Category Archives: Global News

Small Town, Big Hearts

Testimony

By Daniel P. Kinkade

july 10, 2020

Sometimes small towns are filled with people who have hearts that are larger than life. If you drive 90 miles south of Washington D.C., you arrive in Page County, Virginia, home to a couple that fits this description. Carl and Linda Quintrell are lifelong residents of this county, which is home to less than 25,000 people and the beautiful Shenandoah National Park. In this small town filled with hospitality, Carl and Linda have raised a family, cared for their parents, and decided to make their life’s mission larger than Page County.

Five minutes apart

Carl, a retired electrical engineer, grew up seeing the Shenandoah River from his front porch in Newport. His mother stayed at home to help raise him and his older sister, while his father worked in the Page Valley hatchery and raised chickens, among other things. His father was also an avid baseball fan. “This led to many special family memories engaged with the sights and sounds of various baseball teams,” says Carl. The Quintrell home was also built on strong Christian beliefs. Carl’s dad was the church treasurer at the family’s home church, St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Linda, an accounting clerk, grew up five minutes down the road from Newport in a town called Stanley. She, her sister, and two brothers were raised in a home filled with Christian influence. They, along with their parents, were members at Leake’s Chapel Church of the Brethren—a small congregation of no more than 60 on a typical Sunday. “My parents have always been inspirational in my life. This began with us praying and reading the Bible together as a family,” says Linda. After years of deep spiritual sustenance, it was during a revival as a preteen that Linda came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.

Life together

Carl and Linda did not meet until Linda was a junior in high school. As they say, “The rest is history.” This Fall, the Quintrell’s will celebrate 38 years of marriage. Through the highs of a raising two daughters and creating memories with their three grandchildren and the lows of losing two family members in recent years, their faith remains foundational for everything in their lives.

Together, Carl and Linda have been active at Leake’s Chapel for many years. One particular memory at the church was when Carl, and their daughter, Carla, were baptized on the same Sunday. Carl has served in many roles with the congregation over the years, including webmaster, managing the church’s social media accounts, the media ministry, and serving as treasurer of the men’s group. Linda has previously served on the board at church and is heavily involved in the women’s group.

more than hotel bible men

The Quintrell’s also share another vivid church memory from their childhood—Gideons coming to share about the ministry of taking God’s Word across the globe. As children, they knew Gideons as “the hotel Bible men.” Carl and Linda got to know Gideons on a personal level later in life. They quickly realized there was more to the story, and Gideons were not only church speakers and hotel Bible men. At the same time, people saw something in the way the Quintrell’s lived their lives that maybe they didn’t see themselves. Carla, their daughter, would say, “Dad, you would make a good Gideon. You should consider joining.”

One Sunday morning, it all came together. A Gideon name Randy Clark came to Leake’s Chapel to share an update on what God was doing through The Gideons International. Yet, this Sunday was different for Carl. He approached Randy at the end of the service and started a conversation. Randy and Carl were both graduates of Virginia Tech and immediately found common ground. Randy saw and heard Carl and Linda’s passion for serving and asked them to consider joining. In 2019, the Quintrell’s did just this and quickly became active members in the Association.

a change of perspective: What is a Testament?

As engaged new members, Carl and Linda began participating in the various aspects of the ministry they had long admired. Carl went on a hotel distribution with the camp and was impressed with making sure hotels were supplied with the correct number of Bibles and ensuring they were in mint condition. Carl and some fellow Gideons were a part of a Scripture distribution at a nearby university. Before they started to distribute the Testaments, camp leadership instructed the Gideons to ask students, “Would you like a copy of God’s Word?” Most students would not be familiar with the term “Testament.” This newfound realization made a considerable impact on Carl. “Where I come from, most people know what the Old and New Testaments are—the realization that some of these college students wouldn’t recognize a term like Testament was very revealing to me,” recalls Carl. At the same time, many students were appreciative of what the Gideons were doing. He adds, “I remember some of the students thanking us for our efforts and even offering us a bottle of cold water on that hot August day.”

The Quintrell’s have found a great connection with their fellow Gideons and Auxiliary. “These brothers and sisters in Christ have become like family to us. Saturday morning prayer time is special,” says Carl. “This Association is filled with godly men who are carrying out the Great Commission together.”

