we can use today include: newsletters, mailing lists, literature, Facebook, and WhatsApp Groups.

Africa Christian Actionnot only provides valuable insights and Biblical perspectives on the tough issues of the day but also invites your active participation in applying the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life. You are invited to get involved in rebuilding the pro‑life, pro‑family and moral walls. The goal of Christian Action is not only to inform and inspire, but also to involve. You are encouraged to educate and enlist others in this Biblical movement to motivate and mobilise the Church to be salt and light in society.

"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”Isaiah 58.12

WHAT EXACTLY DO WE MEAN BY ACTION GROUPS?

An Action Group is a group of informed and inspired Christians who are willing to pray and take action on issues that affect their community. The issues can be as small, or as large, as the group feels they have the capacity to handle. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.

This Starter Pack simply explains our vision, how you can fit into the plan and an outline of how to get started.

Once your group is started, it would be ideal if you could meet once a week, or at least once a month. This could be done using WhatsApp Groups or Video Conference calling. The meetings should preferably last approximately two hours. The first hour would be dedicated to informed prayer and hearing from the Lord. Prayer for the country, for our leaders, for the Church, for Revival and for the project your group is working on at that time. This time of prayer is essential for group focus and motivation. Nothing of eternal benefit will happen without prayer.

The second hour would be strategy and action time. As the groups are formed and established then we can begin to deal with the projects. For example, project could a monthly outreach outside your local Marie Stopes abortion clinic. Another project could be to educate parents at a local school about the dangers of CSE. The purpose of these projects is to put feet to the newsletters and information. It is to train our people for war so to speak (Judges 3:1-2). While doing this, it would also establish a Christian army from which to launch our offensives the moment the devil tries to attack any area. This is Grassroots Mobilisation: organising and training a Christian army for service. Examples of WhatsApp Groups could be: Concerned parents and teachers against the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Curriculum, or members of your Youth Group concerned about pornography or abortion.

THE STRATEGY FOR ACTION

"Who will rise up for Me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for Me against the evildoers?” Psalm 94:16

The battle for the family is intensifying. It is a battle for hearts, minds and souls; it is a spiritual battle that will determine the shape and direction of schools, young lives and society.

As Christians, we are called to be Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13‑16). We need to be involved in the battle for the life and liberty of the pre‑born. We need to fight for the Faith and for the freedom to study God's Word in schools. We need to combat the pornography plague online and in the media, and we need to counteract the curse of compromise and cowardice within our own lives and congregations.

Our Lord taught us that we should “always pray and not give up.” In the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus taught us that even an unjust judge will give in and do what is right in response to persistent prayer and pressure (Luke 18: 1-8).

HOW TO START AN ACTION GROUP

• Subscribe to the Christian Action magazine, phone 021- 689 4481, Or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
• Sign up for the Christian Action Email list: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , E-Newsletters from the other reliable ministries (See the What Needs to Be Done article in this Starter Pack for a list) and Like the Africa Christian Action Facebook page.
• Obtain a copy of Make a Difference: A Christian Action Handbook for Southern Africa.
• Recruit a friend or two and determine a date and venue for your first Christian Action meeting.
• Write up a programme for your first Christian Action, Transformation Team or Reformation Society meeting including: 
• Study the Scriptures.
• Review the Action Items of the most recent Christian Action magazine.
• Print out the latest e-updates from ACA or Upcoming Events from the Christian Action website: www.christianaction.org.za and post on Facebook or on your WhatsApp Group.
• Discuss and decide on your projects. See Ideas for Projects in this Starter Pack.
• Register your Christian Action group with ACA, let us know the name of your group, the area covered, the name of your Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, or any other office bearers or committee members, the date of your first meeting, your contact details including addresses, emails, cell phone numbers, your home church affiliations, occupations, skills and interests.
• Enrol in our next Biblical Worldview Summit Leadership and Worldview Training Programme (Every year in January, Cape Town). Regional Biblical Worldview Seminars are also held on occasion. See Upcoming Events on the Christian Action website.
• Plan to meet regularly (either once a month, twice a month or once a week). Decide on the best time and day of the week for your meeting.
• Recruit more friends to join your action group.
• Schedule an extended time of prayer with your action group.  Pray through recent Christian Action magazines and Christian News and updates from other pro-life /pro-family ministries. See the list of relevant ministries in the What Needs to Be Done article.
• Pray the Psalms.

