Wolfgang Hellwig knows what it's like to be in jail. And now he's dedicated his life to easing the problems of those on the inside
Born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Wolfgang had a promising naval career. But an indiscretion landed him in a military prison and it was downhill from there.
He joined a bikie gang and was jailed for a series of drug and alcohol offences. He spent time in seven prisons in Queensland and Western Australia.
Today he is a changed man due, he says, to faith in Jesus Christ. "All my prison experiences and hardships in life made me more bitter and hard... an antisocial man.
"My personal faith in Jesus led me to a lifestyle change which set me free from drug and alcohol and the cycle of crime and violence was broken."
Wolfgang co-ordinates a ministry team of letter writers who write to more than 220 prisoners, offering friendship, comfort and support.
Wolfgang himself writes up to 70 letters a week as well as visiting inmates. He says that a word of friendship, love and understanding are paramount in prisoners coming to terms with guilt and remorse and eventually making a transition back into society. (Wolf Hellwig: PO Box 6299, Fairfield, QLD 4103).
When I was ministering in the lake district in the town of Silloch, I met an 80-year-old lady who told me how her little shop had come into being. It all started in her Sunday school class when one of her young students came to her after class one day with a request. He held up a shining sixpence and said, "Please, Mrs Cameron, will you give this sixpence to Jesus?"
Startled, she almost told the child she couldn't do that, but upon her shoulder she felt the restraining hand of the Lord Who directed her, "Take it".
"Alright", Mrs Cameron told the boy, "I'll give it to Jesus".
That night she held up the sixpence and prayed, "Lord Jesus, this is Your sixpence. What do You want me to do with it?"
She took the sixpence and bought currants and self-raising flour, and made some buns. She put them in the front window of her cottage on two plates, and within half an hour, they all had sold. With the money, she made more buns, and sold them. She continued making buns, selling buns, making buns and selling buns.
After a time, she went down to the green grocer. "Mr Smith", she asked, "would you have any damaged tins of beans, fruit, etc, that you would sell to me at a reduced price?"
"Why yes, Mrs Cameron, I would."
So now, in the front room window of her cottage she was selling, along with her buns, tins which were dented or had missing labels. This went on for a while, and then she thought, "Why not sell Bibles". Soon she was selling buns, beans, and Bibles. She made so much money, she decided to remove her front window and to install a shop window. Then she began a line of Christian books. She was truly in business now, selling buns, beans, Bibles, and books. Her sales continued to increase.
Mrs Cameron led me into her shop. "I want to show you something", she said as she opened a small ledger book. Turning the pages over she pointed to listing after listing-- to George Mueller's orphanage-- 150 pounds; China Inland Mission-- 200 pounds; Congo Evangelistic Mission-- 150 pounds.
Page after page recorded money she had sent out across the world ministering to countless missionary organisations and orphanages-- and it all began with a little boy's sixpence. There once was a lad who had five loaves and two fishes. it wasn't so important what he had, but where he put it. He put it into the hands of Jesus.
(Submitted by Doug Baker)
There can be little doubt to any serious student of the Bible that we, even in the twentieth century, are under a command to proclaim the Gospel "publickly" and "from house to house". When you consider that virtually every Bible preacher from Noah to John was a street preacher, and that more than 90 percent of all sermons preached in both Old and New Testaments were preached in a public forum, you wonder why anyone would discourage public evangelism, and why preachers, pastors, and others do not employ this undoubtedly Biblical method of gospel evangelism.
The clear command of the public communication of the Lord's message was given to Jeremiah (Jer. 11:6), to Ezekiel (Ezek. 2:1-7; chapters 3 and 33), to Isaiah (Isa. 58), to Jonah, to Noah, to Peter and the other disciples (Mark 16:15), to Paul (Acts 6:9:15, 23:11), and finally passed to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:2) as an example for the New Testament ministry. Add to this the examples of Ezra (Ezra 10:9-11; Neh. 8:1-5), Stephen, and of Jesus Himself, who was first and foremost a street preacher, and you have received more than sufficient mandate from the Lord to motivate any "God-called" preacher to "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet"- publicly.
The truth of the Gospel is still rejected by the masses and received by the few- regardless of how you paint or clothe it. Should it cease to be done because few will respond? Should we find some dressier, more polished or accepted procedure by which to "preach the gospel to every creature".