“This Association is filled with godly men who are carrying out the Great Commission together.” —Carl

Linda supports Carl and the efforts of other Gideons as an Auxiliary. She looks forward to greater involvement in the Association and loves being active in prayer. She says, “Serving together as a couple shows unity. There are so many people in our world lost without Christ. I’m passionate about reaching the lost, as well. We have the chance to give someone a Testament that will change their life. It’s not just Page County we are reaching; it’s the whole world.”

a Savior in the Storm

Testimony

By Kim Wiley

june 26, 2020

Storms in life will come. However, it’s Who meets us in the storm and our response that makes the difference. There was a point when Brant Lindsey faced storms, and his life started to unravel. At the time, he thought everything was going fine. He met his wife in high school. The couple had been married for 19 years and had two sons, Chris and Greg. After, he got a construction job working out of town, and things quickly went downhill.

altering conversations

While on a job, Brant reconnected with a former classmate from junior high. She told him she was going through some difficult times and needed to talk to someone. He agreed to go to dinner with her, not seeing any harm in one conversation. One conversation led to a motel room.

He went home and told his wife about the affair, then told her he wanted a divorce. She cried as he had broken her heart. He felt so ashamed for what he had done. She told their sons what had happened, and he could see the pain it caused them. He thought he was unworthy of such a good family and could only see one way to fix things—he was going to commit suicide.

He walked into the bedroom and pulled his pistol from the bedside table. The couple had a chair in the corner of the room. He sat down and put the barrel of the gun to his head. Before he pulled the trigger, a thought stopped him. “I couldn’t shoot myself in our house with my family inside. I need to go outdoors.” He hid the gun in his pocket and walked past his wife through the front door.

As he made his way around the front of the house, the mailman dropped their mail into the mailbox. He saw Brant and waved, then pulled into our driveway. The mailman asked if he could talk to Brant for a minute. The family had lived in this house for 15 years, and a mailman had never done that before. He told Brant that he wanted to invite the family to his church the next morning. Brant tried to brush him off, thanked him, and said his family might go. Then the mailman started pleading, “Please, please come to church.” Brant thought about the gun in his pocket, and he told himself he would just do it later.

Brant went back into the house and told his wife they were going to church the next day. Again, she cried. She told him she had been praying for this—praying for them. He was not a Christian, then. Prayer was not even on his mind, but the family went to church. Then, they went again for the next three weeks.

a Heart Saved

On the fourth Sunday, the pastor preached on John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” When the invitation came, Brant sat frozen, white-knuckling the pew in front of him. Those words stayed with him as he left for another off-site job the next morning.

All the workers were staying in a motel until the job was finished. On his first night there, he tried to find something on television, but he couldn’t settle. He left and took a walk a few times, then tried the television again. Nothing worked. He heard something within say, “Brant, there’s a Bible in that dresser drawer. I want you to go and get it.” He pulled open the drawer and found a blue Bible from The Gideons International.

Brant told the Lord he didn’t know where to start reading. He felt the Lord impressing on him to pick a passage and start reading. He read Luke 8:22-25 and the story of when Jesus calms the storm. He felt Jesus tell him, “Brant, if I can save these disciples from this fierce storm, I can certainly save you from your sins. Just yield to Me.”

He placed the Bible on the bed and fell prostrate on the floor before the Lord. Weeping, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. “He rescued me from my sins that night, and I’ve never been the same. I called my wife and told her the amazing news. She cried with me and praised God. We told our boys and started regularly attending church, then Sunday School. We were there every Sunday after that decision,” Brant joyfully recalls.

“Brant, if I can save these disciples from this fierce storm, I can certainly save you from your sins. Just yield to Me.”

a Heart Comforted

Triumph and tragedy would follow these days. When Brant’s son Greg was 17, he and his cousin BJ were led to Christ by their youth pastor. A year later, BJ was killed on Greg’s 18th birthday. Eight months after BJ’s death, Greg was killed on the job alongside Brant when a crane boom fell on his chest. Brant tried to pull the boom off his son, but he died underneath it. He cried out to the Lord, not understanding why this would happen.

Their local church rallied around the family. During the darkest time in their lives, God was a tangible presence—He ministered to the family and helped them see His goodness in saving Greg and BJ before they passed. They died with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. “I know that God has a wonderful place for them now,” says Brant.

This knowledge fuels Brant and his wife’s ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Brant is currently involved in a prison ministry and knows it is rewarding to carry the name of Jesus into the jails and see inmates come to faith in Christ.

