Category Archives: Global News

God Never Changes

testimony

By Lena Hooker
February 21, 2020

Susan Punt’s story is one filled with God’s redemptive love, unending grace, and victorious mercy. She grew up in a wonderful home with parents who loved and cared for her. They did all the right things and thought they had everything. Yet, her family had no idea they needed a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Susan was a senior in high school, she encountered a group of Gideons handing out Scriptures outside of her school. She took her Testament home and placed it in a dresser drawer. At the time, she had never read the Bible and knew very little about the things of God.

A New Approach to Life

Months later, a girl at her school asked her a simple question: “Do you know for sure you’re going to heaven?” Taken back, she replied, “Well, I’m 99% sure I’m going to heaven.” She thought to herself: Why wouldn’t I go to heaven? I love my parents. I go to church. I can’t think of anything I’ve done to prevent me from getting into heaven. That night, she went home and thought about the conversation. She knew exactly how to prove she was going to heaven — by reading the Testament given to her by The Gideons.

She took out the Testament, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, started in the Gospel of John. No one ever shared with her the concepts of repenting of your sins or accepting Jesus into your heart, but as she read the Gospel of John, she was moved to tears. By the power of Scripture, she knew Jesus died on the cross for her. At that moment, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

She remembers going downstairs and proclaiming she was a sinner for whom Jesus had died, and her parents sweetly rejected her words saying, “Susan, you’re not a sinner.” She was conflicted but held fast to the truth of God’s Word. From that moment on, she could not get enough of the Bible. She went to Bible studies, and soon after, to the Nazarene church where the girl who questioned where Susan would spend eternity attended. She knew she needed to learn more about God, so she changed her plan of going to a state university and enrolled at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Unchanging God

The first day there, Susan met her future husband, Gary. He loved Jesus and came from a family that loved Jesus. The couple dated for a while and then got married. Together, they raised two sons, and today, have grandchildren as well. God has always been good to their family. Still, it hurt when Gary was diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago. This was the first time their faith was put to the test, but God never changed. Gary went through numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Through it all, the couple never saw God differently in their lives. Gary never wavered in his faith.

They noticed when they would get a good report from the doctor, people would say, “Praise God.” But when they got a bad report, often people would respond, “We’ll keep praying.” Gary and Susan understood God to be in both situations — He did not change. When they received bad news, they knew God was in control. Gary suffered for about seven and a half years; they knew his time on Earth was coming to an end.

Gary and Susan decided to take a five-week trip to visit their favorite places. In those places, they praised God. They cried, laughed, and knew God did not change. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and Scripture, Susan knew she was a believer. She didn’t depend on her feelings or her emotions like she had previously done. She now depended on His trusted Word. When they came to Craters of the Moon in Idaho, Gary fell to the ground, saying, “Sue, I can’t get up anymore.” Susan went and got her sweet husband into the car. “I think it’s time to go home,” she replied.

God in the midst of grief

They drove back to Wisconsin, and two weeks later, Gary went to be with Jesus. Susan knew she could count on God because He is faithful and true. She recalls the following from her grieving process:

Someone asked me what stage of grief I was in, and I thought about that. Denial. How can I deny a great God who loved and saved me? I can’t. Anger. How can I be angry at God when He, in His own wisdom, brought me to a saving relationship with Him? Bargaining. How can I bargain with God of the universe? What could I possibly give Him? God cannot be bargained with. Depression. There are many days I feel sad, but I rejoice greatly in the Lord. I have learned to be content, no matter the circumstance, and the secret to being content in any and every situation. Acceptance. I accept what happened. I know God was in control of the situation.

Susan doesn’t know what the next stage of her life is going to be, but she knows God is faithful and true, and He will never leave nor forsake her. When she feels sorry for herself, she looks at Psalms 8. She inserts her name and says, “Sue Punt, who are you that God is even mindful of you?” But God is mindful of her. This truth overwhelms Susan — that He thinks about her, loves her, and cares for her.

“‘Sue Punt, who are you that God is even mindful of you?’ But God is mindful of her. This truth overwhelms Susan — that He thinks about her, loves her, and cares for her.”

There are many Sue’s out there who don’t even know they need Jesus. Yet, they are longing for someone to be consistent in their life and never change. A Gideon handed her a Testament long ago and forever changed her life. The moment she read it, she knew the words contained truth. Because of that single Testament, her mom, dad, and sister all became believers. Her brother also became a believer and is now a pastor. “Every good thing in my life came from opening that Testament. Because of The Gideons International, I get to spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ. For that, I am forever grateful,” she says.

Made for Community

By Lena Hooker
January 31, 2020

We were made for community. We weren’t made for isolation, for walking through life alone. After all, our creator is God in three persons, a God who is Himself living in community. How could He have wanted anything more for us than fellowship with Him and each other? Associating together is at the heart of the Gospel because we follow a relational God. Just as we grow in relationship with the Lord, we seek to deepen and strengthen our relationships with friends, family, and strangers around us.

Prioritizing personal relationships in culture today is often easier said than done. We find it challenging in booming, metropolitan cities, in which the focus of society is career and achievement. It can be equally, if not more, challenging when interpersonal barriers become physical. There are people in this world fighting for community because, geographically, it doesn’t exist for them. They don’t have the chance to take their neighbors for granted; their closest neighbor is hours away. These friends have to be very intentional with how they pursue community.

