World Evangelism Statistics, and Missions Giving

I'm not a big statistics guy, but sometimes statistics can be revealing.

The following statistics are from the book 2020 Vision, by Bill and Amy Stearns.

A Triumphant Life: William Borden

Five years ago I received an e-mail from our friends Pat and Rakel Thurman, who had been corresponding with a tour group that was going to Egypt. This group had a special request: they hoped to find the humble grave of missionary William Borden, which was mentioned in my book The Treasure Principle. Pat and Rakel, who were missionaries in Egypt for several years, later received an e-mail and a photo from the group after they successfully found Borden's grave.

Here's what they wrote:

Thanks so much for helping us find the grave of William Borden. After visiting ...

Aggie Hurst: A Story of Eternal Perspective

While we were unable to find any real pictures of Aggie or her family, I hope this story of God's faithfulness through the sacrifice of missionary couple David and Svea Flood will inspire you.

I've been thinking of it in context of a big book I'm writing on the problem of evil and suffering. How many times has God had a purpose in events that seemed senseless at the time they happened? How many things that seem pointless now will later be seen to have a divine point?

Consider Joseph and his brothers who horribly betrayed him ...

Crisis in Congo: An appeal from World Relief and Lynne Hybels

I received an e-mail from World Relief, one of the finest Christian relief and development agencies, about the unfolding crisis in Congo:

The situation in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is critical. Thousands were fleeing as rebel forces advanced on the city of Goma in eastern DRC. Rebel soldiers were on the edge of the city as a fragile ceasefire held.

The crisis is rapidly unfolding into a humanitarian disaster on a huge scale. Reports of random killings, rape and other atrocities are widespread.

Right now, the situation in Goma is incredibly tense, with many Congolese upset at ...

I Wish I Could Be a Brother Like That

This story was sent by my friend Doug Nichols, founder and director of Action International. It is a powerful reminder that the first and second greatest commands are inseparable: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart...love your neighbor as yourself."

Years ago in the Philippines, I heard a story of a man who parked his car in his office complex in downtown Manila. There was a street boy nearby and to pick up some money, the boy asked if he could watch (guard) the man’s car while he was in the office.

Several hours later, when ...

Children in Crisis Worldwide

Earlier this year, my friend Doug Nichols, founder and director of ACTION International Ministries, a great missions organization, sent these humbling statistics about needy children worldwide. As you and I pray and consider what to do with our lives and resources, I hope God will use these facts to touch our hearts. (By the way, this Sunday, November 8, is Orphan Sunday, an opportunity to rouse your church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. Learn more at www.orphansunday.org)

HIV/AIDS and Disease

Over 38 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide, with ...

The JESUS Film: "Show it Again"

One of my favorite ministries is the JESUS film project, which I have personally witnessed at work in powerful ways in China, Cambodia and Mexico. (More about that later in this blog.)

Every word in the film is from the gospel of Luke, and it includes at the end an invitation to receive Christ. In countries with low literacy, people can't read the Bible even if it's been translated into their language; but all of them can understand the JESUS Film, which is Scripture on a screen, God made visible. I read an amazing story from the JESUS ...

A Life of Humility

After seeing my recent post about Francis Schaeffer, my friend Doug Nichols, founder and international director emeritus of Action International Ministries, emailed me this story. To me, given my respect for both men, it's priceless. Thanks for sharing it with us, Doug. And thanks for being the same kind of man Francis Schaeffer showed himself to be the night you met him.

God’s Grace and Our Sickness, from Doug Nichols and Matthew Henry

My friend Doug Nichols, pictured above with his wonderful wife Margaret, is the founder of Action International, one of my favorite ministries in the world. If you’re wondering about a worthy missions work to support, I highly recommend Action. (And Doug has a new blog too, http://dougnichols.blogspot.com, which will provide great missions-related info.)

A Mixed Bag of Short Questions and Answers

Today's blog is a combination of several short answers to questions I've responded to lately. Some are questions I've received on my Facebook page. Though I can't possibly respond to every question that comes in, I do read each and every comment and question with interest and appreciation. I just wish I could reply to more of them. Maybe on the New Earth! (If you're interested in reading other questions and answers, the EPM website has many more Q & As, articles, and resources.)