As 2013 winds down, it’s fitting to recap all that God has done among us and through us this year. We’ve seen tragedy and victory as we witnessed disciples around the world pour out their hearts, time, energy and money to rally to those in need. The ICOC sponsored conferences (ICMC, ICYFM, ILC, Delegates Meetings, etc.) and dozens of regional conferences and Bible training continue to grow in attendance and faith. Leadership is turning focus to building churches and developing more leaders. Churches are being planted and strengthened. Our commitment to serve the poor and the relationship between HOPEww and the church are stronger than ever.
Disciples Today, ICOC HotNews and HOPE worldwide love working together to bring you the latest news and videos.
We remember the year by listing the following articles that were selected by their number of reads and their level of impact in chronological order. Check www.disciplestoday.org for hundreds of more articles. In 2013 we are grateful to have published 860 articles and people have accessed our sites for 1,923,638 pageviews! People from 145 countries have loaded videos from DToday.tv 1,131,501 times.
- January: Has a New Era Begun for the ICOC? Mike Taliaferro of ICOC HotNews kicked off the year with his reflection that “I have never been more proud to be a part of the ICOC.”
February: Hong Kong Church Celebrates 25th Anniversary
- Other significant anniversaries this year:
- March: Singapore Church Appoints Elders
- April: Many disciples were affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon, especially those on site that day. Several disciples were running the race when the bombs went off, and one shares his experience here: Sharma Family Learns Blessing Amidst Chaos and Evil at Boston Marathon
July:
- ICMC East & West Inspire 2,700 Strong
- Hundreds of ICOC Members Serve in HOPEww Oklahoma City Disaster Relief: After a tornado tore through Moore, Oklahoma, disciples from around the country volunteered through HOPE worldwide to help clean up the city and support the church.
- Lagos Hosts 2013 Campus Leadership Conference
- A Message to HYC Families and Church Partners: HOPE Youth Corps is alive and well again! HOPEww’s National Volunteer Director shares about the impact of HYC’s summer 2013.
- September: ICYFM 2013 Audio and Video Now Online! Over 1,000 gathered for the International Conference for Youth and Family Ministry in New York City this September. The audio and video is available online for all to be inspired and learn more.
- October: ICOC 2012 Membership Survey Report Many of you were interested in the report from the 2012 membership survey! Read all the details here.
- November:
- God Plants New Church in Yemen in Miraculous Way: Thirteen years ago was the last time a church was planted in the Middle East. After huge cuts in the Middle East budget were made after 2003, it became an impossibility to plant a new church in this area -- but God always has his own way.
- HOPEww Philippines Disaster Response Update: In November, the worst storm recorded in history devastated the Philippines. HOPE worldwide, which has a long history of work in the Philippines, was on the ground almost immediately. Thanks to all who have prayed, donated, and supported the relief efforts so far!
August:
December:
- HOPEww Celebrates Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela will long be remembered as a great statesman, politician and liberator for the people of South Africa. He is remembered here by several who knew him through HOPE worldwide.
- Maher Al-Hinn Dies in Car Accident: On December 8, our dear brother Maher Al-Hinn died in a tragic car accident. He was serving as a co-evangelist in the Amman, Jordan church. Please continue to pray for his family through this time.
- DPI to Cease Operating in April 2013: After 21 great years, Discipleship Publications International announced that they are closing their doors next spring: “God raised up this ministry, and it has now run the course ‘marked out’ for it.”
Praise God for what he has done among the nations. Pray for Him to use us to preach, teach and heal in even more powerful ways in 2014 to honor Him.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” -- Ephesians 1:15-19