Inside every human heart is the longing to find purpose and fulfillment—to be loved and known. What can take someone from living for the world to finding their true identity in Jesus Christ? A prodigal son from East Tennessee discovered this and so much more along the way.

A Prodigal Son

Steve Witt was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and raised in a loving Christian home. He was brought up by godly, Christian parents who attended Lyons Creek Baptist Church in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. He remembers growing up in this congregation with “Gideon Sunday” every year when a Gideon would come and share about what God was doing in the Association.

Although surrounded by godly influences, Steve was not a believer and struggled with the temptations of the world. “I really struggled with alcohol in my high school years and in college at East Tennessee State University,” remembers Steve. He describes his younger years as “having a great upbringing but ending up being a prodigal son.”

Things changed for Steve during his senior year of college. He met a young lady he worked with named Nikki; his friends dared him to ask her out on a date. She asked Steve if he was a believer. Knowing she only dated Christians, he lied and said yes. “Nikki invited me to go to church with her, and I remember the pastor making a clear and simple Gospel presentation. I truly met Christ that night, and it changed my life.”

Steve was about to graduate but did not waste any time sharing Jesus with others. He started a Bible study on the third floor of his fraternity house. In 1992, he moved to Athens, Georgia, to become a regional operations manager at a trucking company. In 1993, days after Nikki graduated from college, the couple got married. Today, they have two daughters who also love and serve Jesus.

“Nikki invited me to go to church with her, and I remember the pastor making a clear and simple Gospel presentation. I truly met Christ that night, and it changed my life.”

A New Calling

God moved the Witts to Spring Hill, Tennessee, in January 1996, where Steve began a new job. They joined First Baptist Church Spring Hill. It was here, for the first time, Steve sensed God was pulling him out of the transportation industry and into ministry. He became the associate pastor at this church (working especially in youth ministry), serving for the next four years.

A move to Elizabethton, Tennessee, where Steve became the senior pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, included significant exposure to the work and ministry of The Gideons International. Steve recalls those days with love and appreciation. “Over 20 Gideons were in my congregation. These Gideons honored pastors in our area while at the same time supporting me and were a blessing to our church. They were model church members who served in several areas of our church.”

So Many People, So Little Gospel Influence

After twenty years of pastoring in various capacities, Steve found himself back in Middle Tennessee, serving at Thompson Station Church, loving where God had him and what he was doing in ministry. But then, things got personal for Steve. In October 2014, the congregation was looking at funding church planting out West. He remembers traveling to Las Vegas and meeting with a pastor/church planter named Vance Pittman. When Steve heard the words, “Over two million people will go to bed tonight in this city without the Gospel,” that wrecked him.

“By November 2014, I knew God was calling us out West to plant a church. I’m grateful Thompson Station Church became our sending church as God had clearly laid this on my heart.” The following year Steve transitioned from Middle Tennessee to the West coast and went through the North American Mission Board’s church planting assessment and training.

By the time January 2016 had arrived, Steve and his family began with a few people meeting in their home with an idea to start a church that would preach the Gospel and disciple people well. At the same time, he coached football at a local high school. In September 2016, they officially planted The Well Church, which has baptized over 30 players from that football team, plus some family members of the players.

“Over two million people will go to bed tonight in this city without the Gospel.”

As the congregation grew, they rented a storefront and expanded as God increased their numbers. In 2018, The Well ran over 200 people and needed a new space. Today, the congregation still meets in storefronts but is currently building its own space. It will be finished in Spring 2022. “God has blessed our church with a location that has the potential to reach many, many more people for His Kingdom, and we could not be more excited about the days ahead,” says Steve. Since 2016, the congregation has baptized over 130 new believers, and they are actively growing in their faith to make a difference throughout their community.

Keep Charging Forward

 Steve & Nikki Witt

The Well Church will have a space on their missions’ wall for The Gideons in their new building. A man named Clyde is highly active in the congregation and is also a Gideon. “Gideons like Clyde and several I had in my church in East Tennessee are such a blessing. God is using Clyde and his camp in great ways—nearly every week, he is encouraging men to join The Gideons and telling me about where they have distributed Scriptures.” Steve knows Gideons help the local church because they are active in their faith, support the church, and offer prayer and encouragement to the pastor.

Steve and Nikki have also served in the Youth Program at the International Convention of The Gideons for many years. “I love being a part of the Convention every year. It allows me another avenue to continuing to serve the next generation, which will always be a passion of mine.” Steve has also felt the love and support of Gideon families involved in the Youth Program as they planted The Well Church.

“I love the mission and impact of The Gideons and encourage Gideons and Auxiliary to keep charging forward for the Kingdom,” says Steve with joy in his heart. A once prodigal son has not only come home but has spent the last nearly three decades bringing people home with him.

