Author: admin

15
Mar 2018
AUTHOR admin

Stories from Reach KC: Countdown Week Three

Stories from REACH KC

There are three weeks to go until It Is Written’s citywide evangelism meetings begin in Kansas City on March 30, 2018. The teams on the ground and It Is Written are working on the last minute details. There is a lot of prayer,  graphic design, stage preparation, sermon writing, music selection, electronic equipment set up, and other details all coming together to make this event a logistical success. The real success comes in the hearts and minds that make decisions for Jesus Christ, and that’s happening now as people continue to make personal connections with others and invite them to a closer walk with Jesus.

Each Friday evening, Bible Work Coordinator Jack has a group Bible study at his house. One of Jack’s friends, Kyle, brought his 17-year-old nephew, Chuck, along for the study. Chuck wasn’t a Christian and didn’t consider himself to be one. But during the study he contributed some very good thoughts. He only came to the study once.

A couple weeks later Jack preached at Kyle’s church. Chuck was there too. He was very attentive and it appeared that he was really interested in what Jack was sharing from the Bible. After the sermon, Chuck and Kyle left quickly, and Jack didn’t get the opportunity to greet them. But the next day, Kyle brought Chuck with him to play disc golf with Jack at the local city park. Chuck kept asking Jack questions about the sermon.

“This is one of those moments when I would like to say I did everything right, but I did not,” Jack said. “I answered the questions, but I did not take the opportunity to see if he wanted more. The next day during my prayers, Chuck kept coming to my mind. So I contacted Kyle and asked if he would ask Chuck about studying the Bible. Chuck was super excited to study and we have been studying faithfully since.” Sometimes, people are just waiting to be asked.

Jack’s weekly Bible study group is full of stories. Another friend, Julie, shared with him that a friend of hers wanted to study the Bible with her children but she had been warned by her pastor to stay away from studying certain things. After a lot of encouragement from Julie, she and her family were ready. Would Jack be willing to study with them?

Jack willingly accepted the call even though the family speaks Spanish and Jack doesn’t. When Jack arrived at the house, he found a group of energetic 11-17 year olds all fluent in English. Weeks later, the group has quickly grown as the teenagers have invited their friends to join them.

“These young people are always ready with questions and a good laugh,” Jack said.  “The parents love the lessons too. Even though we are speaking in English, they join in and soak up as much as possible. I leave an It Is Written Bible Study Guide with them in Spanish so they can go over what the youth are learning. This is a study that fills my heart with joy each week.”

The young and old of Kansas City are excited and interested to learn more about Christ. Jesus is calling them to live a life for Him. Please continue praying for the people in Kansas City as we prepare for these meetings.

Some names have been changed.

8
Mar 2018
AUTHOR admin

Eyes for India team brings sight to the blind in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh

Eyes for India: Over 1500 People Receive Sight

The Eyes For India team was invited to a Hindu temple this January to do the work of Jesus in opening the eyes of blind people. From January 3 to 17, the medical team conducted cataract eye surgeries in the remote forest village of Hardiakol, district Barabanki, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. Led by Dr. Jacob Prabhakar, It Is Written’s humanitarian Eyes for India project seeks to restore sight to the 15 million blind living in India through a simple cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. “This initiative will help as many as possible and restore their hope and sight,” said Dr. Prabhakar.

More than 2,500 blind people initially registered for treatment, and 60 percent of those were blind in both eyes. Most patients are very poor with hardly any warm clothing and must travel long distances by road and train. Thick fog created zero visibility and caused trains and buses to be canceled. Many patients who had initially registered were unable to return for treatment. Most of the patients that did make it back to the temple slept outside on sand and hay that served as beds as they awaited their turn for surgery.

