Impressions Summer 2015, Issue 3 by It Is Written, Inc

W W W. I T I S W R I T T E N . C O M

A CHRISTIAN MEDIA MINISTRY

PAGE

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SUMMER 2015

STREAMING the

TRUTH

Partnering Together for His Glory

It Is Written Ambassadors

on the cover

STREAMING the

TRUTH

A Revelation Today series unlike any other, this breakthrough event will allow anyone anywhere to stream the truth right into their home or church to share insights from Revelation presented by John Bradshaw.

aspects 04

Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desk

Staff Highlight

Mission Report

Escrito EstĂĄ

My Place With Jesus

The Impact: Stories of lives forever changed in Edmonton

Devotional

22 2

impressions

Partnering Together for His Glory

It Is Written Ambassadors

impressions magazine SUMMER 2015 ISSUE 3 EXECUTIVE EDITOR John Bradshaw EDITOR Annalyse Hasty ART DIRECTOR Michael Prewitt GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ariel Warren Copyright © 2015 by It Is Written. All rights reserved. It Is Written and My Place With Jesus are registered trademarks and/ or service marks of It Is Written, Inc. Escrito Está is a trademark of It Is Written, Inc.

connect with us www.itiswritten.org BUSINESS HOURS M – Th, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST SUBSCRIPTIONS impressions@iiw.org It Is Written, P.O. Box 6, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0006 423-362-5800 SOCIAL MEDIA

calendar

SUMMER 2015

July 23 — 25

USA

John Bradshaw speaks at Central California Conference Camp Meeting in Soquel, CA

July 31 — August 2

Canada

John Bradshaw speaks at British Columbia Conference Camp Meeting in Hope, BC

August 5 — 8 John Bradshaw speaks at ASI National Convention in Spokane, WA

September 11 — 13 IIW Partnership weekend event in Gatlinburg, TN

See page 8 for details. September 18 — 20 IIW Partnership weekend event in Gettysburg, PA

See page 8 for details.

facebook.com/itiswritten

September 25 — 27

pinterest.com/itiswritten

IIW Partnership weekend event in Portland, OR

plus.google.com/+ItIsWrittenInc twitter.com/itiswritten youtube.com/ItIsWrittenInc

See page 8 for details. Starting October 9 Revelation Today—The Mysteries Revealed series in Chattanooga, TN. See page 16 for details.

notes

save the date

Resources

Planned Giving

It Is Written Updates

2015 Partnership Events See page 8 for dates and locations.

Partnership Highlight

September 30 — October 11

Tributes

If you are interested in joining this team, please contact Yves Monnier at 661-319-9529 or yves@iiw.org.

Mongolia

Mission: Mongolia team serves in Ulaanbaatar.

COVER: PHOTO ON TABLET BY JONATHAN SHIM

SUMMER 2015

Director’s Desk

It Is Written now has the opportunity to put down real roots.

hese are historic times for the world in which we live. And the God of Heaven, who sees the end from the beginning, has arranged for these to be historic times for It Is Written. Our recent relocation from California to Tennessee was a big move for It Is Written. Changing our management structure to increase efficiency and effectiveness was another significant ministry development. The addition of our new Associate Speaker (read more on page 25) will allow us to expand our ministry in exciting ways. And there’s another major change ahead for It Is Written. We still need a home! Anyone who has visited our new ministry headquarters in Chattanooga knows that things there are a little … cozy. As happy as we are, we’re in cramped quarters which are definitely temporary. As It Is Written continues to grow, we are needing to move into a permanent home sooner rather than later. The recent purchase of 8.5 acres of land in Collegedale was truly a blessing from God (page 31). Our challenge now is to turn 8.5 acres of land into a new, permanent headquarters for a ministry that continues to reach the globe with the life-changing good news of the Bible. That’s going to take a lot of time and effort. And resources. After renting premises in California for many years, It Is Written now has the 4

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opportunity to put down real roots, and I’m encouraged that just as God has led us during this transition time, He will continue to do so. Clearly, the God of Heaven has It Is Written poised for ministry expansion and opportunity. A lady recently contacted me and shared with me not only a remarkable story but also a special request. She had been watching It Is Written on television and was convicted by God to join the church and be baptized. She then asked if I would baptize her, and has said she is willing to travel to Chattanooga in order to make that happen! One of our field representatives recently visited two different families in one city who began attending the church after watching It Is Written on television. God is using It Is Written powerfully, and that’s thanks to you. There is much the Lord is doing through It Is Written, and much more that He will do. He has led us to Tennessee so we can be more effective in His service. As we embrace this latest opportunity— building a permanent ministry home on our new land—I’m asking you to pray for God’s blessing on this important new phase of It Is Written’s growth. God is building— literally—the It Is Written of tomorrow.!