“While it seemed like things were always coming against us, I believe this was one of the most important Scripture blitzes we have put on.” These words from the blitz team leader, Tor, affirm the value of the unique opportunities God provides through the New York City Scripture Blitz. In late 2021, over 120 Gideons and Auxiliary from 15 states joined efforts to engage the people of New York City by sharing the hope of the Gospel and placing and distributing copies of God’s Word.

Over the course of a week, Gideons and Auxiliary gifted approximately 55,000 Scriptures to first responders and correctional officers, staff and residents at safe homes and shelters, students at schools and colleges, and staff and patients at hospitals and nursing homes. The people in these unique locations now have a Scripture to turn to during what could be some of their most challenging moments in life. The blitz team also hosted an event for pastors to thank them and encourage them in their calling to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The power of God’s word

The following testimonies from blitz participants are just a few examples of how God moved during the week:

A Spiritual Birthday

Reza (left) with Clifton, who accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior during the 2021 New York City Blitz

On Sunday, September 19, 2021, after my assigned church service in Queens, New York, I returned to the hotel near LaGuardia airport to help conduct personal witnessing training. We then took teams out into the Times Square area—two brothers on my team from South Carolina joined me. We began to prayerfully walk through Times Square, engaging people and sharing Christ with them. One of the brothers went ahead of me about a half block and gave out some Personal Workers Testaments with a word of witness. As I walked up the block in the middle of Times Square, I noticed a man reading a Testament. As I passed by, I encouraged him and exclaimed, “That’s the Word of God!” He smiled and said that he agreed that it was God’s Word. In that instant, God prompted me to stop and further discuss with him. In a moment of boldness, I asked him, “God forbid, if something happened to you today, would you go to Heaven? On a scale of 1 to 100, how confident are you?” He responded, “Zero.”

Stunned, I looked at him and stated that there must be a reason why it was zero. He replied it was because he had never received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I mentioned that there must have been something getting in the way of him receiving Christ. He paused as his eyes wandered, deep in thought. Instead of digging further, I replied, “Well, is there any reason why you wouldn’t pray to receive Christ now?” He said no and acknowledged his desire to accept Jesus. I told him I could lead him in prayer but that it must be sincere between him and God. He agreed, and right there, in the middle of Times Square, Clifton confessed his sins and prayed to receive Jesus Christ! After the prayer, we celebrated, and I encouraged him to sign and date the back of the Testament, acknowledging the beautiful moment he received Christ. As he signed and then began to write the date, I mentioned that it was September 19th. He replied that I didn’t need to tell him the date; he already knew because it was his birthday. In awe, I shared with Clifton that it was now his spiritual birthday and that receiving Christ was the best birthday gift.

Not an Accident

On Monday of the blitz, I was assigned to make distributions to middle school, high school, and college students in the Bronx. In the afternoon, my wife and I were giving out Testaments to students on a public sidewalk, and by God’s grace, many students were accepting them. During a slight lull in passersby, my wife noticed a student on the other side of the sidewalk and asked if I had given him one. I looked at the student and couldn’t remember, so I walked up to him to be sure. I offered him a Testament, and he accepted it. We had a few moments, so I showed him the Helps section in the front and the plan of salvation in the back. He shared that his name was Joshua and was receptive, so I asked him if he was saved. He was unsure, so I encouraged him and shared the Gospel with him.

Joshua responded by praying to receive Jesus Christ and then signed and dated the back of the Testament. I was thrilled for him! Before I could walk away, he began to share more with me. He nervously shared that only a few months ago, he was having suicidal thoughts. As he stuttered, he told me it was hard for him, especially since all his friends were atheists. He decided to try going to church at his lowest point, which he had only attended for the last few weeks. He then told me, “I believe it wasn’t on accident you are standing in front of me.” My eyes began to tear up. I told him God knew his heart and that God had put me there in that moment to convey how much God loved him. I shared a few more Scripture verses with him, and he noted them so he could read further. Lastly, I encouraged Joshua to show the pastor of his church the back of the Testament so the pastor could celebrate with him.

“I believe it wasn’t on accident you are standing in front of me.”

God’s Law Convicts

Bill (left) sharing the Gospel with Tangelo and Andrew during the 2021 New York City Blitz

While witnessing in Times Square, I met Tangelo and Andrew sitting on some steps. I handed them each a Personal Workers Testament and shared the Helps in the front of the Testament and the salvation pages in the back. This prompted me to ask if they thought they would go to Heaven. The young men said they would because of their good works. I replied that God had a test to see if they were good enough, and I told them it was the Ten Commandments.