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Ephesians 5:11

HOW TO APPROACH YOUR PASTOR/ CELL GROUP LEADER

We sit and wonder why so many children are involved in Satanism. We are aghast when we hear about blasphemous or pornographic Netflix series. We are outraged when we hear that Creation is being replaced by pagan evolutionist theory in the classroom. Yet we rarely do anything. Why? Because we have been deceived into believing that the Church must not get involved in “social issues”.

Here are some basic principles to follow in approaching your Pastor or Cell Group Leader, about starting your Transformation Team/Christian Action group, or incorporating pro-life, pro-family Prayer and Action into the life of your congregation.

1. Approach your Pastor and Cell Group Leader with respect. He is the shepherd of the flock whom God has appointed.

2. Give him a copy of the Christian Action magazine and explain the vision of ACA.

3. Show him the "Practical Strategy for Rebuilding the Walls" study.

4. Share with him the Biblical principles that have motivated you to Christian involvement in the moral, social, pro-life and family issues.

Helpful Scriptures:

Mark 12:31                “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

Matthew 5:13-16      "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”

Psalm 94:1          "Who will rise up for Me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for Me against evildoers?”

Luke 10:25 ‑37         (Parable of the Good Samaritan)

Matthew 21:15‑17               (Clearing the Temple)

Nehemiah 2:17         "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins,

and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of

Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace.’”

Jude 3                        "Contend for the Faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."

Ezekiel 22:30           "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it."

Isaiah 6:8                  "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who

                                   Will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I Lord. Send me!’”

Matthew 7:7‑8          We need to continually ask (prayer), seek (strategy) and knock (action).

Luke 11:5 -10           We must never give up. Even an unjust judge will do what is right in response to persistent prayer and pressure (Luke 18:1‑6).

5. After you have related to your Pastor those Scriptures which have inspired you to action, then share the information about ACA and share your heart with him. Be honest and open. Share your testimony with him, how God moved in your heart to become involved. Christian social action is ministry just like street evangelism, ministry to the elderly, or any other work for the Lord. It must be done.

6. Most importantly, pray. Pray that he will catch the vision and support your group. Ask for his advice and blessing and go forth in confidence.

WAYS IN WHICH YOUR PASTOR/CELL GROUP LEADER COULD HELP

1.           Preach and teach on Biblical principles in all areas of life including moral, social, pro‑life and family issues.

2.           Include items for prayer and action in the church bulletin or on the notice board.

3.           Attend when possible, and encourage attendance, at the Christian Action group.

4.           Announce Christian Action, Reformation and Revival Seminars, projects and outreaches.

5.           Pray from the pulpit for the Christian Action group and Biblical Worldview Summit, observe Sanctity Life Sunday, support the March for Life and Life Chains and other pro‑life and moral issues and events.

We hope and pray that this brief outline will be of help in starting your Christian Action group. Please report back to us on any progress, problems, testimonies and successful strategies employed. This feedback will encourage and help the rest of us as we strive to rebuild the walls.

May the Lord bless you as you persevere in the work of our Lord.

YOUR FIRST MEETING

This is simply a basic outline to help you in organising your first Christian Action meeting. Do not feel you have to stick strictly to this outline, it is just meant to be an aid. However, this model schedule has been found to work well:

7:00-7:15   Begin with reading a Psalm and an opening prayer. After prayer, explain the vision of ACA using A Practical Strategy for Rebuilding the Walls and the book of Nehemiah as a guide. Following that, inform your group of prayer needs ‑ in the nation, in your community and the project you are working on.

7:15-8:00   The following 45 minutes should be spent in prayer. During this time earnestly pray for the needs, but also take time to listen and be quiet before the Lord. Intercession should not be rushed. (You may prefer to have the prayer time after discussing the Strategy and Action Points.)

