An Amazing Fact: Did you know that showing movies in Hollywood was illegal until 1910? Boxing, cursing, and using God’s name irreverently were also once banned in film, along with kissing scenes lasting longer than three seconds.
But that changed in 1968 when the movie industry abandoned its censorship code. Today, Hollywood’s tremendous power to influence minds with anti-biblical content remains unprecedented in the history of the world.
Our most populated cities are in steep moral decline; lawlessness is growing at astounding rates. And families like Jack’s are being torn apart. His marriage was already struggling when he noticed that his children’s language began imitating the foul-mouthed movies they’d been watching.
I’m sure you’ve seen this story playing out in multiple lives in your community—perhaps even in your own family. Hollywood studios are injecting all kinds of worldly morals into the hearts of families … violence, adultery, spiritualism, gender confusion …
As a result, society is collapsing: In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure” (2 Timothy 3:1–3).
But even while Jack’s fragile family was being plagued by this satanic programming, you helped save them by putting Bible-affirming programs from Amazing Facts on that very same television. And, by God’s grace, it changed the trajectory of their lives.
That’s how important it is to broadcast God’s truth on television, especially in cities. It works. It changes lives for eternity! And now, you and I have the opportunity to help more than 17,900,000 souls know Christ’s lifesaving truth …
Crushed by Sin and Lies
Jack grew up in a troubled home with an absentee father. As an adult, he also became a truck driver and started smoking, drinking, and chewing tobacco.
He eventually married and, in time, had four children—but things were now falling apart. And what would you expect? Destructive behaviors were being modeled at home. Jack saw the results and knew that something needed to change.
It’s a fact of life that by beholding, we become changed. You can find the principle in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image.” We become what we worship; we worship what we prioritize—by what we watch and how we spend our time and money. (Yes, even Christians are vulnerable, so please guard your hearts and discern what the Lord would have you watch, read, and listen to!)
While Jack was not raised in a church-going home, his wife grew up a Sabbath-keeper. Even though she had not practiced her faith since they married, she was firm: If they were going to go to a church, it should be on Saturdays.
Jack wouldn’t have it. “Most of the world can’t be wrong,” he scoffed. So on a Saturday, his wife and kids went to one church; the following Sunday, Jack took the family to a Baptist church. But Jack resented this “Sabbath business.” Would it tear his family further apart?
From Conflict to Conversion
When it comes to matters of faith, I don’t believe in happy accidents. That very next Tuesday, Jack left work to eat lunch at home. He turned on the TV for entertainment. On the screen was a bald man teaching about the Sabbath.
After it ended, all Jack could think was, “Wow—that made sense.” He shoved away the thought. But on Thursday, Jack went home for lunch again. He switched on the TV and saw the same man, who was now teaching part two about the Sabbath. This time, he caught the name: Amazing Facts with Doug Batchelor.
Jack watched the entire broadcast and was convicted. He fell to his knees and prayed. He didn’t know the Bible well, but he desperately wanted to learn. That very next Sabbath, Jack went to church with his whole family. He hasn’t stopped going since!
The Power of Television
Who knows where Jack’s family would be today if you and I weren’t working together to put those programs on at just the right time? I have no doubt that God’s Spirit nudged Jack home for lunch—which he’d never done before—on those very days.
Why? Because it also happened to be the only times during the week that Amazing Facts was airing in his area. Friend, wherever we plant the seeds of gospel truth, God will send people to receive them wholeheartedly. We just need the faith to act! I pray and hope you’ll do that with me today.
You see, God has opened a tremendous new opportunity—and Amazing Facts has stepped out in faith to seize it and broadcast on KTLA, which airs in the second largest city in the USA. It’s also one of the most popular stations in Greater Los Angeles. I believe the Lord is calling us to reach this city of nearly 18 million, because, frankly, time is running out to counter the devil’s dangerous influence.
If you haven’t heard, like most major cities in America, Los Angeles is suffering from rampant crime, drug addiction, and more. Violent attacks and open debauchery in the streets and neighborhoods have sapped the people of hope. The only answer is the sharing of the gospel, but time is running out.
It is only by God’s mighty providence that we were able to secure a Sunday time slot at 12:30 PM, right after one of mainstream Christianity’s most popular preachers, who regularly has 60,000 homes tuning in. That means you’re making it possible to proclaim God’s wonderful truth in many more homes than we reach today—including in Hollywood—reaching entire families watching by cable, satellite, Internet streaming, and even over the air.
It’s Not Too Late to Win Souls in the Cities
Imagine all those people like Jack you can now help know God’s truth and transform their family’s lives for eternity! But the kind of reach that KTLA offers comes with a hefty price tag: $468,000 per year. This has unexpectedly ballooned our media budget, which is why I’m asking you to ask God what He would have you give to shore up this truth-spreading opportunity and co-labor with Amazing Facts to keep sharing His saving message in every way possible.
The math is simple. Your gift of $50 will share with up to 830 souls God’s life-transforming truth. Your gift of $100 will influence 640 homes, giving entire families a chance to discover the loving God of the Sabbath. And a city-sized gift of $9,000 will make it possible to broadcast God’s essential truth to 60,000 hearts, pointing them away from the devil’s maze of temptations and toward the kingdom of light.
Friend, I believe God will use you to give so that we can reach Los Angeles and many other major population centers around the world for the eternal kingdom. Please don’t delay. Why? Since becoming a Sabbath-keeper, Jack has been active in his church as a missionary, evangelist, and church planter. He has even been impacting prisoners with Amazing Facts Study Guides. Now imagine what ten thousand more genuine converts in L.A. could do!
Proclaiming Christ in the cities,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
President, Amazing Facts International