I asked if they had ever stolen anything, and they said yes. “What does that make you?” Tangelo answered, “A sinner.” I said, “Yes, but more specifically, a thief.” They agreed. I asked if they had ever told a lie, and they both said yes. I asked what that made them, and they both said a liar. I told them that Jesus said looking on a woman with lust was the same as committing adultery. I asked if they had ever looked on a woman with lust. They both said yes. I explained they had already broken three commandments; did they think God would let them into Heaven? They said no.

I then told them about God providing a way for redemption again by using the verses in the back of the Testament. I asked Tangelo to read Romans 6:23. I explained to them the wages of sin is death and how this separates us from Christ. But God provided the gift of eternal life if we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Next, I had Tangelo read Romans 10:13. I asked him if he had ever called on the name of the Lord before. He said no, and Andrew shook his head no. I asked if they wanted to do that now, and they both said yes. They both accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! Please pray for Tangelo and Andrew as they discover God’s purpose for their lives.

until he comes again

Tor concludes, “I am always amazed at what God accomplishes through His people.” The opportunity to be used by God for His glory is a driving factor for Gideons and Auxiliary worldwide. May we faithfully continue pursuing our calling to win people to Jesus Christ until He comes again.

Jim Boone was raised in a Christian family in a small North Carolina town known for tobacco and barbecue. His family was very active in the local Methodist church. Over the years, he had many godly Sunday school teachers speaking into my life. 

“Sir, Why Are You Giving These Things Out?”

After high school, Jim enrolled at North Carolina State University to pursue an engineering degree. “But my real focus was on surfing and partying, resulting in me growing far away from my Christian upbringing,” remembers Jim. During his senior year of college in May of 1973, he had an encounter that changed his life. One afternoon, he left his school building and came upon a group of men who had a box on the sidewalk filled with Testaments.

Several of Jim’s classmates scoffed at them. Jim had a different reaction and said, “Wait a minute, I think I want to have one of those.” He asked one of the men, “Sir, why are you giving these things out?” For the first time, he heard about The Gideons International. He took that Testament, and a few weeks later put it in his backpack as he left North Carolina hitchhiking to surf in California. Over many weeks, Jim experienced numerous lonely moments sitting around a campfire at night or on the side of the road. He would pull out that Testament and read the Helps section looking for guidance and read about God’s love for him.

“Get Out of the Water!”

Jim made it to California, bought a surfboard, and hitchhiked to many of the beaches to surf. He met two lifeguards going to Mexico, and they invited him to go with them. They traveled in a van along the coast of Mexico and many weeks later came to Playa Azul—the blue beach about 1,400 miles below the Arizona border. They surfed there, rented a cabana, and stayed for a couple of months. One day, they were out surfing beautiful 15-foot waves, which was significant for Jim. He got tired of surfing, so he went to the beach, got his underwater camera, and swam back out to take pictures of his friends. He noticed the beautiful scenery, including the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, the cloudless sky, and the lush tropical forest that came right down to the beach edge.

Suddenly, one of his friends paddled up to him and said, “Get out of the water! We’re swimming in a school of feeding sharks.” He turned and left Jim alone in the ocean. Jim had two distinct thoughts in his mind at that moment. The first thought was: I’m about to die. He was about 200 yards from the beach, and he knew what sharks could do. Even if they didn’t eat him or tear off one of his arms, they could bite and he could bleed out before he got to the beach. They were about a mile down this lonely beach from where they had parked their van, and then it was about five miles to the nearest town. Jim knew his chances of getting to that beach alive were slim. The second thought he had was just as clear: I’m not going to heaven. “I had learned about God all my life, but I didn’t really know God,” Jim sadly recalled.

“I had learned about God all my life, but I didn’t really know God.”

“I Want to Know You”

As Jim swam for that beach, he said, “God, I realize how foolish I’ve been living. I want to know you.” Thankfully, he got to the beach. A couple of days later, he got on a bus headed back to North Carolina to see a Christian friend who was also a surfer. Jim knew he would tell him about Jesus. A couple of nights later, in the Sonoran Desert, about six Mexican army men stopped their bus at around two in the morning. Jim was led off the bus by himself, and as he looked at the bottom of the stairs, there they were with guns pointed right at him. A Mexican army officer shook his pistol at him and yelled for him to get back to the bus. He pulled Jim’s backpack off, and the men started going through it.

He pulled all the clothes out. Then, one of the soldiers pointed to the flap on his backpack and said, “Look there.” The officer reached in, and he pulled out his Testament. “Que es?” (What is this?) Jim replied, “Mi Biblia” (my Bible). The officer looked at the Scripture and smiled as he handed it back to Jim. He put his pistol back in his holster, waved his men away, and told Jim to get back on the bus. That Testament had kept him away from prison, and Jim felt it was one of the most important things he could ever own.

