A dangerous baptism
Amir Abdullah*, a religious leader for three countries, accepted Bible truths and, in January, prepared for baptism. “Please get me to the waters fast!” he begged. His baptism was scheduled when the tide would be high, but as the baptismal group arrived at the beach, they found the water far away and only small pools left among the coral due to the effect of recent monsoons. When the group returned a little later hoping for higher water, a truck full of government soldiers stopped … [Read more...]
A vision for children
AZAMGARH, India—Anita Sylles and her husband joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church through baptism in 2004. A couple years ago, Anita shared with church leaders her vision for working with neglected children in the community. She accepted a call to join the Excel Scavenger Project in the eastern Uttar Pradesh region. In the first quarter of 2012, she introduced 25 children to Jesus. These children then shared the good news with their respective families. Both Anita and her husband … [Read more...]
Little children shall lead them
VARANASI, India—Yashwant and his wife, Sapna, are working in Sonkar, teaching the families there of Jesus Christ. They started their work by telling the story of Jesus to two children: Laxmi, a 12-year-old girl, and Akash, a boy of 8. Sapna read to them from Mark 10:14–15, which begins with Christ’s blessings to children. In almost no time at all, these children told Sapna, “Talk only about Jesus and about His love story because now we love Him and we want to hear of Him.” These … [Read more...]
Adopt-A-Worker
Statistics show that more than 3,500 people every day are leaving churches. Only an estimated 14.4 percent will attend church on a given weekend in North America by 2020. These statistics are alarming. But they do not tell the entire story. Today, divisions in the 10/40 Window are asking Gospel Outreach to supply 90 new workers each month. The people are crying out to hear the Word of Jesus. The harvest is ripe, and the fires are burning. We can't afford to miss this opportunity. We must … [Read more...]
Mary Ellen Schwab
Saying goodbye when we know that this is the last time we will see each other in this life is so difficult. What a wonderful assurance to have God’s promise that we will see our loved ones again in His amazing new capital city. Last year, in March, Mary Ellen Schwab was forced by her ongoing illness to no longer edit this newsletter. She had been editor for eight years, guiding the creation of more than 90 newsletters. Little more than a year later and at the age of 82, Mary Ellen … [Read more...]
Adopt a worker
QUICK LINK: Adopt-a-worker info and sign up Imagine being alive to see Jesus' Second Coming. Hearing that trumpet that wakes the dead. Leaving the trials and cares of this world behind us. Being changed in the twinkling of an eye. Would you like to hasten His return? You can by adopting one or more Bible workers in the 10/40 Window. This is the area of the world where 97 percent (2.76 billion) of the unreached live. Millions and millions of honest-hearted people are searching. They need … [Read more...]
Unexpected dunking
After a long and rocky boat ride, I and seven Gospel Outreach workers arrived on Balut Island, the southernmost point of land in the Philippines, early on March 9—my 71st birthday. After worshipping with some of the 100 church members there and witnessing a dance of the B’laan tribe, the main ethnic group on the island, we boarded three small “bangka” boats to head to the nearby village of Patilwaso. A bangka, sometimes called a pump boat, is a canoe with outriggers and an engine. Rey … [Read more...]
Just one touch
A young policeman and his wife, Ravanamma, prayed frequently in their temple and offered sacrifices to their many gods, hoping for a child. But years passed, and still their arms were empty. They prayed more earnestly and offered more expensive offerings. Then they spent a week faithfully attending all the services at a famous Christian temple 120 miles (200 km) away, but months later they still had no sign of a child. They were becoming increasingly desperate. A Gospel Outreach worker … [Read more...]
Private baptisms needed for 1,500
In our Western culture, baptisms are typically public events, often shared widely and celebrated by entire families with enthusiasm. But baptisms in Muslim lands are held away from prying eyes and wagging tongues. Often people must be transported to a distant and private location—the wilderness, sea, or at night. Serious trouble abounds when strangers are present or when baptisms are held locally. Baptisms are so dangerous there that some groups forgo baptism entirely. Yet still we are … [Read more...]