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From Pastor Doug
| | An Amazing Fact: In 1991, 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard was abducted at a school bus stop within sight of her home in South Lake Tahoe, California. With few reliable leads, friends and family feared the worst—Jaycee had vanished without a trace. Then 18 years later, 29-year-old Jaycee was located in Antioch, California, 150 miles from her home, living with her abductors, Phillip and Nancy Garrido. During her long captivity, Jaycee was kept concealed in Garrido’s backyard where she bore two daughters in connection with her abuse. On June 2, 2011, Phillip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years in prison; his wife received 36 years to life. Missing Children … Found! Have you ever misplaced a child? In crowded markets or airports, young children sometimes wander from their parents. It happened to me. Once in a busy mall, I lost track of one of our boys when he was about three years old. At first I anxiously called his name. Then as the moments passed, I became increasingly frantic as a number of frightening scenarios went through my mind. “Is he lost?” “Is he hurt?” “Has he been abducted?” And then … oh! … what a relief when I found him! It is heart wrenching for me to even imagine what it would be like to go through 18 years wondering what had become of a son or daughter, sister, or grandchild who had vanished.
Missing Members
In considering this tragic reality, I’m reminded of another group of “missing children.” I’m talking about people who were once faithful and regular church members. But then something happened… Perhaps enchanted by the world, some slowly wandered from their church homes. Others stopped attending because of some conflict with another member or the pastor offended them. Perhaps a sickness or a death shook their faith. For others, the plain hectic stress of work and family might have eclipsed their vibrant relationship with Jesus. But whatever the cause, now their seats at the church are empty. Every church in the world has missing members. Some surveys indicate that more than 50 percent of the people who once joined and attended church no longer do. That’s not a misprint—50 percent! And with many churches, only a fraction of those “on the books” regularly attend. It’s staggering to think of literally millions who have gone missing from their churches. You can probably think of some names right now. Just as an army is weakened when 50 percent of their soldiers go AWOL, so too is the church crippled in their mission through this multitude of missing members. The fallout of this can be seen not only in stagnant church growth and declining moral values, but also in the gaping vacuum of workers for God. A Call to Return
So what can be done? I believe there is an answer, and I’m asking you today to take some practical steps to help combat this real and growing problem and to recover a harvest of these missing children. God has opened a wonderful door of opportunity for Amazing Facts to address the enormous problem of church family members who have gone missing. January 13 to 15, 2012, we will present a special live television series on the Hope Channel called Restoring Your Faith. In this special program, which will be an “all points bulletin” about missing members, we’ll address head-on the four main issues that cause people to leave the church or stop attending: Division: This program will help people resolve conflicts and issues that left them feeling betrayed or wounded by another church member. Distraction: In this presentation, we will expose the illusion that peace and happiness can come from the things of the world apart from Christ. Doctrinal: Some cease attending because they believe their churches no longer teach the whole counsel of God or they struggle accepting some point of truth. We’ll tackle that problem in this program. Dedication: Many have failed to recognize the crucial value of corporate church worship. This presentation will highlight the importance of regular fellowship with Christ’s body. The Plan
We all know some missing members. So what if there was a unique program where you could invite some of these individuals into your home or church for some refreshments and a spiritual presentation? Some would surely come. If we fervently pray and commit ourselves to this effort, I believe God can work miracles. This is not a hopeless problem! There is still power in the Word, and we can bring a multitude of these “lost sheep” back into the fold. That’s why I’m asking for your help today. Your support this month will help Amazing Facts produce the materials and purchase the airtime for the broadcast of this series. Click here to partner with us in
reaching our missing family. I believe many of these people are just waiting to be nudged back to church. They can see the world is gyrating out of control, and they are apprehensive about the future. This program can be their first step back. We must make sure that when they do come home, we will welcome them with open arms. Moreover, if God could open our spiritual eyes a little wider, we would see that there are multitudes in the church whose faith is hanging by a thread. This series will be just the thing they need to reinforce their commitment. Think about how parents feel when their children “vanish.” How much more does the heart of Jesus ache when He sees the vast multitude of His children who have been abducted by the enemy? Finally, I believe God has especially called and prepared this ministry for the challenges of our time, and I want you to know how much we appreciate your prayers and financial support as we do the work of the ministry all across the globe. Yours in the search party, Doug Batchelor Please Give Today!