Perhaps pray some of the Scriptural prayers (e.g.: Nehemiah 9:6‑37; Psalm 46; 79; 80; 82; 83; 85; Colossians 1: 3 ‑14). Remember to praise the Lord for answered prayer.

8:00-8:55   The second hour will be strategy and action time.

1. During your prayer time the Lord may give new strategy ideas, discuss these and write them down.

                    2. Inform the group of the project for the month.

3. Have a short Bible study on the Scriptures that are given in the Make a Difference book or Biblical Principles for Africa, Practical Discipleship, The Rise of the GayGB and the Pink Inquisition, Porndemic: How the Pornography Plague Affects You and What You Can Do About It.

       Answer questions.

4. Hand out copies of sample letters and other ideas on how they can be directly involved.

5. It is a good idea if you can actually use this time for letter writing. Have pens and paper available. This is a good place to start.

6. When outreaches or actions are involved, you can also use this time to discuss meeting times and practical arrangements.

8:55‑9:00    Closing remarks, questions and prayer.

9:00             Tea & fellowship time.

"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with dwellings.” Isaiah 58.12

IDEAS FOR PROJECTS

1. Organise prayer meetings for the nation, leaders, churches, families and for spiritual Revival. Organise a prayer vigil/outreach at your local hospital, abortion clinic, etc.

2. Letter writing campaigns to the President and Minister of Health concerning abortion, the Minister of Home Affairs concerning pornography. Letters to shop owners and managers to protest the promotion of immoral literature or movies. Letters of support to stores that refuse to stock immoral literature. Letters of encouragement to magazines or TV programmes that take a pro‑life, moral and family stand.

3. Establish Transformation Teams/Christian Action groups in your home and local church. Get people actively involved in doing something positive to solve the problems and not just talking about them. Enrol more subscribers for the Christian Action magazine and Email list. Invite your “friends” to like the Africa Christian Action page on Facebook.

4. Letters to the Editor. This is an excellent way to focus public attention on a matter of importance, or to correct unbalanced reports, in your local newspapers and magazines.

5. Speak out publicly and positively in your church, schools and surrounding communities against pornography, blasphemy, gambling, abortion, humanism and other evils and for Biblical principles.

6. Literature distribution. Handing out mass amounts of tracts and informational literature in public places like university campuses, carnivals, bus stops, taxi ranks, traffic intersections, and railway stations, etc.

7. Staging an actual protest or prayer vigil (meeting) in front of your local Marie Stopes abortuary, bars or ‘strip clubs’ that are involved in human trafficking or protest in front of government buildings where a key issue is being addressed. This usually gets media coverage while dramatically informing the community of the issue at hand. Use posters, pictures and tracts. Use visual aids to make your views known to the passers-by.

8. Advertise in the public media or put up posters in public areas, presenting your moral or pro‑life stand. Post links to pro-life or pro-family video clips or articles on your Facebook status.

9.    Use online videos, social media posts, posters, Power Points, bumper stickers, T‑shirts and "Precious Feet" ‑ available from Africa Christian Action ‑ to educate and inform.

10. Delegations and interviews with influential people. Write and request an interview with government officials, your parliamentary representative, your pastor, or the Principal at your local school. Tell them of your views, ask them to speak up and do something about the human trafficking in local communities, violence on TV and occultism, evolution or interfaith indoctrination in schools.

11.Conferences, day seminars, or weekend camps. Support and advertise Biblical Worldview Summits and Seminars, Home Education Open Days or Reformation and Revival Seminars.

12.Set up a Salt & Light notice board (or WhatsApp Group), keeping it current with interesting posters, newsletters and news articles.

13.Research the enemy and expose them. Find out all you can about the pro-pornography and pro-abor­tion groups and expose them publicly and in the media. Write about them, pass the word, and let other pro-life, pro-family groups know the deceptive and dangerous tactics that are being used.