“When I think about storms, I think about the passage God used to lead me to Himself. He knew I would face storms in life. He knew that I needed a Helper to get through them. I believe with everything in me that there is no help like the Lord Jesus,” says Brant. One of Brant’s favorite passages of Scripture is Isaiah 41:10 (ESV), which says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God sought him and found him. God called him and saved him. God healed him and wrapped him in His loving arms in that motel room. “When Greg died, I felt those same loving arms around me. I look forward to the day when I can meet my Savior face to face,” says Brant. He looks forward to this day because he has experienced firsthand the Savior in the storms.

“When I think about storms, I think about the passage God used to lead me to Himself. He knew I would face storms in life. He knew that I needed a Helper to get through them. I believe with everything in me that there is no help like the Lord Jesus.”

Diligent and Rewarding Work in Guatemala

Scripture Blitz

By Daniel P. Kinkade

June 21, 2020

God is still calling His children to diligent and rewarding Kingdom work. While this past year has been filled with challenges to many of our Association’s ministry opportunities, our calling and mission remain the same. People still need Jesus and His Gospel.

Gideons and Auxiliary in Guatemala have seen God open doors that allowed them to have several in-country blitzes (ministry efforts where Gideons and Auxiliary distribute Scriptures in approved areas and share their faith as God leads) across ten cities this past February. Ministering and sharing the Gospel in cities including Guatemala City, San Marcos, Totonicapán, and Antigua, were fueled by a hunger to see God save souls despite any roadblocks that may have been in the way. These members found God opening doors to reach school teachers, hospital workers, first responders, military personnel, and inmates. The following are some of the unique ways ministry occurred:

Reaching Teachers with the Gospel: During these blitzes, schools were not meeting in person due to COVID-19. Yet, learning was still taking place through teachers’ concentrated efforts to get information and lessons to their students. They arranged for parents to come by the school to get baskets for their children with food, supplies, and educational resources. In place of normal Scripture distributions at the school, Gideons and Auxiliary took the opportunity to witness to the teachers using Personal Workers Testaments. Teachers were encouraged with the hope of God’s Word even while they were encouraging parents and students.

Ministering to the Army: Gideons were able to give all of the soldiers in one county a Testament. Gideons would go to the capital and connect with the chief commander to begin this process. A great, long-standing relationship with these officers helped in providing opportunities to minister. Some of these officers are Christians and even called local Gideons on occasion to ask for Spanish Testaments as the need arose. But most importantly, it was gifting these soldiers with the message that could change their life that mattered the most.

Meeting Spiritual Needs: Outside of ministry engagements with educators and the military, local members found great success in sharing the Gospel and a copy of God’s Word at over 40 hospitals and more than 20 prisons. They also had a significant reach to first responders at over 70 locations. Many of the men and women in these places had significant needs or found themselves in challenging circumstances. Amid this reality, Gideons were able to share God’s love with them.

Delight and hunger

During a distribution in the Ceiba Blanca village of San Martín Zapotitlán, Retalhuleu, Gideons were also looking for personal witnessing opportunities. Mario approached the Gideons and let them know he was desperate because he could no longer find a way out of his life. He had many problems with his wife and also had an alcohol addiction.

He felt there was no solution.

But the Gideons knew there was a solution, and His name was Jesus. The Gideons shared the love of Christ with Mario, which led to him receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Twenty days after this encounter, the Gideons who had ministered to Mario learned he suffered a heart attack and passed away. Though sad, these Gideons found joy in knowing Mario was now in the presence of His Savior.

Exhausted yet pursuing

The Gideons and Auxiliary were blessed to be a part of what God was doing as hearts and lives were turned to Him during these blitzes. They felt the reality of the spiritual battle at hand, yet God was gloried through their prayers, strategic preparation, and efforts. Members also found great comfort knowing their families were praying for them.

And Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 men who were with him, exhausted yet pursuing. —Judges 8:4 ESV

Much like Gideon and his men in the eighth chapter of Judges, these Gideons and Auxiliary were a part of tireless efforts but kept doing what God called them to do. This diligent yet rewarding work is what God desires of all His children as we win others to faith in Jesus Christ.

Hope in the palm of your hand

inspiration

By lena hooker

june 1, 2020

According to a Forbes article, internet usage is up between 50-70% in the midst of COVID-19. The world is right at your fingertip. Yet, sometimes we forget the opportunities technology provides us. How can the Lord use us and our relationship with technology during seasons of separation—for His good? Perhaps God has prepared us for such a time as this.