Click here to give.
You can play a crucial role in returning
these “missing children” to their church families.
Please stand with us today in helping us
make Restoring Your Faith outreach possible. | Posted on September 29, 2011 17:14 by Amazing Facts Editor
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Diane Thursday, September 29, 2011 9:09 PM
I am one who has left the church. Not because of enticements of the world, not because of business, not because someone offended me, not because I have lost faith, but because I believe the whole Bible is still true. I believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever...so I do not believe His law (torah) has changed. Sadly, there does not seem to be any hope of reconcilliation, although I'm not angry or bitter, but while I believe the Adventist message I believe more as well and these differences seem to be too great for the church. People are fearful, suspicious and even say those who believe in the Torah are in denial of Christ and there is no willingness between members to sit down and study from the Scriptures. I believe all things must be proven from the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone, first. I do not believe in using anothers writings to interpret the Scriptures but believe in letting the Scriptures interpret the Scriptures FIRST. Once understood from Scripture, THEN other writings can be used to magnify the truth...but Scripture alone first. I continue to pray for the SDA church. I love the truths that I have learned and I love so many in the church. May His Whole Truth be Revealed to all and accepted.
Joanne Kerin Thursday, September 29, 2011 9:14 PM
Hi Doug I agree about lack of attendence. However the main reason for this is one that you have not listed. It is the theory of Evolution. The past 3 generations of people that went to school were taught that evolution is a fact and God is a myth. Anyone that does not agree is ostrocised, ridiculed and usually failed in academic places such as University. This is the absolute number one cause of non-attendence. Unless Creation scientists can break the stronghold of this insideous situation in schools and universities I fear it will only get worse. Kind regards Joanne
MR Friday, September 30, 2011 1:18 AM
I know many many many people who have left the church and over 95% ofthem left because they have been so wounded by loving, GOd fearing, "Christians". Wives and children who's husbands and fathers preach in our church but at home behid closed doors abuse them. Families who entrusted their children to Pathfinder leaders only to have them come home raped and terrorised. People who have been wounded by gossip, slander, isolation, and neglect. I know because I too am one of these victims and not one thing has been done for me, I am a Seventh-day Adventist leper and my perpetrator is invited to preach now more than ever, to peoples homes and hearts but I have not had one person care about what happened or is happening to me. I too would turn away from this church gladly and never look back if i did not truely believe what it teaches and know that it is too God we must look and not those around us. Most people i know who left the church did so beause firstly they were hurt and then more importantly no one cared.
Alice Shinn Friday, September 30, 2011 1:52 AM
Dear Pastor: I want to thank you for this program! It is very timely for my home church! Please pray for our church and each member that God will reign in each heart! I will bring this information to my church and hopefully we will be able to have this as a special out reach for our missing members! Thank you for listening to our Loving Saviour and following His directions! I am a firm believer in the Power of prayer! May God guide and direct each church as they consider what they can do to further the cause of missing members! If we are praying for people by name and asking for Gods will for each one, He will hear us!
Damian Friday, September 30, 2011 7:40 AM
This should be a regular project because I see this happen all the time in my Church. If we did the math it might be more than 50% over the years that have come and gone. I will be praying for this series and hope to share it with as many who will hear as possible.
Robin Walsh Friday, September 30, 2011 8:44 AM
Hi, I was one of those who left the church on more than occasion because of others. We just couldn't get along and problems began to surface. I have tried to tell my family that if it happens, they need to pray for the person. They too like myself have left the church. Others struggle with the problems that they are faced with. I believe we must learn to get along, if we what to reach the gates of Heaven.
Dara Friday, September 30, 2011 9:46 AM
I believe this is a blessing sent from God. I have a brother and three sisters along with several friends who have left the faith. They all show signs that the Holy Spirit is speaking to their hearts. I pray that this program will be the catalyst God uses to bring them back into the fold.