John Bradshaw

Speaker & Director

As a young boy, George Vandeman was already being prepared by God to change the face of ministry. During his childhood, George’s father, Herbert Vandeman, was among the first evangelists to use radio to reach people for Christ. Passing on his entrepreneurial spirit, Herbert taught George to build a simple “crystal” radio set. Even as a child, George was impressed by the power of the airwaves to impact the masses. Many years later, in 1956, that same fascination would fuel him to explore the power of TV for God by establishing It Is Written.

CELEBRATING 60 years OF MINISTRY REFLECTIONS ON THE HISTORY OF IT IS WRITTEN

Feature

Partnering Together for His Glory Every year It Is Written hosts events across the country for our Partners. Recently, Ellen Metcalf, Development Director, asked John Bradshaw, Speaker/Director, to share some of his personal impressions of our Partnership weekends. Ellen

When did you and Melissa first attend a Partnership event?

John

Our first event was many years ago in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Melissa and I were newly married. Elder Larry Caviness was the guest speaker. It was a great event. I remember thinking that this was a real mountaintop experience—truly inspirational and entirely mission-focused. Do you and Melissa have a favorite Partnership location?

That’s hard to say because they vary so much, and every location has its unique qualities that make it special. I love the beach in Monterey, the mountains in Gatlinburg, the beauty of Welches. They’re all unique and great fun. Regardless of the location, meeting and visiting with Partners is really the highlight for me. Our Partners are always raving about the food at these events. Do you have a favorite meal?

Supper on Friday night. It’s the first meal, the start of the 6

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weekend. Partnership is starting and I can’t wait to get into the program. That meal says, “We’re here, and this is going to be another great weekend!” It Is Written has many Partners nation-wide. Who makes up this group?

It Is Written Partners are a wonderfully varied group—business people, physicians, moms and dads, retired church workers, nurses, programmers, teachers. What most distinguishes Partners is not so much what they do but what’s in their heart. It Is Written Partners love evangelism and have a heart for ministry and the mission of the church. They’re the most incredible group of people you’ll ever meet. What makes an It Is Written supporter a Partner?

Partners have chosen to support It Is Written in a very tangible way. They provide the financial support that enables the ministry to share Jesus with the world. Partners

make an annual commitment of at least $1,500, and many commit more. They support the ministry through prayer, and many have become Ambassadors—representing It Is Written in their local churches, camp-meetings, and communities (learn more on page 22). Some Ambassadors run It Is Written Bible Schools (page 14). The opportunities are exciting and endless! What is the advantage of being an It Is Written Partner?

This is a relationship like no other. Partners are reaching the far corners of the Earth—as well as their own backyard—through It Is Written. They are actively, aggressively impacting lives for eternity. Once a year, we invite our Partners to a weekend retreat in six locations around the country. We want them to be the first to hear the behind-thescenes stories and our plans. How does someone become an It Is Written Partner?

It’s as easy as donating $125 every month or $1,500 every year to It Is Written. Some Partners write a monthly check, others donate online, or set up a recurring deduction. We try to make it as easy as possible.

Why do you believe in hosting Partnership weekends? Wouldn’t Partners support It Is Written anyway?

I know they would. Our Partners believe in our mission of proclaiming truth and changing lives. Our Partnership events allow us to give a backstage pass to those people who support us so that they can see, firsthand, what is going on. I want to be able to have a meal with our Partners, I want to share personal stories with them, and I want to give them the chance to share insights with me. Who do you want to see at Partnership this year?

I would love to see every one of our Partners in our weekend retreats this year. The Lord is building the It Is Written of tomorrow and I want to share that personally with each of our Partners. We have a special meeting planned for Saturday night where I am going to be sharing some exciting plans. No one wants to miss this year’s Partnership weekend! Ellen Metcalf is the Director of Development for It Is Written. Ellen and her team plan the yearly Partnership weekend events.

See how to register on page 8.

SUMMER 2015

Partnership

You’re invited...

to an unforgettable weekend retreat

Partnership weekends are highly spiritual and inspirational. They are a memorable celebration full of fellowship, preaching, and music. We provide five catered vegetarian meals, a comfortable hotel room, and exciting stories about what God is doing through the ministry of It Is Written. A special program is designed for children as well! A Partner is an influential and vital part of the It Is Written mission. Your annual gift of $1,500 (or $125 per month) supports programs like our weekly broadcast series, online media, worldwide evangelistic ministry, and Christian living and faith-sharing resources. JOIN US

Partnership Weekends

Gatlinburg, TN September 11–13

Palm Springs, CA November 6–8

Gatlinburg, TN December 4–6

2015

Call 1-800-479-9056 or visit www.itiswritten.com/partnership for more information or to register.