Paul was able to accomplish his incredible feat of getting the Gospel to every person living in Ephesus (approximately 300,000 souls) within three years! This was not through newspaper and bus ministries, nor through tapes and singles ministries but "publickly" and "from house to house". If it worked for those in the Bible, as well as for Savonarola, Luther, Calvin, Whitfield, Wesley, Booth, and Sunday, then maybe you need to seriously consider the merits of street preaching and public Gospel evangelism! (From "Street Preachers' Manual" by Gerald Sutek)
Sister Mary, aged 85, rejoices in good health. She is president of the women's group in her church at Beenleigh, and is an active volunteer at the Baptist hostel, where residents appreciate her fellowship and health. Her husband, Harold, has had some eye trouble, but is also going on strong.
Sis Kelly lives in a nursing home hostel.. She says she continues to wrrite Christian poems and has a phone ministry.
Sis Norma, aged 76, produces an absolutely excellent magazine of her own called "The Encourager", writes from Moorooka: I am not young and have had a hard and testing life, and so my approach is soft and comforting, yet a plea on the last pages to turn people to Jesus. They are taken to hospitals, posted overseas and in Australia. They are left in visiting rooms, and so non-believers often look at them. I try not to make the opening pages look too "religious", as some would then reject them, but I hope they will become interested and keep turning the pages. The back cover contains wise and humourous quotes as people seem to look at the front cover then immediately turn it over and look at the back cover. The Brisbane City Mission puts one in every food parcel they give out. The Bible Society use them. (Write for "The Encourager" from 52 Durack St, Moorooka, Qld 4105!)
Br Tibor from Canberra, in his 74th year, is busily working in two languages- English and Hungarian- to help circulate God's truth. He says, "I am snowed under... time is flying too fast for me."
R. J. Hansen of Cobdogla writes about Chick Tracts: "I love them- I have given heaps out to different people over the years. The Aboriginals love them. I'm 81 years young, and am on a pension, so I'm not numbered with the rich, but I am very rich that I have the blessing of the Lord. I have been collecting Christian sayings for many years to give to my children and grandchildren. It seems they have drifted away from church. The world has so much to offer that they don't need Jesus Christ (so they think). It is so sad, but the power of prayer has no limits."
Br Ron, aged 72, from Murray Bridge, shares, "I'm glad we can bear fruit in old age". He is an active witness for Christ, and operates a literature ministry.
Br Gordon Johnson is also not planning on retirement. He's actively sharing slides and witness with schools and churches across New Zealand.
Br Geoffrey Marsh, aged 82 from Collaroy, NSW, says he is still active as a pastor, sometimes preaching three times on a Sunday.
It is great to live a life fully serving the Lord. It reminds us of faithful brother Len Smart from Adelaide, who at over 80 years of age was still delivering meals on wheels right up until the day he moved on to glory.
How about it younger people? What are we doing? Are we going to enter Heaven's gates "with our boots on" for the Lord Jesus?
In pastures green? Not always; sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In many ways where heavy shadows be.
Out of the sunshine warm and soft and bright-
Out of the sunshine into the darkest night,
I oft would faint with sorrow and affright,
Only for this- I know He holds my hand;
So whether in the green or desert land
I trust although I may not understand.
And by still water? No, not always so;
Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o'er my soul the waters and billows go.
But when the storms beat loudest and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by
And whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is I."
Above the tempest wild I hear Him say,
"Beyond this darkness lies a perfect day.
In every path of thine I lead the way."
So whether on the hilltops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys where
The shadows lie- what matters? He is there.
So where He leads me, I can safely go,
And in the blest hereafter I shall know
Why in His wisdom, He hath led me so.
(Selected)
1. The Lord Jesus is honoured (1 Cor. 12:3);
2. A detachment from selfish pleasure or gain. If a person's lifestyle is changed,
then the Holy Spirit is at work (Matt. 12:25-26);
3. A hunger for the Word of God;
4. Dwelling on truth- an awareness of our rebellion against God and a willingness
to accept sound doctrine;
5. Love for one another.
(The key points by which a true move of God can be recognised; from Jonathan
Edwards' book, "Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of
God")
Did you know that if we shrink the world's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing ratios it would look something like this: there would be 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere (North and South) and eight Africans. Fifty-one would be female and 49 would be male; 70 would be non-white, 30 would be white. Fifty percent of the entire world's wealth would be in the hands of six people and they would be citizens of the USA. Eighty would live in sub-standard housing, 70 would not be able to read, 50 would suffer from malnutrition and one would be near death, and one near birth. Only one would have a college education, and no-one would own a computer. No wonder the world is out of balance. (Source: InterNet, quoted in The War Cry). Ed: I believe that in 100 people there would probably be only one genuine Christian. The gate's still the same size. "Narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). You could say I'm narrow-minded.
