Testimonies – Page 15 – The GoodSeed Blog

Church gives the gospel at Easter Parade

The folks at Bethel Baptist Church of Parkersburg, West Virginia, are busy getting ready for the fifth annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade. Their float—a rolling visual aid complete with a cross, empty tomb, music speakers and Bible verse placards—is almost complete. Volunteers from the congregation plan to walk alongside to greet and pass out candy to the crowds of onlookers.

Last year Bethel Baptist ordered 300 of the booklets What are Christmas and Easter All About? The problem, though, was that they ran out of them part way through the parade route. So, last week one of the pastors, Kevin Brosius, called the GoodSeed USA office to place an order for 1000 booklets. They’re determined not to be short this year!

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Guess what? I’m now a Christian!

Editor’s note: Last July, George* shared how he led a group of troubled teens in a resident recovery program through a Worldview Rethink study. Recently, he reconnected with them to find out how they were faring. George wrote us the following email.

I recently had a chance to watch the students from the resident recovery program play a game of flag football. I was eager to reconnect with the guys to see how they were doing. I had not seen them in some time.

When I had finished a Worldview Rethink course with them, there were several teens who professed faith in Christ. There were others who needed time to process what they had learned. Joe* was one of them. He said he had benefited greatly from the study. But how was he now? At the game I was watching, I saw Joe playing. When he caught sight of me, he shouted, “Hey, George! Guess what! I’m a Christian!”

I‘ll admit I was happy and shocked at the same time. Joe had been very cynical during the course and displayed a hardness towards the gospel during the time I had spent with the group.

“WHAT! Are you serious?” I responded.

“I knew you would say that,” Joe said. “You worked on me all spring, and I fought you hard, but I put my faith in Christ this summer. I’ve been waiting to tell you!”

I was so excited I ran over to give him a hug. Humbled, I was reminded of the power of the gospel, to penetrate even the most resistant soul (Rom. 1:16). It has been so exciting to watch Joe grow in his knowledge of the Lord this fall as I have continued my studies with the group.

I have been having a new series of studies with the teens once a week and among them are new students joining in the recovery program. Some are eager to learn about the biblical worldview and others have an attitude similar to that of Joe when we had first began studying the Scriptures together. Again I press forward, trusting not myself but the message of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit to change the lives of these troubled teens.

(*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.)

I finally understand what they talk about in church!

Bible in pew at church

Editor’s note: One of our GoodSeed staff members, Reuben*, had the opportunity last year to speak at a sports camp for youth. He wanted to share the testimony of one of the campers.

Last October, an email was relayed to me from a young man named Tyler* who I had met at camp several weeks earlier. Tyler wrote:

“Reuben* is the reason I turned back to God. I met him at the sports camp this summer and I have been unable to find his email address… I would like to contact him again. He has truly inspired my faith. Also, he gave me a book called By This Name and it has helped me a lot to make progress in my faith. =)”

Tyler gave me credit for turning him back to God, but I give the credit to God and thank Him for using me in His work. In His strength and guidance we stand! I managed to get in touch again with Tyler and he shared with me about his walk since hearing me teach the Bible’s message from creation to the cross. He writes:

“I have been reading the book you gave to me. It has really changed my life. I wish my friends were able to experience what I did at the sports camp. I have one friend who does not believe in God and only wants to believe in what he can understand. I have gotten him a bit more towards following Christ. But I don’t know what more I can do. At my church and youth group, I still make references to what you talked about at camp and it has helped me FINALLY understand what they talk about in church.”

An understood gospel is a powerful gospel; it changes lives and gives believers the confidence to share it with others. Pray with us that, just as Tyler was guided through the gospel message, he can guide his friend through the good news of the Bible in the same way.

(*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.)

Photo credit: Bala Sivakumar on Flickr

A letter from prison

Man writing letter

(Editor’s note: We were reminded of the apostle Paul when our UK office received the following letter from a believer in prison.)

To Sir or Madam,

Hi how are you doing.