Once treatment began, 250 patients were called for surgery each day. It Is Written Partner Dr. Jason Leng, an ophthalmologist from Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute, Chehalis, Washington, participated in the mobile camp for the second time. Dr. Leng, Dr. Prabhakar, and the rest of the medical team completed diagnostic tests for each patient and then the cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implantation. Postoperative patients stayed in a makeshift hall for care, postoperative dressings, and instillation of eye drops. Patients were discharged on the second postoperative day with specific medications and dark protective glasses. The patients are called for postoperative follow up each week for the next six weeks and then advised on the use of bifocal glasses.

By God’s grace, the eye camp was a huge success, despite many unforeseen challenges. A total of 1,672 cataract surgeries were performed, many for children and young women who are the breadwinners of their homes. The patients who missed their operation due to weather are scheduled for surgery during the month of March.

But providing eyesight is only the first step in the the work of our medical team. About 80 percent of the state’s population are Hindus, and 18 percent are Muslim. Many of these patients have never heard about Jesus. Patients were given the book Steps to Christ in their own language and a health booklet. The team prayed with patients and conducted worship services daily in the temple complex.

“Thanks are due to the Eyes For India sponsors for their generosity in making this possible,” said Dr. Prabhakar. “The smiles and the joy the patients demonstrate following surgery is noteworthy! They go back home being able to carry on with work and their daily livelihood. Leading an independent life makes all the difference. We are so grateful! Eyes For India has been such a blessing and we thank God for this amazing ministry.”

Thousands of lives have been changed in just days by a simple eye surgery. People who were once blind are now able to see because of the kindness of many donors who make this happen on a regular basis. Join the Eyes for India team in bringing sight to the blind by donating today.

Video Field Reports:

Donate now

8
Mar 2018
AUTHOR admin

Stories from Reach KC: Countdown Week Four

Stories from REACH KC
We’re four weeks away from the start of our Revelation Today meetings in Kansas City, Kansas, beginning March 30, 2018. It Is Written Bible workers and pastors continue to share their stories, and it’s clear that God is leading in each interaction. Here are two of many exciting experiences we are receiving from the community.

Diane followed up on a request for Bible studies that came from Lynette. She had received a Bible study offer card mailed by It Is Written to the Kansas City area and was very excited about studying the Bible together with Diane. After several studies, Diane and Lynette were ready to study about what happens at death and for some reason, Diane was apprehensive. She knew that Lynette has lost her son only three years ago, and this study would be painful. But she trusted God to lead her and Lynette’s heart in truth and love.

Diane explained how the study began, “When we opened our Bibles to begin the study, I shared a short anecdote about what many preachers say during a funeral service compared to what is written on the tombstone. I asked her, ‘So, which is it, are our loved ones in heaven watching over us, or are they in the grave resting in peace?’ To my surprise, she quickly replied: ‘They’re in the grave resting. That’s what Ecclesiastes says.’”

Lynette was already familiar with the Bible teaching about death and the rest of the study was a refreshing study in God’s amazing and merciful love! At the end, Lynette commented, “That was a really good lesson today.” Diane was overjoyed as she left Lynette’s home, amazed at how God went ahead to prepare their both of their hearts for their study.

Harold

Another Bible worker and local church member, Harold and Casey, visited with Judy just as she was preparing for her daughter’s funeral. Maybe because of her personal pain, Judy was especially open to study the Bible with these soon-to-become friends. The lessons have even included Judy’s grandchildren, who often do gymnastics while they’re studying together!

Harold feels as blessed as Judy does to spend this time in God’s word together. Harold had grown up in the church but had never studied the Bible with someone else. “I’m really not the most qualified person,” he said. “I’m not a good speaker or a good teacher, but I am glad that God can use me in a small way.”

And God can use each of us, in our own way, to reach the hearts of His people. Some people are called to be evangelists. Some are called to be pastors. Some can support the ministry of others financially. Still others of us are called to just pray for those who are lost. Whatever your situation may be, join us in reaching Kansas City for Christ.

Support Evangelism in Kansas City

All names are changed.

28
Feb 2018
AUTHOR admin

Stories from Reach KC: Countdown Week Five

Stories from REACH KC

Our Bible workers and church members continue to connect with the community of Kansas City in anticipation for the Revelation Today series starting March 30, 2018.