“Lord…Will You Save Me?”

“That night, it was as if the Lord Jesus himself stood in my bedroom,” remembers Jim. Up until that moment, he probably assumed salvation was by works. However, now he knew Jesus was the Savior, and He died not just for the sins of the world, but He also died for him. As he slid down to the floor on his knees, Jim prayed, “Lord, I’m so sorry. Will you save me?” He did not know how to pray with eloquence—he just spoke from the heart of his need for Jesus to come into his life. As he stood to his feet, he knew he was a changed man.

The Bible had new meaning every time Jim read it. Each time he went to church, he felt as if the pastor prepared each sermon just for him. He called his girlfriend and told her about Christ—Jim told her she needed to be saved. She said, “I see a change in you. Tell me what happened.” He opened the Word, and he talked to her about Jesus, and she was truly born again as a result. The couple got married a few months later and recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

A young pastor and his wife took them under their wings and discipled them, continually grounding them in the Word. Jim and his wife started serving during worship services and in other areas of the church. They worked in the nursery and as young married Sunday school teachers. Jim was a deacon and is now an elder overseeing their Sunday school and prayer ministry.

“I wish I could find that Gideon to tell him how much I appreciate him giving me that Testament,” says Jim. He is grateful for the faithfulness of Gideons in the Gospel, their love of God’s Word, and the lost. “Keep on—be faithful until the end.”

“I wish I could find that Gideon to tell him how much I appreciate him giving me that Testament.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Gideons International! God has accomplished so much this past fiscal year and beyond for His glory. We are eternally grateful for the role we play in sharing the hope of the Gospel. Join us in celebrating the following ways God has been using the ministry of The Gideons International to reach more people for Him:

Bru Language Bible Becomes the 109th Translation Approved for Gideon Use

In late 2020, the Bru translation Bible was approved for distribution by The Gideons. It is the 109th language translation of God’s Word made available for placement and distribution wherever Gideons are active in service around the world. The Bru community is one of the twenty-one tribes in the Indian states of Mizoram and Tripura—and with a population of about 600,000, they are the second-largest tribe in Tripura. Most of the Bru are poor and live in very remote areas. Although many have adopted more modern agricultural practices, they are primarily a farming community. The majority of the Bru people follow the Hindu religion. This means they are polytheists who believe in multiple gods and goddesses. Bru also observe Animism, which includes the worship of ancestors, along with fire spirits and the spirits of rice. The new Gideon-sponsored translation will help these Bru people understand that there is only one true God who deserves their worship and devotion.

A Successful Scripture Blitz in Antsirabe, Madagascar

This past January was the first time Gideons in Antsirabe, Madagascar, organized an in-country Scripture blitz. Antsirabe is a town located south of the capital city, Antananarivo. Eight Gideons, consisting of four teams of two, visited several distribution venues. The teams faced challenges due to the rainy season. At times, members had to ride motorcycles and hire a rickshaw to transport the Scriptures from location to location. These obstacles didn’t prevent the men from fulfilling the Kingdom work God had prepared for them. God answered their prayers as Gideons surpassed the goal of impacting 30,000 people with the Gospel. Gideons reached over 39,000 people in just five days, sharing God’s Word at 121 schools, one jail, and two military camps.

God Working Amid a Condo Collapse

On June 24, 2021, a 12-story condominium in Surfside, Florida, partially collapsed, leaving nearly 100 people confirmed dead. Through all of the disaster and loss of life, God worked in the hearts of survivors and those who had lost loved ones. Gideons reached out to survivors in a nearby hotel, as well as people still waiting to hear about their loved ones. Members from Miami and surrounding areas supplied Testaments to one Gideon, who is a first responder. He was able to share them with those inside the disaster area, which had limited access.

Gideons also connected with local chaplains from the Red Cross. South Florida Lead Chaplain Pat Lucey said, “Gideons have been a blessing to work with here in Miami. Keep us in prayer. It is heartbreaking, yet God is working in the hearts of people like I haven’t seen in a long time.”

“Gideons have been a blessing to work with here in Miami. Keep us in prayer. It is heartbreaking, yet God is working in the hearts of people like I haven’t seen in a long time.”
—South Florida Red Cross Lead Chaplain Pat Lucey

Hope in the Midst of Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida presented another opportunity to reach people in need. This hurricane struck the Louisiana coast in September 2021—exactly 16 years to the day when Hurricane Katrina hit the same coast. While relief efforts were soon underway, many felt overwhelmed by the long road ahead. Many local members lost their businesses and suffered major damage to their homes. “We know God’s Word provides the ultimate comfort and hope during the worst of times. Gideons and Auxiliary are thankful for the opportunities God gave them to share Scriptures and encouragement. Almost everyone we offered a Scripture and prayer to were open and grateful, even crying when we shared words of comfort and hope,” said Chris, a Gideon from Louisiana. Over 25,000 Scriptures were shared with those suffering from the devastation.