Can you please send me a leaflet and order forms and price list and some other information on Worldview Rethink the course so when I get out I can teach it to other people. I would be grateful if you could. I want to be one of your teachers who is teaching the word.

From your brother-in-Christ,
Raymond Carlton*

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Christ pulled me from a dark hole

Recently we received a long email all the way from the UK. It was from a man excited to share his testimony with us. He had gone through the online version of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook and wanted to share the impact it had on his life and the life of his family. Here is Winston’s story.

**Hello. My name is Winston* and I live in the UK. This how Jesus Christ pulled me from a dark hole.**

Growing up I was a happy, faith-filled boy who enjoyed attending church and Christian school. As I grew into my twenties, though, that all began to fade. I found myself slipping deeper into a hole of despair and depression—feeling beyond help! As I tried to cope, I studied different religions and philosophies and poured myself into practicing martial arts. But Zen Buddhism left me unable to meditate. Hinduism left me confused and unable to focus. The deep philosophies of man just clouded my mind. Finally I fell to my knees, but I wondered, “Would God listen to me now after all this time?”

By now, I experienced what can only be described as a meltdown. I suffered severe numbness in my face and lips––the affects of stress and depression. I was given medical leave for about four months. The doctor prescribed anti-depressants and I was sent to the hospital for tests, but they found nothing neurologically wrong with me. My depression worsened and my decisions, regrettably, took their toll on my marriage and on our son and daughter.

One day my wife, Eliza,* met a customer named Janine* at the bank where she works. In passing, Janine invited us to visit her church. Eliza had only been to church for weddings, christenings and funerals, so the idea intrigued her and we chatted about it some.

Eventually the topic came up again and, when it did, we sent an email to Janine’s church inquiring about a visit. We chuckled when three replies came back immediately—one from the secretary, one from the associate pastor, and one from Pastor Hernando*—each email a warm invitation. Our first Sunday, however, we realized that we were at the “wrong” place. We had contacted the wrong church—Janine’s was across the street! But, we were so warmly received that we continued to attend. God had a plan to connect us with the right people.

Pastor Hernando invited me to study The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook which was hosted on the church website. So I did––all 11 hours––from start to finish. I can honestly say it changed my life! I had never seen or experienced God from that perspective. Despite my upbringing and education in Christian school, the whole meaning and truth had passed me by. I just couldn’t believe that I had spent the last 12 years walking on my own, trying to fill the void in my life. I prayed the prayer of a broken man: “Lord, save me!” It was then that Christ reached down into that hole, picked me up and pulled me out.

After completing The Stranger, the pastor and I continued to meet regularly to learn more from the Bible, first studying through Ephesians and now the life of David.

My health? Well things are much better. I only get a slight numbness now and then after stressful events. In this respect I still have to continually be in prayer for guidance and strength.

Both Eliza and I were baptized together––“dunked” as my daughter calls it. Our son and daughter have been greatly impacted by the love of our church family. They both accepted Christ last year and have expressed interest in being “dunked” sometime soon.

Last year, Eliza and I launched a new course that combines physical instruction in martial arts with an invitation to learn about the Bible’s message. We have website that has a ‘Digital Syllabus’ for members only, so I embedded The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook into that section.

It’s awesome to think how this started off a whole new chapter in my life. I’m thankful to God for saving me!

(*Names changed as per GoodSeed policy.)

I found the Bible daunting!

We received an email all the way from Malaysia. This older gentleman was recently given a copy of By This Name. After he read it, he was compelled to write to us. This is what he shared:

This well structured and cleverly written book by John R Cross played a great part in my knowing God and accepting His gracious gift of salvation through faith in His beloved son Jesus Christ. I had previously tried to read the Holy Bible but found it not only daunting to go through the first few chapters but also found the scriptural language difficult to understand. It would have been near impossible for me to read through the thousands of pages and make sense of them. On the other hand By This Name is presented in such a way that the modern-day non-believers’ doubts are quickly dispelled by addressing issues of science and why God is unique and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow… and He always keeps his promises.