Steven Pitts Friday, September 30, 2011 9:53 AM
"Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold." The falling away is a symptom of the cancer of sin in the body, even iniquity and unbelief. The lusts of our flesh are stronger than we are and the stronger they get the less we believe that God is. The only cure Jesus Christ, the word of God, who came to set us free from sin. "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge..." Hosea 4:6 The revival that needs to take place in our church is a revival of true godliness, even Bible Reading Remedies coupled with testimonies of personal spiritual victories over sin through Christ Jesus, the word of God (Revelation 19:11-13). "Taste & See the goodness of the Lord." Psalm 34:8 We all need Faith, Hope, and Love. Faith is the substance of things hoped for... and "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the word of God." Romans 10:17 God is love and we all have a hope of Glory; Jesus Christ. "A live dog, is better than a dead lion." Ecclesiastes 9:4 Even still, read Job 14:7-9 Jesus is the plan. Read, Walk, & Live.
Edith Woodruff Friday, September 30, 2011 10:27 AM
As we near the close of time, I believe that many of those who have been missing "from the fold" will return. Most of us have children who have known the Lord, but have somehow lost their way. We have seen it in our family, some have already returned but some are still wandering. God hasn't forgotten them, I'm sure, and when they see things happening that they have been taught would take place, I believe many will come back and prepare for Christ's coming. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. God is faithful!
Connie Kuest Friday, September 30, 2011 1:53 PM
Thank you for Amazing Facts!!
Les & Brenda Purdy Saturday, October 01, 2011 4:13 AM
Dear Pastor Doug--My husband & I will be praying these meetings will be powered by the Holy Spirit's rich infilling & overflowing grace! We pray thousands of current members watch this program & many more return to the fold! Praise God Amazing Facts is tackling these issues--division, distraction, doctrinal, dedication--& there is a plan presented as well! We live in amazing times, and latter rain power is beginning to fall. Jesus, in the story of "The Good Shepherd", went out to find the one "lost sheep". This implies that sheep was of the fold to begin with. We need to do all in our power to live & do as Jesus did, & as He wants us to do to find those "lost sheep" of our church families today, & by His Holy Spirit lead them back into the "fold". This program will help do just that! We will be happy to sacrifice monies (which will not account for much soon)to be used for the glory of God! I appeal to all God-fearing people to dig deep into the pockets of your souls and determine what sacrifice can be made to further the gospel message with this program. All to the glory of God! Let's get off this planet together and all go HOME!
Ron Sunday, October 02, 2011 11:41 AM
My family and I have left after years of service and dedication. You can’t revive that which has no heart, this church is dying. We have become the head church of Laodicea, and I can no longer sit by and watch something I love die. Prayer meeting, Vespers, pot lucks all dead and buried. The church over the years has lost its desire to fellowship and share the truth. I will continue to support Amazing Facts and other Adventist endeavors that share the truth.
Bonnie Sunday, October 02, 2011 10:31 PM
I left the church at as a teenager. I had attended SDA schools for my entire education and saw so much hypocrisy that as a teen I just thought surely this there is no truth here. I went my way into the world and fell very flat on my face. I went so low there was no where left to go but, back to God. God reached down His hand and pulled me up. It has been a long difficult struggle to regain lost ground. Much Bible study and listening to solid preaching has been helpful beyond measure but, now the biggest thing that discourages me now is the worldly worship styles and music that is plaguing our churches and SDA TV stations. They are embracing what I left to come back into the faith. It scares me and I wonder, "what can I do?" This is injuring our youth terribly.
Robyn Wednesday, October 05, 2011 5:42 AM
I was rebaptised 5 years ago after I came back to the church. I came back to a church that was not the same - somehow the reverence in church had gone, music programs going way overtime and I just slip through the gaps being a single woman. Sure there are programs for youth, the marrieds have isolated fellowships, none of the old pot lucks or fellowship I once knew. I stay because I believe the church teaches the truth and recognise we are in the last days before Christ's return. Thank God for our Christian satellite TV programs. We must keep clinging on to our faith in Jesus. We've a new name written up in Glory!