Making Connections Happen

Over two-thirds of Norway’s landscape is mountainous, which makes living in certain areas of the country nearly impossible. Populations live mostly in the south where the terrain is more manageable. There are people, though, who reside in the north — isolated from the rest. They can drive down to the southern region, but doing so would take as much as 30 hours by car. For Norwegians, this is normal. Yet, they adapt and find ways to connect. The Gideons in Norway recognize their deep need for community.

In spite of distance and hardship, these members remain faithful to God’s call on their life and to each other. They know God has uniquely positioned every member in Norway to win others for the Lord Jesus Christ. So Gideons and Auxiliary in Norway ask: How are we going to respond to His call?

Community in Norway

 

Geir handing testaments to students.

Geir grew up in Stavanger, and his father was a Gideon. As Geir got older, he stepped into God’s call on his life to share the Gospel as a Gideon. Geir wasn’t as passionate as he hoped he would be to serve; at least, not in the way he had seen his father do for years. After experiencing The Gideons International, though, he learned how truly life-giving it could be. Members offer salvation to non-believers, which is a priceless gift. As Geir was sharing the Gospel with people, he noticed something special happening in his own life. He was receiving the gift of community, fellowship, and accountability he didn’t even know he was missing.

Geir realized that we, as believers, need one another. Who else can we talk about sin and temptation with? Who will forgive and encourage us in this increasingly more secularized society? We come to the Father in prayer, but there is added value in joining a brother or sister in Christ for confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Gideons and Auxiliary are not all the same, but we have a mutual understanding and love for one another because Christ first loved us. Differences make us better, stronger, and our members stand out when we’re together on mission for the Kingdom. People are surprised by our Association, and even find themselves curious. These relationships may be their only picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Associating together is at the heart of the Gospel because we follow a relational God. Just as we grow in relationship with the Lord, we seek to deepen and strengthen our relationships with friends, family, and strangers around us.

Martin lives in Senja, which is in northern Norway and, from Stavanger, takes over a day by car to reach. He grew up in a family of believers, so by the age of 14, he claimed the Christian faith as his own. After getting married young, though, things got harder. He was away from family, which had been an integral source of community and support in his walk with the Lord. Martin doesn’t recall how or when it started until he was in the midst of a deep struggle with sinful desire. He was chasing money and achievement in his career. He was doing everything on his own and for himself. There was little time for the Lord. Martin felt like a fraud living a double life; everyone believed him to be a man of God, but he knew that wasn’t true.

Martin sharing his testimony.

His return home to the Father was much like the prodigal son. Expecting nothing, God gave him profound love and showered blessings upon him. Martin learned about The Gideons later, from Geir. The two met in Stavanger when Martin went to buy a car from Geir. Before even stepping on the lot, they sat, talked about God, and shared their stories. It was evident they had the same heart for fellowship with God, others, and His Word. Martin wanted this for his life. God created us for a relationship with Him but also for fellowship with one another. “You meet a part of Jesus when you meet other believers,” Martin realized. After all, we are His body on Earth.      

Both Per Inge and his wife, Kirsten, grew up in Christian families. But they came to The Gideons in their own time — or rather, the Lord’s time. Per Inge questioned what it meant to take his faith seriously and make it his own. To him, this seemed to be an abstract concept. He and his wife spent 12 years in Taiwan while Per Inge worked in electrical engineering. This work resonated with his faith in ways he hadn’t expected. There was great power in radio transmission — getting information when you have none and connecting to people outside your community. He met Gideons for the first time while in Taipei, and Per Inge learned there was something purposeful in cross-cultural community.

Per Inge and fellow Gideons pray together during their Saturday morning prayer breakfast.

He joined The Gideons when they moved back to Norway in 1992. “The Association honored fellowship with the right focus on evangelism,” says Per Inge. Kirsten joined a bit later. Her husband was associating with brothers in Christ as well as deeply caring for his family. Per Inge and Kirsten weren’t choosing ministry over family or vice versa; their intentionality for time with each other and their children was more profound as a result of all they learned as members of The Gideons. They actually felt their relationships were stronger because of what community with fellows Gideons and Auxiliary taught them. “Fellowship is what strengthens and sustains our Association,” Per Inge says, and his wife agrees. This is what convinced Kirsten to join. “We encourage, teach, inspire, and motivate one another.”

Centered on the Gospel

The Gospel is foundational to how people are impacted through The Gideons International, which means our members are in the business of people — loving them, supporting them, and bringing them to Christ. God cares far more about who we are than what we do. He concerns Himself little with our occupational achievements and more with our significant relationships. We learn and grow in the faith by communing with the Lord as well as with His children. This is not a walk we can make alone. We each have a personal relationship with the King; but together, we encourage and affirm one another along the way.

God created us for a relationship with Him but also for fellowship with one another. You meet a part of Jesus when you meet other believers.

Because of the secular culture in Norway, our members there feel the need for deep, daily fellowship. Walk alone for a time, and you will see; there will be a profound longing in your heart because we were made for community.

a series of left turns

testimony

By daniel P. Kinkade
January 10, 2020

Sometimes we end up in the most random of places, wondering and worrying through the disarray or hopelessness in our lives. Then, God uses someone to show us He never leaves or forsakes His children. Mike Larsen’s life is a picture of God’s beautiful timing, and the left turns he has taken to be where he is today.

trading one chaos for another

Mike Larsen grew up in Apple Valley, California. For years, his mother raised him and his three brothers on her own. In 1976, she married a man addicted to several substances. The man was abusive to the family and made life chaotic for them all. Mike despised everything about his stepdad. Finally, in 1980, his mom had the courage to leave the man after he was convicted of attempted murder.

