Aug
10
Written by:
Pastor Doug
8/10/2009 1:51 AM
Through history, Great Britain has had a rich heritage of Christian champions: John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, John Wesley, and David Livingstone, to name a few. But sadly, in England today and in some of her former commonwealths, the light of Christian faith is growing dim.
England, Canada, and Australia are now some of the most secular countries in the world. Churches across the English countryside that once swelled with worshipers during the golden age of Christianity are now empty, and many are being sold as private homes or simply demolished. In fact, on June 27, 2009, Bishop Paul Richardson of the Church of England “Christian Britain is dead. … Britain is no longer a Christian nation” (London Telegraph).
But there is good news! I believe that together, you and I can help change this trend!
English Evangelism Emphasis
As you know, Amazing Facts has translated gospel material into multiple international languages: Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Swedish, French, Portuguese, Farsi … and about 20 others. Of course, in addition to producing Bible lessons, books, DVDs, and CDs in all these different languages, we also major in … English!
In fact, did you know that one in five people in the world speaks English? Indeed, there are more English-speaking people in China than in all the USA!
Amazing Facts also has Bible lessons in the Indian languages of Tamil and Hindi. But it certainly helps that more than 100 million people in India speak English as a second language. You get the point: English is the most effective language to reach the world!
So Amazing Facts has a plan to bring a gospel transfusion to these spiritually anemic countries by launching a special new initiative called English Evangelism Emphasis (EEE).
The plan is simple: I will be conducting several evangelism and revival meetings this fall in three major English-speaking cities on three continents — Calgary, Canada; Sidney, Australia; and Birmingham, England. During these programs, we will be lifting up the “Son of righteousness” and calling these dear people to fully take up the cross and consecrate their lives to Christ.
Future Proofing Evangelism
In addition to preaching the gospel, most of these meetings will be recorded to provide new television and internet presentations so that these messages of warning and hope can continue to reach English-speaking people around the globe for years to come.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “England, Australia, and Canada are fairly advanced countries. Why should we support evangelism there?” Should we care more about God’s lost children in the Third World than His lost children in these developed nations? Jesus loves and wants to save people in the developed world just as much as He wants to reach the poorer nations.
We are reaching them!
The well-educated, secular English-speaking people are one of the hardest groups to reach. But by God’s grace, we are reaching them! For example, Amazing Facts has over 20 English-language websites that receive more than 150,000 unique visitors each month … from all over the world. Here are just a couple of samples:
Stuart writes from Australia:
“I came across Doug Batchelor’s preaching on a local radio station here in Australia and haven’t been able to stop listening. … I found your website … and just wanted to let you know how blessed I have been. I have been a Christian for over 25 years and have never heard such simple, easy-to-understand Bible truths. It truly is revolutionizing my Christian walk. Keep up the good work.”
Ursina from London:
“Just want to say thank you for all the effort you guys put into that web page. … God is using you! The teaching I have read, listened to, or watched during the last four months have stirred me up deeply ... and lead to interesting discussions in my small group of a more ‘worldly church.’ … Just wanted to encourage you all!”
How You Can Be Involved
The Lord has quickly brought together a powerful plan to illuminate English-speaking people with biblical truth for years to come. Here’s the three steps in launching the EEE.
- October 1–3, Calgary, Canada: I will help launch a citywide evangelistic campaign in this large Canadian metropolis. The Prophecy Code videos and lessons will be distributed to groups and churches around the city.
- October 23–November 7, Sydney, Australia: We will record a brand-new series of English-language evangelistic programs in Sydney, Australia, which can then reach people around the world through satellite TV and DVDs for years to come. At the same time, I will conduct youth evangelism training.
- December 2–6, Birmingham, England: This church-wide series will be especially focused on revival. The messages will be streamed live through the internet around the English-speaking world and recorded for future sharing and distribution.
Here’s the need:
- First on the list: Revival and soul winning comes through prayer. Please join us in praying for this English Evangelism Emphasis!
- We have stepped out in faith to do these series during this time of economic crisis, but we will still need to raise $165,000 to cover the Amazing Facts portion for production, distribution, and other expenses for this mission.
- We will urgently need $65,000 to expand, enhance, and redesign our 20 global English-language internet sites to better reach and save the 1.3 billion people who understand English.
My mother used to live in London when I was a young man. I am ashamed to say that during my first trip to that country, I spent my spare time in the pubs with a cigarette in one hand and a pint of beer in the other. I was a witness for the devil. I am praising God now to have the opportunity to return to this country with the gospel in my mouth and a Bible in my hand.
Will you please join me, friend? The headlines everywhere remind us the sun is setting on earth’s history and so many do not know Jesus. Time is short — your involvement right now will make a big difference not only in these places, but all around the English-speaking world too!
Click here to begin making an eternal difference today.
Pastor Doug Batchelor