STATEMENT REGARDING INCIDENT INVOLVING PROTESTERS
AT GDOP (HK) ON MAY 23RD
We, the organizer and the entire team, regret the unfortunate situation and sincerely apologize, again for any inconvenience and misunderstanding that may have been caused to the media, the ushers and public and for any harm or injury that may have resulted from the chaotic situation which was not intentional.
As successfully demonstrated in past GDOP meetings, the organizer fully supports the freedom of press and opened the meetings to the media for interviews and information collection. We sincerely hope this unfortunate incident will not tarnish the relationship between the media and our organization, and we are taking proactive steps to improve future communications with the media.
THE REQUESTED PRAYERS
A few days before the Global Day of Prayer ("GDOP"), a representative of the protesting group came with a reporter to the Citywide Renewal office, requesting their prayers ("Requested Prayers") be used at GDOP.
We reviewed the Requested Prayers and found that they were not in line with the main spirit of GDOP and thus, the Requested Prayers were not included in the official programs. However, at the start of GDOP, the MC reported to the attendees on the receipt of the Requested Prayers and stated that these and other prayers can also be made individually and personally. The MC proposed to proceed with the official program and this won the general consensus of the attendees.
In addition, to accommodate others who may wish to protest or voice their individual opinions or prayers, an area was specially prepared and designated just across the street from the Stadium ("Designated Area").
THE PROTEST
Since 2005, each year the organizer recruited volunteer ushers to maintain order and smooth running of GDOP, and to protect the privacy and safety of participants and attendees. Another important role of the ushers is to protect the rights of the attendees to participate peacefully without disturbance and to provide a peaceful venue so that attendees can focus on the official event.
Unfortunately during GDOP this year, some protestors made their way to the Stadium and during the program began shouting slogans, creating chaos and disruptions, instead of remaining in the Designated Area.
THE REVIEW
Upon my return from Africa, I made enquiries and interviewed the security, production staff and others and elucidated the following facts:
1. During the chaotic situation, the ushers found it difficult to differentiate the protestors from the reporters. In some cases, the reporter badges were not displayed in an appropriate manner and the identity of the reporters, the protestors and the cameramen were mixed together and created further confusion and affliction to the situation.
2. There is no indication that intentional violence was used. However, in the commotion, there were pulling, pushing and more shouting made by the different parties. Regrettably under such circumstances, undue accidents and injuries were incurred by the different parties, including reporters and ushers.
IN CONCLUSION
1. The ushers testified that they verbally request the protestors to please stop their disruption but the protestors refused thus leaving the ushers no choice but to insist that the protestors leave the Stadium.
Also the terms and conditions printed on the back of each ticket states.
Pt. No 9 : The stadium management reserves the right to remove any person from the stadium who fails to comply with instructions from a representative of the stadium.
Pt. No 10 : The decision of Citywide Renewal is final in case of any dispute.
The protesters refused to abide by the terms and conditions of entry to the event.
2. We see the importance of encouraging a harmonious society in Hong Kong, where rules of law and order are treasured by all Hong Kong people. We believe differences in opinions should be resolved by communications with respect, incorporating fair and reasonable balancing of rights and interests of different groups or parties.? No one is perfect and we can all learn from each other and from our past to improve our society, and may God guide and lead us.
Finally, we pray that we shall put this unpleasant situation to rest so we can continue and use our energies to serve our Lord! |
THANK YOU LETTER - GDOP (HK)
and UPDATES OF GDOP - SOUTH AFRICA
7th June 2010
Dear Prayer Partners,
We thank God for his mercy and faithfulness to the city of Hong Kong. The Royal Observatory forecasted that there would be thunderstorms and heavy rain, but on that day, the weather was cool witha bit of sunshine. Whilst I wasin the African stadium, a HK friend messaged me the video of the beginning of GDOP (HK) and when I heard the song together with the youth moving out in triumph, I was moved to tears.
We thank the worship team and the band for the vibrant and joyous worship at the beginning, thus ushering the presence of God to the Stadium. Heaven opened and eagles were flying! Hallelujah! We thank the choir and the band for their commitment to make the worship heavenly and excellent. There was great unity in worship as we blended traditional styles with contemporary, classical, hip-hop and rap. We thank the artists for coming together with a pure heart not to perform but to worship God. They are good role models to the next generation, and their great testimonies and prayers will also have great cultural impact to the city of HK.
We thank the youth. When the song ．Holy One Of Israel・ was played, the youth marched forth to the altar in the form of a cross, representing Jesus, a sacrificial Lamb for all of us. Following the cross, there were youth carrying banners representing the 7 mountains. They represented God・s army marching forth victoriously and representing the next generation in the redemption of the land. We thank the youth who led thepassionate, zealous, desperate and bold prayers for all the 7 mountains. These prayers will move heaven to impact earth. These prayers also reflected the love, respect and honour to the older generation. We thank all the youth for their participation and passion for rising up to the call of God. We also thank the children for leading the whole stadium to decree and declare the Lord・s Prayer.
We thank the respected leaders in HK for leading the World Prayers, symbolizing the global unity among nations. We thank the MCs who did a fabulous job in facilitating the flow of the program and bringing the presence of the Lord to the Stadium throughout the event. The corporate cry for Jesus three times was awesome.
We thank the ushers for all their hard work and for maintaining a peaceful and an orderly environment for all of those who attended.