During his senior year of high school, Mike ended up getting his girlfriend pregnant. With the baby on the way, Mike went to work for a moving company right after graduation. It was at this job where Mike was exposed to methamphetamines—a substance that would take control of every aspect of his life. Mike began to give up every meaningful relationship for the drug. He quit his job and started using and selling drugs full-time. This led to a life of crime. “I had become the man that I despised in my youth,” recalls Mike.

in over his head

This life of crime culminated in Mike masterminding the burglary of a doctor’s house to fund his drug habit. Mike was apprehended by the police and found himself in the first offender’s section of the county jail with nearly 40 other men. Frustrated and coming down off of drugs, he grew impatient. Mike found out from some inmates that there were two pathways for an exit from their cell: to be released from jail or get sent to solitary confinement due to disciplinary issues. He chose the quickest option and picked a fight with the first person he could find.

“I had become the man I despised in my youth.”

While in solitary confinement, one of the prison guards handed Mike a book called God’s Prison Gang that included a true story about a man named Jack Murphy. He was a notorious jewel thief who stole a 260-carat sapphire out of the natural history museum in New York––Murphy initially got away with the crime until he bragged about it to his buddies. Three days later, the authorities arrested Murphy, and he was sentenced to prison. As the story unfolds, it was in prison where Jack Murphy came to faith in Jesus.

Jack Murphy’s conversion wasn’t what resonated with Mike. What resonated with him was the fact that a professional jewel thief got caught and sentenced for his crimes. Mike thought to himself, “If a professional thief can get caught, then an amateur has no business doing this either.” Mike decided enough was enough. At that moment, he gave up his life of crime.

ministry in a tattoo shop

A few years after being released from prison, Mike made another life-altering decision—he decided to get a tattoo. He visited a tattoo shop and asked the owner about the price of a particular tattoo. The owner, Kelly, looked at the piece and said, “It’s kind of big, I don’t know, I’ll charge you $100 an hour, and we’ll just keep track of the time.” Mike thought that was fair, so he agreed.

Mike returned to the shop the next Saturday morning to begin with the tattoo work. Customers began to trickle into the shop. They would point to a pattern on the wall, and Kelly would address them in a similar way with a different price. He would say, “Yeah, that’s a pretty big tattoo. How about $50 an hour, and we’ll just keep track of the time?” Mike wondered why he was paying double. He assumed maybe the people were good friends of the owner’s, so he let it go. Eventually, he asked, “Who are these people? Are these all your friends?” Mike found out the clients were from the local church Kelly attended. Kelly took the opportunity to invite Mike to come and visit. Mike was intrigued for the sole purpose of getting his tattoos at a discounted cost. Mike went to church for the first time the following Sunday—on Easter. 

Kelly invited Mike and his wife, Sheila, back to church and to their Bible study. That led to Kelly asking Mike to be part of their motorcycle ministry. Kelly used this ministry for discipleship and outreach opportunities. Mike thought, “Man, this is getting better by the moment. Good deals on tattoos, motorcycles, how fun can this be?” Kelly assigned an “older brother” to Mike who told him he needed to get a biker vest, a notepad, a pen, and a pocket Bible. Mike was to have those items in his biker vest at all times while doing ministry with them.

Every Sunday morning, an older brother would ask a younger brother to pull out their pocket Bible and recite Scripture. They would make some announcements, and then they would go into the church service. Mike could not find his pocket Bible. Week after week, Mike hoped he would never be called upon to read Scripture because he did not want to be humiliated in front of the men. The fear of being humiliated kept his head down as he tried to never make eye contact with his older brother at that time. Mike was never called upon to read.

One Sunday morning, Mike came to church frustrated and afraid this would be the week his older brother was going to ask him to read. This did not happen, yet Mike still felt frustrated. After church, he made a beeline to the car to avoid interaction with anybody. Mike cried out to God and said, “If You are real, man up and give me this Bible. No tattoo is worth this frustration.” Still frustrated, he drove his family to a local pizza restaurant where Sheila had promised the kids they would go

a left turn in the right direction

While the family pulled into the restaurant parking lot, God answered Mike’s plea in a way he never saw coming. A car pulled into the parking spot next to the family. The driver couldn’t get out of his vehicle because Mike’s car doors were open. “I recall his window being down, so I told him I was going to get out of his way as soon as I got my son out of the car seat,” Mike remembers. The man replied, “It’s Sunday; I’m in no hurry.” Mike paid little attention to his response. Then, Mike got a tap on the shoulder and turned to face the man who was in the vehicle. The man was a Gideon. He handed Mike a Testament and said, “The Father told me to give this to you.”

Mike was shocked. “I couldn’t remember the last time I had cried, but I just started weeping. I knew God had answered my prayer.” Mike hugged the man as he thanked him for the Testament. The man got in his car and left. Mike could not shake what just had occurred as he thought, “That man took a left turn into the pizza parlor when he had no earthly business doing so.” As Mike started to contemplate what had happened, he knew the man was on a mission for God.

“The Father told me to give this to you.”

