A CENTURY TURNS by William J. Bennett

I just finished reading this wonderfully thought provoking book, a complimentary copy of which was provided by Thomas Nelson. While it does not have a missional theme, it does address global events that impact missions.

Bennett provides a map of the historic decades from 1988-2008 and reminds us how quickly events can produce opportunities and impediments to the spreading of the gospel. Events such as the fall of “the Wall,” the war on terror, natural disasters, and the rise of technology impact global missions. This book is a historical primmer for anyone who not only wants to learn from the past, but desires to help positively shape events of the future. Better understanding our culture and society assists us in establishing and executing strategies for taking the Gospel to the people of the world.

This book is not a professorial regurgitation of facts, but a historical narrative written by a participant. Bennett conveys Judeo-Christian perspectives throughout his narrative. While reading this book I found myself filtering a number of events through a Biblical worldview in a manner that I had not done before. Not only was this book educational and enlightening, but a delight to read. For those who want to better understand the world in which we live by understanding the events that brought us here, I recommend it wholeheartedly. As a matter of fact, I recommend you not only read it, but pass it along to those readers who are in your sphere of influence.

One last thought. Jesus and Paul were very aware of political and cultural history – ancient and recent. It impacted their ministry. It should be the same for us. Use this book as a tool toward that end.

"Buckets of Hope" for hands-on help in Haiti

WorldReach is participating in the "Buckets of Hope" project to help feed the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

A “Bucket of Hope” consists of a plastic five-gallon bucket packed with selected foodstuffs. For approximately $30 anyone can purchase the materials and assemble a "Bucket of Hope." The food contained in a single bucket will feed a Haitian family for a week. You are also requested to include a $10 cash contribution, placed in an envelope and attached to the lid of the bucket, to offset the cost of transporting the relief buckets to Haiti.

Every bucket must be exactly alike with a specific list of items inside. Please follow the detailed instructions carefully. This will ensure that every bucket quickly passes through customs and into the hands of the Haitian people. Click here to get the specific instructions and then put a bucket together and you can be a part in touching the lives of tens of thousands of Haitians.

Drop off your bucket at the "Buckets of Hope" trailer located at the WorldReach offices during the week (2131 Ruth Jackson Road, Bogart, GA), or at the Prince Avenue Baptist Church parking lot on Sunday's.

Final date for area drop-off is Sunday March7, 2010.

Please contact us with any questions, toll free at 888-540-6534.

Urgent prayer request for Olympic ministry!

Olympic trading pins are produced by sponsors, teams, and the host country. Throughout the Olympic city and surrounding venues, people buy sell and trade them. They pin them to their hats, coats, scarves, and other very innovative paraphernalia so everyone can see their collection of Olympic pins. Because of this Olympic phenomena, for the past eight Olympics, the Action Ministries International Sports Chaplains have utilized the "Jesus" pin (this is a picture representative of the pin that will be used in Vancouver) as a tool to share the gospel to tens of thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, spectators, and people in the host country.

The pins are designed here in the US and manufactured by a born again believer in Hong Kong. Once manufactured, the pins are drop shipped to a prearranged site in the Olympic city for the team to pick up and use during the days of Olympic ministry.

The AMI team is currently experiencing difficulties with customs officials in trying to get the pins into Canada. This is not the first time difficulties have arisen, so we understand it is something for which we need prayer.

Please pray that all issues will be resolved and the pins will be released in time for the Olympic ministry that begins in Vancouver February 11th. This is the key ministry tool used to build an instant bridge with people in order to share the gospel with them. People consistently ask a chaplain if they have any pins to trade. The chaplain's response is simple, "I don't have any to trade, but I have one that I will give you. It has a story behind it. Would you like to hear it?" Because people are open to the Olympic experience, they consistently give a "yes" response. Using the colors incorporated within the pin, the chaplain then shares the greatest story using the greatest pin...the story of the good news of Jesus Christ.

So, please pray. As you can see, the pin is a vital tool to in taking the Word to the world at the Vancouver Olympics.

Peruvian ministry continues to grow!