Lucius

Some Bible workers are making one-on-one connections with people while others are hosting large events. Each one is designed to touch hearts and reach different needs. The most recent large event has been a city-wide prayer meeting, and God is doing something amazing. One day, Lucius* was at home with his wife on a Friday night. He works in a “secular, chaotic” environment and at the end of the week he says he is “exhausted physically, spiritually, and mentally.” That’s when he received a text message, inviting him to a city-wide prayer meeting.

“We were tired, but the Holy Spirit guided us to go,” he said. Lucius felt connected to the others as soon as he walked in the room. He heard others praying and realized that he, too, shared their concerns. “Yes, Lord, me too,” he prayed to himself. He began to pray out loud and uplifted others and himself to God. After an exhausting week of work, Lucius was surprised by how he felt after the prayer meeting. “I felt refreshed. Refreshed! I felt like I was coming out of the locker room after half-time.” Lucius has been invited to attend the meetings starting in five weeks. The team is praying that he goes from the locker room to the end zone!

Ultimately, each large event is designed to help people make personal, one-on-one connections for Jesus. Jennifer received a Bible interest card from a minister, and she was a little uneasy about answering it. “Pamela had filled out a card with the title, ‘Minister Pamela’ and I was not sure what to expect. I prepared well, planning what I was going to say, and I prayed a lot before I went to visit her. I knocked on the door and a person called, ‘Come into my house.’ I went in and immediately, Pamela began to ask me lots of questions about It Is Written like, ‘Who started it?’ ‘How did it start?’ ‘Why does it exist?’ and ‘What does it do?’ After I answered her questions, she was ready to study.

“Our study went really well, and I was excited to continue the next week. But, to my surprise, when I knocked on her door, she was not at home. Fortunately, a neighbor shared with me that Pamela was in the hospital so on my way home, I stopped at the hospital and visited her. She wanted to study in the hospital! We had a good study together, and I was able to give her a ride home from the hospital.

“Each week Minister Pamela and I have studied together. Her ex-husband has joined us in the lessons too. She has been sharing what we have been studying together with her church members. She has even asked me to come preach at her church. ‘It’s in the Bible,’ she tells her congregation, ‘and we must follow what’s in the Bible.’”

The relationships our It Is Written and local team members have made with the community is making the truths of the Bible come alive and real.

Please continue to pray for the entire series. For more than a year, It Is Written representatives and local church members have been reaching Kansas City through targeted events, small group gatherings, and one-on-one Bible studies. As we get closer to the start of the meetings, make sure to check this blog every week for updates and more stories.

*All names are changed.

28
Feb 2018
AUTHOR admin

Living with Hope – Guatemala 2018

Living with Hope - Guatemala 2018

From February 21 through February 23, Pastor Robert Costa, speaker/director of Escrito Está, held evangelistic meetings in the capital city of Guatemala. On the first night, almost 3,000 people attended the meetings. One thousand of the attendees were visitors who were either brought by a friend or who received one of 10,000 invitations delivered by Publinews newspaper or through social media. The event concluded with 90 baptisms, including eight on the first night, and 195 additional decisions for baptism.

A local church pastor, Leonardo, told us: “I’m a blind person, but tonight I’ve lived with hope. As I hear the splashing of the water from people getting baptized and listen to the footsteps of those coming to the Lord, I think it’s worth being blind because having hope is more important than having sight.”

The event was streamed through three local radio stations and Facebook Live where thousands more had the opportunity to listen to the message.

During his visit to Guatemala, Pastor Costa was also scheduled to speak and pray for the thirteen magistrates of the Supreme Court of the nation. He and local church leaders were welcomed with kindness and given full attention. One of the employees of the Supreme Court who coordinated this meeting said, “We will receive them like ambassadors because they are ambassadors from Heaven.” Pastor Costa gave the president of the Supreme Court, Jose Antonio Pineda, an Ambassador of Peace Medal and invited the magistrates to attend the evangelistic meetings. They were also given the book, Una Luz de Esperanza (A Light of Hope), written by Pastor Costa. The pastors were delighted to learn that one of the Supreme Court judges watches the half-hour program, Escrito Está, and enjoys listening to the daily devotional, Una Mejor Manera de Vivir (A Better Way to Live).