This faithful encounter with a Gideon forever changed the course of Mike’s life. He had this amazing experience where God answered his prayer, and he had this Testament in hand. About three years later, Mike surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Three years after that, Mike’s entire family had the same conviction, and, as a result, the family was baptized as a public profession of their newfound identity. Mike says, “It was then that I recalled the Gideon who gave me that Testament. I will never forget him. I knew that he had heard from the Lord and taken a left turn into the parking lot when he had no business being there.” Mike dared to pray a second prayer. His prayer was, “God, I want to make left turns into places where it makes no earthly sense.”

Since then, Mike’s life is a testimony to a series of left turns where God has guided him. First, God called him to go seminary to study for pastoral ministry. He became a commissioned pastor in 2009, and entered full-time ministry in 2012.

Making an impact for Jesus

Today, God continues to grow, stretch, and use Mike and his family for the Kingdom. Mike and Shelia live in Bellflower, California, where Mike serves as lead pastor of Encounter Christian Church—a body of believers celebrating its 84th year. Under Mike’s leadership, the congregation has gone through a revitalization process, coming out of decline and into reaching the community with the Gospel. Bellflower is a unique place with a church on every corner but most are empty—they are property rich and missional poor.

Mike explains the community and church growth in this way: 

“The community used to be thriving, built up around Dutch dairy farms. The growth strategy was basically to have more babies and, for a season, it worked. The Gospel was being preached, and people were coming to faith. There was a struggle for some members to reach out to the community because they felt as if the reach was already occurring. As the dairy farms began to move out and new neighbors started moving in, the mission and strategies never changed. However, the congregation began to get older, and they noticed the decline was soon to follow. I believe God gave me the vision to love our neighbors. The people among us look a lot different than they did in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. So how do we reach our neighbors who are culturally diverse? That’s what we’ve been doing thus far. God has been faithful to bless us, and we have seen over 50 baptisms in the last four years.”

Mike is eternally grateful for each left-hand turn God has placed him on since he accepted Christ as Savior. Words will never be able to describe the day that Gideon placed a Testament in his hand. “I think about that man who gave me the Testament a lot. I know one day I’m going to see him in Heaven, and I’m so grateful for his obedience,” says Mike.

Through the Holy Spirit, Mike is making an impact in Bellflower, California, and his prayer is that he will make an impact across the world for Jesus. “I’m just a small-town pastor now, which is awesome, but it never would’ve happened if God hadn’t used that Gideon.”

“God, I want to make left turns into places where it makes no earthly sense.”

Equipped for every good work

scripture blitz

By Daniel P. Kinkade
February 7, 2020

The Word of God changes lives and equips believers for every good work. This powerful reality is what drove a team of Gideons and Auxiliary to reach the people of San Salvador, El Salvador, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in late 2019.

God and gangs

El Salvador has a population of over six million people. San Salvador is the capital city, yet it is a poor area with little income for families. A good education for students is hard to come by due to heavy gang influence and activity. The primary result of gang activity is an extremely high rate of homicides.

In the midst of the ongoing violence, God is continuing a great work in El Salvador. Francisco and Elijah are two great examples. Alcohol was a way of life for Francisco. One night after a bout of drinking, he came home to find his wife had left him and taken their children with her. The only thing she left behind was a sack of dirty clothes and a sack of trash. With nothing left, he decided to continue drinking with his buddies at a local bar. Later, he returned to the empty house and laid down on the bare floor. As he laid on the floor looking up at the ceiling, all he could see were his children now gone. Depressed and hopeless, Francisco decided to hang himself. He searched through the trash, looking for materials. Instead, what he found was his wife’s Testament from The Gideons. He sat in the middle of the floor and read the Scriptures for hours. As he read, God’s Word ministered to his hardened heart. He accepted Jesus Christ as His personal Lord and Savior. 

Nearly thirty years ago, Elijah was broke and had nothing but time. He began to wander all over El Salvador and ended up in Panama. He was hungry with no money, so he stopped at a Salvation Army. While there, he received a warm meal and a Testament from The Gideons. Elijah sat for hours as he began to read. He read the entire Testament in one sitting. When he got to the back page, he read the plan of salvation. At that moment, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.

Francisco and Elijah are now both Gideons in El Salvador. Hearing the testimonies of these two Gideons last Fall fueled members to continue being used by God during the following week.

The gospel in Action

The team of Gideons and Auxiliary met every morning for prayer and came back together in the afternoon to share testimonies and information from the day. Guided by the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word of God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 were theme verses for the week. In this passage, Paul reminded young Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV) These verses resonated in the hearts of those who participated throughout the week. By the end of the event, over 79,000 people in El Salvador were reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including work from the Auxiliary as they ministered to nurses and other medical personnel in hospitals.

The Word changes lives

Two students at a public school in El Salvador with their Testaments

The team visited public schools and some Catholic schools during the week. Students were open to receiving a personal copy of God’s Word, and one principal who had received a Testament as a child said, “The Word has changed my life.” 

A huge move of God took place when the team received permission to do ministry at the University of El Salvador. Locals were excited by the opportunity to reach people on campus as nearly every student took a Testament. 

On the first day, the team was eager to start at a large school. A security guard met three team members at the front gate. A local Gideon named Moises led the conversation, and they were allowed inside the first gate, followed by three other team members. The later three members were able to bring 600 Testaments in and wait while the first three members headed back towards the principal’s office to ask for permission to distribute the Scriptures.