With these initial possible obstacles of the modern man addressed, John then narrated the Bible in simple English and in a comprehensible and cohesive manner so that the reader can easily grasp the essence (basic essentials) of the Holy Bible without having to plough through thousands of pages in the Bible. Of course it is imperative to know more deeply the Word of God in order to grow spiritually and to obey Lord Jesus’ Great Commission. However, the non-believer must first become a believer and that is by knowing what God’s grace is all about. The sooner he obtains this knowledge the sooner the Holy Spirit can then work on him.

I realize that what has worked for me may not work for another. But I have reasons to believe that there are others out there who are seeking to learn more about the Holy Bible who can be helped through the reading of By This Name. — Benjamin*

We never know what will happen when we give a friend a book. We thank Benjamin for taking the time to write to let us know the impact that By This Name has had on his understanding of the Bible. It was encouraging for our staff to receive his story. We pray he will continue to read the Word and grow deeper in his understanding and in his walk with Christ. Praise God for his testimony.

[*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.]

See By This Name on our US Store or on our Canada Store.

Dinner at Denny’s

(Editor’s note: We received the following encouraging story and a prayer request from Ian.* Would you pray along with us?)

I’m currently studying at a Bible school and, one evening, I was having dinner at the local Denny’s. I was sitting at the walk-up table poring over my notes from my Isaiah class when, Stella*, the waitress noticed my heavily marked-up Bible. She made a comment that she was surprised to see all the notes and highlights.

This made me smile, as this was not the first time that I have had a waitress comment or ask about what I was reading or studying. Later that evening, when Stella was on her break, I felt compelled to show her Isaiah 40–a page that was heavily marked up. This immediately sparked a conversation! She eventually revealed that, though she had attended a Christian school, she did not really believe in the Bible. She only considered it a good book.

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A brief report from Malawi, Africa

(Editor’s note: Last month we posted A very good Christmas gift for Malawians which told about the recent completion and launch of the Chichewa (national language of Malawi) edition of What are Christmas and Easter All About? This is a first-hand report from Rodrick, the translator and Bible teacher who is using this resource to equip Pastors and young people alike to clearly understand the gospel and share it with their own people.)

**A brief report from Malawi on the Christmas & Easter Booklet launch**

Some years ago, I read a very interesting statement. It said something like this:

“Zeal without knowledge is dangerous, and knowledge without zeal is disastrous.”

What a true statement!

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Who shares Bible verses at a soccer match?!

Soccer match
(Editor’s note: Over Christmas, we received a very encouraging testimony that reminded us of three things: 1) the power of God to transform lives, 2) the effectiveness of the prayers of friends and family, and 3) the fruit resulting from a lifelong lifestyle of sharing the gospel.)

During a Christmas Eve service last year, Stephen* shared how he had been turned off by Christianity when he was 17. While watching a soccer match at a stadium, someone invited him to read aloud some Bible verses. That immediately put him off anything to do with Christianity.

Over the years, whatever Stephen learned about the Bible was gleaned from TV documentaries. It didn’t make sense to him. Then, Mabel*, a friend of his wife, invited both of them to attend a “By This Name” course. Stephen wasn’t interested but his wife insisted on him accompanying her. Unknown to him at the time, Mabel and his wife had been praying very hard for Stephen to attend the course.

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New Year’s resolution: make the Gospel clear

(Editor’s note: With the start of the New Year, it’s a great time to prayerfully renew our resolution to “make the best use of the time” we have with those who do not yet understand or believe the Gospel. (Colossians 4:5). Here’s a story of a couple whose resolution spanned many years as they reached out to their young friend, Naomi.)

We first met Naomi,* then a troubled 13-year-old, in 1986 at a summer camp. It took a long time to win her trust, and in the coming years we maintained nearly constant contact with her. We poured into her life all we knew, and she constantly bombarded us with questions and unique insights.

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