Another important activity took place last Thursday, February 22, when Pastor Costa was invited by a lay member, Manuel, to visit the military prison to preach and pray for two former presidents of the country and former government officials who are accused of political corruption. Manuel visits this prison weekly to study the Bible with the inmates and bring them hope. He was grateful that Pastor Costa could come to share with them.

The weekend’s agenda also included providing evangelism training to lay members and pastors and a professional seminar entitled “Failing Successfully” for a relatively small group of 300.

Pastor Costa said, “I’m very excited to see what we are doing in Guatemala to reach people in all levels of society. They have a great team here and I ask that you please continue to pray for the people who have and will be reached with this message of hope through their ministry.”

Video overview

This video provides a short summary of one of the evening meetings in Guatemala City.

Photo gallery

26
Feb 2018
AUTHOR admin

Updates from Moldova

Updates from Moldova

On Friday, February 23, a group of over 25 people led by It Is Written ministry Partners Dr. Brad and Angela Emde landed in Moldova, the poorest country of Europe, to continue the evangelism that It Is Written began there a year ago. The majority of these volunteers are high school students from a small and comparatively warm town in Tennessee. They decided that they wanted their class trip to be about service and our Partners wanted to make that a reality. The team is focused on reaching the young people of the country for Jesus Christ. During the day, the students are assisting with a free vision clinic, giving out free eye glasses and doing other community projects. In the evening, the young people are holding Vacation Bible School-style evangelism programs.

Below are the first impressions from our team in Moldova. Check back regularly this week, February 25–March 3, 2018, for more updates:

Saturday, February 24

Angela Emde, group leader:

Today we went to church and were fed lunch in different people’s homes. Wonderful hospitality and great food! After being fed supper, some kids stayed to help with a vision clinic after sundown, and others went to recreation to play ball with some Moldovan kids. We saw 50 patients in the first vision clinic.

Camille, student:

After sundown tonight, we spent four hours in clinic with only one doctor, and we saw 50 patients!

Sunday, February 25

Hannah, student:

I worked in the vision clinic today, and we saw 126 patients. It was a great experience because I got to bond with people from the community. The people are so enthusiastic and nice.

Angela Emde, group leader:

Another busy day! Some students did community service…helping old, disabled people. Others worked in the vision clinic. Then in the evening we ran two VBS programs while our Pastor Alex preached.

It’s cold here. Most of these kids are used to getting out of their warm house into their warm car and darting quickly through the cold into their warm school. So that’s an interesting adjustment for these kids. We are all learning that layers are important! Everybody is happy.

Monday, February 26

Angela Emde, group leader:

Vision clinic is all held in one room, the church’s sanctuary! We have five stations and we saw over 150 patients today! One blind man can now see and many others can see better. Students who aren’t helping in the vision clinic are working in the community offering house and yard cleaning to people who aren’t physically able to do these tasks for themselves.

We have been treated with some wonderful local foods. Tonight, we enjoyed a dessert supper: little crepes filled with jam and layered with something that is a cross between whipping cream and cream cheese. I am hoping that being cold helps burn the extra calories!

In the evening, crafts are a favorite time of VBS program and Pastor Alex and our translator are presenting meetings for the adults. One person told me today, “These kids are lights in the darkness.” I praise God for the difference our students are making here – changing hearts and lives.

Katie-Jane, student:

Although there are many significant stories, one of my experiences in the vision clinic stands out: An American living in Moldova for the past two years came to volunteer as a translator for our clinic as her “father” came to get his eyes checked. She told me that she wished that more people had the same spirit of selflessness and generosity that our group showed. She said the doctors here are greedy and prescribe unnecessary medication just for money and to keep the patients coming back again and again. She thanked us for our spirit of giving and commented that she could only hope that others would share their resources unavailable to the people here. If anything, we have opened doors, and hearts are now clearly more receptive to the love and name of Christ.