Yea, we are a wonder to you. We conquer when we are killed. You may call us food of the faggots, and may burn us, bound to the stake, in the circle of fire. That is the fashion of our victory; that is our festal array; that is the chariot in which we ride out our triumph." (Tertullian- 160-220 AD)
The Christians live in their homes, but live there as guests; for them every foreign land is home, and every home foreign; they live in the flesh, but not according to the flesh; they spend their time on earth, but their city is in heaven; they obey the laws, and in their own lives surpass the laws; they love all men, and are persecuted by all; they are unknown, yet are condemned; they are slain, and lo! they are made alive; they are poor and enrich everybody; they lack everything, and abound in all things. In all dishonour, they are honoured; by blasphemy and scandal, they are justified. They bless when they are cursed; they give honour when they are insulted; they do good and pay the penalty of evildoers; they are punished, and rejoice as if they were made alive; they are hated by Jews and persecuted by Greeks, and yet their very haters cannot tell why they hate, nor the persecutors why they persecute. (Epistle to Diognetus- Second Century)
An evangelist once visited a church in England and preached for three weeks. The people's lack of response to his ministry dismayed him. On the last night of his meetings, the disheartened man was so discouraged that he didn't go to the door to shake hands with the departing people but just watched as they filed out.
As he stood by the platform with two of the elders, he said sadly, "Well, that's it. Three weeks of meetings, and not one soul saved, apart from this lad here." He pointed to a 9-year-old boy. The boy was David Livingstone, and in the spiritual womb of that boy were the unborn millions of African believers. Big doors swing on little hinges. (Submitted by Doug Baker, Kilburn, SA)
A shrieking alarm is telling us that we are living in the last period of Church history. Most Christians are resisting the wake-up call, because it's too painful or frightening. They are failing to heed Paul's warning in 1 Thess. 5:6.
We are now living in the eleventh hour of the Church Age; and as this age closes, Christians will face an hour of testing that will both refine their faith and give maximum opportunity to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.
Christ did not promise (in Rev. 3:8-11), "I will keep you away from the hour of testing" which would require the Greek preposition apo. Instead, Christ uses the preposition ek, which means "out of the midst of". Apo would mean that believers could expect deliverance BEFORE the hour of testing; ek means that they can expect deliverance DURING the hour of testing.
The Greek word for "keep", tereo, means to guard or protect in the presence of danger. This makes it clear that faithful Christians can expect to be delivered through, not from, the hour of testing. Consequently, I believe that the hour of testing is an indeterminate period of time preceding the Rapture and Tribulation. Christians will face the greatest persecution in Church history.
In Rev, 3:10-11, Jesus says that this hour is about to come upon the whole world, to test those that dwell on the earth and He commands believers to hold fast what you have, in order that no man take your crown. These statements show both the scope and purpose of this hour of testing: all over the world those who follow Jesus Christ will be persecuted for their faith. Yet Rev. 3:8 makes it clear that in this hour, Christ will open wide the door of mission opportunity. Though faithful Christians will face great opposition (1 Cor. 16:9), they will have the opportunity to win an eternal crown, possibly the Crown of Joy (or soul-winner's crown) spoken of in Phil. 4:1 and 1 Thess. 1:29.
The Philadelphian church represents the remnant of evangelistic, mission-minded believers living at the end of the Church Age who will bodily proclaim Jesus Christ to an increasingly hostile world. These Philadelphian believers stand in sharp contrast to their spiritually apathetic Laodicean brethren (Rev. 3:14-22). In our day, the Laodicean church represents the wealthy Western church, a church more concerned with tending to its comfort than in reaching the world for Christ. Unlike churches in Africa, India, Russia, and the Far East, the Western church has been largely spared from persecution; in fact, many of its saved contented members have deluded themselves by thinking that it will never happen here. They will be the first spiritual casualties- even traitors- when persecution hits!
Will we exploit the opportunities at all costs? Will we reach out to the world with the soul saving message of Jesus Christ- expending our time, energy, and resources without measure?