Growing Again after 2020

These are just four short stories of impact in which God used ordinary Christian business and professional men, along with their wives, to reach people for Jesus—offering hope to people in their most challenging moments of life.

We celebrate worldwide growth in Scripture distributions coming out of the pandemic. Over the past fiscal year, 3.9 million Scriptures were distributed in the United States, over 2.9 million in Latin America, over 4.1 million in Africa, and over 16 million Scriptures in Asia. Our Scripture receipts have increased including funds given through the GideonCard Bible Program, which increased 20% last year and is growing another 10% this year. This allows us to impact more and more people with the hope of the Gospel.

Through training and encouragement, we are seeing an increased utilization of Testaments by Gideons and Auxiliary on a personal basis, as they individually share their faith with those God places in their path.

We are thankful for the opportunities our members had to meet and pray together utilizing online platforms. Members in California were even able to have a virtual Pastors Event to pray for and encourage pastors and their wives. One pastor said following the event, “My wife and I would like to thank you and all those involved in providing the Pastors Appreciation Event. We truly felt appreciated by their words and stories of how God’s Word impacts people worldwide through The Gideons. The Association’s sincere appreciation for pastors came through to us loud and clear. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in including us in a memorable evening.”

In addition, we praise God for new members joining this Association all over the world. Our prayer of gratitude is the same as the apostle Paul to the church of Thessalonica—“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 ESV).

This holiday season we pray you and your family will enjoy time together remembering the Savior’s birth. As we celebrate, we are eternally grateful for the moments He has allowed us to share the hope of the Gospel with people all over the world.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,”
—1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 ESV

I was raised in Southern California with two older sisters. Our grandmother introduced us to witchcraft at a young age. She gave us incantation books and taught us how to cast spells. We would do seances with our friends down the street, and we thought this was normal. As I grew older, my dad had taken it a step further. Not only was he involved in the occult, but he got involved in satanism. My dad introduced me to drugs for the very first time when I was only nine years old. By the time I was 11, I was addicted to these drugs, and I was a willing participant in the occult activity.

By the time I turned 17 years old, I had decided to run away from home. I dropped out of school thinking there had to be a better way. I didn’t know what I was searching for exactly, but I knew that I had a desire in my heart for someone to love me. Living in California at the time, and in pursuit of this longing, I ran to Washington State. Still addicted to drugs, I did whatever I could to get the drugs without having to turn back to my dad. He always seemed to catch up with me and had people watching to keep tabs on me.

“I had a desire in my heart for someone to love me.”

I ended up getting married and having a son. I thought that changing my identity would keep my family from finding me. I was still an addict; I was prostituting myself at night and being a mother to my son during the day. I tried to keep custody of my son because he was the only person who loved me unconditionally. That lasted for about a year and a half, and my husband filed for divorce.

“It’s Time”

I lived in the front seat of my car and had a part-time job trying to cover up my lifestyle. The authorities caught up with me within two weeks, and I lost total custody of my son without visitation. Part of my heart left that day when they took my son. I began prostituting myself again. I ended up in Texas, met someone else, and tried to continue to change my identity. I got together with him and had a little girl. My dad showed up at my front door about three weeks after I had moved to Texas. And once again, that vicious cycle just continued. I was pretty much convinced at the time that there was no way out of this lifestyle. My husband and I ended up divorcing, and shortly after, I received custody of my little girl. I moved in with my sister, who had just gotten out of the psychiatric hospital.

One night, as I lay in my bed, I felt something nudge the bottom of my bed. I sat up and saw about an eight-foot-tall, hooded figure standing at the edge of my bed. He pointed to me and said, “It’s time.” I did not understand what that meant. After all my involvement in the occult, I had never encountered an entity like this before. I knew that this was something significant. He continued, “It’s time now for you to teach your daughter what your grandmother taught you.” Little did I know that my grandmother had passed away three weeks prior. I knew at this moment a continued cycle was supposed to go from my grandmother to myself to my children. 

An Unexpected Find

I knew this was a supernatural fight, and I had to do something to protect my daughter. The only way I knew to save her was to take my life. My daughter would then be adopted by a normal family who could show her a way of life that I never could.

I remember going out to a remote area in a field and sitting in the front seat of my car. As I sat there, I was sobbing and leaned my seat back. I had a razor blade in one hand, and my other hand fell to the side in between my seat and my console. I felt something. I picked it up, and it was a Testament from The Gideons.