Arlene Cathcart Wednesday, October 05, 2011 7:37 AM
I haven't left God, I left the church and what it was saying, the minister is a great person, but when I found out she beleieved in evalusion, I couldn't just go and listen to her sermons knowing she in some way didn't believe all is of and from God. I know I should put that aside and return but it's very hard, I shouldn't judge her but I have been. I have friends that we meet and have fellowship which helps. I also know religion is one subject you don't discuss outside the church, all the people I knew as a child, have all left the church, they all say to busy.
Terri Wednesday, October 05, 2011 8:19 PM
It took me a whole lifetime of shopping cart theology to get to the SDA Church. I only wish I had been raised with the truth in the 1st place and had the opportunity to raise my children with it too. I'm sad for those who have had bad experiences. Bad people are everywhere, although I think you'll find worse in the "world". At least those who have fallen away have had a foundation based on truth . Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news-and those folks have. Even if their choice is bad. Shouldn't they be allowed to chose too?
Norma K Thursday, October 06, 2011 6:53 AM
I do believe that one of the reasons our members left the church has to do with the teaching of Evolution in schools.I am one of nine children , all of us still embrace the truth except one brother who believes in Evolution. Norma.
David Jevtovic Friday, October 07, 2011 2:35 PM
Dear Pastor Doug, After reading a lot of the comments the thing that comes to my mind is that we all are going to look at our experiences and say this is the reason why people have left the Church or a Church. Here is my experience which may or may not reflect the wider view. I was born and raised a SDA and somewhere in my very late teens and early adulthood left Church and God. I cant even pinpoint a date or a event which caused this drifting. But about 20 years later I found myself at a self help seminar looking for answers to the problems in my life. It was at one of these seminars that God reached down and said 'David what are you doing here?" It was like a baseball bat was hitting me repeatedly for a day. The seminar ended and I returned to Church. If you asked me as I was coming back what I needed to do I would of said keep the Sabbath and listed the 10 Commandments. My perception was what I remembered. It was one of rules. Even with that I came back because of my God encounter. I was back for a couple of years when a family member handed me a disc titled "God in all 66" by Pastor Graham Maxwell. For the first time in my 44 years of life I heard of Gods amazing love for us. Nearly 4 years on I am still blown away by Gods love. I have been back for nearly 8 years now and I dont see this love in our Church. I still see more focus on the rules. We need to focus more on the love of God. I believe that this one simple fact will attract people to God. On Face book there is a page titled 'I used to be a SDA but ..." I reckon I know about 50 - 70% of the posts. The common thread 'a lack of love'.
Helen Sunday, October 09, 2011 12:47 AM
I'm very sorry,Diane that you went through everything that you went through. I wasn't even raised Adventist but today I call myself one. I'm not permitted by family and circumstances to attend meetings at any Seventh Day Adventist church.3ABN, Amazing Facts,White Horse Media and the like are the closest I get to attend your church. I have been through a lot of trials myself.I'm from a very conservative protestant denomination,our women also dress modestly with no ornaments.But we,I was raised to the Dispensationalist way of viewing the Bible. You end up following this Extra-Biblical book more than the Bible.And you will end up thinking only your teachers, by long and arduous studying can understand His Word. But do you know what David says in Psalms 119:98,99,check it out for yourself.This church made the Bible come alive for me!!Not only that, the only people who will survive the wrath of God is only those in Revelation 14:12.The same people in Revelation 12:17.There was a Judas even in Christ Jesus' church of 12.But still,we are on the winning team!! Leave the judgement of those who hurt you to Him. And we will know in His time what becomes of them all. I hope to meet you when we sing Revelation 15:3,4. In India,of maybe 2 billion people,christians make up a 1 or 2 percent. There are Hindus and muslims(the rest 98%) who hate us and pray for our destruction,they hate my christian parents, our husbands,our women,our children.They hate them and to tell you the truth,they don't know why they hate us.They just do. Today,our youth are blending in with the world very well. Now to be a Seventh Day Adventist..is to be against everybody and yet His Hand lifts us and let us stand. May God give you courage to stand.Psalms 25 to Psalms 31 give me a lot of courage.I like Cheri Peters,try contacting her at truestep.org .Her ministry is a great help to me. God bless you!
