“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary
Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had
been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had
been seen by her, they did not believe … Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at
the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not
believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, ‘Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature.'” Mark 16:9-11, 14-15 NKJV
“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat
down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord
working with them and confirming the word …” Mark 16:19-20 NKJV
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1
Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV
Earl Radmacher, editor of the Nelson Study Bible, says: “Watch is often used in the New
Testament to indicate anticipation of some future event. Paul’s exhortation to stand fast in
the faith is especially important in view of the susceptibility of the Corinthians to false
teaching.”
Since Jesus presented the Great Commission to His “faithless followers” who did not
believe Mary Magdalene when she told them “He is risen,” evangelistic endeavors to
pursue the goal to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” to every possible person is
ongoing.
Unavoidable circumstances in 1933 propelled Paul Rader away from the Chicago Gospel
Tabernacle, but Lance Latham, who had worked alongside Rader before and during the
Tabernacle days was asked by several Tabernacle families to begin a new ministry.
Easter Sunday 1933, Latham founded the Northside Gospel Center in Chicago. He had
been involved not only in the music ministry with Rader, but he and his wife “Teach” led
children’s and youth ministry, which laid the foundation for Awana Bible clubs (officially
organized in 1950) to continue to take the Gospel into all the world and continues today
internationally.
Also in 1950, several visionaries began ministries, including Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association; World Vision; Gospel Films; Greater Europe Mission; and through Kansas City
Youth for Christ Bible clubs, Bible quizzing, and teen talent contests spread across
America. Many of these ministries are continuing today.
In 1961, God gave me the theme for the Youth for Christ International Convention: “Christ
through you can change the world.” That challenge continues to be the catalyst to motivate
people everywhere to endeavor to implement the Great Commission. Anything less than a “worldview” to ultimately “preach the Gospel to every creature” falls short of what Jesus
taught and envisioned.
How are you personally “being watchful in all things, enduring afflictions, doing the work of
an evangelist, fulfilling your ministry” (see 2 Timothy 4:5)? You can if you will. The harvest
truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Will you pray the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:37-38) and ask what your part personally should be
today and tomorrow?
Evangelism training is to happen on the second Saturday monthly, equipping and
challenging “laborers into His harvest” for Fair Share at Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky
county fairs and street festivals in July and August. Leading Youth Saturdays begin at 3 PM
and continue through the TTT rally – Saturdays April 13, May 11, and June 8 (scholarships
are available and registration deadline is the preceding Thursday).
Jesus said: “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.”
John 4:35 NKJV
Ten percent of every general fund gift received by TTT is reinvested in Motorcycle Sunday
School Missions in Brazil, Cambodia, and Indonesia, and other missions and ministries.
Jesus Christ Changin’ the World Summit ’24 is to be at TTT Saturday, July 13, with
highlights and reports on some of the ways “Christ through you can change the world” is
being accomplished.
Will you personally help God’s “global go” happen?