Gettysburg, PA

Portland, OR

Monterey, CA

Orlando, FL

September 18–20

November 13–15

September 25–27

November 20–22

“I look forward to seeing you at Partnership!”

TRUTH LIVES

PROCLAIMING CHANGING

John Bradshaw, It Is Written Speaker/Director impressions

BY ANNALYSE HASTY, Editor

Staff Highlight

Ellen Metcalf DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Get to know Ellen: What is your favorite meal? Indian paneer masala, dal, vegetable samosas, and mango lassi.

What is your hobby? I love snow skiing! One day I hope to ski in the Alps. I hope there are snowy mountains in Heaven. What is one thing that most of your coworkers don’t know about you? My husband of

BENTLEY

Over the last year, It Is Written has gone through a lot of Godgiven growth. This growth and blessing has created many new and good things. One of those things has been the addition of Ellen Metcalf, It Is Written’s new Director of Development. Following a diverse job history, and many years of marketing and leadership experience, God led Ellen to It Is Written in April of 2015. “For several years, my husband and I had been praying that the Lord would open up a career door for me that was more in line with

16 years and I have no children together but we think Bentley, our English mastiff, believes he is our biological son.

my skill set and interests,” Ellen said. “In June of 2014, I wrote down all the things that I wanted in my future position, never imagining that the Lord would open a position with a ministry that fits that list perfectly.” Being new on the team, Ellen’s take-charge perspective on life has allowed her to adapt quickly, and lead a very important part of the It Is Written ministry. “I think of my department as the engine that enables the ministry to carry out its mission,” Ellen said. “I am still learning all the nuts and bolts of what that entails.” Though the learning curve may have been sharp, Ellen has settled in and is thankful God led her to a place she loves. “It is refreshing to work here. I love coming to work with people who want to be here, who love what they do and who they do it for,” Ellen said. “I am right where I need to be.“

PHOTO: JAMES B. CLOSSER

SUMMER 2015

Mission Report

MISSION: Mongolia

Bringing Hope H

ow do you reach a people who have not even heard of Jesus? How do you introduce a loving Savior to a population who, for 70 years, has been told that God does not exist? How can the people of Mongolia be won for the Lord?

One of the best ways to make friends for Jesus is through an emphasis on health.

The answer to these questions comes from these wise words written by an insightful Christian author: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” In other words, make friends with people. And that’s exactly what It Is Written is doing in partnership with a handful of committed Christians in Mongolia. One of the best ways to make friends for Jesus is through an emphasis on health. Mongolians face some grim realities when it comes to health. The top three causes of death are stroke, liver cancer, and coronary heart disease. This results in an average life expectancy of 68 years (127th in world rankings). All three of these causes are connected to a poor lifestyle. In addition to that, what is exacerbating the situation is an alarming influx of people to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The city was built with an infrastructure to handle a population of half a million people. In the last 10 years the city has grown to well over 1.5 million people. Most live in overcrowded tent communities with no running water, and some with no electricity. By the way, imagine such living conditions when temperatures drop to -30°F, something very common in the long Mongolian winters. Over the next couple years It Is Written is organizing several medical mission trips to care for the needy and to promote a healthier lifestyle in Mongolia. The first of these trips will be this fall, from September 30 to October 11. Physicians, dentists, and other health professionals will be traveling to Mongolia and providing essential healthcare at three locations in the heart of these impoverished tent communities. The plan also includes nightly health talks, introductory Bible presentations, and the distribution of the most precious book of all, the Bible. These friend-building activities will pave the way for a city-wide series of Bible presentations in 2017 by Pastor John Bradshaw. That’s when the many friends that will have been made through health ministry, along with their families, will be invited to attend life-changing presentations. The opportunity in Mongolia is huge. The time is now. Please keep this important evangelism project in your daily prayers as It Is Written does its little part to be a witness in the “uttermost part of the earth.”

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING in one of our mission trips to Mongolia, please contact Yves Monnier, project director, at yves@iiw.org

Above: Mongolians in the Ger District traditionally live in these white circular tents called gers. It is a one-room tent with a central post and a stove in the middle, where people live, eat, and sleep. Multiple families often live in one ger and most of the gers have no running water.

Yves Monnier is the Director of Evangelism for It Is Written. He schedules and oversees all of the ministry’s evangelism projects around the world.