Scott K Monday, October 10, 2011 5:54 AM
MR, To get molested and have this preacher continue to speak and hold his position is the most disgusting thing. People do care about what happened to you and God will definitely judge Him in the end. Don't lose your faith in God. It's about Him in the end, not the preachers.
Jane Prentiss Monday, October 10, 2011 7:48 PM
I have attended Adventist churches since the mid 80's and was baptized in 1993, I am presently not attending any church. I believe the Adventists have the closest and most accurate message, but was turned off by the legalistic attitudes and lack of love for one another. That attitude in the church has caused many members and visitors to leave and not return. I have been to other non adventist churches and met loving christians but the message is lacking truth. So I find myself reading and studying the word at home but I know I need to go back to church, its just hard to find a church where I feel comfortable. I pray for the church to see the importance of Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us, and that the greatest commandment is love. I am not perfect either but I try to be loving and hopefully will find a loving chuch soon. Jane P.
Lynette Owande Tuesday, October 11, 2011 5:06 AM
I have once been a missing member of the Church. I slowly drifted away when I allowed the cares of this world to control my life. One thing I painfully realized is that even thou I was initially a very strong member of the church, no one from the church ever came to encourage me back. I thank God that He pulled me from the deepest pit-because that is exactly where I ended. Spiritually dead and with suicidal thoughts. The Lord saw me through and by his Grace, I am back to the fold stronger than I ever was. But this may not be necessarily the end of story for some missing members. I encourage the stronger members to identify those who may be weak in faith, who we can see are slowly drifting and bring them back to Christ. The Bible says we should be our brother's keepers. This would be the perfect way to be a brother's keeper. The world is soon coming to an end and it would be real nice to get to heaven and find all those who we were with in this walk of faith. Lastly, those who are still standing, PRAY PRAY PRAY that you do not fall. Satan is always on the lookout for the strong in faith.God bless Amazing facts for the wonderful work of ministry.
christine saunders Tuesday, October 11, 2011 12:16 PM
AMAZING LOVE how can it be that thou my God should die for me!Amazing chapter EZEKIEL34,tells us of the wandreing sheep of GOD,and that some leaders never cared!I,m over joyed to tears that burden of mine is been looked at through the caring eyes of Jesus..JOHN21:15-17
Adam Ryanson Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:05 AM
I only learned the truth from watching The Prophecy Code videos that were playing at my wifes sisters home not from the local Adventist Church which has done nothing to share the gospel with anyone in my suburb despite their being in my area for over 30 yrs. There's been not adverts in the local paper or leaflets in the letterbox. I called to speak to the pastor to see if they were like Pastor Batchelor -Amazing Facts. The deacon that answered Growled angrily down the phone the Pastor's busy despite the fact i called when the service finished. I was told to call back at an hour and half later, which i did so and everyone had already left. When i did attend the youth were away at a camp so half the seats were empty, yet when i and my wife entered every seat was occupied by peoples books and bags as the members didn't want anyone sitting near them. I moved some books then i and my wife sat and when the choir finished a lady arrogantly said you're welcome as she and others sat behind us. This has been the worst church i've ever attended. My wife isn't a christian and was very upset by the behaviour of everyone there. I'll continue to worship God and share the truth of the Sabbath and his second coming as this entire church is a bad influence, it's better not to associate myself with them. I just wish there was an Adventist church nearby that actually had members that are christian.
Helen Thursday, October 13, 2011 4:33 AM
I forgot to mention MR by name. Hope you're alright.God bless,be safe!
