Evangelism

World Mission Report, Round Table Discussion

by

Howard Anderson and Hector Perez: We are co-pastors of the Living Waters Church in Mount Dora, Florida. Our church is about four months old, and we are moving forward. We have established a prayer meeting and have Bible studies going with 25 to 30 people. We have plans to begin neighborhood literature distribution soon and cooking classes by early August. For a long time, Pastor Perez has had a burden to do a work for the Spanish people. There are millions and millions of Spanish speaking people who have never heard this message, and it is our responsibility to fulfill the gospel commission. We have people who are sincere and are willing to help, but we need your help. Our local church has already voted to sponsor time on one of the short wave radio stations, but we need some equipment with which to make recordings to supply the radio stations with. If you would like to help us in this endeavor, please contact us at the Living Waters Church (904)735-4897.

Ron Woolsey: I was born and raised a Seventh-day Adventist. I graduated from Southern Missionary College with a degree in theology, but that very year I left the faith and went into the world. During the years that followed, my family never stopped praying for me.

When I did accept the Lord about three years ago, I came to Steps to Life to take the Bible Worker training program and was rebaptized here.

Prior to my baptism, I had committed my life to the Lord and had said, “Wherever You ask me to go, I will go. Whatever You ask me to do, I will do.” The night I was baptized, some people from Arkansas asked me to come help them organize a church and be their pastor. I was still a student at STL, but every third week I would go to Arkansas and help them with their church. When I finished my training in May, I went full-time.

A few months later, Lena Falk, from Denmark, called to ask if I would come over and visit Romania. Since that time, I have been to Europe four times; and I will be going again in a few days. The burden of my message to those people has been victory over sin because of what the Lord has done for me.

It is the work of the synagogue of Satan to mingle evil with good. Have you ever heard somebody say, “There’s a lot of good in that,” and then they make excuses for what they are doing or listening to or eating because there is a lot of good in that? If there is a lot of good about something, there is probably a little bit of evil mixed in. In Europe we find that our beautiful Adventist message of victory over sin is being corrupted. As I gave my testimony in Romania, where everyone sits poker-faced without showing any expression, their faces lighted up when they heard about victory over sin. They started showing expression. Jesus promised in Genesis 3:15 that He would create hatred in the hearts of His people for sin. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” People around the world are finding this hatred for sin welling up within them as they respond to the work of the Holy Spirit. “Through all ages and in every nation those that believe that Jesus can and will save them personally from sin, are the elect and chosen of God; they are His peculiar treasure. They obey His call, and come out of the world and separate themselves from every unclean thought and unholy practice.” Review and Herald, August 1, 1893

Are you the elect? The elect of God are a people who believe in victory over sin. As the elect, once we fully believe that victory is ours, we can have victory in our lives and Christ can cleanse His sanctuary and us. This is only possible, however, as by faith we accept it.

The Narrow Way is trying to support three Bible workers in Romania. They are not accepted by the church. It is not that they are teaching error—they are bringing people to the Lord—but because they did not get permission to do the work that they are doing. As a result, these young men are facing some persecution.

One of them was receiving an allowance of $30 to $35 a month from his parents in Germany. With that, he was living in Romania, supporting another couple and their young son, and still managing somehow to save a little money. On our last trip, I learned that his parents were returning to Romania. I asked, “How are you going to continue your work and support?” He said, “I don’t know. The Lord always provides. I saved up some money and we will just try to keep on going.” I asked him if it would be all right if we supported him. He just looked at me and said, “Well, it really doesn’t matter because the Lord is going to take care of it.” I was humbled very quickly.

We had taken over about $800. We were able to support these two Bible workers in full-time Bible work for a whole year for $720.

I received a letter last week from a believer in the Czech Republic. He wrote to tell us that his whole church had just been expelled because they were inviting people like me to speak. He also mentioned John Grosboll and others of the Historic Adventist ministries.

When we were first over in Eastern Europe, the very thought of working outside the confines of the structure just terrified these people. As more people like ourselves visit them, they are finding that even if they are disbanded, they can still work for the Lord. It was because they had no concept of what it meant to be self-supporting workers, to work directly for the Lord, that they were so easily controlled. But as they have talked with us and found out that it is possible to work for the Lord without anyone’s permission, they are becoming greatly encouraged.

On our last trip in Romania, these laypeople were holding an evangelistic series in a small town of about 2,500 people. On their opening night they had 700 people in attendance. Three weeks later they still had over 500 people coming. The Calvinist church in the community began holding some meetings. Rather than have turmoil between the two churches, the Adventists ended their meetings after three weeks; but three weeks later, when the Calvinists were done, the people wanted more of the Adventist message, so meetings were begun again. Over 400 people attended.