Tuesday, February 27

Angela Emde, group leader:

Good morning from cold and blustery Romania! Today we took a day trip so that the students could visit the oldest building in Galati, Romania. Built in 1647, the building was first used as a fort and then purchased by the Orthodox church. I hoped that it would snow on this trip and it did! God answers little prayers.

Thursday, March 1

Angela Emde, group leader:

There is a lot of snow on the ground for this group of Tennessee students, but it’s not slowing us down. The vision clinic is full, and several students are making visits to homes in the community offering to do yard and house work. It’s awesome to watch the smiles on people’s faces as the young people pray with them and give them a hug.

Friday, March 2

Angela Emde, group leader:

This was our last day holding the vision clinic. We saw 787 patients and dispensed over 760 glasses! It has been a full and rewarding week! Every day has started around 7:45 am and ends about 8:00 pm. The kids are exhausted but happy.

Saturday, March 3

Angela Emde, group leader:

Our work is done. We had a beautiful send-off from these wonderful people at church today. One lady in church today shared that before we came, she and her husband had to share a pair of glasses. Now they both have their own pair.

The city mayor made a special appearance in church today to thank us for the work we have done. What amazing bridges we helped the local church to build in this community! The local pastor, Alex, had tears in his eyes as the mayor spoke. It was an emotional service.

Pastor Alex made an altar call, and many people came forward to give their hearts to Jesus — many of them were the children from our VBS programs. I sat there and watched these young people making decisions for Jesus, and I cried — I don’t mean tearing up. I mean tears were pooling under my chin as I looked at these people who we helped win for the kingdom. I kept thinking over and over, “We made a difference, we really made a difference!”

22
Feb 2018
AUTHOR admin

Revelation Today Series to be held in Kansas City, Kansas

Stories from REACH KC

A new day of hope is dawning for thousands in and around Kansas City, Kansas. It Is Written is working with area churches in two states and three conferences to host a Revelation Today series presented by John Bradshaw starting next month. This is It Is Written’s first citywide evangelistic series for this growing town. The meetings will be held in the Jack Reardon Convention Center and streamed online.

Beginning March 30, 2018, Reach KC will bring together the many church members and new friends who have been working behind the scenes to build new relationships for eternity. As the meetings continue through April 28, new friends will become part of the network, strengthening existing churches, helping new churches to form, and nurturing the new flocks following the series.

“The best follow-up to any evangelistic series is the pre-work,” said Evangelism Director Yves Monnier. “We know friendship is key to closing the back door, and we’re encouraging all area members to get involved with a Reach KC project in your home church.”

Inspiring stories are pouring into It Is Written from the early contacts. Answering the call to be a part of Reach KC, Kathy* followed up on a lead card and met Sara at her home. Sara said she did not remember filling out the card, but upon further inspection the ladies were able to figure out that Peter, Sara’s husband, had filled out the card.

As God would design it, Peter arrived home at that exact time and encouraged his wife to join him in the Bible studies; Kathy happily helped them both get signed up. When they began studying, it became clear that Peter did not have a Bible. Kathy gave him one and soon realized from his excitement that this was the first Bible he had owned in his entire life. Peter was 94 years old and he lives in urban United States! Peter eagerly anticipated what he would learn from his new book. As he continued studying his own Bible, Peter fell in love with Jesus. He loved what he is learning so much that he has asked to be buried with his Bible but quickly added, “I’m in no hurry to die!”

Now is the time to pray for the entire series. For well over a year now, It Is Written representatives and local church members have been reaching their local communities through targeted events, small group gatherings, and one-on-one Bible studies. The meetings starting March 30 will solidify the decisions many people have already made for Jesus Christ and challenge others who are still waiting to make a decision. We are excited to be a part of making new friends for Jesus in Kansas City!

