“Preaching is an important part of evangelism,” according to Elmer Towns: “Mark records Jesus’ commission: ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Christ’s last command became the first concern of the scattered church. Preaching is not just giving a biblical speech in the church’s pulpit. When we share Jesus Christ with a lost person, we are technically preaching. Preaching is communicating the gospel in an understandable manner and motivating that person to respond. Preaching is giving biblical content with persuasion so you convince the person to become a Christian. Preaching the gospel is essentially the same whether addressing a large crowd or talking with an individual.”
“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:4 NKJV
Earl Radmacher wrote: “They were all scattered: This phrase speaks of scattering seeds on the ground so that something will grow. The members of the church in Jerusalem may not have understood what was happening to them, but Jesus would not let His church become limited racially, culturally, or geographically. These early believers became missionaries as much as refugees.”
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Acts 17:6 NKJV
The book of Acts climaxes: “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” Acts 28:28 NKJV
Attending Bob Jones University, taking a course in Acts, simultaneously the Billy Graham Mid-Century Crusade in Portland, Oregon laid the groundwork for “The Hour of Decision” radio broadcast featuring Billy Graham, produced by Cliff Barrows.
Two students from Portland were urged by Cliff to attend Bob Jones: Jerry Burleson and Earl Radmacher became my classmates and long-term friends.
The Hour of Decision was first broadcast nationally during the Graham team’s Atlanta crusade in November 1950.
Jerry, Earl, and I were part of the 1,200-member “Preacher Boys” class, pictured forming a living cross. The theme song “Souls for Jesus is our battle cry” indelibly impacted our Bible-saturated ministries, thrusting us forward into a lifetime endeavor to “turn the world upside down.”
Jerry became director of Youth for Christ in Cincinnati, and later Fort Lauderdale. Earl became president of Western Theological Seminary in Portland, and later senior editor of the Nelson New King James Study Bible. I continued with Gospel Advertising, and through many twists and turns realized my major purpose in life is to communicate Christianity.
“We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s hands.” Proverbs 16:1 The Living Bible
TTT’s doors opened the first Saturday in February 1966, continuing without exception every Saturday: Telling The TRUTH to/through teenagers.
The vision: Every youth, before turning 20, to hear the Gospel with an invitation to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The mission: “To communicate Christianity to and through teenagers … to win them to Christ and train them for Christ … teaching them how to share their faith through their local churches, on their campuses, throughout their communities, and into their world, wherever God leads them in their future.”
Youth and adults from across the Tri-state, all 50 states, and at least 30 nations have been trained at TTT to take the Gospel everywhere.
To multiply the ministry, Leading Youth Resource Information Connections continue.
His disciples with Him, “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel …. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'” Matthew 9:35-38 NKJV
“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:35 NKJV
You can multiply your ministry when you receive training and are willing to go. There are potential open doors for Fair Share teams to go with the Gospel to as many as 15 Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky county fairs and street festivals this summer.
Evangelism training for students and adults is available at TTT on Saturdays May 10 and June 14 (3 PM through TTT Saturday night; Registration and free scholarship deadline is 5 PM the preceding Thursday).
Pray for those who are and will be participating with TTT Saturday nights, in person and online (live stream and on demand). Thank God for those who recently responded to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Now it’s our turn to keep going with the Gospel. Where will you help take the Gospel?