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV

a Connection Unlike any other

We were created to connect with others, so it makes sense that during a time of social distancing, our society would seek out other ways to gather. Healthy relationships are life-giving, but it’s important we remember their function—to point us to the Father who blessed us with such relationships. Our connection with Jesus is the most important relationship for which we could ever hope, and it is our responsibility, as believers, to act in the likeness of Christ, so others may come to know the Good News.

More than anything, God wants to be in community with us. He leaves the 99 for the single, lost sheep; He cries out for those who do not yet know Him. He wants everyone to have access to Him, and we have the opportunity to help make that possible.

God uses Technology to change lives

The Gideons International offers a unique opportunity to share Scripture using the Gideon Bible App. The app is free, and functions much like our Testaments, only it’s on your phone.

The app includes a Decision section that outlines what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The Helps section points directly to life topics, such as worry or stress, and guides readers to verses of truth. The app also has over 1,350 languages, which offers a personal touch as people are able to hear and read God’s Word in their own language.

The world is right at your fingertip. Yet, sometimes we forget the opportunities technology provides us.

The following testimony from Cameroon shows the power of having God’s Word in your hands and hearing it with the touch of a button:

It was amazing to find the Bible translated in Yemba, a language from where I come from in Cameroon. As we installed the Gideon Bible App and listened, I was thrilled because I thought of how easy it will be to share the Gospel to the people in my village. I speak the language but cannot write or read it, so the audio version is perfect, especially for my mom who cannot read or write either. I shared the link with her that evening and had her listen—she was glad to hear it as well. She is not a believer and I pray God would use this to stir up in her heart the desire to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.

What the world is looking for—answers, hope, and assurance—can be found in just a few clicks because the Gideon Bible App offers more than other apps. It is the Word of God, and this app has made His promises easy to access for millions around the world. The app can even be shared with others, so no matter how far apart we may be, we still have the opportunity to share the Gospel.

Search no more

Right now, many activities are still happening virtually. While these commitments may have our attention, let’s be reminded that God still wants our heart. May we not miss the work He has for us to do by witnessing to those around us, even remotely. Our friends need to know, especially now, that Christ alone offers them a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Our friends need to know, especially now, that Christ alone offers them a peace that surpasses all understanding.

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

The next time God opens the door to witness to someone, we pray the Gideon Bible App will be an added resource for you to use. You can also click HERE for an informative tutorial about the app. You’ll see just how quick and easy it is to familiarize yourself with the technology. Just remember, there is hope for the world right at your fingertips.

Beech, Mark. “COVID-19 Pushes Up Internet Use 70% And Streaming More Than 12%, First Figures Reveal.” Forbes, 2020. March 25.

A stable income with eternal benefits

inspiration

By Daniel P. Kinkade

May 13, 2020

The surge of COVID-19 has left many people longing for security and desiring to make the most of each day they are given. For people like John and Loy, using a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) through The Gideons reaps spiritual returns far more significant than any earthly investments—while providing a continuing income for life.

A CGa through the gideons

A Charitable Gift Annuity is a way to support the mission of The Gideons International and ensure personal financial security. Here is how it works—a person can transfer cash or property to The Gideons International, while The Gideons promise to pay fixed payments to the individual for life. The payment can be quite high depending on your age, and a portion of each payment may even be tax-free. A person will receive a charitable income tax deduction for the gift portion of the annuity and also receive the satisfaction of helping The Gideons further the mission of seeing the lost come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

A CGA through The Gideons International fulfills the desire for financial security and the desire to advance the Kingdom of God. Such benefits allow people to be faithful stewards of God’s provision both now and after they step into eternity.

A stable income

John, from Missouri, loves the idea of a CGA through The Gideons because of his affinity for our mission. He was first exposed to the work of The Gideons while traveling with his family as a child. They stayed in various hotel rooms across the country, where he enjoyed the comforts of a warm bed, hot shower, and room service. Typically, there was also a copy of God’s Word placed by The Gideons inside the nightstand drawer. John and his family spent time reading and learning from the Bible throughout their stays.

Fast forward to 1993, when John and his wife, Sharon, decided to fund a CGA. John remembered the impact the hotel Bibles had on his life and chose to partner with The Gideons. With John 3:16 on the tip of his heart and hands, he wanted to be a part of seeing people around the world saved through God’s Word. “Through a CGA with The Gideons, I can help spread the Gospel,” says John. He continues, “This CGA is through a Christian organization and this income will continue as long as we live.”