14. Arrange for a guest speaker from ACA to minister at your school, college or church. Advertise upcoming events: e.g. Sanctity Life Sunday, March for Life, Life Chain, National Women's Day outreaches, Home Education Open Days, Reformation Day Celebrations.
15. Organise for a film showing (Unplanned, Gosnell, God’s Miracle of Life, In Your Face, Luther, Eclipse of Reason, Window to the Womb, The Hard Truth, The Final Frontier, What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? etc.) at your church, youth group, school, university or workplace. These are available from the Africa Christian Action library and from Christian Liberty Books.
16. Help market and sell the books, CDs, MP3 Boxsets and DVDs available from ACA and receive a small commission while spreading the Word. Set up a book table at your church.
17. Encourage your pastor to observe Sanctity Life Sunday each year on the closest Sunday to the legalisation of abortion in SA (1 February) and to promote International Life Chain Sunday (the first Sunday in October).

“If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those who are led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this’, does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Will He not repay each person according to what he has done?” Proverbs 24:10-12

EARN EXTRA INCOME: RUN A BOOKTABLE AT YOUR CHURCH (South Africa only)

Would you like to distribute ACA tracts and magazines and sell Christian Action resources to your congregation?

Only about 5% of churchgoers visit Christian bookshops regularly. The best way to make church members aware of the great resources available to them to be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission and being Salt and Light in their community is to set up a book table on Sunday mornings at your church. Another idea is to obtain permission to set up a book table at a church camp, conference or Missions Weekend.

Contact Christian Liberty Books ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Tel: 021 689 7478 to apply for a book table account and to order resources, including books, CDs, MP3 Boxsets, DVDs, bumper stickers, and precious feet lapel pins, on consignment (sale or return).

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Tel/Fax: (021) 689-7478) to apply for a book table account and to order resources, including books, CDs, DVDs, bumper stickers, and precious feet lapel pins, on consignment (sale or return). This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Tel/Fax: (021) 689-7478) to apply for a book table account and to order resources, including books, CDs, DVDs, bumper stickers, and precious feet lapel pins, on consignment (sale or return). A reading Christian is a growing Christian. Redeem the time by renewing minds.

Alternatively, you can download tracts and leaflets from www.livingstonefellowship.co.za

"The discerning heart seeks knowledge." Proverbs 15:14

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

The task is great and the workers are few ‑ nobody can do everything, but we can all do something and what we can do we must do and what we must do we will do by the grace of God who gave us our life, talents, gifts and opportunities. Here are some suggestions:

STUDY THE BIBLE both personally and in a group of like‑minded believers. The objective truth of God's Word must be the inspiration and solid foundation for all our actions. Until we know God's Word we can be easily mislead and deceived. Read through and study every Book of the Bible.

PRAY for our country, for parents, pastors, teachers and government officials. Constantly remind your church and prayer group of the urgent needs and Biblical issues for prayer and action. Pray through the Psalms. Join the prayer meeting of your local church, school, or workplace.

BE WILLING to be active, make yourself available to Christian Action groups. We need people willing to help with artwork, translations, typing, mailings, literature distribution, hospitality for foreign guests or missionaries, letter writing campaigns, petitions, marches, counselling and other projects.

ARRANGE MEETINGS for us at your local school, church women's group and/or youth group and invite one of our speakers to spread the Word and promote the vision.

GIVE generously to support Christian workers, projects, seminars and publications.

ORGANISE prayer chains and prayer meetings. Establish or join our Email or WhatsApp group prayer chain to pass on urgent prayer requests or to mobilise action.

ORDERor duplicate Christian literature and newsletters and distribute them widely to friends, family and colleagues at work. Share Action Alerts, articles and videos on your social media.

ESTABLISH a Christian Action group in your church for prayer and study, strategy and action.

BE COMMITTED to God, to your family, to your community, to your church and to evangelism,

ACCESS LIVINGSTONE FELLOWSHIP Bible Studies and sermons from www.livingstonefellowship.co.za.

SEEK GOD for wisdom, for His will and His work which He wants you to do.

SUPPORT HOME EDUCATION, obtain Bible-based Christ-centred school textbooks from Christian Liberty Books, PO Box 358, Howard Place 7450, Cape Town, South Africa, Tel: 021-689-7478, Fax: 086-551-7490, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.

UPHOLD BIBLICAL STANDARDS, proclaim God's Word and fight for the right to life of the pre-born and the protection of families, freedom of speech and religious freedom.