They approached the secretary and explained the purpose of their visit. The secretary said she did not think distribution was possible, and the principal was not in his office. Just about that time, the principal arrived and invited the team into his private office. He listened to Moises, and graciously said, “No, I cannot have a group promoting religion.” Being prompted by the Holy Spirit, Moises tried to kindly persuade him to reconsider. The principal said, “If the government official over the department of education will tell me directly, I will reconsider.”

While Moises was looking through his contacts, the other Gideons prayed. They knew the principal cared for his students, and they knew the Word of God had the power to make the students better citizens in the community. 

Soon after, Moises got the number of the person in charge of education, and she answered the phone. Moises shared the request with her, and then he handed the phone to the principal. As soon as the principal finished speaking with her, he said, “You may distribute the books.” This was an incredible answer to prayer.

“The Word has changed my life.” –a principal in San Salvador

Further, the principal had someone take the team to every classroom. He also called another school in the area and instructed them to allow the team to distribute at their school.

While team members were waiting outside in the courtyard, so amazed at what God had just done, Moises began to get emotional. He shared, “Last night, I got a text to me of the national director of education in a group photo. I thought to myself, ‘Why am I getting this picture?’ Now I know why, as this is the picture I just shared with the principal.” The entire team was filled with gratitude as God opened a previously-closed door so students could get a copy of His precious Word.

A new creation

A Gideon prays with Carlos after a church service.

God also used the team to encourage church members in San Salvador. One of the Gideons spoke at the Iglesias Chistiana Josue Church. After the service, a couple of people approached the Gideon and humbly asked for prayer. As the Gideon finished praying, a young man in his 20s named Carlos walked up to them. Carlos shared with the Gideon he had strayed from the Lord and had not been in church for some time. The Gideon asked Carlos if he had ever trusted Jesus as His Savior. He replied, “No.” The Gideon shared with Carlos he could be a new creation in Christ and experience peace and joy. Carlos prayed with the Gideon to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. A smile came over his face as he embraced his new identity as a follower of Jesus.

Revival in El Salvador

During another moment, a local man named Henry came up to Scott, a Gideon from Georgia, asking for help. As a regular church attender, Henry asked Scott to help him stop cussing. This led Scott to question Henry about where he would spend eternity. Henry did not know with certainty what this looked like for him. 

Scott showed Henry several Scriptures. After going over those Scriptures, Henry accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Henry is studying public relations and wants to become a writer. Scott says, “I believe God is going to use Henry to restore and bring revival to El Salvador.” 

Stories like these are reasons for hope throughout El Salvador, as God continues working through Gideons and Auxiliary to expand His Kingdom.

Ministry in Kenya

By Daniel P. KinKade
August 7, 2020

“From the moment I was asked to consider going to Kenya, I felt God begin to work in my heart. The Scriptures that kept coming back to me were the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV), which reads, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” The words Go therefore significantly impacted me. As I was seeking God’s will, I kept hearing the question, ‘Why can’t you go?’ I didn’t have a good excuse.” These heartfelt words were from Les Rogness, one of the ten Gideons who traveled thousands of miles to Nairobi, Kenya, to join over 150 local Gideons and Auxiliary for a week of ministry this past spring. The sincere time together brought an infectious joy that comes from living in the fullness of all Christ has to offer.

In God’s perfect timing, this ministry activity took place right before the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic was in full effect. Even a one-week delay in the original schedule would have greatly altered plans. Thankfully, the team placed and distributed over 400,000 Scriptures at schools, universities, and facilities that were closed just a week later.

Delight and hunger

Micah Rigoni giving Testaments to students.

Nairobi, the nation’s capital, is largely a Christian city. Sam Siple, a Gideon from Tennessee, puts it this way: “The people of Nairobi—from local Gideons, school administrators, the students themselves—all have a contagious and infectious joy about them and welcomed our efforts with open arms.” This joy was met with a hunger for the Word of God. Micah Rigoni, a Gideon from Alabama, says, “When I was boarding my plane to Kenya, I was excited God was sending us to give Testaments to those who truly desired the Word.” True to the nature of most people in Kenya, those who received a copy of God’s Word were incredibly grateful.

Many distributions throughout the week took place at public and private schools, ranging in size from 40 students to over 2,000 students. The well-organized and enthusiastic local Gideons organized the school distributions and could not wait to see how God would move. Team leader Kevin Beal had the following to say about their passion for ministry: “The local Gideons truly rallied around this week of ministry. They used this as an opportunity to revitalize Nairobi.” Some of the Scriptures were even pre-delivered to make the process run with more ease once the week commenced. There was such a desire for God’s Word that when the local Gideons arrived at the schools to pre-deliver Scriptures, the administrators wanted them to go ahead and distribute.

“Our students need this”

God continued to reveal the excitement for His Word. On various occasions, the team was welcomed with the singing of hymns or Headmasters starting the day with Scripture and prayer. Some days ended with Gideons standing in the middle of a group of students joyfully waving their Testaments.

Kenyan students praying at their school.

Even during some reluctance, the Holy Spirit was moving. One day, several participants visited a primary public school. The principal was hesitant to allow a disruption of classes to distribute Testaments. One of the Gideons was able to share the Gospel with her using the back page of a Testament. The Holy Spirit’s working was evident as she declared, “Our students need this.” The team was then able to distribute Testaments as the principal had all the students brought to the school courtyard for an assembly.