“Through a CGA with The Gideons, I can help spread the Gospel.” —John

A Win-Win Situation

Loy, from Arkansas, shares the same passion for God’s Word as John. As a life-long farmer, he knows all about the importance of sowing into what matters the most. He felt called to be a Gideon over 30 years ago. Discontented with the number of people he saw coming to faith in Christ, he became a Gideon to use the time God has given him to reach more people with the Gospel. He sees his work as a Gideon as life-giving instead of self-serving. “Most people want something in life; Gideons are givers—givers of time and money,” says Loy. “We need to do what we can for the Lord’s work.” He was also driven by his life verse found in James 4:17 (ESV), which reads, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

The idea of a CGA was intriguing to Loy and his wife, Yvonne. Loy explains, “Farmers don’t have retirements like people that work for companies; we have to take care of ourselves. A CGA gives us retirement money. From a business standpoint, it makes good sense with great tax advantages.”

He knows The Gideons will make good use of the funds. For him, this venture is a fulfillment of a calling placed on his heart long ago. “I’m hoping to point even more people to Christ after I pass away,” says Loy. “That’s why I chose CGAs with The Gideons. It’s a win-win situation—we get retirement income and get to reach people for Jesus. The more you give, the more you receive.”

“That’s why I chose CGAs with The Gideons. It’s a win-win situation—we get retirement income and get to reach people for Jesus. The more you give, the more you receive.” —Loy

Called to make a difference

Maybe you are like John and Loy and long for financial stability through an eternal lens. The Gideons is called to provide hope that will make a lasting difference. For more information on Charitable Gift Annuities available through The Gideons International, click HERE. Learn how you can best steward the finances God has given you to get the greatest return of more people coming to faith in Him.

Serving That Looks Different

inspiration

By Daniel P. Kinkade

May 1, 2020

It’s no secret COVID-19 is changing the way people carry out daily activities. Yet, across the globe, people have learned to adjust and find creative ways to accomplish tasks and further relationships. For believers, a pandemic does not change the mission of reaching people for Jesus. It simply changes how we achieve that mission during this season.

So, how can the body of Christ engage our crisis-centered world full of people eager to latch onto something (or Someone) that will not let go?

Relationships are foundational

A crisis comes and goes. New products are old the next day. Systems often change. Yet, amid the ever-changing world are the people God places in our lives. Why do people feel alone in isolation? Why can’t people wait to get back to their workplace, ballgames, and concerts? Because the Creator of the universe created us for community. Genesis 2:18 (ESV) says, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” These days, in the midst of a crowed online presence, there is a high possibility people are still feeling lonely. Activity does not replace intimacy. While getting “back to the office” is important, don’t miss the precious time you have with your spouse and children right now.

Serving people well is crucial because relationships are foundational. Whether people want to admit it or not, they long for that text. They long for the phone call after a lengthy, hard day. They long for an extra measure of thoughtfulness coming in the form of an unexpected home-cooked meal delivered on their doorstep. They want people to continue to encourage them to the finish line. Judy Harmon, an Auxiliary from Valley Center, California, found this to be true recently when she and other members reached out to a few other Auxiliary who are widows. She says, “We have embraced the need for prayer, and we are having daily [virtual] prayer meetings at 7 a.m. Concerning our widows, some of whom live alone, we are providing a daily time where they can be encouraged. This also allows ladies to pray for what is concerning them the most since we cannot physically meet.”

Use Available Tools

To serve well in this season, people like Judy have found the importance of using the available tools at hand. Right now, “Meet me at the coffee shop in ten minutes,” may not be the best way of ministering to people. For some, it may not be an option at all. Yet, people still have hardships and needs. This is why finding creative ways to serve people during COVID-19 is so important.

For believers, a pandemic does not change the mission of reaching people for Jesus.

One of the tools provided by The Gideons International is GideonCards—a simple, fun, and strategic way to minister to others and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By visiting SendTheWord.org, anyone can send a physical card or an e-card with a word of encouragement. With every GideonCard you send, your donation provides for Bibles and Testaments to be distributed around the world, for free, by The Gideons. Think about the impact of the moment when you are told, “Remember when you sent me that card in the mail…” This is just one of many ways to reach the people you love with hope and inspiration.

Other ways may include inviting your neighbor to stream your church’s worship service with you and your family. Or, finding a unique way to connect with the high school senior and his or her family who just found out graduation will be different this year. No matter the circumstances, there are available tools for you to use to reach people. We never know on this side of eternity what a simple act of kindness did in someone’s life.

remember the end goal

Serving is about faithful obedience and not selfish gain. When Christians serve, God can use this as an avenue to point people to Himself. God desires an intimate relationship with his most prized possession—you and me. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” You may be the vehicle God is using to reach someone in His name.