Join the Reformation Society, or start a Reformation Society in your home town, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SPEAK UP at home, school, work, church and university - for God, for righteousness and for Biblical principles. Oppose secular humanism, fight against evolutionism, abortion, pornography and other evils. Promote and distribute Make a Difference! A Christian Action Handbook for Southern Africa, Porndemic: How the Pornography Plague Affects You and What You Can Do About It,The Rise of the GayGB and Pink Inquisition, Reformation 500 FIRE Manual andBiblical Principles for Africa(also available in Afrikaans and French) books. Audio-visual resources include: Christian Action 6 disk Audio CD Boxset, Salt and Light MP3s, Biblical Worldview Summit MP3s, the South Africa for Christ MP3 Disk, Reformation 500 Audio Visual Boxset, American and Europe Reformation 500 Audio Visual Boxset and the Australia for Christ Audio Visual Boxset.

BE INFORMED about the reality of what is going on in our world and in our churches today. Subscribe to E-updates, and the Facebook pages or Twitter feeds of ministries such as:

Answers in Genesis, P.O. Box 510, Hebron, KY, 41048, USA, Tel: 888-582-4253, Websites: www.answersmagazine.com, www.answersingenesis.com, or subscribe to the Answers magazine.

ASSIST News, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.assistnews.net.

Christian Action Magazine from Africa Christian Action, P O Box 22632, Claremont, 7735. Tel: 021-689-4480, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website:www.christianaction.org.za.

Chalcedon Foundation, PO Box 158, 3900 Hwy 4, Vallecito, CA 95251, USA, Tel: (209) 736-4365, Fax: (209) 736-0536, click here to Email, Website: www.chalcedon.edu.

Doctors for Life International, P.O. Box 6613 Zimbali 4418, Tel: 032 - 4815550, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.doctorsforlife.co.za, www.Facebook.com/doctors4life.

Frontline Fellowship News, PO Box 74, Newlands, 7725, Cape Town, Tel: 021-689‑4480, Fax: 086-494-8070, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.frontlinemissionsa.org.

From the Frontline Podcast, uploaded Tuesdays at 9pm on: http://fromthefrontline.podbean.com.

Gospel Defence League, P.O. Box 36129, Glosderry 7702, Cape Town, South Africa, Tel: 021-689-4480, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.gospeldefenceleague.org.

G2 Bulletin, Tel: 1.800.4WND.COM, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.g2bulletin.wnd.com.

Henry Morton Stanley School of Christian Journalism, PO Box 74, Newlands, 7725, Cape Town, Tel: 021-689-4480, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.hmsschoolofchristianjournalism.org.

Life Alerts, compiled by Doctors for Life. Fortnightly Email compilation of the latest news on bioethical and family issues from around the world. Subscribe on www.doctorsforlife.co.za, Tel: 032-481-5550, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

McAlvany Intelligence Advisor – MIA, P.O. Box 84904, Phoenix, AZ 85071, Toll Free: 1-877-622-5826, Int.: 602-445-2733, Website: www.mcalvanyintelligenceadvisor.com.

Reformation Society, P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725, Cape Town South Africa, Tel: 021-689-4480, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.ReformationSA.org.

World Net Daily, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 351, Washington, D.C. 20006, Fax: 541-474-1770, Fax: 571-612-8619, Tel: 800-496-3266, Websites: www.WorldNetDaily.com.

For Pro-life and Pro-family News, subscribe to Email updates from www.lifenews.com and www.lifesitenews.com.

For Pro-Family (anti-porn/anti-trafficking) news and action campaigns, subscribe to e-updates from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (USA): www.endsexualexploitation.org.

Some Key Addresses:

For any objections to Radio or TV programmes contact the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa: BCCSA, PO Box 412365, Craighall, 2024, Tel: 011-326-3130, Fax: 011-326-3198, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.bccsa.co.za.

For objections to advertisements contact the Advertising Standards Authority: ASA, PO Box 41555, Craighall, 2024, Tel: 010-900-1336, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.asasa.org.za.

