Category: Updates

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.

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.

You often hear people refer to “the good old days.”

It’s hard to know exactly when the good old days were. Maybe it was back when it seems people had more respect for institutions and clung more firmly to family values. Which equates to about the same time period as Jim Crow and the Cold War and cigarettes being considered healthy. The good old days.

You might think that 500 years ago was the good old days. There were no cars, no planes, no plastic, and no industrial pollution. But there were no computers, no internet, no United States, no x-rays, no antibiotics, no anesthetic… and no Bible available to the people. 

Imagine a world with no Bible! Consequently, there was no understanding of the plan of salvation, no hope, and no knowledge of the true God. But along came people like William Tyndale of England, driven by God to translate the Bible into English. Tyndale’s translation provided a lot of what we read today in the King James Version and other translations of the Bible. Translating the Bible caused Tyndale to be banished from his home country and executed for his work of bringing God’s word to the people. 

While Martin Luther is rightly remembered as a great reformer, what’s often forgotten is that Luther was a Bible translator, translating the Bible into German. Luther’s New Testament was published in 1522, four years before Tyndale’s English New Testament.

Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”

This week, the Reformation takes center stage at It Is Written. 500, our nine-part series on the Reformation, has begun airing and tonight Solo Cinque starts in Rome, Italy, just one mile from the Vatican City.

Rome has long been one of the great cities of the world. It is featured in the prophecies of the Bible, and it was the church of Rome that was the object of reform during the Reformation. Now, in commemoration of the events 500 years ago, I’ll be presenting a series of six messages in the heart of the Eternal City.

Like many of the world’s major cities, Rome is in desperate need of a revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray that the meetings held over the next week or so—and our follow-up meetings next year—will introduce many people to the beauty of God’s word and the gift of salvation in Jesus.

While I’m presenting God’s word in Rome, It Is Written’s Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger is sharing the Bible in Stuttgart, a major city in Luther’s Germany. So far, God has done great things in these meetings.

“Our attendance has been growing,” Pastor Flickinger said. “Even though the church is active in Stuttgart, it’s a tough city to reach with the everlasting gospel. Germany is a very secular country. But people responding, and we’re encouraged by what God is doing.”

As Eric speaks in Germany, the Holy Spirit is impressing hearts. And not always in ways you might consider to be the most obvious.

“Early in my series, I made the statement that the Bible can be trusted. At home, we take statements like that for granted, but it’s different here. One man heard me say that and it had a major effect on him. He had never, ever considered that the Bible could be trusted. That simple thought has changed his life and he has continued to attend the series. We’re praying hard for him and many others like him.”

The lands where the Reformation occurred are now mired in spiritual darkness. But we know that the everlasting gospel will go to “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6).

Thank you for praying for these initiatives. Our 500 TV program series will be seen all over the world, taking viewers through the major themes of the Reformation. Our Every Word devotionals focus on this month on the Reformation. And our Reformation evangelistic meetings in Germany and Rome, Italy and going to present Christ and the power of His word.

We desperately need God’s blessing, so I’m asking sincerely that you would pray.

When we look back on opportunities like these, we’ll see that these are the good old days.

Watch the 500 series on It Is Written TV.

Watch the series in Rome at 8:00 p.m. local time: http://hopechannel.it/diretta-roma-lungotevere/

Topic schedule:

Wednesday, October 25
Sola Scriptura
Is the Bible the final authority?

Thursday, October 26
Solus Christus
What do you know about Jesus?

Friday, October 27
Sola Fide
Does it matter you believe?

Saturday, October 28
Sola Gratia
You are greatly loved

Sunday, October 29 OFF

Monday, October 30
Soli Deo Gloria
God in your life today

Tuesday, October 31
Non Solo (Never alone)
You can make a difference

In April 1521, Martin Luther stood before a crowd in Worms, Germany, when he courageously asserted his position regarding salvation by grace. He concluded his discourse with these unforgettable words: “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”

About 500 years later and just barely two hours from that very location, another man—albeit not as well known—is also boldly proclaiming the same message before a crowd. The man is It Is Written Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger. The place is the city of Stuttgart, Germany, and the name of this series is, “Here I stand: Power, Faith, and Hope.”

On a nightly basis, Pastor Flickinger is opening God’s word and essentially repeating the message that shook the world 500 years ago and started the Protestant Reformation. Even though millions of Germans will be celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the nailing of the 95 Theses by Martin Luther on October 31, most people don’t know the story behind their folk hero. Through a very energetic translator, Christopher Kramp, Pastor Flickinger is sharing that story plus a lot more.