Over the next several weeks leading up to this series, check this blog site often for updates and stories about how God is working. We have a lot of stories to share already!

*All names are changed.

6
Feb 2018
AUTHOR admin

Philippines & South Africa Mission Trips

Join John Bradshaw & It Is Written on a Mission Trip in 2018

23,000,000. That’s the combined population of two places where It Is Written is doing mission trips in 2018. Those places are the Central Luzon region in the Philippines and the Guateng province in South Africa.

The Gauteng province is home to the administrative capital of South Africa, Pretoria, and also the largest city in the country, Johannesburg. It is the place where four languages overlap: Zulu, Afrikaans, Sotho, and English. About 50% of the population lives at or below poverty level because unemployment is rampant. The economic forecast for these people is bleaker than a category 5 hurricane about to make landfall.  

The Central Luzon region is where the two largest cities in the Philippines are located: Quezon City (almost 3 million inhabitants) and Manila (1.8 million inhabitants). According to the World Economic Forum, Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is the fourth most crowded city in the world (behind Dhaka, Bangladesh; Mumbai, India; and Medellin, Colombia) with 38,480 people per square mile. If that number were applied to Chattanooga, Tennessee (a city of 177,000 people where It Is Written is headquartered) the population would be a whopping 25 million people. In other words, the citizens of Manila literally live on top of each other and in often deplorable conditions.

Millions in the Central Luzon region and the Gauteng province are living with no hope of a better life—nothing to look forward to. The long-term solution is not a windfall of money, or a better head of state, but a new head of heart: Jesus Christ. And that’s the message we as Christians have been mandated to proclaim far and wide.

This year you are invited to join It Is Written to share that message in the Philippines and South Africa, through two different mission trips.

Both trips are two weeks long, during which volunteers will be conducting nightly evangelistic, Christ-centered presentations. The manuscripts and slides for the presentations are provided by It Is Written and are easy to use whether a person is a veteran preacher or a novice. In addition to the nightly meetings, It Is Written is also including a health component to these mission trips. We’re not referring to simply a short health talk prior to each nightly presentation, but the operation of basic health clinics where people can visit kind and caring health professionals. Doctors (all specialties), dentists, nurses, physical therapists, etc., are all needed to build vital bridges with people who find themselves in dire situations.

The needs are great and the door of opportunity to share the Good News in word and action is wide open. Join It Is Written this year for an exciting, life-changing mission adventure.

Sign up here!

29
Dec 2017
AUTHOR admin

Just in Time

For decades, It Is Written has been sharing the everlasting gospel with the world. Lives continue to be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In early 2017, It Is Written Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger presented a series of meetings in Dickinson, North Dakota. This account he shared reminds me why It Is Written shares Jesus in the United States and around the world.

As a young man, Ron was ‘rough around the edges.’ His friends referred to him as “Party Boy,” and although he had no time for God in his life, he went on to own a number of successful businesses. When Ron lost much of his wealth during an economic downturn he found faith in Jesus. He decided he would run what remained of his businesses in a way that represented his Christian principles.

Ron began to support a number of worthy causes in his community and sponsored the monthly “friendship dinners” held at the very church where Eric held his evangelistic series. He and his wife Bette began to attend the church, and when Eric’s “Which Way, America?” series began they didn’t miss a night.

At the conclusion of the meetings, they wrestled with the question of baptism and church membership. After much prayer and discussion, Pastor Flickinger said to them both, “This decision is up to you. But if you’d like to be baptized, be here tomorrow with a towel and a change of clothes.” That night, Eric prayed for Ron and Bette, and the next morning he was thrilled to see them arrive at the church, prepared for baptism.

After their baptism, Ron and Bette invested their time and resources in helping others study the Bible and grow in their faith in God. The disciple had become the disciple maker. They continued to sponsor the monthly friendship dinners and did all they could to help others know the Savior. They loved God, and they loved His people and His church.

