You might be surprised to learn that the most dangerous mission field in the world today is a very modern and technically advanced country, with tall skyscrapers, clean supermarkets, and more televisions than people.
Let me explain. Which do you think would be more dangerous: A mission field in which missionaries lose their lives — or one in which they lose their faith? Which would be more dangerous? To do mission work in some distant pagan country … or to preach the three angels’ messages in the very backyard of “the Beast”?
With this in mind, it might not surprise you that I believe America, along with Canada, is fast becoming a pagan country — and the most dangerous mission field in the world!
Declining Faith
A recent Newsweek cover shouted, “The Decline and Fall of Christian America” (April 13, 2009). The article said, “The number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled since 1990, rising from 8 to 15 percent.”
Is it any wonder then that we are watching our country tumble through a moral freefall with no parachute? In fact, the spiritual decline in North America is so obvious, other countries like India, Kenya, and South Korea are now sending Christian missionaries to the USA!
Of course, Amazing Facts is an international gospel ministry. From Africa to South Korea, from Europe to India and the South Pacific, Amazing Facts has conducted evangelistic and revival meetings in more than 50 countries. Of course, in addition to our mission work on the ground, this ministry has an ongoing impact through television, radio, internet, and publishing — which all can be heard, seen, or read virtually anywhere in the world.
A Primary Mission to North America
But primarily, Amazing Facts has a special mission calling for the United States and Canada. Why? If a missionary wants to reach people in a village, the best place to start would be to convert the most influential person in the community. Once you reach the leaders, they will, in turn, help you reach everyone else.
North America is the most influential corner of the world. Wherever I travel, the people there are listening to American music, buying American products, and following American fads. Unfortunately, Hollywood produces a river of movies that glorify sex, violence, and materialism. These messages of venomous values are being systematically duplicated and exported to every corner of the globe. The greed, fashion, and poison principles of a fallen nation are surely defining the thinking of the world.
That’s why I know that if we can bring revival to America, it will spread around the planet. In reaching America, we reach the world!
The Seat of the Beast
This is why Jesus told Paul he must preach in Rome: “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified for me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11).
Why Rome? In Paul’s day, Rome was the most wealthy, civilized, and influential city in the world. After Peter and Paul preached the gospel in Rome, the truth began to spread throughout the entire empire (Colossians1:23). But sophisticated Rome was also the most hedonistic, paganistic, and dangerous mission field. Indeed, both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome!
America is beginning to model ancient Rome. We know what the Bible says about the role the United States will play in last-day prophecy. Someday, the USA will evolve into the beast power that will “cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15).
That’s why we must get the message out now! Jesus warned, “The night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).
There are three specific ways we can work together to help reach America for Christ:
1. A gift toward our television and radio programs. During the financial crunch last fall, we needed to cancel several very effective radio and TV programs. But now the recession has brought the cost of air time is way down. We would like to buy back these media time slots while the prices are low, stretching your donation dollars. Target: $150,000
2. Help to train new AFCOE missionaries. The work of the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism (AFCOE) is so vitally important today! We’re training a small army of missionaries each year, with the majority of graduates now teaching and doing Bible work in their communities. Some have even gone on to become successful pastors and evangelists in the North America mission field. But we need your help to keep this program going. Our scholarship funds have been depleted, so some financially challenged students must be turned away. “How shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:15). Target: $46,000
3. Every day, Amazing Facts sends bushels of free literature to the viewers and listeners of our programs, transforming hundreds with truth. One of our websites recently had 700 requests for a free booklet in two hours! We needed to remove the offer because our missionary literature funds are being exhausted. Target: $75,000
Amazing Facts Is Your Missionary to America
Amazing Facts programs are reaching across the entire spectrum of North American culture — from our Bible lessons transforming the hearts of prisoners to the sprawling suburbs where students distribute Amazing Facts DVDs and literature … to the soaring cities where the masses search through our multiple internet sites. The message of truth is even penetrating the halls of congress through Amazing Facts national radio and television programs.
Friend, will you join me as a missionary? Please pray and send a gift today.
Pastor Doug Batchelor
President, Amazing Facts