In some cases, students with a different religious background respectfully turned down a Scripture. At other times, there was a holy curiosity. One middle school student looked at one of the Gideons and sincerely said, “I would like one of those little Bibles” after all of his friends had left. Gideon Micah Rigoni also had a similar experience. At one school, all the students had come through a line. Micah was packing up to leave and looked up to see a student heading his way. He handed her a Testament after she had previously turned one down.

“The people of Nairobi—from local Gideons, school administrators, the students themselves—all have a contagious and infectious joy about them and welcomed our efforts with open arms.” –Sam Siple

“I will get you one”

Several Gospel interactions took place at schools, but this was not the only place that God moved. The team’s hotel also presented opportunities to share the Gospel. Gideon Dennis Kantz experienced this firsthand. As he was heading back to his room after a Sunday morning church presentation, two hotel employees were in the elevator. He asked them if they had received a Testament. Both employees said they had not received one and would like to have a copy. He reached in his pocket and soon realized he only had one Testament left. Dennis said, “I’m sorry, I only have one remaining Testament. I’ve given all the others away.” The lady employee immediately raised her hand and started jumping up and down, saying, “Please give it to me; please give it to me.” He handed it to her as the elevator door opened, and she went on her way. The other employee looked at Dennis and asked, “Do you have one for me?” Dennis responded, “I promise I will get one for you.” The gentleman told Dennis his name was Josaphat and that he would be working on the fourth floor. Dennis knew God was opening a door for him to share his faith. Immediately, Dennis went to his room and messaged members of the team looking for another Testament as he personally wanted to give one to Josaphat. Just a minute later, Trevor Thompson, a Gideon from New York, whose room was on the fourth floor, had one for Dennis.

Together, Dennis and Trevor found Josaphat in a small room sitting behind a sewing machine. Dennis was thrilled to give him a copy of God’s Word, as both he and Trevor began to share the Gospel with him. In just a few short moments, Josaphat received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. As the Gideons were about to leave, Josaphat told them he was supposed to be off this day, but for some reason, he was called to work. God had different plans. Josaphat now understands that his being called into work was divine intervention.

Joy Leads to Appreciation


Local Gideons praying over a pastor.

By the end of the week, the team witnessed over 1,300 people enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray these new believers get connected to a local congregation and mature in their faith. Gideons spoke in more than 100 church services, and congregations were warm and receptive to the message of the Gideons. May local businessmen inquired about joining and over US$7,000 was given through generous donations. The week ended with an event for local pastors. Over 200 people attended, including the leaders of some of the largest churches and denominations in Nairobi. Pray for Gideons and Auxiliary as they partner with excited local churches and pastors, and for more people to come to faith in Christ because of these relationships.

“The local Gideons truly rallied around this week of ministry. They used this as an opportunity to revitalize Nairobi.” –Kevin Beal

God moved in several hearts and lives throughout the week. Kevin Beal concludes, “There are places hungry for the Word of God. He will meet that need in whatever way He sees fit, but it is a blessing He allows us to be a part of it.”

Building better leaders: Hold Your Expectations Loosely

inspiration

By Dr. andrew Johnston
December 27, 2019

Building Better Leaders is a three-part series of articles from Dr. Andrew Johnston, in which he shares strategic principles of effective leadership based on Biblical principles. In this final article, Dr. Johnston gives Christian leaders valuable thoughts on responding to God’s nudging during our own “well-laid plans.”

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.—Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The most successful leaders I know are good planners. They often have good “radar”– a knack for anticipating the future and positioning themselves to meet challenges or make the most of the opportunities before they arise. This ability alone does not make them good planners. It’s the discipline to hold on to their predictions loosely as they advance that’s the real secret of their success.

They use their “radar” to anticipate the future, but they maintain only fragile confidence that what they anticipate will occur. These leaders stay vigilant for things to change as they move forward and keep their eyes open and their radar running even as they put their plans in motion. This posture enables them to move assertively toward their goals but flexes appropriately to take advantage of unexpected opportunities or address emergent needs. As I’ve thought more about this, I’ve realized this kind of vigilant posture is especially important for Christian leaders because it allows us to recognize and respond to God’s nudging during our own “well-laid plans.”

When we are committed to a mission, it’s easy to take aim and march determinedly towards our goals with little regard for things that aren’t on our pre-determined course. This feels purposeful and determined, like we’re avoiding the pitfalls that threaten to distract us from our purpose. Sometimes this kind of hard focus is what keeps us on track, it can also be the thing that keeps us from hearing God’s voice or preferring His priorities while we myopically pursue our own. In my own experiences, I’ve learned that if I truly want God to “direct my steps,” I need to be vigilant and willing for him to nudge me off the course I’ve predetermined. If I’m not actively anticipating His “divine detours,” I mistake them for distractions or wrong turns, and I resist His priorities in the pursuit of my progress.

I’ve learned that if I truly want God to “direct my steps,” I need to be vigilant and willing for him to nudge me off the course I’ve predetermined.

I’m not suggesting it’s wrong to set goals or to pursue them diligently. I’m clarifying that for Christ-followers, the ultimate goal is serving Him and His purposes. In pursuing that ultimate goal, it’s essential to recognize divine course corrections when they present themselves. This is where the priest and the Levite went wrong in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). They had laudable goals, and they were hurrying toward them, but they failed to set them aside when the Lord presented a task that wasn’t already on their to-do-lists. With their eyes fixed on their goals, they viewed the injured traveler as an interruption that would sidetrack them from their mission, so they stepped over him to continue on their path. Jesus’ story reveals that caring for the injured man was the mission, and they missed it when they failed to diverge from their plan.