One night during the week, we drove an hour and a half to a small town in which there were only four Adventists. They were all members of one family and had started a church in their home. The meeting was supposed to start at 7:30, but the hostess came out and asked, “Can you start the meeting at 8:00 instead?” I asked, “Yes, but if we start too late, we will get home really late.” She said, “The Calvinists are having their Easter week and they are all going to their church to prepare for services, but they want to be here.”

At five minutes till 8:00, there was nobody there; but by 8:00 the house was packed. I counted seventy people in the living room and later found out that there were more than twenty in the next room. They were all Calvinists, but I preached about victory over sin and they loved it.
My Romanian host said to me, “Ron, within a year we think that many Seventh-day Adventists are going to be disfellowshiped here in our country. When you come back, there will probably be many home churches.” Friends, I believe the Lord is raising up home churches all around the world. I think He is preparing places to bring the people out of Babylon. He is raising up places where they can come and find a home with God’s people. We need to remember these people in our prayers.

John Grosboll: I was recently sharing with a person about some of the different mission projects that Steps to Life is engaged in, television, radio, and short wave radio, and he asked me this question, “Is not the structure doing all those things?”

The devil is trying to confuse God’s people with all kinds of deceptions, and one of them is territorialism. We are not competing with each other. Several of us are doing some of the same things, but we are not embarrassed about that. There is plenty of work for everyone.

When we first published Bible lessons and started our Bible Correspondence School, there had been others that had Bible correspondence schools and that had published Bible lessons and Bible studies before; but we did not say, “Well, somebody else has done it, so we will not do it.” Do you realize, friends, that for almost any kind of evangelism, there is someone else who has at least tried it? Do not let the devil deceive you into thinking that you can just relax because someone at one of these ministries is going to get on television or radio and finish the work. Friends, we need to realize that every single one of us has a part. While we believe it is important, the work is not going to be finished by a few people. Every one of us has to have a part. I hope that while you are reading these reports that you are thinking in your mind, what can I do?

From the beginning, one of our objectives at Steps to Life, has been to help God’s people to have a part in finishing the work. There are a lot of God’s people who want to do something but who do not know what to do. If there is anyone reading this who wants to help to finish God’s work in their area by using television or radio, we want to help you. We can supply you with tapes of radio scripts. We can get you video tapes that can be shown on television.

To be successful on TV or radio, you need a hook in your program. You need to advertise something that will attract the people who are interested in what you have to say. It was to meet this need that we started our first Bible correspondence school in conjunction with our TV program. We can help you to start a Bible correspondence school, even if you have no television or radio program. While television and radio are very helpful in putting you in contact with people, you can get a Bible correspondence school started without them.

Several years ago we started publishing small booklets. While some are for Adventists, some were written for non-Adventist people. My brother was very interested in the space program; and because he was a pastor on the East Coast, he personally knew some of the people in the space program. He was in California when the Challenger space shuttle went down and later preached two sermons on the uncertainty of life and how to have eternal life. We took those two sermons and published them in a booklet titled The Uncertainty of Life.

Somebody Cares is another booklet that Marshall wrote a few days before he died. It has had a phenomenal acceptance, not just in the U.S. but also in Europe. It has been translated into German, Hungarian, Romanian, and Latvian.

The very first booklet that Marshall wrote was How to Study the Bible. We have found that it is a very excellent missionary booklet to get Bible studies started. We have also published the booklet How to Stop Smoking. All of these booklets are excellent books for outreach.

After you have given the Bible studies and the people have accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour, then what are you going to do? They are little babes in Christ, and now they need to grow. Friends, you might need to organize a home church in your area. If you do, we are here to help you.

If I understand the Spirit of Prophecy correctly, before the Lord comes, during the time of the latter rain and the loud cry, there are going to be memorials to God raised up in every city and town. This does not necessarily mean that there will be a church building, but there will be many home churches like it was in the days of the apostles.

If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, telling you that there needs to be a lighthouse, a memorial to God, where you live, listen to His voice. You do not have to have a great number of people to start a home church. Jesus said that you only need to have two. (See Matthew 18.) If the Holy Spirit is impressing your mind that you need to start a home church and you do not know why or how to do it, please contact us.

Bob Trefz: We would like to work with Hector on getting him started in Spanish broadcasting. We know of a radio station in Honduras that broadcasts targeting the East Coast of the United States; and in so doing, they hit the Caribbean area and Inter-America, but they are heard regularly in Europe and Japan. Biblical Studies Institute is going to finance Hector as soon as we can make the arrangements with the radio station. We will provide him with a musical soundtrack for his opening and closing. We encourage you to send your funds in to Hector and Howard’s ministry to promote this work. As the funds come in, he will be able to go on other stations. There is a big station in Miami that targets South America, WRMI, and we have been in contact with them.