When Jesus Christ spoke to His disciples about the end times He told them that He was teaching them these truths so they wouldn't be surprised and wouldn't be afraid (Matt. 24:6). This is the attitude we need to adopt; don't fear what is on the horizon. Instead we have confidence in God's sovereign control of human history and His plans to bless (Rom. 8:28). (Condensed from Gene Cunningham, quoted in SECW, 12/96)
I read (# 41, Page 12) the snippet from the Olsons of USA, "God's love may not keep you from trials but it will keep you through trials". I know by "trials" the article meant testing, but for me it had a more legalistic sense... (Seeking damages claims in the small claims court against tenants who trashed a house, and soon to be witness at a trial of a friend.) This issue couldn't have come at a more needed time. Arriving in the post today at this trying time for me it really hit the target. (Alan, WA)
Last issue reported that a Baptist Union taskforce is examining homosexuality. A reader tells me this is just the BU of Victoria forming a statement on the issue. I still wonder... aren't the Bible statements clear enough?
Recommended Reading. "Slaying in the Spirit" by Nader Mikhael is available for $15 post paid from Moreno Dal Bello of 15 Aberdeen St Reservoir 3073. He offers a range of excellent literature.
As a new subscriber to Fair Dinkum, let me commend you and encourage you to maintain your stand. Be faithful till, and prepared for, "The End". Live in the light of the "Judgment Seat of Christ".
Your being in a public ministry via Fair Dinkum places you in a position of greater accountability re being faithful to proclaim the whole truth. Sound an alarm: "Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine".
It will surely be the pastors, teachers, and evangelists who will be most ashamed on "That Day", due to NOT performing the prophetic ministry of warning God's people, being willing to be hated, lied about, persecuted, and judged as being "judgmental" by His people- and because they are "not loving enough" and far "too negative".
I believe the church universal is in an irreversible condition of apostasy and despite this being a sign of end time prophetic fulfilment, it does NOT minimise the guilt of unfulfilled responsibility (Richard Ward, Nerang, Qld).
As one who grew up in the traditional church of the 40s and 50s, in a tradition that believed in scholarship and Bible preaching from the clergy, as one who saw the same scholarship take the church down the path of social justice and make a mockery of the teachings of Jesus, as one who rediscovered the Bible in the conservative churches of the 70s, as one who was rejected by both the traditional, conservative and pentecostal churches during the years of the charismatic movement, as one who is now an AOG pastor working in a transdenominational ministry dealing with the needy and lost in the community, I find your magazine both challenging and frustrating. Challenging in that it is addressing issues that need to be discussed and examined in the church today and frustrating because it often appears to be a forum for people to be judgmental, display their bigotry and vent their personal angers, frustrations and dissappointments.
Your editorial (#41, Pg 2) says "I will continue to stand for THE TRUTH, as I prayerfully perceive it to be, based on the only reliable source- the Word of God". I commend you for this stand, but also caution you that understanding and interpretation of the Word of God can be limited, distorted, and drift into apostasy if we consider our interpretation of Scripture and experience of the Holy Spirit the only real truth. If the latter is the case we have simply joined the ranks of those we consider apostate.
The world today is full of religious church orientated Christains locked into a ghetto mentality that is totally unaware of the fact that Christ is at work in the world using culturally divergent people to take His Word to a desperate world. Please continue to send me Fair Dinkum even if at times some articles et my spiritual teeth on edge. (Ps Max Walker, Dandenong, Vic)
1. Without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).
2. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
3. Without works faith is dead (James 2:26).
4. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
5. Without love I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2).
6. Without chastisement ye are not sons (Hebrews 12:8).
7. Without Me (says Christ) ye can do nothing (John 15:5).
(Robert G. Lee)
Hollywood has been facing a villain crisis. Formula plots require bad guys, but now the Soviet Union has folded, Communist spies pose little threat (?), while depicting Middle Eastern terrorists comes across as politically incorrect ethnic stereotyping. many in the pop culture factories are turning to a new group to embody the forces of evil: Christians. A recent movie depicts a "nightmarish future vision" of America taken over by the Christian Coalition and a Bible-toting evangelist who impose their morality on everyone. (CC, 10/96)
The United Religions Summit will reconvene next year to write a charter intended to unify the world's faiths.