For complaints about a film or publication contact the Film and Publication Board, Private Bag X31, Highveld Park, 0169, Tel: 012-003-1400, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.fpb.org.za.

How does one lodge a complaint with the Film and Publications Board?

There are no special forms for the lodging of complaints about a film, DVD or computer game. All it takes is a letter either mailed, faxed or Emailed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Board. It is important, if you want the FPB to follow up any complaint, to give as much information as possible. The following information is especially required:

the title of the film or DVD or computer game.

·           the name of the cinema where the film was seen; or the name of the video outlet or retailer where the DVD or computer game was rented/bought.

·           the date and time of the exhibition in the case of a cinema or theatre, or the date of the rental or purchase of the DVD or computer game.

·           a brief summary of the complaint.

In the case of a complaint about a publication, an original copy of the publication must be submitted with the complaint. If it is not practical to submit an original copy, a scanned copy must be submitted:

Film and Publications Board, Private Bag X31, Highveld Park, 0169, Tel: 0800-000-555, Fax: 011-483 1084, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website: www.fpb.org.za.

For E.TV programme complaints contact: Tel: 083-1222, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Website:www.etv.co.za.

For Parliament and government departments go to: www.gov.za/about-government/contact-directory.

For Municipality Contacts look in your local phone book or try doing a search on www.google.co.za or call Enquiries: on 1023 (contact details change regularly).

As a matter of principle, in all your communications: Be specific, avoid arguments, understate rather than exaggerate and always be courteous, but firm. In your first communication give the person concerned the benefit of the doubt and assume that ‑ once informed ‑ he/she will agree with your principled stand.

WRITE to your local newspaper, favourite magazine, Member of Parliament and others on the basis of the information we provide you with. Complain about anti‑Christian, anti‑life, anti‑family, immoral or inaccurate articles or statements.

Letters to the Editor:

Beeld - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Business Day - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Cape Argus - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Cape Times – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

City Press - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Daily Dispatch – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Daily News – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Daily Sun - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Die Burger - dbn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Independent on Saturday – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LandBou Weekblad - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Mail and Guardian - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Pretoria News – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Rapport – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Saturday and Sunday Argus - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sunday Times – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sunday Tribune – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Citizen - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Herald – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Mercury – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Sowetan - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Star – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Sunday Independent – sunday.independant.co.za

The Witness - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Volksblad – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Remember ‑ when writing letters to the editor ‑ be brief, accurate, specific and polite, but firm on topical and relevant issues. Always remember to include your name, address, phone number and signature.

One person can make a difference. You are never too young, too old, too insignificant, too handicapped or too busy that you can't make a difference!

How do I get started? Obtain a copy of Make a Difference: A Christian Action Handbook for Southern Africa, Biblical Principles for Africa(available in Afrikaans and French) and theChristian Action Starter Pack. Join a Christ‑centred, Bible‑based church. Attend that first meeting. Write that Email.

The most important thing to remember is, as long as you're sincere and polite, that there is no wrong way to write a letter to a public leader or to an editor.

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” Ephesians 5:11

"Stand firm... contending for the Faith of the Gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” Philippians 1:27, 28

HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE LETTERS/EMAILS

1.       IDENTIFY YOURSELF

Increase your effectiveness by accurately describing yourself whether as a constituent or correspondent writing to other members of parliament/Cabinet ministers; a voter (also: campaign contributor, member of the party, etc.); an active citizen (member of civic group, service organisation, club or religious organisation, etc.); a taxpayer (farmer, union member, housewife, businessman, stockholder, home-owner, etc.)

2.       BE FRIENDLY

Letters from thoughtful friends or undecided voters have more influence than letters from abusive enemies. Leave name‑calling and threats to the other side. Remember, you represent the Lord in your words and attitudes.

3.       ONE SUBJECT PER LETTER

Do not indulge in long letters with many subjects. Write often on separate issues. You will save time. Write a more focused and readable letter and multiply your effectiveness this way.

4.       BE NEAT AND BRIEF

If possible, type your letter. Otherwise write or print neatly, to make it easy to read. Leave plenty of margin and space between the lines. Your return address must be complete and legible on the letter as well as on the envelope. Write a short opening, two or three paragraphs on the subject and a short closing. Try not to go over one page.