SUMMER 2015

Escrito Está

As he left the baptismal waters, he was signing non-stop, telling the world with his hands how happy he was to give his life to Jesus.

icky was a young deaf-mute boy from Riberalta, Bolivia. He began to study the Bible by himself, and soon discovered our Bible studies online. In the public school he attended, there were several young people who were deaf or had other disabilities. A young Adventist girl also attended the same school, and she had been praying, asking God to show her how she could best share her faith with her classmates. When she discovered that Ricky was interested in studying the Bible, she pushed herself to the limit to learn sign language so she could study with him. She mastered the art in record time and soon they were communicating and studying together. As a result, Ricky accepted Jesus and embraced Bible truth.

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But something interesting happened. While they were still going through the Bible studies, Ricky began to share what he was learning with the eight other deaf-mute students in the school. This past March, during Easter week, It Is Written’s Escrito Está team was in Bolivia for a week-long reaping series. The team spread out over several cities with simultaneous meetings throughout Bolivia. Ricky attended the meetings Pastor Bradshaw was conducting in Santa Cruz—and brought along all eight of his deaf–mute friends! A sign language translator was sent from city hall to translate the meetings—a lady in charge of disabled services in Santa Cruz. She enjoyed the presentations so much that she requested Christian materials for the deaf in her city.

Top: Ricky after his baptism with local pastor Winston Sarzuri.

On the last weekend of the series, Ricky committed his life to Jesus and was baptized. As he left the baptismal waters, he was signing non-stop, telling the world with his hands how happy he was to give his life to Jesus. A few weeks ago, we received a report that a small group has formed, and a new congregation is being planned for the many deaf-mute people in the largest city of Bolivia. At the close of the multiple series throughout Bolivia, a total of 4,451 people were baptized, and 8,543 continue studying the Bible and are preparing for baptism. How are such numbers possible? Is it just a phenomenon of Latin America that so many people respond to the gospel message? Absolutely not! It is only by the concerted efforts of everyone working together, committed to evangelism, that so many people can come to know Jesus and His love for them. God’s Spirit led Ricky to our website. It also led a young girl to study the Bible with him. It led Escrito Está to Bolivia to preach the gospel message, and it is leading thousands of people throughout the country, where more than 2,800 small groups are now studying the Bible and leading people to Christ. This year, Escrito Está will celebrate its 21st anniversary. The Bible-based messages, programs, internet resources, and materials have led countless thousands to Jesus through the years. Escrito Está is seen in 138 countries, on more than 11,000 channels. Every week, more than 1 million people tune in to hear the Bible messages. Jesus is coming soon, and we need to tell the world! Please continue to pray for the ministry of Escrito Está as it reaches the Hispanic world with the gospel message. Your prayers and support make all the difference.

Bottom: Baptisms at 12,000 feet above sea level in La Paz, following one of several evangelistic series throughout Bolivia.

To learn more about Escrito Está and watch TV programs and devotionals in Spanish, visit www.escritoesta.org Every Word now available in American Sign Language. Subscribe at www.itiswritten.com/ daily-devotional-signup

PASTOR ROBERT COSTA is the speaker for Escrito Está, It Is Written’s Spanish program. He also serves as associate ministerial secretary for global evangelism at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Silver Spring, Maryland.

SUMMER 2015

Resources

It Is Written Bible School

Learn how you can partner with It Is Written to reach your community with the everlasting gospel.

Choose one of the options below, and take the first step by mailing the cards or sharing Lesson #1.

A. It Is Written Bible School Card

»» Mail the It Is Written Bible School Card to the ZIP codes of your choice. Pricing for Standard Card (estimated return rate of 3 per 1,000) 1,000 $99.99* *Price does not include postage.

B. It Is Written Bible School Extra-Large Trifold Card

»» Mail the It Is Written Extra-Large Trifold Card to the ZIP codes of your choice. Pricing for Extra-Large Trifold Card (estimated return rate of 10 per 1,000) 1,000 $199.99* *Price does not include postage.

C. It Is Written Bible School Lesson #1

»» Option C1: Share It Is Written Bible School Lesson #1 (also available in Spanish) with your friends, family, and community (lesson display holders available). »» Option C2: Mail the It Is Written Bible School Lesson #1 to the ZIP codes of your choice. Pricing for Lesson #1 (Option C1) 100 – 400 $0.32 ea. 500 – 900 $0.30 ea. 1,000 – 2,400 $0.28 ea. 2,500 – 4,900 $0.26 ea. 5,000+ $0.24 ea.

Pricing for Lesson #1 (Option C2) (mailed in polybag) 1,000 $349.99* *Price does not include shipping or postage.

Pricing for displays (sold in increments of 10) 10 $29.99

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HOW IT WORKS:

Each It Is Written Bible School Card or Lesson #1 has a business-reply card that can be filled out and mailed to It Is Written to request a free set of studies.

Your churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique code will be printed on the response card so that all requests are sent back to your church coordinator.