I had gotten my car from a drug dealer. I knew he wasn’t a Christian, and I had never seen this Testament in the several years I had been driving the car. I started thumbing through the Testament, and I put the razor blade down. I got to the back pages and saw a sample prayer. I read the prayer aloud, and I gave my life to Jesus Christ that day—I have never been the same!

All the way home to pick up my daughter, I was reciting this prayer—I must have said it 25 times. It’s the only prayer I knew, but I kept saying it over and over because it brought me such comfort. The love that I had searched for all my life was just one prayer away. At that moment, I felt a passion in my heart that I had never experienced. I knew that God was close. I went home and grabbed my little girl with so much excitement.

The next day, I called my former father-in-law. He was the only person I knew who was remotely connected to Christianity. He knew I was in a spiritual battle; this was not a physical battle that I could fight. He said, “Please come to Texas; I want you to be part of our fellowship. You are going to need a family of God to support you and teach you how to fight this war.” The next day, he paid for our ticket to Texas. We stayed with him and his wife for about three years. I was like a sponge absorbing God’s Word.

Redeemed by His Grace

Sandy Boyd

I left everything behind. My family had excommunicated me because I was serving Jesus. I knew I had to sacrifice everything—my car, apartment, and all that I owned. I was fearful because I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I did not want to return to my old lifestyle. I had the Holy Spirit living in me, my daughter in my arms, and I was ready to sacrifice everything I needed for Jesus. From this point on, God was working behind the scenes the whole time. He was preparing a godly man for me, one familiar with helping people coming out of occult backgrounds. He and I ended up getting married in 2005. We now pastor a church in Garland, Texas, ministering to people who have similar backgrounds as myself.

My daughter is now almost 31 years old, and she has never cast a spell in her life. She is our worship leader; her husband is our youth pastor. I am a first-generation Christian. My daughter is the second generation, and her children are just going to carry that on until the end of time. We no longer live under those generational curses because God has redeemed us. If it were not for God using The Gideons International, I would not be here—it is only by His grace.

“If it were not for God using The Gideons International, I would not be here—it is only by His grace.”

A famous adage teaches that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. George Newfield’s parents instilled biblical principles into his life from a very young age that still influence the way he lives today. He draws inspiration and focus from Psalm 1 (ESV), which begins with the words, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord.”

Foundational Principles

George was born into a Christian home in the Republic of Georgia (under the Soviet Union). He came from many generations of believers, with some of his family members facing persecution because of their faith. In 1989, when communism was losing its grip, his family left as refugees and finally arrived in America. George was almost four, and his younger sister was just eighteen months old.

The family embarked on their new reality with only four suitcases of children’s clothes and $500 in their pockets. They did not know the language and culture and had no job waiting for them. “We had each other and God, and that was about it,” remembers George. When they settled in Rhode Island, George’s father began painting and remodeling homes. Within a couple of years, he started his own company. His mother worked odd jobs before starting a housekeeping business of her own. Amid all this, the family never lost faith. George says, “God and the Bible were always at the center of my family. We always knew what we stood for, and that God would provide all we needed.” He was beginning to learn the rewards of doing the right thing and working hard to make a living.

New Life and Purpose

Besides work, the Newfields also knew the greater importance of finding a new church congregation to call home. Being engaged in church helped George memorize Scripture, and he regularly attended Sunday school, camps, and retreats. Yet, there was still this pull from the world that Psalm 1 also describes as “chaff that the wind drives away.” “From the age of 15-19, the world had a grip on me,” he recalls.

The winds would change on March 10, 2006; George remembers it like it was yesterday. “I liked to live fast and drive fast. I crashed my car on the last day of spring break during my sophomore year. The police dropped me off at my house. God had spared me and slowed me down.” His mother lovingly reminded him things like that happen for a reason. After an intentional life evaluation, George accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. In the following weeks and months, he traded almost all his friends for a newfound life and identity in Christ. He then joined the Christian club at his university, and in that same semester achieved straight A’s and continued to focus on faith and finance.

George graduated from college in 2008 with a degree in finance and economics. While working in Providence, Rhode Island, he and fellow believers would take the opportunity to share their faith with local college students. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he was doing the work of a Gideon before he even knew about The Gideons. Then, in 2009, a man named Bob saw George’s passion for evangelism, and he asked him if he would like to share God’s Word while witnessing to others. “Is this a trick question? Yes!” he replied. Bob was a fellow church member and a Gideon and invited George to attend a new member event. Bob was George’s first exposure to the Association, and he left a lasting impression. George felt led to join and became a Gideon that evening.

