An Amazing Fact: Dashrath Manjhi’s wife died needlessly after
a fall because access to the nearest hospital was blocked by the same mountain
from which she fell. When the government declined to help, Manjhi decided to carve
a road himself through a ridge to shorten the route from 34 miles to 9. Using
only a hammer, chisel, and shovel, he dug a path 30 feet wide through 360 feet
of rock. It took him 22 years!
Richard, a Pentecostal pastor in Uganda, was in a quandary. He’d heard profound
Bible teaching and felt convicted. But what would happen to his congregation
and how would his wife respond if he got baptized? The crisis loomed before him
like a dark, unmovable mountain.
I praise God for how you open pathways for
seekers facing spiritual mountains in places like Africa and the Philippines. When
attempting to visit the church in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul wrote, “We
wanted to come to you … time and again—but Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians
2:18). But even though Satan tries to block those longing to hear the
life-giving messages of Scripture, God has used your faithful labor of love to carve
away the obstacles.
For instance, when you give to Amazing Facts’
evangelism work, you raise up an army of men and women with mountain-moving
faith—gospel workers who are doing powerful evangelism through our AFCOE training
programs in Africa and the Philippines.
These are some of the most difficult fields
of labor, but your generosity has made it possible for thousands to joyfully
respond to the lifesaving messages and resources shared by these Amazing Facts workers.
In fact, let me tell you how you helped Pastor
Richard break through his own spiritual mountain …
The Last-Day Gospel Breaches New Territory
When God led a small team of AFCOE-trained
Bible workers to witness in Kitgum, a vast district in Northern Uganda, there
was only one Sabbath-keeping church in the whole area. But that was about to
change when the disciples you sent arrived and began door-to-door studies.
After they spent a month preparing hearts for
truth, an Amazing Facts evangelist presented a public Revelation seminar that
covered the foundations of the faith. During these meetings, a Pentecostal
youth pastor was persuaded by the bold proclamation of God’s Word.
And as the woman at the well did, this pastor
rushed back to his village to tell his senior pastor the many new and beautiful
things he’d heard.
This senior pastor, Richard, decided to
attend the meetings himself—hoping to disprove the teachings! Yet when he heard
the presentation about the millennium, he was awestruck. Listening to prophecy
explained with such clearness, Richard knew in his heart that God was leading
him to conviction.
Determined to Learn the Truth
News about the seminar spread throughout Richard’s
village. Many were curious to hear the teachings for themselves—and soon, a
group of six souls began attending with Richard and the youth pastor.
But the group didn’t have access to a car, a
bus, or even a bicycle. Instead, these earnest seekers walked six miles
to Kitgum just to hear the messages. Then, after the services, they walked
six miles back home in the dark. How many of us would walk 12 miles roundtrip to
do … well, anything? These hearts were so thirsty for this truth, neither
distance nor darkness could keep them away!
After the meetings ended, Pastor Richard faced
a difficult decision. He would have to reject truth to keep his attachment to his
church and prestigious position—or forsake those things to follow Jesus.
I’m thrilled to report that with God’s help, he
did not shrink from that spiritual mountain, and neither did the rest of the
group. They treasured the truth they’d discovered, and all eight were baptized
into God’s last-day church—along with 50 more!
Persecuted for Truth
News of Richard’s decision spread fast. When
his wife heard, she threatened divorce. Church members accused him of being
bribed. Some even wanted to banish him from the village.
But even when his church leaders pressured
him into recant, this servant of God didn’t flinch. He was convinced the Lord
had spoken, and he would remain loyal no matter the consequences.
In fact, Richard then invited the very same AFCOE
team and Amazing Facts evangelist to hold Bible meetings in his village. Since
they no longer had a church, they met under a tree. And at the end of those
meetings, 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 incredible
stories of how the Holy Spirit is using your gifts in Africa and the
Philippines, two powerhouse training centers turning out bold witnesses for
truth. But let me sneak in just a bit more ….
Through Philippines AFCOE, you recently helped
give more than 7,000 Bible studies and led 4,400 souls to attend 38 prophecy
seminars—resulting in 662 baptisms. You also helped plant six churches and train
482 students.
Your loving gifts have also recently helped AFCOE
Africa workers give almost 17,000 Bible studies, plant six churches, and
baptize nearly 1,000 souls into the body of Christ. I give all glory to God for
this tremendous work!
Moving Mountains
Friend, God has used your compassion to blast
away mountain-sized obstacles, opening the way for His final message to reach and
save people even in the remotest corners of the globe. Only in heaven will we fully
know the full impact you have made in leading souls to Christ.
Jesus said to go and make disciples of all
nations. Will you please join me in training more Bible workers worldwide to
multiply the number of bold witnesses who are not held back by roadblocks or
trials? Your gift of $25 will give five people Bible studies in Africa. A gift
of $100 will train two students to share their love for Jesus effectively. And
a mountain-moving gift of $250 will make it possible for two individuals to
study 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 eternal
difference as possible through our many outreach efforts. You will open new
pathways to truth!
Richard, now a former Pentecostal pastor, boldly
took a stand for truth. He and many others have planted a new church in their
village. Would you help move mountains today and bring the light of God’s Word
to more people like him?
Moving mountains together by faith,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
President, Amazing Facts International