5.    ADDRESS PROPERLY

The Honourable Minister of...

Full name and title

Private Bag ...

Code, City

Dear Mr ...

Re: ...

6.       KNOW YOUR SUBJECT

Know how a piece of legislation violates the principles of God's Word. Identify the legislation by a bill number, unless it has been widely publicised by a particular name. If a particular correction would make the bill more acceptable, describe the change you would like to see adopted and why. As well as quoting appropriate Scripture verses, use logical and rational arguments to persuade an unbeliever that the standpoint that you are making is good and logical, as well as Biblical.

7.       BE SPECIFIC

Mention specific arguments, rather than generalities such as “this bill is useless”. Being specific puts pressure on the parliamentarians to be specific in his reply. Ask the question: "Will you oppose this amendment? If not, will you please explain why you will not?" This will sometimes cause the member to seriously consider an issue for the first time.

8.       ADD WEIGHT

If you are making a report to your church or civic organisation on the subject of your letter, say so. You can   enclose a clipping from the local newspaper to support the point you make. Be sure to name the paper and the date. Another good way to add weight to your letter is to write a “Letter to the Editor” of the local paper, then enclose or attach a copy together with your letter to the member of parliament, thus letting him know that you

are influencing other voters also.

9.       NO "FORM" LETTERS

"Form" letters, or letters copied from sample letters, show that you are not interested enough to take the time to learn about the issue and write your own feelings on it. Your representative is interested in the way you feel, and as long as your letter can be read, it doesn't matter if the spelling and grammar aren't perfect.

Never mention another person or group (such as your church) as the source of your ideas. This offers the parliamen­tarian a chance to avoid the issue by attacking the source. However, if you feel that they may be sympathetic but uninformed, enclose literature, e.g. tracts or pamphlets, to explain your position further. Personal letters are better than group letters and petitions. Never send a copy alone, but always "cover” it with an original note or letter referring to the copy enclosed.

10.   ASK FOR A REPLY

If no reply is necessary, say so. If you want a reply to a specific question, ask for it. It never hurts to try to get a commitment from your representative, but don't be surprised if he avoids committing himself in advance of a vote. He may be honestly undecided and need more time to consider it. You can take advantage of his indecision as an opportunity to write a second letter on the same subject bringing up new points.

11.   WRITE OFTEN

Two or three letters per month are not too many. You can cover more subjects that way and if you keep it brief, each letter will take only a few minutes of your time. Urge others to write too.

12.   PRAY FIRST

Pray for the one to whom you are writing. Pray the Psalms against evil and deception. Fervent prayer avails much (James 5:16).

RADIO PHONE‑IN PROGRAMMES AND DEBATES

In a radio phone‑in you may only be given time for a couple of sentences ‑ make sure you have powerful, hard hitting statements.

E.g.:    Pornography is the theory ‑ Rape is the practise.

Pornography is prostitution filmed.

Porn is addictive, deadly and progressive.

Pornography infringes on the human rights of women and children ‑ their right to privacy, dignity and protection.

Over 50 studies have confirmed the link between porn and sexual violence.

In a debate you will have more time to develop your arguments (if you are on the panel) but the same principles apply.

1.    The best thing about radio: You can't be seen, so spread your literature in front of you. Have your facts at your fingertips.

2. Be confident and unashamed of your message. Be calm, reasonable, factual, logical and rational. Don't get emotional, frustrated or irritated.

3. Plan what you want to say. Write down main points. Don't try to touch too many issues. Repeat your important points in different ways: "Life begins at Conception". "Abortion is the killing of an innocent and helpless baby.