Wisdom to live and give well

Single at the time, George continued to serve God in his local church and camp. Not long after, he got reacquainted with a young lady from his childhood, Elena, who also came from a Christian family that migrated to America from Russia. The couple began courting, and George invited her to learn more about The Gideons International. They married in 2011. Today, they have two young boys, and you can find their family serving in various capacities.

George continued working in the finance and investments industry. Then, about three years ago, God placed it on his heart to start his own practice. “As I progressed in my career, I grew in confidence and wanted to help people with my core convictions in mind; but I didn’t know what that would look like,” says George.

During that time, George and a business partner, Kevin, learned about a group called the Kingdom Advisors Organization. “God worked on me, then on Kevin, and then on us together.” Between the two, their desire to provide Bible-based financial kingdom principles for the people in the greater New England area was growing amid COVID-19. So, on March 1, 2021, George and Kevin left their corporation and became partners at Cornerstone Financial Management LLC with senior business partner Ted Yoos. Their firm is headquartered outside Boston, with an office in Rhode Island. Cornerstone’s slogan is “Wisdom to Live and Give Well.” They know God’s Word delivers that wisdom.

George Newfield and family

God has used the business world to strengthen George’s faith in many ways. He knows Who he ultimately represents, even when it means making the hard decisions and practicing integrity when it’s not the popular thing to do. He knows the biblical principles he was taught as a child will play out in the end. He is also driven by principles that are core to him as a Gideon. He strives to be a Man of God, a Man of Faith, and a Man of Action in the workplace, which helps him be a better growing follower of Jesus. “You do the right thing, honor God, and He will lead and work things out for His glory,” says George.

A verse that has meant a great deal to him is 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV), which reads, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” As a Christian businessman, he has seen this countless times. “The opportunities to compromise are always there. You can comprise, or you can have a long-term perspective and stay on the path that glorifies God.”

Excellent relationships in The Gideons have grown him as a man, husband, and a professional. “The mentoring culture of The Gideons has meant the world to me. There is so much wisdom available for a younger professional like myself, and these relationships are one of the biggest assets in my life. I see it as a Paul-Timothy-type relationship. I need the wisdom of men who are further down the road than me—men who have led with integrity in the secular business world,” George says.

Relying on the foundation of God’s Word, honest family values, and a mission greater than himself, George finds he is still growing and maturing into the man God desires him to be. Mentors and leaders in his camp help him in this journey of faithfulness all driven by the reality that “the Lord knows the way of the righteous (Psalm 1:6a ESV).”

“The mentoring culture of The Gideons has meant the world to me. There is so much wisdom available for a younger professional like myself, and these relationships are one of the biggest assets in my life.”

According to the Joshua Project, more than 40% of the population is unevangelized, and the harvest field is ripe for believers. Paul’s encouragement in Philippians 3:14 rings truer today than ever before—to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Gideons and Auxiliary in India and Australia have taken this command seriously and have found unique ways to share Jesus with others in spite of circumstances surrounding COVID-19.

Prayer and Personal Witnessing in India

It is estimated that fewer than 3% of people in India claim to be evangelical Christians according to Operation World. This reality inspires members of The Gideons in India to press on with reaching people for Christ. However, India is going through one of its worst crises. The pandemic is in its second wave, and the virus has infected over 30 million people.

Amid the disease, the deaths, and the unfortunate events, God is using Gideons and Auxiliary as faithful warriors striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel. It all started last year when the pandemic first hit. In March 2020, the country went into a nationwide lockdown, which brought almost every activity to a halt. There was a ban on all public gatherings—even churches. Leadership met on a virtual platform for the first time and urged the members to pray and offer whatever support they could to the pastors and elders of the rural churches who were in need.

 An Auxiliary in India distributes Scriptures to medical personnel 

While the educational institutions remained closed, members explored what could be done, reaching out to medical personnel and educators to express their appreciation. The Lord blessed these efforts, and they distributed 11 million Scriptures last year.

Entering 2021, there was an expectancy to return to some semblance of normal—only to be caught by the sudden surge of the second COVID-19 wave. While regular distribution channels are closed now, personal witnessing is on the rise. The Witness Pledge initiative, recently launched in India, helps members stay focused on our single objective as an Association. Each officer throughout all the state associations in India is leading members by example. By taking a pledge to share 100 Personal Workers Testaments over the course of a year, these officers are modeling what it means to be Men of Faith.

Members started a 24/7 online prayer helpline to support urgent prayer requests and volunteered their time to keep this going daily. “The pandemic couldn’t stop the work of God. The Lord has enabled us to continue to strive side by side with each other, the Auxiliary, local congregations, and Friends of Gideons,” shared Sam, a Gideon in India.