Your church coordinator assign a church member to follow up with the person who requested the studies.

The church member will then hand-deliver It Is Written Bible Study Guide Lesson #1 (Lesson #2 with Option C) to the contact and begin a Bible study relationship.

Included in your It Is Written Bible School will be access to an online management system.

If you desire more baptisms at your church, the It Is Written Bible School is for you. It Is Written will work alongside your church to help it become a thriving center of evangelism. A church that uses these interest-generating resources will have many Bible study requests. This will be the beginning of a wonderful journey that will lead to many baptisms.

Order the It Is Written Bible School online at iiw.us/bibleschool or call 888-664-5573 Also available in Spanish! SUMMER 2015

Cover Feature

A message meant for the world,

now delivered right to your screen.

ou and your church could be on the leading edge of modern evangelism this fall; and it couldn’t be easier. How? You could bring Pastor John Bradshaw into your home or church to share with friends and family the deep and timely insights you treasure from Revelation. Beginning October 9, It Is Written will broadcast “Revelation Today: The Mysteries Revealed,” live from Chattanooga, Tennessee. What makes this event such a breakthrough? In a word: Access. Never before has a single event been more accessible in so many ways—for hosts or truth seekers—to participate in Bible question-and-answer sessions, hear Pastor John Bradshaw speak the Word of God, to witness insightful interviews with so many experts, or to connect with one another electronically or geographically. 16

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It all starts with an app for your computer, tablet, or smartphone—or an internet connection—or television—and an invitation to your friends. “You can still host the event in the traditional way by sharing the event via television on several quality networks,” said It Is Written’s Speaker/Director, Pastor John Bradshaw. “But the app opens the door to a whole new realm of possibilities that will make ‘Revelation Today: The Mysteries Revealed’ an even more dynamic, interactive experience for those you invite.” The new multifunctional smartphone app will allow millions of people to watch anytime, anywhere—and connect with local churches, or each other, for further conversations, study, or baptism. Likewise, churches could find participants to offer them additional ministry. “The app will allow you and your church or home-group to watch the program live, or at a later time, but will

Bring Pastor Bradshaw uls! Plan now! n so An innovative event YOU can wiJohn e to use n usto win souls! Plan now! event YOU ca into your home or church to ive at ov inn An share insights from Revelation with your friends and family.

PO Box 6, Chattanooga, TN 37401 • 423-362-5800 1 • 423-362-5800 www.itiswritt en.com oga, TN 3740 revelationtod ay.com 6, Cha•ttano PO Box m lationtoday.co  facebook.com reve twitter.com/it iswritten ritten.com ••  www.itisw/itiswritten iswritten ritten •  twitter.com/it  facebook.com/itisw

WATCH ONLINE starting October 9, 2015 Live from Chattanooga and ON DEMAND at RevelationToday.com

Above: Revelation Today printed materials will be distributed to participating churches to hand out in their community.

also facilitate interaction with our featured guest experts,” John explained. “For example I may interview an archaeologist via an online video chat program such as Skype or Google Hangouts during the program. You or your guests could then tweet or text us a question in the middle of my interview, and receive an answer during the program.” With the app, or your internet connection, you and your guests can access Bible study materials from It Is Written in preparation or follow-up to the event. And, when you register your church, civic hall, hotel ballroom, or your home as an official participating site, you will receive information on other local participants so you can invite them to your site for fellowship and follow-up study. The app will be available this fall through Google and Apple’s app stores.

“Imagine this … because it happens all the time,” John said. “A person is seeking God’s truth for his or her life. Searching online, this soul comes across It Is Written. Then, because of the prompting of the Holy Spirit, clicks on the ‘Revelation Today: The Mysteries Revealed’ link and downloads the app to learn more. Soon, they are taking Bible lessons, connecting with a local church (maybe yours?), and gaining their desperately-needed salvation.” “Revelation Today: The Mysteries Revealed” will stream to the world nightly, except Sundays and Thursdays, from Chattanooga, Tennessee. It will be transmitted in high definition exclusively via the Internet, delivering an excellent signal, free of charge, to any TV network or station who wishes to air it … anywhere

Never before has a single event been more accessible in so many ways...

SUMMER 2015

in the world. Any TV station in South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, or in your hometown, could access the signal, add a several-second delay, provide real time translation, and overlay local contact information at the bottom of the screen. This massive event marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking It Is Written NET ’95 series, presented by Pastor Mark Finley, and it marks the beginning of It Is Written’s 60th year of ministry.