There are tens of millions of Spanish-speaking people that need to get the message. We have the software, but we have been so busy taking care of the English that we have had no time yet to get into the Spanish.

My sister and her husband sent out cards advertising The Great Controversy. I cannot believe the response they are getting. Not only are people ordering The Great Controversy by the hundreds, but people are requesting Bible studies. Their home church spends hours on Sabbath afternoon grading the papers and sending them out, but they can hardly keep up with it. It is absolutely astounding. Also, they are showing Steps to Life on television every Sunday in their area.

We have a home church in Oklahoma that is sponsoring Biblical Studies Institute’s radio tapes over their local station. These are tapes that we prepared for short wave radio and can be obtained for use on a station in your area.

Though the negotiations are not yet closed, we are negotiating with a giant station in the area that used to be the Soviet Union. This station hooks together three 500 kilowatt transmitters equaling 1.5 mega-watts of transmitter power. As far as we know, this station is three times as powerful as any station in North America. We are at the stage now of giving them the time slots that we are interested in. The Lord willing, Steps to Life, Modern Manna, and Biblical Studies Institute are all planning to purchase time on this station. For this project, as well as the Spanish radio program, funds are now needed.

The End

The Leaves of Autumn

by

I am happy to report that there is a simple, inexpensive and effective method of working for the salvation of those who have never heard our message. This simple and effective method is one Dr. Ralph Larson suggested, and is available to all. I call it “Tracts Work.”

“How the angels must feel as they see the end approaching, and see so many of those entrusted with the last message of mercy huddling together, attending meetings for the sake of benefit to their own souls, and feeling dissatisfied if there is not much preaching, while they have little burden and are doing little for the salvation of others. All who are indeed united to Christ by living faith will be partakers of the divine nature. They will be constantly receiving from Him spiritual life, and they cannot be silent.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 443.

“As the disciples, filled with the power of the Spirit, went forth to proclaim the gospel, so God’s servants are to go forth today. Filled with an unselfish desire to give the message of mercy to those who are in the darkness of error and unbelief, we are to take up the Lord’s work. He gives us our part to do in cooperation with Him, and He will also move on the hearts of unbelievers to carry forward His work in the regions beyond. Already many are receiving the Holy Spirit, and no longer will the way be blocked by listless indifference.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 32,33

Using this method of work, I now have nine non-Adventists involved in weekly Bible studies. I have also found that two hours a week, dedicated to passing out literature, will result, on an average, of one person a month inviting themselves to the Bible studies. During the course of the first five weeks I probably spent about $20.00 on materials to hand out.

“The testing truth for this time is not the fabrication of any human mind. It is from God. It is genuine philosophy to those who appropriate it. Christ became incarnate in order that we, through belief of the truth, might be sanctified and redeemed. Let those who hold the truth in righteousness arouse and go forth, shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, to proclaim the truth to those who know it not. Let them make straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 211,212

“There is a much greater work devolving upon the individual members of the church than they realize. They are not awake to the claims of God. The time has come when every means would be devised that can aid in preparing a people to stand in the day of God. We must be wide-awake, refusing to let precious opportunities pass unimproved. We must do all that we possibly can to win souls to love God and keep His commandments. Jesus requires this of those who know the truth. Is His demand unreasonable? Have we not the life of Christ as our example? Do we not owe the Saviour a debt of love, of earnest, unselfish labor for the salvation of those for whom He gave His life?” Testimonies, vol. 8, 244

“The lay members of our churches can accomplish a work which, as yet, they have scarcely begun. None should move into new places merely for the sake of worldly advantage; but where there is an opening to obtain a livelihood, let families that are well grounded in the truth enter one or two families in a place to work as missionaries. They should feel a love for souls, a burden of labor for them, and should make it a study how to bring them into the truth. They can distribute our publications, hold meetings in their homes, become acquainted with their neighbors, and invite them to come to these meetings. Thus they can let their light shine in good works.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 245

Here’s how to get the word out, bring souls into the truth, minimize the amount of time required to accomplish all this, and spend very little money.

We have developed a series of tri-fold tracts, on various Bible themes, ranging from salvation by grace to the mark of the beast. By the way, you don’t even have to use our tracts for this technique to work. Just pick out twenty houses and knock on each door. Present the tract saying very simply, “Hi. I’ve brought you something good to read. Hope you enjoy it.” Then leave and go on to the next door. Keep a small notebook with a list of each address in it and a record of which tracts or materials you’ve left at each door.