“The pandemic couldn’t stop the work of God. The Lord has enabled us to continue to strive side by side with each other, the Auxiliary, local congregations, and Friends of Gideons.” —Sam, a Gideon in India

Quarantined with God’s Word in Australia

Gideons and Auxiliary in Australia continue to press on, as well. The lockdowns stopped members from physically meeting, going to churches, and visiting distribution areas, but God was not locked down. To the leadership’s knowledge, every hotel used for quarantine of returning Australians and other incoming travelers was Bibled in advance, and guests had 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine to contemplate God’s Word. Gideon leadership in Australia received many emails from guests blessed by having God’s Word available to them. Many of the members prayed and reach out to aged care homes who had borne the brunt of the COVID cases and tightest lockdowns. There was an openness to receiving Scriptures and a gratefulness not seen before, or at least not for a very long time. Ken, a Gideon in Australia, thanks the Lord for the following success he and fellow members experienced:

We started calling our local nursing homes and had wonderful responses from CEOs, nursing directors, nurses, and receptionists. As of July 2021, we’ve given out 520 large print, over 200 white, and a number of soft cover full Bibles. We’re also telling staff about the Gideon Bible App for those who have residents from another country who would like to listen in their own language. We’ve really seen God moving in this way and several responses saying that it’s very timely.

Australian Gideons and Auxiliary

Personal Witnessing in Everyday Encounters

God continues bringing people across member’s path, and our personal witnessing has never stopped. Lauren, an Auxiliary in Australia, is a stay-at-home mom homeschooling her four children. “My children are always me,” she says, “I’m not particularly brave or great at starting conversations. Often, I’m sleep deprived, and I stumble over my words. I usually have a child on my hip or wrapped around my ankles, sometimes both.”

“Before joining The Gideons, I can’t remember too many situations where I brought the Gospel into a conversation with an unbeliever, especially one that I didn’t know well,” says Lauren. Being an Auxiliary keeps witnessing on her radar. She now keeps Testaments next to the front door, in her bag, and in her car. She and her husband pray together for families to cross their path who need to hear the Good News. “As a Gideon family, my kids see Mom and Dad taking God’s Word seriously by reading and praying for opportunities to give it to those who need to know Jesus. Sometimes it’s my kids who prompt me. They’ll say, ‘Ask them if they want a Bible.’”

Lauren doesn’t even need to leave her house to be a witness. “Anyone who knocks on our door – tradesmen, salespeople, fundraisers – may all be offered a Testament. Online shopping can bring a harvest field of delivery workers to my doorstep. If a major appliance breaks down or we need some work done to the house, it’s not just an expense or an inconvenience; it’s a Gospel opportunity and a Testament is offered,” she says. When Lauren goes out with her children, she stays on mission often offering a Testament to acknowledge great service or simply sharing because someone has crossed her path.

“As a Gideon family, my kids see Mom and Dad taking God’s Word seriously by reading and praying for opportunities to give it to those who need to know Jesus. Sometimes it’s my kids who prompt me. They’ll say, ‘Ask them if they want a Bible.” —Laura, an Auxiliary in Australia

“I’m grateful that God would use me and my weaknesses to serve Him,” Lauren continues. “I am grateful that I can serve together with my family and I’m grateful that being an Auxiliary provides me with resources, training, role models, and encouragement to actively share Jesus as I live out my day-to-day life.”

God’s Work Continues

Gideons and Auxiliary like Sam and Laura are genuinely taking the apostle Paul’s encouragement to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” to heart. While you may never go to India and Australia, you, too, can impact your friends, neighbors, and circle of influence with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over 40% of the world is unevangelized. God’s work continues…how can you press on?

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:14 (ESV)

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and The Gideons International loves to partner with and support local church pastors! This post celebrates Pastor Gary Linton from Florida, who was given a gift at school as a child that would change his life in ways he could have never imagined. Watch his story below, and consider ways you can show your appreciation for the pastors and ministry leaders in your life.

Today’s video is the final in a three-part series in which we are exploring answers to the question, “Who are Gideons?”

In this video, you’ll see members of The Gideons International discuss how membership helps them grow as Men of Action along with other Christian business and professional men. Learn how Gideons impact God’s Kingdom as they build relationships with pastors, and as they share God’s Word in their communities and beyond.

To see how membership in The Gideons helps men grow as Men of God, click here. And to see how they grow as Men of Faith, click here.

Today’s video is the second in a three-part series in which we are exploring answers to the question, “Who are Gideons?” 

In this video, you’ll see Gideons discuss how they grow as Men of Faith by serving alongside other Christian business and professional men in The Gideons International. Learn how Gideons increase their unique influence in their homes and communities as they sharpen their God-given talents to boldly share Christ.

The video can be watched on our international website here:
https://gideons.org/blog/Who_are_Gideons_Men_of_Faith