When Christians serve, God can use this as an avenue to point people to Himself.

Norma, an Auxiliary from Ohio, realized this as she was dining in a local restaurant one day. A woman came up to her and said, “Do you remember me?” The lady didn’t offer anything else, just the question. Norma recognized the woman, if only slightly. “You do look familiar,” she replied. “It’s been a while,” the woman began. “We met in this very restaurant two years ago. It’s a day I’ll never forget.

The woman continued, “You came up to me and asked if I went to church here. I didn’t. You didn’t get mad; you were patient. You offered me a Testament provided by The Gideons, and I was blessed to take it. Together, we reviewed the Helps section and God’s plan of salvation. I accepted the Lord as my Savior and signed the back of the Testament that night. After rejoicing together, we went our separate ways, and I’ll never forget you saying, ‘See you in Heaven.’ I felt so much love and peace that night.”

As a result, the woman started reading Scripture, then going to church. Soon, her husband and kids came with her. The woman then told Norma, “I just want you to know that you changed my life by handing me that Testament. Because of you, my whole family is in Church. We’re all believers—thank you.”

The encounter between Norma and the woman is an excellent reminder that the end goal of faithfully serving is the glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom. COVID-19 can’t stop this mission—it may just cause serving to look a little different.

Daniel Kinkade is a copywriter with The Gideons International in Nashville, Tennessee.

a singular death; a shared victory

inspiration

By beth Brannan

april 17, 2020

Each year, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His journey from the garden to the cross and beyond was the accomplishment of His mission on Earth. What looked like an ignoble defeat was the most important victory ever won. Only God could have enabled and envisioned such a powerful plan, and only Jesus could have fulfilled it. That said, Jesus isn’t the only victor. As believers through the ages trusted Him for salvation, they became victors as well.

As we move further into 2020, with all its tragedy and challenge, let’s celebrate the many ways Jesus shares His victory over sin—snatching life from death, providing hope and healing, and helping us move from dark to light. Here are a couple of examples of how Gideons share the Good News of Christ’s triumph and the personal victories that result:

answering god’s call

Gideons in Armenia visited the Karabakh area about three times each year during the Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict. They provided Scriptures to military bases and other institutions. While traveling, they met Hasmik, a girl studying to become a journalist. The Gideons shared the Gospel with her, and she was touched by the Word of God. Armen, one of the Gideons present, exchanged contact information with Hasmik, then the Gideons returned home.

Some time had passed before the Gideons returned to the Karabakh region. Being in the area again, Armen remembered the conversation with Hasmik and wanted to follow up. The men had a bit of free time in their schedule and decided to visit her place of work.

That day, though, she had not shown up. The Gideons felt uneasy about the situation and gave her a call, but there was no response. Armen tried again and again. Finally, Hasmik answered and agreed to meet with the Gideons.

When she arrived, she confessed where she had been. Hasmik was in her house, standing with a rope at her neck ready to take her life. The phone started to ring suddenly, and it wouldn’t stop. Hasmik heard a voice that said, “Do not pick up the phone! You won’t be able to finish what you’ve started!” Another voice came, louder, “Pick up the phone. Your friends are calling.” She answered the phone, and Armen was on the other end.

Hasmik shared about her life since she had first met the Gideons. Her parents and brothers were killed during the political unrest. She thought nobody cared, leaving her lonely and desperate. This hopelessness was all-consuming, and Hasmik could only think of escaping it by ending her life.

Armen and the other Gideons told her about God’s deep love for her. It took time in conversation, but Hasmik began to understand God’s love for her. She rededicated her life to the Lord, excited to learn more about Him and hear His voice in her life.

A hope that changes everything

At age 15, Natalya was addicted to drugs. There wasn’t much in her life going right. Everything soon came to a head when she became gravely ill. Her body couldn’t support the lifestyle she had been maintaining for so long, which was full of chaos, sin, and despair.

Natalya stayed in the hospital for over a year, but her health only worsened. Her spine and heart valve started to rot. She couldn’t walk or even stand. Natalya saw no hope for her life. One day, though, she caught a glimpse of something more.

Gideons and Auxiliary visited the hospital, presented her with a Testament, and prayed for her. No one had prayed for her before, especially not strangers. Natalya began to read her gifted Testament and search for fellowship with other believers. All the while, God was at work. He began to heal her broken body and spirit. It was the Lord who gave her hope when she had none.