So far, a very consistent crowd has shown up to hear the messages, 25 percent of the attendees are people are hearing these Bible-based messages for the very first time. One white-haired gentleman sat right in front of Pastor Flickinger and soaked in every word coming out of his mouth.  At the end of the presentation, he was in tears because for the first time in life he started believing that there was such a thing as absolute truth. All his life he wandered and wondered about right and wrong. Now, no more.

One of the most exciting parts of this project is that most of the organizers and volunteers are young people in their twenties. This old message is one that thrills them and it’s one they want their friends and neighbors to hear. Just like Martin Luther turned his world upside down, or right side up, It Is Written is committed to doing the same in the 21^st century. Keep Pastor Flickinger, the whole team of volunteers, and, of course, the guests in your prayers. Miracles are happening in Germany.

For ten days, hundreds of residents of one the largest Roma (Gypsy) neighborhood in Bulgaria packed the streets to hear the word of God preached from an outdoor platform by It Is Written Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger. At the conclusion of the seminar, 52 people were baptized in a lake outside of the city of Kyustendil in southwest Bulgaria. Having found hope and salvation in Jesus Christ, they chose to wade into the water testifying they had surrendered their hearts and lives to the God of heaven. 

Along with the 52 who were baptized, hundreds of friends and family made the mile-long walk from the church to the baptismal site, eager to be a part of the celebration of a brand new life. Waiting for each baptismal candidate in the water were Pastor Biser of the local Roma church, Pastor Pastor Crowley of Maryland, and Pastor Flickinger. Three at a time, the baptismal candidates were plunged under the chilly waters of the lake, only to come up again with smiles beaming from their water-streaked faces. Those baptized were between ages 20 and 74 and included a Pentecostal pastor.

Their example made a powerful impression on others who had attended Pastor Flickinger’s nightly meetings. In addition to those baptized, 450 people are now studying the Bible in preparation for their own baptism!

Please keep the work in Bulgaria in your prayers as evangelistic series and Bible studies continue across the country. More baptisms are scheduled for this coming weekend.

“It was a privilege to share the gospel in such an amazing place, and work alongside so many people who are truly committed to God,” Pastor Flickinger said.  “My translator was a full-time medical student. Between travel and time at the meetings, she was giving five hours every day to this outreach effort—while carrying a full load of medical school classes. And there were so many others who gave themselves to sharing Christ. It was inspiring, and God blessed their ministry in an amazing way.”

A number of common phrases in the English language came into use because of the Bible. “Under the sun,” “signs of the times,” “my brother’s keeper,” “the land of the living,” “the apple of his eye,” and “go the extra mile,” were all first written in Scripture.

The William Tyndale Church in Gloucestershire, England.

Not only are they all from the Bible, but they’re all from William Tyndale’s translation of the Bible. In 1536, Tyndale was executed in Belgium by the Catholic Church. He had fled England in order to translate the Bible, having been denied permission to translate the Bible into English. A law passed in 1408 made it a capital offense to translate anything from the Bible into English. One documentarian compared Tyndale to William Shakespeare, calling him a genius, such was Tyndale’s gift for languages and his astonishing ability as a translator. 

Eighty-three percent of the New Testament and more than 75 percent of the Old Testament in the King James Version of the Bible was taken straight from Tyndale’s work. Tyndale was committed to getting the Bible into the hands of the people, and once said to an opponent, “I will cause the boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou dost!” His commitment to translating the Bible meant he had to flee England, and he never returned. I’ve visited the spot just outside Brussels, Belgium where Tyndale was executed. It’s easy to forget today that in days past men and women were hunted, exiled, executed for possessing the Scriptures, and it’s easy to take for granted the blessing we have in possessing the Bible. 

Psalm 1:1, 2 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night.”  Notice that wording. The Bible talks about people who aren’t merely interested in God’s word, who don’t simply acknowledge God’s word, but “delight” in God’s word. So how is it with you? Is God’s word a “delight” to you? You don’t want to take God’s word for granted. If you allow it to do so, it will change your life.

*Bible translator William Tyndale is featured in part three of It Is Written’s upcoming nine-part series on the Reformation, “500,” which debuts in October on television and online.

It Is Written Celebrates 500 Years of Reformation in Europe

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther walked to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the church door. The 95 Theses, or the list of 95 questions and topics Luther was proposing for debate, would later become the foundation of the Protestant Reformation.

This October will be 500 years since that iconic day. The Protestant Reformation was a religious and political revolution that would forever alter religion, art, music, and politics. It would also claim many Reformers’ lives as they dared to stand for the Bible. Today, we can thank God that Martin Luther followed His leading and brought Bible truth to light.

It Is Written will share God’s light throughout Europe this year in honor of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.  Two parallel series will take place: one in Luther’s Germany with It Is Written Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger; and the other in Rome, Italy, presented by It Is Written Speaker/Director Pastor John Bradshaw.

