“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NKJV
As early as 1873, Dwight L. Moody and his wife met with Emma Dryer to encourage her to prayerfully consider teaching and training women in Chicago to learn and reach out to others, inviting them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ personally. Every Saturday, Miss Dryer met with some special Christian ladies, praying for Mr. Moody to return to Chicago to raise necessary finances to underwrite the ministry, including building a teaching facility.
Meanwhile, D.L. Moody had gone to the British Isles with Ira Sankey, conducting evangelistic campaigns. Thousands attended their meetings, and hundreds responded to the invitation to “believe on Christ,” including businessman Edward Studd and his three sons.
For a decade, Emma Dryer and other ladies continued praying diligently for Mr. Moody to return to Chicago, faithfully anticipating God’s answer.
In 1886, Moody invited Kinney Studd to come to America to challenge students on college campuses. He led John R. Mott to Christ and invited him to attend a conference for college age students at Northfield, Massachusetts in July. The Student Volunteer Movement for foreign missions began with 251 college and university students from 89 schools. John R. Mott was one of 100 students to step forward.
John R. Mott wrote “The Evangelization of the World in This Generation” in 1900. This was before the Wright brothers’ first flight December 17, 1903; and before radio became reality with a shortwave broadcast from Chesapeake Bay Christmas Eve, 1906.
R.A. Torrey became the first superintendent of the Chicago Bible Institute in 1889. Following Mr. Moody’s death, the name was changed to Moody Bible Institute in 1900. Torrey was also pastor of the Illinois Street Church, soon changing the name to Moody Memorial Church.
From 1915 to 1921, Paul Rader was pastor of Moody Church. He recruited Moody Bible Institute student Lance Latham to direct the music. Rader and Latham formed an evangelistic team, traveling across the country.
In 1922, people in Chicago enthusiastically requested Rader to return for an evangelistic campaign, and they built a steel tabernacle seating 5,000. From that year forward, the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle became the ongoing ministry base for Paul Rader. Every Sunday, he preached over live radio, broadcasting from the mayor’s office in Chicago.
He established Tabernacle Publishing Company and hired Victor Cory as manager. Cory contacted Lance Latham to put together a compilation of gospel songs called “Tabernacle Hymns.” It included Paul Rader’s “Only believe.”
“Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, from death into life He went for His own; All power in earth, all power above, is given to Him for the flock of His love. Only believe, all things are possible, only believe.”
It was based on Luke 12:32: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
In 1926, Rader challenged the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle congregation to buy a large conference grounds near Muskegon, Michigan, with 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and several hundred acres of property. Youth and staff from Chicago crossed Lake Michigan year after year (the property later became known as Maranatha).
Handling music with Paul Rader, Lance and Virginia Latham were involved as the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle began its dynamic youth program, which later became Awana International, incorporated in 1950.
In 1931, Victor Cory founded Scripture Press. Its slogan: “The whole Word for the whole world.”
The thrust of Christian destiny is that God puts the right people at the right place to accomplish His purpose at the right time.
TTT Christian Youth Ministries’ ongoing vision: Every youth, before turning 20, to hear the Gospel with an invitation to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” The “LYRIC” (Leading Youth Resources, Information, and Connections) is integral toward the vision and mission, using multiple means and methods, Telling The TRUTH to/through teenagers.
Every person attending TTT Saturday night, December 7 to “Celebrate Jesus” will receive a copy of “Star of wonder,” which includes the details of the Palm Sunday triumphal entry. January 4 will be a thrust into 2025. February 1, TTT is to turn 59, God willing. March 1 through May 3, is “Hosanna Highway,” sharing God’s plan of redemption, from creation through the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Gospel everywhere. April 5 is to be “Hosanna” Saturday.
You are invited to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
When you personally “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” celebrate Jesus: “The Word.”