“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV
In his book “The Cause Within You,” Matthew Barnett, founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, said: “Build your team to change the world. Partnership is a critical element in the pursuit of your dream. I have been fortified by three kinds of partners: temporary helpers, long-term partners, and God. Each of those … is indispensable.”
In the book “Paul and His Team,” Ryan Lokkesmoe refers to chapter 16 of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, noting that Paul names nearly 3 dozen individuals who partnered with him. “These were the people who had shaped him and formed him … people who had learned from him, stepped up to continue the legacy he had passed to them … They were his mentors and mentees … his spiritual family, and his team.”
Paul’s philosophy of ministry was to pray and go through doors as God opened them. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote: “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV
To the Colossians, he said: “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, … that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” Colossians 3:3-4 NKJV
We continued to endeavor to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, as God was providing the house on the corner of US 41 and Boonville New Harmony Road. As we were about to host our first Saturday night, God opened the door for me to speak in Dixon, Kentucky the preceding Sunday evening.
Following our very first Saturday night event, February 5, 1966, door after door opened with invitations for me to speak at local church events. Since then, over 300 local congregations have issued invitations for me to share the Gospel.
As Paul said, “for me to live is Christ” …
As we anticipate, God willing, TTT’s 60 years of ministry and counting, God will continue setting before us open doors which no man can shut.
During our first 60 years, God has connected us with people who have served with us on the TTT team: some for a few days, others several weeks, others month in and month out, and some have continued their involvement for years.
John Dunn and I met as we served together to bring Cleveland Browns football star Bill Glass for an area wide evangelistic crusade at Roberts Stadium. John helped the “Youth for Christ March” from Highway 41 to Roberts Stadium to kick off the crusade. John has continued his involvement, now serving as board chairman of TTT Christian Youth Ministries.
The TTT team is dynamic. My daughter Tami serves as president and CEO of TTT, and my role is now founder and ambassador at large. Several who serve on the TTT executive board attended as teenagers: in the living room, the basement, the garage, the driveway, big tents, local church facilities, and the Christian communication center.
The team serving together toward the continuing mission is primarily comprised of volunteers, praying and investing their time, talents, and treasure.
In the letter to the church at Philadelphia, the apostle John relayed Jesus’ words: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8 NKJV. We are ready and willing to go with the Gospel wherever God opens doors.
Warren Wiersbe wrote: “Paul had profound confidence in the way God was working out His plans … From his encouraging words we get a glimpse of God’s parallel plan for us: He is ‘confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ God is the persistent, transforming God.”
Do you really believe that God is faithful always, in every way, every day? Will you follow Philippians 1:6 and invite every possible person to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?