After Natalya joined a local church, she became completely healthy. Now, she is married with children. She and her husband, Dmitry, are members of The Gideons International, and Natalya often returns to the hospital where she stayed and witnesses to the ill and broken.

Hasmik and Natalya had people step into their life when they thought all hope was lost. In some of their toughest moments, they experienced the power of salvation in Christ. May you be encouraged in your faith today. He has Risen!

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” —Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)

7 people to pray for through crisis

inspiration

By daniel P. Kinkade

April 3, 2020

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He spoke of the Kingdom of God being lived out on Earth as it is in heaven. What a powerful statement. This has the potential to change the way we live and how we view the things of this world. Living out the Kingdom of God here on Earth can change how we love our spouse, how we parent our children, and how we reflect Christ to others.

During these unprecedented times, we don’t have control of many areas of our lives, but we can still pray. Notice the words of Jesus from Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) and how He taught His disciples to pray:

“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.’”

Stories are circulating in the news of how people are struggling amidst COVID-19. Many are losing their jobs, unable to visit family members in nursing homes, and having to rearrange even the most fundamental aspects of their lives. As the body of Christ, we can pray strategically for the people God has placed in our lives. We can pray for God’s will to be done on Earth as it is heaven. Below are seven groups of people you can strategically pray for through this pandemic. If you want, print these suggestions out and post them in a specific place in your house that will serve as a daily prayer reminder. During your time alone with the Lord, look up the passages of Scripture, read them, and highlight them in your Bible or a Bible app.

seven people to pray for through Crisis

Pray for those who struggle with anxiety and depression. (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 34:4)
Pray for those who are curious about God. (John 14:6)
Pray for those who are seeking guidance. (Psalm 32:8)
Pray for those who are lonely. (Psalm 23)
Pray for those who are dealing with sickness and pain. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Pray for those who struggle with worry. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Pray for those who feel a sense of hopelessness. (Hebrews 10:23)

Praying the way Jesus taught will naturally change the way we live our lives. Maybe this kind of praying will cause you to evaluate how you interact with other people. We may not know what the person standing next to us is currently dealing with in their life. As we pray with a Kingdom-mindset, we can also demonstrate the love of Christ in the following ways:

Serve others. (1 Peter 4:10)
Share your faith. (Matthew 10:19-20)
Practice sincerity. (1 Peter 1:22)

James, the half-brother of Jesus, reminds us that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16b ESV). Take time in the coming days to pray strategically for the people God has placed in your life.

Unprecedented times: christians and covid-19

impact story

By Dan heighway

march 23, 2020

We are living in unprecedented times in light of the coronavirus. Yet nothing surprises our Heavenly Father. How Christians engage others now may result in someone responding to Jesus in faith. Here is a word of encouragement from our Executive Director, Dan Heighway.

There are ways the body of Christ can serve and engage during this crisis.

A resource you can share is The Gideon Bible App. The Helps section it includes is similar to the often-appreciated list printed in the front of Scriptures from The Gideons. It can help aid in Gospel conversations, online and offline, with people who are seeking answers for the chaos in the world.

Another resource for you to share would be a GideonCard, to send a word of encouragement and let someone know you are praying for them. Families are being stretched in ways they have never been before. As the body of Christ, find practical needs and seek to meet those needs. Be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Fear is a natural response in uncertain times. Maybe you feel afraid or unsettled right now. As Christians, we can take refuge in the fact that God is still at work and in control. We can find strength and encouragement from Romans 15:13 and “abound in hope” in the coming days.

God finishes the good work

Testimony

By Lena Hooker

March 6, 2020

At a young age, the Holy Spirit grabbed hold of Ron German. Even though he didn’t know at the time, the Lord wanted him to know Jesus.

Ron was raised in a Jewish home. In fact, his entire community in Cleveland, Ohio, was Jewish. The school systems didn’t honor Christmas and Easter as holidays—instead, they celebrated Passover and Hanukkah.

His curiosity about Jesus grew, but he couldn’t go to his family. The name of Jesus was forbidden in their home unless it was used in vain, which was often. He only had one place to go for answers: the local library, where he checked out an encyclopedia. “Alone, I opened it and found a black and white etching of Jesus on the cross at Calvary,” remembers Ron.

surprised by faith

Fast forward many years, he is at school in Cincinnati, Ohio. The wife of a dear friend of his had fallen ill. The illness progressed to the point that doctors were telling them to get their affairs in order. They didn’t think she would make it through the night. Ron’s friend and his wife came before the Lord and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They were in an impossible situation, but they committed it to the Lord.

