"Jesus is far better at redeeming than you are at sinning. You are no match for his grace." - Jack Miller
FROM THE DESK OF: the Director of Communications
Returned to my alma mater over the weekend to watch some football. Our quarterback broke 2 NCAA records. He accounted for 819 total yards of offense AND WE STILL LOST! Friendly reminder from the Uttermost office that you can gain the whole world and still lose your soul...
For the Win[dow],
Bubby Bryan, DOC
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Mark 8:36
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?"
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: Morocco
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Since Spain's 1976 withdrawal from what is today called Western Sahara, Morocco has extended its de facto administrative control to roughly 80% of this territory; however, the UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power for Western Sahara. The UN since 1991 has monitored a cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front - Western Sahara's liberation movement - and leads ongoing negotiations over the status of the territory.
King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In September 2015, Morocco held its first ever direct elections for regional councils, one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. Nationwide parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2016.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Pray for widespread distribution of evangelistic materials among the many unreached people groups.
- Pray for those troubled by increasing tensions between Islamists and moderates to be open to the Good News.
- Pray for fellowship and freedom from fear for isolated believers.
- Pray for the Uttermost workers in the field.
- Pray for the US office.