Ainos Thursday, October 13, 2011 6:08 PM
Lack of attendance in churches is very common, especially because people have their eyes fixed on others instead of God. I do not consider myself of any denomination since each one point out their views based on interpretations. I’m just a Christ follower, I believe the bible from the beginning to the end and I do believe that without Jesus there is no way to please to God. I believe the Old Testament in which the messiah was announced and I do believe the New Testament and the testimonies of the apostles. I guess, there are several denominations in the world that along with the orthodox Jews reject Jesus. They really do nothing trying to live a life to please God when they are missing the most important, the son of god, and the messiah, who is Yeshua. Without Jesus there is not salvation.
Atiba Friday, October 14, 2011 8:31 PM
This program would be much needed today. However I have a feeling there are much more reasons why people leave church other than the four stated. As for me I left 10 years ago and recently came back last year. The reason was, I got sick and tired of people telling me what to do all the time. Always "volunteering" me to hand out tracks, or do scripture reading, or go on a prayer walk, etc. I felt like I was being forced to serve the lord. I felt like it was never ever my choice. But I guess it took a paradime shift for me to realize that I was the problem. It wasn't about me, It was all about Christ. He must increase, but I must decrease. That understanding helps keep my sanity within the weekly demands of Church activities. 10 years later its still the same but now I have a different mindset and acceptance for the responsibilities of a Christian. God Bless.
Sheryl Thursday, October 20, 2011 5:18 AM
I left my church because the messages being preached were not according to scriptures. Me & my children were faithful members until we started studying God's Word at home. The pastor seemed to get annoyed when he asked questions of the congregation and we knew answers his deacons & ministers didn't. We started watching Amazing Facts & what was being taught on AF was what we were studying at home. A lot of churches have become business corporations instead of safe havens for those seeking the Lord. They care more about their images instead of drawing the lost to the Lord. The doctrines of a lot of churches is not in sync with what the bible teaches; mine was like this too.
Lois Thursday, October 20, 2011 1:08 PM
Pasor Doug, I was a baptized member of the SDA church back in 1981. I never felt any neighborly love from the church family, so I fell away. Then in 1987, I came back and had such a strong faith in Jesus. I even became a Sabbath School teacher! Then Satan came back again, and I fell again. Even then, no one from the church inquired. No one cared..so I stayed away for approx. 10 years. Then when evening I found Amazing Facts on the internet. Since then, I came back to the SDA Church and am now trying to teach others with the help of the online bible studies from your website. Thank you, Jesus and Paster Doug. I'm slowly healing but I have never forgotten my Jesus.
MELISSA OSUNA Monday, October 24, 2011 8:47 PM
(TEARS) I can't in good conscience blame my church or the SDA church for me leaving. To sit here and blame everyone else but myself is absurd. No church is perfect and never will be until Christ's return. To criticize other members shows the lack of love on my part. I fell away from the church because my faith was weak and I didn't trust Jesus enough to let Him help in the strengthening of it. Don't you all see? He is the church..He is the only perfect One..Our eyes should be fixed on only Him. I am back now because He didn't give up on me! When I now walk into my church I know that my brother and sister are flawed and weak just like me. That we are there because we need something greater than ourselves to save us! If I could show my love first than what a blessing and if they show it first then I am humbled beyond words. Christ lives in me unbelievably and wondrously loving me and that is why I keep the 10 commandments and why His word is my only rule of faith. I can because all things through Him are possible. Let us turn our eyes upon Jesus..look full onto His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. God Bless you all!
Robyn Tuesday, October 25, 2011 3:06 PM
I absolutely agree with Melissa's post that we are attend church "because we need something greater than ourselves to save us" Yes, we are all flawed and weak, without Christ we are nothing. As time draws nigh, we need to cling on to our faith and find support through our fellow believers and keep our eyes fixed on the Lord. If we are not close to the Lord, who moved?
Paula Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:10 AM
It's so sad that Satan has caused so many to look on God as the creator of pain and suffering. I too have had some very bad experiences in churches, and feel that God has allowed this as a way of using me to show love to the unloving. When we truly understand "who we are in Christ" nothing will touch us, not words of insult or words of praise" as we KNOW who we are. I love you all, and pray that everyone seeking God will find Him. He does not hide, but makes Himself accessable. Much love, paula d.
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