Now go back to each house one week later with a second tract. It has been our experience, that to be most effective, it is best to be regular, calling at the same time each week. This time just say, “I’m still giving out tracts. Would you like another?” If and when you get a rejection say “Thank you.” (And mean it, they just cut down your workload by one house.) Strike a line through that address and add one more house to your list (starting over with tract #1).

As is obvious, you’ve now spent very little time at each house and nothing you’ve said can possibly be considered pushy. It is only the truth-filled messages in the tracts that will convict hearts and cause people to open up to you. All you do is faithfully show up every week and offer another tract.

As the people see that you are presenting nothing harmful or scary in your literature and that everything is based solidly on the Bible, your reputation will grow in the minds of those who are seeking the truth. In addition, you are not spending time in unpleasant confrontations with people who do not want your message.

“Why has the history of the work of the disciples, as they labored with holy zeal, animated and vitalized by the Holy Spirit, been recorded, if it is not that from this record the Lord’s people today are to gain an inspiration to work earnestly for Him? What the Lord did for His people in that time, it is just as essential, and more so, that He do for His people today. All that the apostles did, every church member today is to do. And we are to work with as much more fervor, to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit in as much greater measure, as the increase of wickedness demands a more decided call to repentance.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 33

As the weeks of receiving these tracts go by, hearts will be touched by the Word of God and worked on by His Holy Spirit. You may expect that someone will ask you a question about something that has touched their heart. When they do, just say, “May I show you the answer from the Bible?” At that point you have been invited into their home and have started Bible studies with them. It’s that simple.

“The conversion of souls to God is the greatest, the noblest work in which human beings can have a part. In this work are revealed God’s power, His holiness, His forbearance, and His unbounded love. Every true conversion glorifies Him and causes the angels to break forth into singing.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 52

“Every church should labor for the perishing within its own borders and for those outside its borders. The members are to shine as living stones in the temple of God, reflecting heavenly light. No random, haphazard, desultory work is to be done. To get fast hold of souls ready to perish means more than praying for a drunkard and then, because he weeps and confesses the pollution of his soul, declaring him saved. Over and over again the battle must be fought. Testimonies, vol. 8, 196

My experience in this tract work has convinced me that anyone can do this and bring people to the truth. After about two weeks of passing out tracts, a couple stopped me on the street near their home and asked me to begin regular Bible studies with them in their home. There were five non-Adventists in our study there last week. One of those in attendance for the second time was a young woman who had tried to commit suicide a month before and had been totally opposed to Christianity. Now she eagerly looks forward to each week’s study. Two weeks ago she set the topic for the next week’s lesson by asking, “Would you show us what was nailed to the cross?” Last week, another newcomer set the topic for this week’s lesson by asking if I would explain the “wheat and the tares.” As always I answer in the affirmative. This is, after all, the easiest way to teach the truth. I have one whole week to bone up on any given subject and I have the Spirit of Prophecy to use for my guideline!

“The third angel’s message, embracing the messages of the first and second angels, is the message for this time. We are to raise aloft the banner on which is inscribed: ‘The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ The world is soon to meet the great Lawgiver over His broken law. This is not the time to put out of sight the great issues before us. God calls upon His people to magnify the law and make it honorable.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 197

Two weeks ago as I was having a newsletter printed at the local printer, the manager, a talkative, type, found out I was a Seventh-day Adventist. He commented on the fact that we attend church on Saturday and asked me why. Now that’s an open invitation. On our next meeting I presented the Bible as the sole rule of faith and my reasons for believing it to be the Word of God. He was surprised to learn that the Bible was written by men “who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” and then would not let me leave until he had raised the questions of what constitutes the Mark of the Beast, and what really happens when you die! I trust that there will be more meetings with this man.

“Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit, and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to answer His expectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through His grace strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as cumberers of the ground. Yet the case of even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those who have slighted God’s mercy and abused His grace, the heart of long-suffering love yet pleads. ‘Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly,…redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ Ephesians 5:14-16.” The Great Controversy, 601, 602

It is now one of my greatest joys to knock on the door of a house on East 3rd Street. Every time I go there now the woman lights up and tells me how much she enjoyed the previous tract and how she has been looking forward to the next one. If you would like to share in my joy, I will make our tracts available to you and personalize them with your name or the name and address of your ministry. Just send me the exact way you want the name and address to appear on the tracts and I will send you a set of masters (six are currently available) that you can use to make your own tracts as you need them on a copying machine. I do ask that, with your request for these materials, you include a donation to cover my expenses.

The End