We thank the production team and volunteers for their care and support. All of us are very grateful to the production team for putting together such a great celebration program. I heard many positive comments about their creativity and excellence, and that is something we all cherish.
We thank all the staff in the Stadium for their dedication, co-operation and hard work for giving us such a beautiful venue.
Finally we thank all those prayer partners who might not have come to the stadium but have prayed for us continuously. May all of you be mightily blessed as well.
May God have all the Honour and Glory.
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GDOP in South Africa
I just returned from Africa and it was awesome to see 200 nations and 200 million believers praying together on Pentecost. There was a 3 days Convention prior to GDOP (May 23rd) and all the programs were well-organized,uplifting, touching and transforming. There were different nations and tribes worshipping and praying together and there was a beautiful and a powerful reconciliation drama, highlighting God・s plan for the nations through the diversity of his people.
This convention has touched on a lot of human issues, such as poverty, injustice to the poor, drug addiction, corruption, prostitution, human trafficking etc.
I was asked to facilitate one section in the morning prayer: Re: Holiness. God gave a word to me that God is not only looking for a holy individual but a holy nation. (Exodus 19: 5-6). In order to be a holy nation, I was led to proclaim the redemption of the 7 mountains and also for all the 7 continents to be holy nations. On May 23rd, there was a live international broadcast on GodTV and I was asked to represent Asia. It was such a joy and thrill that international pastors and ministry leaders could share their hearts on what God is doing in the different nations. I mentioned that there has been a great awakening in Asia as we are seeing a lot of salvations and restorations in this part of the world. Finally a person from each continent was asked to say a few words of blessings in their native language on stage at the main GDOP event and I was asked to represent Asia.
The event in Africa ended in a blast and everyone was in such high spirits knowing God was in our midst. During those powerful prayers and worship, it seemed we had a glimpse of heaven!
In Africa , this prayer movement will continue but in a different format. They will not host this prayer event in the stadium but will mobilize the whole world to pray together through on-line network. Since HK follows the vision of Africa, this year is also the last year HK will host GDOP in a stadium. |
Prayer Mobilization for the City of Hong Kong
Please pray for the following wherever you are so that our prayers will be lifted up to the Lord at the same time on Saturday from 9am to 11am:
The Global Day of Prayer is a call for all the nations to rise up in prayers, to praise and to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. May we pray unceasingly for the 10 days, like in the book of Acts, for His Kingdom to come and his Will to be done on earth.
Let us all pray with expectancy that God will move BEFORE us, that great and mighty things will happen ON the day of Pentecost...
For this week's Prayer Mobilization theme, please click HERE for details.
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Global Day of Prayer 2010
Dear Pastors/ Co-workers in Christ,
By the grace and mercy of God, HK is close to accomplishing the mandate based on the prayer initiative originated from Africa in 2005.
In July 2004, God captured the heart of a South African Christian businessman, Graham Power, with a vision based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 to have 6 years of prayer around the world from 2005 to 2010. By 2009, the miracle was in full blossom when the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) miraculously expanded throughout the world drawing 220 countries to pray together. Hong Kong has been truly blessed for being a part of this Global Prayer Movement. Last year, Hong Kong was chosen to be the “anchor city” when Graham, his team and other prayer leaders around the world came to pray at the 3-hour-prayer-event held at the Hong Kong Stadium on 15th May 2009. That event was televised by GodTV and broadcasted around the world. Praise the Lord!
SINCE THE ORIGINAL VISION WAS FOR 6 YEARS, HENCE THIS YEAR’S GDOP HONG KONG WOULD BE THE LAST ONE.
The THEMES of Global Day Of Prayer Hong Kong, 2005-2009
2005 |
Repentance
Prayed by the different sectors of the society |
2006 |
Healing and Restoration
Churches to be the centers of Healing and Restoration to bless all people |
2007 |
www.transformation
Word, Worship and Works leading to Transformation |
2008 |
Love, Light and Life
Empowering God’s Love across generations |
2009 |
Proclamation that HK will be a city on top of the hill
Prayed for the redemption of the 7 mountains namely Arts, Business, Church, Distribution & Media, Education, Family, Government |
Global Day of Prayer 2010
There is an urgent call this year that we have to come back to the heart of the Father as He desires to dwell in us. May we come together to worship Him and to give Him praise for who He is, His Sovereignty, His love, His mercy and His faithfulness. We thank Him for loving us in spite of our sins and rebellion. Let us thank Him for what He has done in our lives. We pray that He will continue to rend the heavens to bless HK (Isaiah 64:1) and to shower His Fatherly blessings upon us. Let us walk in His Light to experience His Divine favour, miracles, wonders, healing and deliverance. May the knowledge of His Glory covers Hong Kong like the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)
Let us go through this journey together. The 2010 GDOP event consists of the following 3 parts:
1) 10 Days of constant prayers leading to Pentecost (13 – 23 May 2010)
2) 1 day of Prayer witnessed by the whole city (23 May 2010)
3) 90 days of Blessings (24 May to 21 August 2010)
We shall fill you in with more information in days to come.
Richest Blessings to all of you,
Linda Ma
Chairperson, Citywide Renewal
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Flashing News for Global Day of Prayer 2010
Date: 23 May 2010, Pentecost Sunday
Time: 3pm
Venue: HK Stadium, Causeway Bay
10 Days of Constant Prayer is available for download now!
Please click HERE for details. |