"We are on the threshold of a new global civilisation", explained William Swing, a California Episcopal bishop who has spearheaded the movement.
Working hand in hand with Swing is UN Assistant Secretary General, Robert Muller, who once wrote, "If Christ came back to earth, his first visit would be to the United Nations to see if his dream of human oneness and brotherhood has come true."
Muller is associated with the Lucis Trust, a New Age organisation that evolved from the Lucis Publishing Comapny, previously known as the Lucifer Publishing Company (Isa. 14:12-17). (SECW, 1/97)
As consumers increasingly use electronic cash, or "ecash" to buy goods over the InterNet, bank branches could become obsolete. Digital cash will be able to be stored on their computer's hard drive. A Federal Government adviser said, on 24/10/96, "When your PC becomes an EFTPOS and an ATM, and you can do everything on the InterNet, banking as we know it will have to change." (SECW, 11/96).
Australian young people are being exploited. In the USA and in most other countries, if a 16 year old is photographed for a smut magazine, the publishers would be put in jail for child pornography. Not so in Australia. This is deplorable. (AFF News)
Louis Farrakhan, leader of The Nation of Islam, and organiser of The Million Man March of 1995, now claims to be the real prophesied "Jesus". He says, "God will not give Japan and Europe the honour of bringing down the United States. This is an honour God will bestow on Muslims". And: "If we Muslims can come together all over the world, we could become the super power of the twenty first century". Moammar Qaddafi, dictator of Libya, has pledged one billion dollars to further the growth of Farrakhan's cause.
Farrakhan says: "I'm hanging on the cross right now. I'm on Calvary right now. And I'm ready to go all the way. Because I know that by my stripes every one of you will be healed. You don't have to look anywhere for Jesus. I represent him." He says that he is the real Messiah- "He was not born in Bethlehem of Judea. He was born in Sanderville, Georgia... So who is Jesus? Who is Elijah? Jesus and Elijah are one and the same. I am that Elijah, that was to come and now is." (Dr David Lewis, quoted in CAI Newsletter, of South Africa, 9/96)
The US Government now has the technology to spy on what is displayed on your computer screen. A simple scanning device can read the output from your monitor from up to one kilometre away. (SECW, 11/96)
Tens of thousands of Sudanese people are being chained, raped, and sold like livestock as slaves for Arabs, government farms, and in Persian Gulf countries including Libya, Chad, and Mauritania. Many Christians who refuse to become Muslims are sold into slavery. Little African children are chained and whipped because they do not want to learn the Koran. (The Advocate of Truth, 23/12/96)
In 1994-95, Aussies spent (wasted?) $8.26 billion on gambling. The gambling industry is growing at a rate of 30% per year, and projected to be our largest leisure industry by the year 2000, with a turnover of $200 billion.
New Australia Times is a newspaper presenting political views which have old fashioned values. If you like to read an informative view of how our nation is going, this will give you food for thought, at $15 for 4 issues. Write to Edwin Morris, PO Box 405, Childers, Qld 4660.
The Clinton medical plan requires that all Americans carry an electronic identification "Medical Security Card". The card, to be carried at all times, has a magnetic strip that identifies them and contains an enormous amount of information. The strip contains social security number, driver's licence number, place of work, salary, location of home, names and addresses of children, and all medical records.
People will not be able to obtain any medical care unless the card is presented. A doctor will not be able to prescribe medication or treat you without the permission of the government. Your card will be run through an electronic reader. The information will be transmitted to Washington. The doctor will type in what he believes should be done. Then a clerk in Washington will tell the doctor what he is and is not allowed to do.
Hillary Clinton calls the clerk who makes the final decision on your medical care "The Gatekeepers". "The Gatekeeper" will decide how valuable you are to society compared to what your medical needs are. If your illness is life threatening, "The Gatekeeper" will decide if you are to live or die. You will play no part in the treatment. You cannot go to another doctor. You will not be allowed to pay for treatment "The Gatekeeper" does not authorise. A doctor who accepts money for private treatment not authorised by "The Gatekeeper" will be arrested and jailed.
Satanists worship an "angel" called "The Gatekeeper". In Satanism, "The Gatekeeper" is second in command to Stan himself. Why did Hillary Clinton pick this name to describe who will make the life and death decisions in the lives of Americans?
Without "The Gatekeeper's Card" you will not be able to gain employment. Your children will not be allowed to go to school unless they produce the card. You will not be able to renew your driver's licence or obtain life or auto insurance unless a "valid" card is presented.