Sharing the Gospel in Rome

In Rome, from October 25 to 31, Pastor Bradshaw will be preaching an evangelistic series titled Solo Cinque (The Five Solas). Solo Cinque will focus on the five biblical principles that were foundational to the Protestant Reformation. 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. So much has happened in Rome that has impacted Christianity and the world. I’m praying God will do something in these meetings that will do the same,” Pastor Bradshaw said.

Mariarosa Cavalieri, It Is Written’s evangelism coordinator in Rome, has trained and organized over 100 members from five churches across Rome. These church members have not only participated in outreach but will assist with the Solo Cinque series, which will climax on October 31, 500 years to the day that Martin Luther nailed his history-changing theses. The short October series will then pave the way for a longer series which will follow in May 2018.

There has been powerful evidence of God at work in Rome. In the meantime, the devil is working to hinder the progress being made. A week ago, the largest participating church was damaged by fire, believed to be the result of arson. Although the building suffered considerable smoke damage, church members are undeterred in their service for the Lord.

“It Is Written is excited to be responding to God’s call and share the gospel with the people of Rome this year,” It Is Written Evangelism Director Yves Monnier said. “Imagine, going to the place where thousands of Christians died as martyrs during Nero’s persecution and where centuries later Martin Luther’s eyes were opened regarding the false teachings of the church as he climbed Pilate’s staircase. We pray that we will exhibit the faithfulness of the early Christians and the courage of Luther as we boldly proclaim the love of Jesus in a city that over time has become very spiritually dark.”

Evangelism in Germany

In Stuttgart, Germany, Associate Speaker Eric Flickinger will present an evangelistic series titled Hier Stehe Ich: Was Luther Heute Sagen Würde (Here I Stand: What Luther Would Say Today). The series will run for three weekends from October 13 to 29. Pastor Flickinger will look at the origins of the Reformation and the similarities between Luther’s time and our world today.

This series is the culmination of months of work, prayer, and diligent preparation. Under the faithful leadership of Hartmut Winschaft, It Is Written’s evangelism coordinator in Stuttgart, there has been a flurry of evangelism activity on the eastern side of the city. A broad advertising campaign will invite the entire city to Liederhalle, a modern convention center in the heart of the city, to hear God’s word resonate as 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. “In October we have the privilege of carrying his torch forward in Germany, the very birthplace of the Reformation.”

Please pray for these historic series and the people of Germany and Italy.

Your support for this evangelism outreach is needed and would be greatly appreciated. To donate, visit itiswritten.com/give

God works in remarkable ways.  When we take the time to listen to His voice, He lets us work alongside Him.

Nathan is a student at SALT, It Is Written’s evangelism training school. A few night’s ago he had an experience worth sharing:

“Before going to bed I went for a short walk. Suddenly, out of the shadows of the street lights, a young man emerged. We began talking, and it turned out Danny was trying to contact his mother. I offered him the use of my phone, but even though he called several times his mother never answered.

I was about to say goodbye when I felt impressed to offer him a ride home. I argued with my conscience. “I couldn’t do that!” I told myself, but the voice persisted.

“I have a car,” I told him. “Why don’t I take you home.” He couldn’t believe it. “Wow,” he answered. “I’d appreciate that a lot!”

When I got back to my room and reached out to grab my car keys, I noticed the red and white box of It Is Written Bible Studies on my shelf. It was then the thought hit me. “Nathan, this could be your first Bible study!”

I grabbed the first study about the character and trustworthiness of God, and ran to my car. Danny and I got in and drove off.

Not quite certain how to broach the subject of Bible studies, I simply came right out and said, “Danny, have you ever been interested in studying the Bible?”

His reply surprised me. “I’m actually working on reading my Bible through, but I got sort of bogged down in the Old Testament.”

I told him about SALT, and that I was looking for people to study the Bible with. I asked him if he’d like to study with me, and he said yes! I was overjoyed!

When we pulled into Danny’s driveway, his mother was waiting and I struck up a conversation with her. “I’ve been hoping Danny would find some good friends,” she told me. “Would you mind taking him to church with you?”

Surprised, I turned to Danny. “Would you like to go to church? I’d be willing to take you.” He said he’d love to.

If you think a roller coaster gets you excited, try witnessing. It will redefine your idea of joy and excitement. The English language can’t describe the happiness and joy I felt as I reflected on this crazy, amazing, and unforeseen interaction, and I’m feeling that joy again as I type these words now. 

No qualifications are needed for service to God, just a willing heart. As has often been said, ”God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”

And we’ve all been called.

To learn more about SALT, visit saltevangelism.com