Baptist Mission in Peru, a church plant partnership between Prince Avenue Hispanic Baptist Mission and WorldReach, located in the Lima, Peru suburb of Miraflores is continuing to see God grow His church. On January 9th three more believers were baptized at a beach side ceremony in the Pacific Ocean.

In 2009, a cell group was started in the nearby community of Ventanilla. On the evening of January 17th three new believers, who are part of that cell group, were also baptized in the Pacific Ocean.

God is working through Brother Jesus Loo and his team of leaders to evangelize, disciple, and begin new cell groups in the Lima area. Tim and Joy Mitchell, IMB missionaries currently on stateside assignment, have also been an integral part of this work. Pastor Carlos Baca, native Peruvian and pastor of PAHBM, has just returned from Lima and provided us with the following pictures.

To God be the glory, great things He is doing in Peru!

Cell Group in Ventanilla; and Ruth, Anna, Pastor Baca, Armando, Brother Jesus (L-R) prepared for the Pacific Ocean baptism


Pastor Baca and Brother Jesus baptize Paulina.............then Maria...........................


and finally Jose Antonio!

Update on Southern Baptist Response to Haiti earthquake

An article updating the Haiti earthquake response from the Southern Baptist's International Mission Board can be viewed here. A video update is below.

Britt Hume and the message of reconciliation

Last weekend, television news journalist Britt Hume expressed an opinion that set off a fire storm of controversy. As part of a panel discussion, Hume was responding to the recent revelations of golfer Tiger Woods adulterous affairs. Hume opined that Tiger would probably reestablish his golf prominence, but may lose his family. However, Hume then offered his opinion about what Woods needed to do in order to personally recover from these transgressions. His commentary was as follows:

"Tiger Woods will recover as a golfer. Whether he can recover as a person I think is a very open question, and it’s a tragic situation for him.

I think he’s lost his family; it’s not clear to me if he’ll be able to have a relationship with his children, but the Tiger Woods that emerges once the news value dies out of this scandal -- the extent to which he can recover -- seems to me to depend on his faith.

He’s said to be a Buddhist; I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be: ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.’"

These words of truth spoken by Hume did not even mention Jesus Christ, but the backlash his comments have brought about should be no surprise. Hume is correct. Buddhism does not offer any forgiveness of sin and does even recognize the existence of a Creator God. Regardless, Hume could have probably suggested that Tiger Woods turn to any other world religion and there would not have been any backlash about his comments.

Jesus understood that people would always oppose Him and those who profess Him as Savior and Lord. When speaking to His disciples Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of my name.” When speaking to one of the most learned religious leaders of His day Jesus told him, “This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.”

The criticism of Hume’s comments has ranged from one news commentator accusing him of “attempt[ing] to threaten Tiger Woods into converting to Christianity.” Another prominent news commentator “blasted Hume, saying he had no business mentioning Christianity on a political talk show.”

Yes, light has come into the world…that Light is Jesus Christ. People who love the darkness; people who love their evil deeds, will hate the light and avoid it. They will hate Jesus Christ and avoid Him.

However, all is not lost. For we, as born again believers, once stood in the same darkness. We stood opposed to God. We stood aligned with those who hate the light and avoid it.

But God pursued us, just as He is pursuing all those who have railed against the comments of Britt Hume. God’s desire is that no one should perish, but that all will come to repentance. For it is by grace we are saved. Grace – the unmerited favor of God through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. It is this grace that we are to be about the business of testifying to those God has placed around us, and to those where God may send us.

We are His messengers. He has given us a message of reconciliation; a message that is for the entire world…even Tiger Woods. Hume understands this. He understands there is no other religion that provides forgiveness of sin. He took a stand on national television, and in numerous interviews since, that has resulted in him not having to explain himself, but that has given him an even larger platform for telling the good news of Jesus Christ!

What about those around you? Are you so bold as to relate to them the love of God? Have you placed yourself at God’s disposal, regardless of the perceived cost – which is no cost at all in terms of our eternal reward – so that God can reach others with the message of reconciliation He has entrusted to you?

Merry Christmas from our troops serving in Baghdad

As we pause to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, I want to encourage you to watch this very short video (click here) from one of the Southern Baptist Chaplains serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad. May God bless you and yours...and Merry Christmas!