That’s the nettling thing about the things God would have us do and the people he would have us serve– they’re often off the plan and pop up in unexpected ways we can easily miss if we’re too focused on the goals we’ve already set. I think this is part of what Jesus was warning the disciples about when He told them the opportunities to serve Him were often off-script, unimpressive, and inconvenient. He told them that serving one of these easily-dismissed people in one of these inauspicious moments was the same as serving Him, and I’m sure it changed their idea of goal-setting forever. After all, if this was true, it means that the God of Creation and Master of All has a penchant for presenting Himself to His followers in unimpressive ways, in moments that seem like anything other than encounters with the divine – like an injured traveler in the ditch, or, a newborn baby in a manger. God’s purposes and plans have little regard for our own, and being serious about following Him requires us to loosen our grip on our goals.

That’s a transformative realization, and I’m sure it was as challenging for the disciples to model in the first century as it is for us in the twenty-first. They were fired up from Pentecost and focused on the mission to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 2, Matthew 28:16-20). With that kind of focus and devotion, they must’ve been ready to charge down the path with their eyes on the prize. It must’ve been challenging to chart a firm course and then stay poised to step off it when the Spirit moved, but that’s a good model of planning for a Christian leader. As leaders of people and programs, we need to use our radar and chart a course for success; but as followers of Christ, we should hold our plans loosely and watch for his intervention and redirection en route.

Lessons from Bethlehem

Inspirational

By Beth Brannan
December 20, 2019

The cherished story of Christmas has more to offer than just yearly reminders of God’s love and the details of Jesus’ birth. As we wrap up our mini-series on Bible characters from the Christmas story, we reflect on the many lessons we, as believers, can apply to our personal walks of faith. 

The first people touched by His incarnation also stand as enduring examples of how we should react and engage with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—not just at our first amazed and wondering encounter, but throughout our Christian walk. What can Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wisemen teach us?

Surrender and Rejoice—Surrendering is an act of will and agreement—a deliberate acknowledgment of another’s power and right to direct your life and an agreement to follow. Mary not only surrendered to God’s Will, but also celebrated and magnified Him. She lived in a culture with severe consequences for unwed mothers, yet she expressed no hesitation or reservation, which brings us to another big point about Christian surrender: It requires trust. How trusting are we? Do we rest confidently knowing that God has everything under control? Do we run the other way, or comply half-heartedly? Like Mary, let’s praise and thank Him for His call on our lives and for the gift of His Son.

Trust and Obey—Think of the surprises Joseph faced. First, he learned his betrothed was with child, and he was considering a quiet divorce. Then, he learned through divine revelation in a dream that she was carrying the Son of God, and he was to be the babe’s earthly father. What was his response? Did he whine, complain, or question? No. Joseph displayed instant obedience when he woke the next day. When something happens, does our response leave room for the will of God to be revealed? Do we carefully and calmly consider what to do before taking action? How quickly are we obedient once we clearly know the will of God?

Seek and Find—The shepherds’ response that holy night is typical of how most people react. First, they experienced fear, then they discussed things, and finally, they hurried to check it out for themselves. They had been given a specific sign to look for, after all. But note in their recorded response that they didn’t question the validity of Jesus’ birth. They talked about the need to see for themselves “this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us,” and as Scripture records, they found Jesus exactly as described. (Luke 2:15-16). So, what about us? How quickly do we respond to the signs He provides in our lives? Do we get stuck in “discussing” the journey ahead, or do we have faith, make haste, and go?

Watch and Worship—The Christian life is a journey that includes watching, worshiping, and also working. Like the wisemen, we must actively seek Jesus. We must worship Him and give Him our best. And like wisemen, we also need to take action. They traveled from the east. They followed the star. They worshipped the King. And they responded to a warning in a dream. Remember, they were warned in a dream that King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. So, they left town another way to prevent Herod from learning from them where Jesus was located. What can we do each day to watch and worship? How far are we willing to go to serve? What can we do to defeat the evil of this world and help others to find Jesus?

The Lord gave us His greatest treasure when He sent His Son, the Word incarnate, to redeem us all. Jesus came humbly, in the form of a baby, and asked only of us to receive Him. This is simple yet so counter-cultural; it goes against our nature as humans. Instead of human beings, we seek to perform as human “doings.” We want to prove ourselves to God, and we’ll do anything to glorify us.

That’s not at all why Jesus came. He came to save us from ourselves—from this toxic, self-detrimental ideology that we alone can do all things. All Jesus wants from us is a response, which happens over and over and over again in the story of His birth. Mary surrenders. Joseph trusts. Shepherds find. Wisemen worship. Every aspect of this story is in response to the presence of Jesus. He is the all powerful, all capable one.

“Mary surrenders. Joseph trusts. Shepherds find. Wisemen worship. Every aspect of this story is in response to the presence of Jesus. He is the all powerful, all capable one.”

This Christmas, and every day, remember the King of kings came to save you from work, so you could commit yourself to love—His love. This is the truth of the Gospel. 

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift” —2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

Merry Christmas to all! Christ has come!