Contrary to doctors’ predictions, she survived the night. Because of her illness, though, she had to deal with kidney failure. Ron’s friends weren’t discouraged, as he had expected. That’s the beauty of new Christians—they’re on fire for the Lord, and Ron became the target of their fire.

“Do you know you’re the apple of God’s eye, Ron?” they said. “The Jews are God’s chosen people.” Ron rolled his eyes in response. “I already know that, and I don’t want to hear about this Jesus business,” he replied. He was pretty stubborn then, and upon reflection, Ron says, “They should have given up on me, but they didn’t; they kept sharing. I’ll never forget the day they asked me to pray with them.”

Rather uncertain, Ron told his friends he had never prayed before. His friends weren’t shaken. “We’re going to lay a fleece before God,” they continued boldly. Ron was mortified and thought they had lost their minds. His friends remained calm and patient with Ron. “Gideon’s fleece. It’s Jewish,” they replied. Ron had no idea what they were talking about. “Well,” his friend continued gently, “we’re going to lay a fleece before God and ask Him to bring a kidney for my wife’s disease.”

They began praying, and as far Ron as could tell, they never stopped. This was during the 1970s, and kidney transplants weren’t readily abundant. When they found a match, it was a big deal. By the time the kidney got to the hospital in Cincinnati, though, the doctor was skeptical. “We’re going forward with this procedure,” he said, “but this kidney looks near dead.” It felt like his friends couldn’t win. They put the kidney in, and as the doctor drew the last stitch and released the clamps, the blood flowed through. “It was like somebody turned on a light bulb,” he said, “and it just came to life.” They did a tissue match and said the chances of getting a kidney this perfectly matched were one in six million. It was a miracle, and God let Ron witness it. The Lord was, is, and always will be in the business of miracles.

Granted salvation

A few years later around Christmas time, Ron was at the mall when one of the kiosks caught his attention. He didn’t really want to buy anything, but he began talking with the husband and wife who were working the kiosk. He felt this nagging question for the husband, so he asked, “This may sound random, but are you a radio announcer?” The man beamed. “As a matter of fact, I am.” Ron asked what he did, and he replied, “I announce Jesus Christ.”

“Listen,” Ron said, “you have my curiosity. What do you do for Jesus?” The man didn’t hesitate. “I record the Bible on tape and send it all over the world.” They talked a bit more, and the man asked if Ron would like to be sent a tape. Ron politely declined at first, but after a while, he wore him down with his persistence. Ron gave him his info, went on his way, and didn’t think much more about it.

A week later, he received an envelope in the mail with a cassette tape. He couldn’t explain how this man seemed to know what he needed. He knew nothing of Ron or his background, but sent him the Gospel of Matthew, which was written to…Jews.

Now Ron, a man not interested in the Bible, had the Gospel of Matthew. He was a salesman, which meant spending a lot of time in his car, so he started to listen out of curiosity. He didn’t mind it so much, and this became a rhythm for him. One night, after a long day of driving, he pulled into a hotel in Columbus, Ohio. It was in that hotel room, while trying to find something to do, he stumbled upon a Bible from The Gideons on the nightstand.

God’s relentless pursuit of our hearts

Ron sat in that hotel room in silence for a while. Eventually, he opened the Bible. It was clean and fresh; he doubted it had been used much before. He paused, not knowing where to start reading. “As I began flipping through, yellow highlighter caught my eye—Romans 10:1. It was the only mark in the entire Bible,” recalls Ron. He read the passage. “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God…” For whom? Israel, the Jews—that they might be saved.

He put down the Bible and went to bed. A few weeks later, he was back in Columbus at the same hotel but a different room. The Bible was on the nightstand just like the last time. He picked it up again. It was clean, and there was only one part highlighted in the entire Bible—Romans 10:9 (ESV), which reads, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

“As I began flipping through, yellow highlighter caught my eye—Romans 10:1. It was the only mark in the entire Bible.”

Ron finally understood the words of the Bible. He had never been to church or heard a preacher, but he knew God in that moment. That night, in his own way, he got on his knees and prayed. “Lord,” he said, “You have gone to an awful lot of trouble to touch my heart.” He paused, and he could feel it. “I believe. I believe what you say to be true,” he continued.

In Luke 15:10, Scripture teaches there is pure joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Ron knew there was shouting that night many years ago when he, a sinner, came to repentance.