Worse, by the year 2000 the government could have the card reduced to microdot size that can be implanted under the skin between the thumb and forefinger of your hand. This will allow an electronic reader to obtain all the information when it scans the back of your hand. How convenient the microdot would be for the government to "take care" of you.
There will be no private doctors under the Clinton plan. If you don't carry "The Gatekeeper's Card" you cannot get medical help. If you are injured the ambulance will leave you dying in the street unless you have the card. You will be fired from your job if you refuse to participate and carry this card. If you own a business and refuse to participate, the government will shut down your business and put you in jail. As of now the Clinton plan calls for a two year jail sentence for anyone who refuses to participate.
(Condensed from article by William J. Murray; the son of America's best known atheist and Marxist leader, Madalyn O'Hair. At age 33 he became a believer in Jesus Christ and is now a preacher; quoted in CIM Newsletter, #132)
Recently a visitor was being shown around a new church building. "The church is so well insulated", he was told, "that no sound can be heard coming from the outside!" Too many churches are so insulated that they never hear the call of a dying world. (Vance Havner)
The church is not ready for Christ's return... Some become horrified if a wife beater, a child abuser, those who don't dress right- that a sinner come in and spoil their pretty little building Some churches have become so proud of their steel, and shining chrome, and plush carpets... so worldly that God can no longer recognise them. Jesus says that we reject Him if we reject the least of one of His. We are His servants- not for self glory or praise or pats on the back. We are called forth to be fishers of men, and by His Spirit bring release to the poor misguided homosexual and lesbian, the adulterer, and those torn up by their sinful nature. Let us be ready- by living not worldly standards but godly standards. (John, Goolwa, SA)
We, my wife and I, are all alone, because there is no church which we can belong to. When I found that the RC church persecuted Christians I left it, and went to the Salvos. But some of them said that the Pope was alright, and that one can be saved by Buddha. The officers were freemasons. In another church, when I told one pastor that the other one was a freemason, he threatened me with a car accident. When I told another Baptist preacher that freemasons are not Christians, he said "You should not judge". After I pointed out John 7:24 he condemned me from the pulpit. The Baptist president also told me that freemasons are "good Christians". I can go on and on... (Joseph, Rockingham, WA)
There seems to be a mad rush today to attract people into the church by an ever increasing use of gimmicks, the things of the world and entertainment programs. Because these things are divorced from the reality of Jesus Christ, the world and Christ being forever separate, they are doomed to fail! ...Today too many Christian leaders refuse to understand that God is a Holy and righteous God and He will not bless or prosper those fellowships that insist they can take evils in the world and use them to entertain their congregations. The heavy rock sound is an anathema to the Spirit and the Word and rebellion and confusion is its source. (Allen, Mount Gambier, SA)
The focus of many churches is no longer on a pulpit but on a stage... The Gospel does not entertain, it disturbs, confronts, convicts and offends human pride. It is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to sinful man. If people come to church primarily to be entertained, they will surely leave when they find something more entertaining and accommodating. And before the churches realise it, they are bogged down in this hopeless cycle where they are obliged to concoct a bigger and better spectacle to outdo the previous one... Any time we adopt a philosophy of 'the end justifies the means' our perception of truth will ultimately be shaped by what we think effective or not effective. (SBBC News, quoted by TA Ministries, 1/97)
It is ironic that in one hour of open-air preaching, with the help of God, I can reach ten times the number of sinners than I can find within our structures we call churches. A.W. Tozer said, "I began preaching on a street corner. I began on a soapbox... and I would rather end my feeble years preaching on a soapbox and telling the truth, than to be caught in institutionalised Christianity and paralysed so I don't dare tell the truth."
(Ray Comfort)
Ask yourself: What kind of a church would ours be if everyone was like I am?
Last year our pastor took a years studies on "Building with bricks in 1996". This year he's taking subjects on "Showing the way to Heaven in 1997"... Some folks (especially young men and women) have come to the Lord- it's a thrill to see their hunger and enthusiasm for the Lord (Ron, Murray Bridge, SA).
Pastor Max and a team of 40 volunteers provide food, support and counselling to about 300 needy, lonely, poor, and hurting folk around Dandenong. This drop in centre outreach provides hope and a haven to those in need.
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31)
(The Evangelical Methodist)