An Amazing Fact: On April 15, 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire, destroying the iconic spire and a large portion of the building. It took more than 400 firefighters to contain the intense blaze. In just two days, over 800 million Euros were donated to rebuild the landmark—but although the church has 13 million visitors each year, scarcely any go there to worship.
When Karen and I landed in Paris in April 2019, Notre-Dame was still smoldering. I couldn’t help but think that it was symbolic of what has been happening to Christianity in Europe. Like a spiritual Black Plague, atheistic humanism is wiping out belief in God, Jesus, the Bible, and morality.
Stunning statistics show that church attendance in lands that were at the heart of the Great Reformation are at record lows. Growing numbers of churches are little more than religious museums.
It’s true that while people in lands of poverty genuinely feel a need for God, but that can’t be said about wealthy, secular countries—where people feel content in their worldliness.
Yet with 741 million people in Europe, we simply can’t turn a cold shoulder to it. Jesus desperately wants these lost souls to be saved! But how do we share Christ’s love and His soon coming with a multitude who are preoccupied with this present world?
Well, let me tell you about Simona, who—through your loving compassion—found Amazing Facts on TV in Germany and discovered the truth of God’s profound love for her …
Going Downhill
Simona was raised in a Protestant church in Communist Romania. As a girl, she faithfully carried her Bible to services each Sunday with her family. She was even baptized.
“It was a beautiful time,” she recalls. “I felt such joy in my heart that my faith could move mountains!” But then came the 1989 revolution. With more freedoms in her country, Simona started hanging out with a different crowd. She turned to the world for happiness and gradually stopped attending church.
When you replace God with the world and live only for present pleasures, life goes downhill. Like the proverbial frog in the boiling kettle, you may not notice that you’re in hot water—but soon, your lifestyle fully numbs your spiritual conscience.
That’s what happened to Israel after they settled in the Promised Land. They conquered enemies, built homes, and raised families with God’s leading, but in their prosperity, they forgot the Lord. The Bible says that at that time, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).
This same godless indifference is spreading all over Europe.
Accelerating Crisis
This shift away from Christianity in Europe is accelerating, and pagan culture is quickly filling in the empty void.
For instance, a church in Edinburgh—an historic center of Christianity in Scotland—has become a venue for stag parties and bar-top dancers. A church in Bristol, England, is now being used as a school for circus performers. And a 100-year-old church in Spain has been transformed into an indoor skateboard park.
Europe desperately needs Christ. They need to be awakened spiritually and to cry out to God for help before it is too late. Is there something we can do?
Hope for the Lost
As Simona continued her journey away from God, she moved to Germany and eventually married a man who “knew nothing about Jesus or salvation.”
Not long after, far away from family and friends, she began to feel a yearning for something more. Her sadness deepened; she even believed that she deserved to be unhappy because she lost her faith. She felt ashamed and guilty, wondering if she had angered God and committed the unpardonable sin.
But the Lord had tender regard for Simona.
One day, while watching a Christian TV channel in Germany, she came upon Amazing Facts. Yes, even now your gifts are reaching many parts of Europe! She heard me preach on the very topic that weighed most on her heart. I don’t think that was mere coincidence! Do you?
In that message, I shared that if anyone was feeling repentant in their heart as they heard this message, they could know that they had not committed the unpardonable sin—there was still hope.
“Tears came to my eyes,” Simona says. “No one knew that in my heart I was afraid, but Pastor Doug answered my yearning to receive the assurance of God’s love.” I thank God this precious soul found truth through Amazing Facts broadcasts in Europe!
A Remarkable Opportunity to Reach People in Europe … and Beyond!
But Simona’s story also reminds me that there are so many more people starving for truth in these secular countries. Churches may be closing in Europe, but her story also proves that there are still open hearts searching for the light of Christ.
I have been praying earnestly about the challenge of reaching Europe—and God has heard me! You see, a friend recently approached me with a fantastic opportunity to secure Sabbath morning airtime on GOD TV, a major Christian network that started in the UK and is now worldwide. GOD TV has a strong presence in Europe—as well as Israel, India, Africa, and even the United States!
This discounted timeslot on Saturday mornings will reach 300 million homes in Europe and beyond, yet it will only cost $60,000 per year. That’s extraordinary! But here’s the catch: Amazing Facts needs to act now to secure it.
With churches closing, so many millions of Europeans like Simona are now searching TV channels for answers—real answers found only in God’s Word. That’s why I’m asking you to join me and bring the everlasting gospel to them. Your gifts will even help those tuning into GOD TV on DirectTV satellite here in the USA!
Today, you can bring lifesaving truth to people around the world for fractions of a cent. A sacrificial gift of $500 or more will potentially reach 2.5 million people thirsting for truth each week. Your loving gift of $100 will broadcast the truth about death, Christ’s soon return, healthy living, and much more to potentially 500,000 viewers. And for just $25 to $50, you will reach into over 100,000 to 200,000 homes with God’s message of eternal life!
Simona says that after she watched Amazing Facts in Europe, “I repented of my sins and have peace again.” I’m reminded of James 5:19, 20: “If anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
Because of you, Simona’s faith did not collapse into a heap of ashes. Thank you for your generosity that brought her back to the Lord! But we still have more to reach, so please, do give generously today.
Reaching an arm of faith around Europe,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
President, Amazing Facts International