“All you need is an internet connection and a screen.” “This is such an important and exciting time for revitalizing the church’s evangelistic efforts, and we hope every congregation, and possibly every member, will utilize these resources to stream the program and offer local hospitality. All you need is an internet connection and a screen of any size,” John added. Visit revelationtoday.com to learn more about Revelation Today—The Mysteries Revealed. SCOTT STEWARD is the Communications Coordinator for Revelation Today—The Mysteries Revealed event, which starts October 9 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Making Connections in Chattanooga As a Bible Worker for It Is Written, I have the privilege of following up on Bible study leads, and that’s exactly what I was doing on one stormy afternoon. I was sitting in my car as rain down poured. I had a handful of Bible study interest cards, but the weather wasn’t in my favor. I was tempted to call it a day and find some other work to do, but I couldn’t pull myself to do it. I picked up another interest card and drove to the next house. Suddenly, my phone notified me an email had come in. It turned out to be an email from the SALT Outreach Coordinator. She was forwarding me some information from a Bible study card. When I glanced through the e-mail, I recognized the name of the contact as the exact same person I was about to visit. In awe of the divine timing, I grabbed my Bible study guide and opened my car door ready to embrace the rain. However, the moment I opened the door, the rain subsided. When I reached the house I was greeted by the woman who was interested in Bible studies. She invited me in and I spent some time getting to know her. When she found out I was with It Is Written, her eyes brightened.

“Oh I love watching these guys,” she exclaimed. “I watch their program all the time and I really like what I’ve been hearing. I’d love to study with you. Can we study tomorrow?” God had been preparing this woman’s heart long before anyone knocked on her door. He has been preparing lost people to be found. He just needs us to be willing to look for them. By Janelle Andres

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Planned Giving

Planning Your Will and Trust This information is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.

Legacy—Making A Difference. Many individuals regularly support It Is Written in the mission of reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Through a properly prepared Christian legacy plan, those same persons can make substantial gifts after their death. The Bible explains that for the believer, “they may rest from their labors and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Legacy gifts made by last will and testament or revocable trust provide impactful, life-changing gifts for reaching the world for God.

Security

During Hardship

arah and her husband bought several housing properties as an investment. They maintained the properties and rented them out to people in their area. After several years, Sarah’s husband passed away, leaving her with the rental properties to take care of alone. After a few months and a few different renters, Sarah found a better solution. She transferred one of the homes to a Charitable Gift Annuity. Now Sarah receives solid, stable, and regular income, one that will continue for the rest of her life. “It is so wonderful not to have to go clean toilets and prepare for the next renter to move in. Now I can count on the amount of money I have in my account each month and I don’t have to worry,” Sarah said.

Legacy planning allows each person to prayerfully and deliberately decide which portion goes back to God who has given all, and which portion will be given to loved ones. When all is placed on God’s altar and His direction is sought for distribution at death, He will direct. God’s will can be your will.

Who can benefit through my will? ӹ Children ӹ ӹ ӹ Persons with special needs ӹ ӹ Church you love ӹ ӹ Ministries like It Is Written ӹ ӹ Any person or organization you choose

PHONE 800-992-2219 E-MAIL plannedgiving@iiw.org WEBSITE www.HisLegacy.com SUMMER 2015

My Place With Jesus

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand … PSA LM 139:17—18

don’t think I know of anyone who doesn’t enjoy going to the beach. Summertime seems to attract thousands of people to the beach to enjoy the sun, waves, shells, and sand. A university in Hawaii did a study and found that there are approximately seven quintillion, five hundred quadrillion grains of sand found on all the beaches in the world! That’s a 75 with 17 zeros behind it: 7, 500,000,000,000,000,000. I wonder how long it would take you to count to that number starting at one. If you think that is a big number, think about this. Our own Milky Way galaxy is estimated to have hundreds of billions of stars. Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope estimate that there are at least 80 billion galaxies in the universe. Using this information, astronomers have estimated that there are 100 stars in the Universe for every grain of sand on the Earth’s beaches. This makes me think of the words in Psalm 139: 17–18. “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand …” Next time you are on a beach and attempt to count the grains of sand, I hope that you will remember this verse and realize how truly precious you are to God.

Fun things to do at the beach: 1

MELISSA BRADSHAW is the Director of Children’s Ministries at It Is Written. Melissa and her husband, John Bradshaw, have two children and live in the Chattanooga, TN area.

Create a sand sculpture

Write a Message in the sand

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Come play with Dexter!

at U beach

Visit myplacewithjesus.com for more great stories and activities for kids!