Jesus, The Savior

Inspirational

By Daniel P. Kinkade
December 19, 2019

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

Theologians estimate there were about four hundred years of “silence” from the Old Testament to the New Testament known as the Intertestamental Period. During this time, God was still active in His redemption plan and drawing His people to Himself. The Roman empire was on the rise, King Herod and his family began to rule, and Pharisees and Sadducees started to take their place in the religious system of the day. All the while, for hundreds of years, people were awaiting the coming Messiah.

Then, He came. In a humble stable in the city of Bethlehem, a baby was born in a feeding trough to the virgin Mary and his earthly father, Joseph, just as Scripture foretold. The prophet Isaiah said His name would be called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These four short, powerful statements encompass for us a depiction of Jesus, the Savior, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). 

As Wonderful Counselor, Jesus’ wisdom is far beyond human understanding. He leads and guides us into the way of eternal truth, which is a truth that can never be shaken nor compromised. The term Mighty God reminds us no other person will ever compare to Him, and we can rest in His supreme authority and power. Everlasting Father signifies Jesus is King and the caring protector of His people. Finally, Prince of Peace teaches us Jesus provides ultimate peace and that in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).

“The Christmas story reminds us that Jesus came to dwell among His people, and He came to accomplish what we could never do for ourselves—save us from our sins.”

The most important question one must wrestle with is this: Who is Jesus to you? Scripture teaches in Romans 10:9 (ESV), “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.” Have you made this decision? If not, what is holding you back from making Him Lord of your life? The Christmas story reminds us that Jesus came to dwell among His people, and He came to accomplish what we could never do for ourselves—save us from our sins.

For more information about the Gospel and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, please click HERE.

The Wisemen Worshipped

Inspirational



By Lena Hooker
December 17, 2019

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.’ After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” —Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)

How often are you brought to your knees in the face of God’s glory? How often are you rendered speechless by the faithfulness of our Father in your life? If we’re honest with ourselves, there are times we don’t quite grasp the magnitude of God’s love for us, and as a result, we don’t respond accordingly. We fall into mundane habits and monotonous routines, and we neglect the need to give God the honor and praise He deserves. As we continue through the characters of the Christmas story, we come to the wisemen who sought out the Savior.

The wisemen enter into the narrative without summons. They came from the east in search of the one true King, all because they witnessed His great light. Without hesitancy, these men abandoned their lives and homes in pursuit of the Lord; they knew earthly possessions mattered little when compared to the eternal gift of Jesus. The wisemen were pure of heart and faithful to the Lord, which is why they could seek and find His star guiding them to Bethlehem. They were “wise” because they chose to pursue the will of God and not the will of King Herod of Judea. While Herod sought to destroy life, God seeks to restore it. The wisemen held fast to their commitment to the Lord, rejoicing in His abundance of joy, love, and life. They worshipped Jesus at great cost to their own lives because they knew He was worthy.

The wisemen stopped at nothing until they found Jesus. Even then, they bypassed Mary to reach her son. In seeking His face, they found everything. They displayed raw and pure worship that was led by the power of the Holy Spirit. No one told them how to praise the Lord’s name when they met the Messiah; their praise was a natural response to His goodness. The men had little to offer the King of Kings, yet they showered Him with the best they had. They were forever changed after meeting Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. This is why they returned home by another direction. The way of Jesus called them to truth, justice, and life—a path in contrast to the way of man.

While we are years removed from this event, the truth of Jesus’ birth and His presence in our lives remains. Just as we have seen obedience in Joseph and surrender in Mary, we find guidance to true, unrestricted worship in the wisemen. Our Father is worthy of and longs for our greatest cries and praise of His great name. Like the wisemen, we should let no man, path, or thing on Earth keep us from seeking the face of God to rejoice in His life, death, and resurrection. 

“The wisemen held fast to their commitment to the Lord, rejoicing in His abundance of joy, love, and life.”

When Shepherds Step Out in Faith

Inspirational


By Kevin Mcintosh
December 16, 2019

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” —Luke 2:8-16 (ESV)

Think of something that would make you fearful. Maybe it’s something as frightening as a roller coaster or as simple as being late for work. We might be fearful of people knowing our darkest sins or having pain enter our lives. Mostly, we are fearful of the things we cannot control, and because we are not omnipotent, we become afraid.

On the evening of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds were tending to their job, watching their flocks. The night suddenly took an unexpected turn when an angel of the Lord appeared. The shepherds were uncertain of what this could mean, thus they worried. But the angel had a mighty revelation: The Messiah had been born in nearby Bethlehem.

Their initial response was fear. So, what changed? The angel reveals the gift of the Savior Jesus to the shepherds, and they were awestruck. This time, they responded with deep affection and reverence instead of fear. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem in search of the Savior. Sure enough, they found the holy manger scene, exactly as described by the angel.

Sometimes God’s plans interrupt our own. That’s often how it works, isn’t it? Just as with the shepherds, you may find yourself presented with an unexpected opportunity to step into what God is doing. Will you step into that moment with faith, even if it means putting aside both your fear and your present plans?

The shepherds experienced the most significant evening of their lives, thanks to their openness to step out in faith, rather than sticking tightly to their agenda of watching the sheep. The Lord wrote them specifically into the story of His Son, but it was their choice whether or not they would take part in it. Be open to getting involved in what God is doing around you, even if it means abandoning your own plans. His plans are always better.

“Just as with the shepherds, you may find yourself presented with an unexpected opportunity to step into what God is doing.”