Just a few weeks ago, I received a phone call. Ron was dead.

As sad as I was, and although my heart ached for Bette, I couldn’t help but praise God for the way He had worked in Ron’s life. Once a wild young man who lived apart from God, he was led to make a decision for Christ in an It Is Written evangelistic series—just months before he passed away.

The It Is Written series had taken place at precisely the right time for Ron and Bette. Which is why we do what we do. Our television and other media productions, our resources, our evangelistic outreach, evangelism training, and so much more… It’s all to reach the Rons of this world.

And there are more Rons waiting to be reached. They’re everywhere. Ron could have been your father, or spouse, or grandfather, or neighbor, or friend. You see a Ron or a Bette at work, or when you do your grocery shopping. And they need to be reached with the best news of all.

Imagine if that series had not been held. Imagine if Pastor Flickinger had not appealed to their hearts!

Our 2018 evangelism calendar is full. We have more requests to hold meetings than we can meet. This next year will be the busiest year for media production in It Is Written’s history. We’ll produce more effective soul-winning resources. And why? Because of Ron. And because of Bette.

There are more Rons to be reached. To help It Is Written reach more people, just in time, click here.

21
Nov 2017
AUTHOR admin

The Reformation Revived

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, It Is Written returned to Europe. Two parallel series took place—one in Luther’s Germany where the Reformation began and the other in Rome, Italy, a place where much of the Reformation controversy centered.

ROME SERIES

In Rome, from October 25 to 31, Speaker/Director John Bradshaw preached an evangelistic series titled Solo Cinque. Solo Cinque focused on the five premises of the Reformation, known as the Five Solas. These are five Latin phrases that emerged during the Reformation to summarize the Reformers’ theological convictions about the essentials of Christianity. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone); Sola Fide (faith alone); Sola Gratia (grace alone); Solus Christus (Christ alone); and Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). “It’s really a special privilege to be able to share the message of the Bible in Rome. The city is so historic. So much has happened here that impacted Christianity and the world. God has worked through these meetings,” John said. Mariarosa Cavalieri, It Is Written’s evangelism coordinator in Rome, trained and organized over 100 members from five churches across Rome for the series. They spent more than one year preparing for the bridge-building series, Solo Cinque, which was held barely one mile from the Vatican. The series climaxed on October 31, the day when 500 years ago Martin Luther nailed his history-changing theses.

The short October series has paved the way for a longer series which will follow in May 2019. There have been powerful evidences of God at work in Rome. In the meantime, the devil was also at work trying to slow down the positive momentum. Only one month before the series, the largest participating church had a fire, possibly caused by arson, that caused considerable smoke damage. The members, however, were undeterred in their service to the Lord.

“The church was full on opening night and got more full every night. People were so thankful to hear that eternal salvation is graciously given by God to all who desire it: No penance or works required. Now we are getting ready for the full-message series in May 2019. It’s exciting to watch God at work,” It Is Written Evangelism Director Yves Monnier said.

GERMANY SERIES

In Stuttgart, Germany, Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger presented an evangelistic series titled Macht. Glaube. Hoffnung. Was würde Luther uns heute sagen? (Power. Faith. Hope. What would Luther say to us today?). The series ran for three weekends from October 13 to 29. Pastor Flickinger explored the origins of the Reformation and the similarities between Luther’s time and our world today.

The series was the culmination of months of much work, prayer, and diligent preparation. Under the faithful leadership of Hartmut Winschaft, It Is Written’s evangelism coordinator in Stuttgart, hundreds of people attended the series each night. A broad advertising campaign invited the entire city to Liederhalle, a convention center in the heart of the city, to hear God’s word resonate like it did 500 years ago.

“Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther kindled the fires of a reformation that has impacted nearly every area of life in the Western world,” Eric Flickinger said. “Now, we have had the privilege of carrying his torch forward in Germany, the very birthplace of the Reformation.”

Please pray for the people of Germany and Italy. To donate to this evangelistic outreach, visit itiswritten.com/give.