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SHELLS SUNGLASSES UMBRELLA

Collect Shells

Community Connection

BY ANNALYSE HASTY, Editor

Throughout life we often hear the adage that there is “strength in numbers.” Even the Bible supports this, saying in Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10 that, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” At It Is Written, we strive to work as a team to support one another in spreading the love of Christ to the world. Beginning in the fall of 2014, It Is Written has embarked on a new way to build and support that team: the It Is Written Ambassador program. An It Is Written Ambassador is an authorized and trained representative of It Is Written with the mandate to promote the ministry, recruit Partners, and have an active part in the evangelistic mission of It Is Written in his or her respective community. “It is about our Partners and friends getting to be more than just supporters,” Yves Monnier, Director of Evangelism, said. “We want to provide them with tools and resources to become an extension of It Is Written in their local community.” Currently there are over 100 It Is Written Ambassadors spread across the country.

It Is Written AMBASSADORS 22

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PHOTO (LEFT): ELLEN METCALF, TOP: PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY ST. CLAIR FAMILY

“We want to provide them with tools and resources to become an extension of It Is Written in their local community.” These volunteer field representatives are able to connect with people on a personal level, extending the reach and strength of the ministry. Luella Nelson, an Ambassador from California, has been involved with It Is Written for seven years, and has been able to use her personal strengths as an Ambassador. “I know there are workers are out there, we just need to recruit and train them,” Luella said. “It seemed like the perfect job for me. The first church I visited, just before my time to speak, a lady got up and talked about her desire to give Bible studies! She has a buddy already, and I am hoping they will choose to come on board with us.” Being an Ambassador has been an open door and an answer to prayer for Fred St. Clair of Whitfield, Virginia. Fred (84) and his wife, Roxy, had been praying for an effective way to share the gospel. “I am a retired Marine Corps Colonel and I teach survival classes at my church. It draws many people from the community each week, but what I really wanted to teach people about was spiritual survival,” Fred said. “I had hoped people would convert over from the survival classes, and we could do Bible studies together, but people only wanted to hear me Top: Fred St. Clair, retired Marine Corps Colonel, teaches survival classes to community members.

Fred and Roxy St. Clair

talk about survival skills because that is where my credibility lies.” When Fred and Roxy first heard of the new It Is Written Ambassador program, they attended the first training session in Tennessee, six hours from home. “Becoming an It Is Written Ambassador was like waving a magic wand. Suddenly people wanted to listen and talk to me about spiritual things, because I now had the credibility, because of the It Is Written name I was representing,” Fred said. Beginning in June of 2015, Fred and Roxy have 10 new people planning to attend their group Bible study, and three others they will be doing individual Bible studies with. The Lord is opening doors through the It Is Written Ambassador program for community members to get involved, to plug into a system full of resources and support, in order to spread His Word. BE AN IT IS WRITTEN AMBASSADOR

The qualifications to become an Ambassador, Yves said, are as elementary as one, two, and three. “Number one, love Jesus. Two, love people. Number three, love It Is Written.” For more information and to request an application for the Ambassador program, e-mail yves@iiw.org SUMMER 2015

Feature

The Impact: Stories of lives forever changed in Edmonton

BALVINDER’s story began one day in the Edmonton public library. Adam, a Bible worker, was in a sitting area when Balvinder, a young Sikh man, sat down beside him. Adam struck up a conversation with him, told him about the meetings coming up, and described what he did. Balvinder seemed interested in Bible studies and so Adam got his number. After a few phone conversations Balvinder agreed to come to the a series called Transformation by José Rojas. There, the Bible worker gave him The Great Controversy. Balvinder also agreed to have weekly Bible studies—he wanted 3 or 4 a week! When the Revelation Today series started, Balvinder came almost nightly and even volunteered to help with registration. He was absorbing the presentations and started praying daily. While the seminar was going on, he was reading the Bible sometimes up to 4 hours a day. When the altar call was made, he responded and made a decision for baptism. Since baptism, Balvinder is actively attending one of the local church plants and has expressed interest in going back to India to spread God’s truth.

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After he received a Revelation Today handbill in the mail, DAVID placed it on the table with his other papers and left it there. Each day as he passed his table, he saw the brochure and thought that maybe he should go. About a week went by and then a friend of his called. He mentioned to her that he had received this flyer about a local seminar on the book of Revelation. She immediately encouraged him to go. He decided to check out the seminar. David called a cab and went to the hall. As the cab parked out front, he thought that maybe he shouldn’t go in. However, since he had already spent money on the cab, he might as well check it out. He went in, and in David’s words “As soon as I walked into the hall, this incredible sense of peace came over me. For the first time I felt like I was home.” From that night onward, he never missed a night of the seminar. David made a decision for baptism and was baptized at the conclusion of the series. He subsequently joined a new church plant in the area and has teamed up with a Bible worker in giving Bible studies to others.