4. Bridge. A bridge is a responsive answer to a question which also brings up information that may not be directly related to the question. Bridging permits you to talk far more than half the time while being very courteous to the other side. Bridging permits you to have the vast majority of the talk in areas favourable to you. Bridging enables you to get across each of the points which you have written down before your talk and which you want to get across. Bridging is probably done best by politicians, but anybody can learn it. In fact, it is possible to give the audience any information in response to any question. e.g.: "It’s my right to see what I want to see. My right to freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution. You can’t dictate that" (Handbook on Euthanasia, p 73). Answer: "Your right to freedom of expression is in the constitution, but rights are not absolute, they all have limits. Your right to express yourself is limited by another's right to privacy, dignity and protection. Bridge: The Congress of the USA has received testimony that 77% of child molesters of boys and 87% of molesters of girls admitted imitating behaviour they had seen in pornography. Childline studies in KwaZulu-Natal in 2005 revealed that 90% of all male child sex offenders between the ages of 13 and 18 had been exposed to pornography and “believed that this had an impact on the development of their abusive behaviour.” Is this the type of headlines and the standard we would like in our country – “Child on child violence is out of control” (Cape Times 23/10/06)? Your freedom of expression is limited by another person's right to protection and dignity”.

5. Talk for 60% of the time by giving reasons for your answers and bridging. Don't interrupt anyone. Be polite. Remember that you represent Christ in your attitude and behaviour.

6. Repeat your points in different ways. (e.g.: ID Requests and passwords do not stop children from accessing pornographic websites AND A boy from a top-notch primary school in Cape Town sexually abused girls at his school as a result of porn he had watched on E-TV.
7. Keep to your main points ‑ Don't get pulled away on red herrings (e.g.: prior censorship and apartheid). On the pro‑life issue, keep to "when does life begin" and "what is abortion". Don't get drawn into long discussions (rabbit trails) on back street abortions or street children.

8. Don't be afraid to use Scripture, but make your point clearly enough so that even if they refuse to accept Scripture, your arguments are still valid. For example: "Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin: and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" James 1:15 and the example of the rapist and murderer, Elvis Jotamo, and his addiction to pornography. Comments made on Facebook by FHM (“men’s” magazine) writers, that “rape can be fun”, show the callous and cruel attitude that those desensitized by porn have towards the exploitation of women.

9. If you get stuck, say something and bridge. Don't get discouraged. One improves with practise.

10. Get in well worded statements:

*What we see influences what we think and therefore what we do. Ideas have consequences. Pornography is addictive.

* The average age of first-time exposure to porn is 10 years old.

* 88% of porn showcases aggression towards women, either verbally or physically.

*The US Attorney General's Commission on Pornography declared that hard-core porn is a "manual for rape”.

*Pornography is the theory ‑ rape is the practise.

* Trafficked victims are often used in the production of porn.

*There is a seamless connection between all forms of sexual exploitation.

11. Know the common arguments. Either destroy them in your initial statement or be able to respond to them in questions. Refer to our anti‑pornography tract – Fight the New Drug or Porndemic book.

12. Visuals. (In debates use newspaper cuttings, short videos, posters, large pictures, or Power Points.)

13. Be positive in the words you use. Which sounds worse? 'My father was present at a public event. The platform he was standing on gave way. He fell and was killed ' or ‘My dad was a convicted criminal who was hanged in public.’ Which sounds better? ‘They had fragrant, delicious, tenderly aged porterhouse steak’ or 'They had the deplorable habit of feasting on the carcass of an animal that had been killed a month previously’? (Handbook on Euthanasia, p77). Here are some good positive examples: Control of pornography ‑ not censorship. Protect our women and children. The right of women to be protected from exploitation and abuse.

14. Always give a website address and/or phone numbers where people can obtain documentation and more information on the subject ‑ Don't ask permission. Smoothly include the website where listeners can obtain more documentation on the subject.

15. Direct questions to the person on the panel who SUPPORTS your view. You want to give your side a chance to speak. You do not want to give the opposition an opening, even by giving them a tough question, if they can't answer the question, they will simply bridge and say what they want to say thereby reinforcing their position.

16. Have a good closing argument or statement. e.g.: "No one can justify pumping raw sewage into a public street or swimming area. Neither is the moral sewage being pumped into our children’s minds through pornographers masquerading as child-friendly websites justifiable" OR "Christians need to use their free market choices to influence economics ‑ by avoiding (online) retailers that peddle porn and by supporting pro‑family stores that are not only concerned with profits but also principles.”