Moving Mountains, Spreading Truth

An Amazing Fact: Dashrath Manjhi’s wife died needlessly aftera fall because access to the nearest hospital was blocked by the same mountainfrom which she fell. When the government declined to help, Manjhi decided to carvea road himself through a ridge to shorten the route from 34 miles to 9. Usingonly a hammer, chisel, and shovel, he dug a path 30 feet wide through 360 feetof rock. It took him 22 years!

Richard, a Pentecostal pastor in Uganda, was in a quandary. He’d heard profoundBible teaching and felt convicted. But what would happen to his congregationand how would his wife respond if he got baptized? The crisis loomed before himlike a dark, unmovable mountain.

 

I praise God for how you open pathways forseekers facing spiritual mountains in places like Africa and the Philippines. Whenattempting to visit the church in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul wrote, “Wewanted to come to you … time and again—but Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians2:18). But even though Satan tries to block those longing to hear thelife-giving messages of Scripture, God has used your faithful labor of love to carveaway the obstacles.

 

For instance, when you give to Amazing Facts’evangelism work, you raise up an army of men and women with mountain-movingfaith—gospel workers who are doing powerful evangelism through our AFCOE trainingprograms in Africa and the Philippines.

 

These are some of the most difficult fieldsof labor, but your generosity has made it possible for thousands to joyfullyrespond to the lifesaving messages and resources shared by these Amazing Facts workers.

 

In fact, let me tell you how you helped PastorRichard break through his own spiritual mountain …

 

The Last-Day Gospel Breaches New Territory

When God led a small team of AFCOE-trainedBible workers to witness in Kitgum, a vast district in Northern Uganda, therewas only one Sabbath-keeping church in the whole area. But that was about tochange when the disciples you sent arrived and began door-to-door studies.

 

After they spent a month preparing hearts fortruth, an Amazing Facts evangelist presented a public Revelation seminar thatcovered the foundations of the faith. During these meetings, a Pentecostalyouth pastor was persuaded by the bold proclamation of God’s Word.

 

And as the woman at the well did, this pastorrushed back to his village to tell his senior pastor the many new and beautifulthings he’d heard.

 

This senior pastor, Richard, decided toattend the meetings himself—hoping to disprove the teachings! Yet when he heardthe presentation about the millennium, he was awestruck. Listening to prophecyexplained with such clearness, Richard knew in his heart that God was leadinghim to conviction.

 

Determined to Learn the Truth

News about the seminar spread throughout Richard’svillage. Many were curious to hear the teachings for themselves—and soon, agroup of six souls began attending with Richard and the youth pastor.

 

But the group didn’t have access to a car, abus, or even a bicycle. Instead, these earnest seekers walked six milesto Kitgum just to hear the messages. Then, after the services, they walkedsix miles back home in the dark. How many of us would walk 12 miles roundtrip todo … well, anything? These hearts were so thirsty for this truth, neitherdistance nor darkness could keep them away!

 

After the meetings ended, Pastor Richard faceda difficult decision. He would have to reject truth to keep his attachment to hischurch and prestigious position—or forsake those things to follow Jesus.

 

I’m thrilled to report that with God’s help, hedid not shrink from that spiritual mountain, and neither did the rest of thegroup. They treasured the truth they’d discovered, and all eight were baptizedinto God’s last-day church—along with 50 more!

 

Persecuted for Truth

News of Richard’s decision spread fast. Whenhis wife heard, she threatened divorce. Church members accused him of beingbribed. Some even wanted to banish him from the village.

 

But even when his church leaders pressuredhim into recant, this servant of God didn’t flinch. He was convinced the Lordhad spoken, and he would remain loyal no matter the consequences.

 

In fact, Richard then invited the very same AFCOEteam and Amazing Facts evangelist to hold Bible meetings in his village. Sincethey no longer had a church, they met under a tree. And at the end of thosemeetings, 40 more souls were baptized—including the pastor’s wife!

 

Bearing Fruit in Africa and the Philippines

I wish I could tell you all the incrediblestories of how the Holy Spirit is using your gifts in Africa and thePhilippines, two powerhouse training centers turning out bold witnesses fortruth. But let me sneak in just a bit more ….

 

Through Philippines AFCOE, you recently helpedgive more than 7,000 Bible studies and led 4,400 souls to attend 38 prophecyseminars—resulting in 662 baptisms. You also helped plant six churches and train482 students.

 

Your loving gifts have also recently helped AFCOEAfrica workers give almost 17,000 Bible studies, plant six churches, andbaptize nearly 1,000 souls into the body of Christ. I give all glory to God forthis tremendous work!

 

Moving Mountains

Friend, God has used your compassion to blastaway mountain-sized obstacles, opening the way for His final message to reach andsave people even in the remotest corners of the globe. Only in heaven will we fullyknow the full impact you have made in leading souls to Christ.

 

Jesus said to go and make disciples of allnations. Will you please join me in training more Bible workers worldwide tomultiply the number of bold witnesses who are not held back by roadblocks ortrials? Your gift of $25 will give five people Bible studies in Africa. A giftof $100 will train two students to share their love for Jesus effectively. Anda mountain-moving gift of $250 will make it possible for two individuals tostudy the Bible, attend an evangelistic series, and be baptized—praise the Lord!

 

Whatever size gift you can send this month,I’m grateful that you trust Amazing Facts to make as much of an eternaldifference as possible through our many outreach efforts. You will open newpathways to truth!

 

Richard, now a former Pentecostal pastor, boldlytook a stand for truth. He and many others have planted a new church in theirvillage. Would you help move mountains today and bring the light of God’s Wordto more people like him?

 

Moving mountains together by faith,

 

Pastor Doug Batchelor

President, Amazing Facts International