MANSUR was chatting online with a local university student. The student shared with Mansur about the Revelation Today presentations that were to begin shortly and invited Mansur to come. Although Mansur was a young Muslim and from a Muslim family, he decided to come on opening night. On that first night he met one of the local Bible workers who kept in touch with him. He came back a few days later and rarely missed another night! The truths of God’s Word really moved him, and when an altar call was made to accept Christ as Saviour and follow Him in baptism, Mansur went forward. He was so thrilled with the truth he had found! Right now, Mansur is part of a local Adventist church. His prayer is that his family will also come to the truths that he has learned. KEITH LaROY is the Outreach Coordinator for the Impact 2015 project in Edmonton. He manages a team of full-time Bible workers and assists pastors and churches in evangelism initiatives.

NAMES ARE PSEUDONYMS. PHOTO (TOP): JONATHAN SHIM PHOTO (RIGHT): SUPPLIED BY ERIC FLICKINGER

It Is Written Updates

NEW FEATURES, NEW STAFF, NEW POSSIBILITIES!

We’ve revamped our website! CONNECT with us easier than ever before on our brand-new site. LEARN about new projects, upcoming events, and more. www.itiswritten.com DOWNLOAD the all new It Is Written app. Access Every Word, blog posts, weekly programs, submit prayer requests, and more with ease. To download the It Is Written app on your mobile device search for “It Is Written” in the App Store℠ or on Google Play™.

Every Word now available in American Sign Language (ASL)! View and subscribe at itiswritten.com

APP STORE IS A SERVICE MARK OF APPLE INC. GOOGLE PLAY IS A TRADEMARK OF GOOGLE INC.

It Is Written Welcomes New Associate Speaker Beginning August of 2015, Eric Flickinger will be joining the It Is Written team as Associate Speaker. “We feel truly privileged to be able to join the team at It Is Written,” Eric said. “In the short time remaining before Christ’s return, we look forward to assisting It Is Written in the fulfillment of its mission of communicating the gospel to the world.”

Keep up with more updates at blog.itiswritten.com SUMMER 2015

BY ANNALYSE HASTY, Editor

Partnership Highlight

Timeless

Dedication Centenarians Support It Is Written After 100 Years

After preforming his last heart surgery at 95 years of age, Dr. Wareham, now 100 years old, mows his own yard and helps the elderly ladies next door (they are in their 80s) with theirs. PHOTO BY ASA ESLOCKER, 2013

hat do a real estate agent and a cardiac surgeon have in common? A lot, really. We were honored to host centenarians Dr. Ellsworth Wareham (100) and Emma Mildred Crosby (101) at our Partnership weekend events last year. The timeless dedication of these centenarians drives the mission of It Is Written to reach the world. Emma, born in 1913, will be 102 years old on November 28, 2015. Throughout her long life, she has worked as a seamstress, real estate agent, owned a candy shop, and worked in a grocery store. At 95 years of age, because she was forced into retirement, she started collecting unemployment. Raised in the northern United States, Emma now lives in Florida with her last living child, her daughter Carol. Every day they dress in identical outfits, even down to matching shoes. When the two of them attended the Orlando Partnership weekend last year, they donned their outfits no differently.

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY CROSBY FAMILY

“I date way back to George Vandeman and still have one of It Is Written’s magazines he was in from many years ago.”

Emma (right) lives with her only living child, Carol (left). They dress identical every day. Emma loves to shop on the days when she isn’t watering her yard by hand or baking sugar cookies.

For several years, Emma has supported It Is Written with irregular donations. She only decided to become a Partner last year and attended her first It Is Written event at 100 years old. “I have always been interested in It Is Written,” Emma said. “I date way back to George Vandeman and still have one of It Is Written’s magazines he was in from many years ago.” Dr. Ellsworth Wareham was born in Texas but joined us at our Palm Springs, California Partnership meeting. His journey from Texas to California was not as direct as one might expect. He had trouble getting into medical school because he was spending too much time in sports, but was finally accepted to Loma Linda University in 1937— because they didn’t have enough students to fill the class. Since his exceptional admission into medical school, Ellsworth has been a physician for the Navy, worked with the first heart-lung machine that supports the body during surgery, and taught world famous doctors. Dr. Wareham first retired in 1984 because he was told that there was a mandatory retirement age of 72. His retirement didn’t last long. In 1988, he was asked to do surgery in downtown Los Angeles. Many of the physicians he worked with were his former students. For 21 more years, Dr. Wareham got up at 5:30 a.m. every workday morning and drove from Loma Linda to downtown Los Angeles. “The miracle was not the surgeries I did at 95,” Dr. Wareham said. “It was commuting in Los Angeles traffic for 21 years without an accident.” Today, Dr. Wareham is a firm believer in the Bible’s health principles and accredits his long life to it. He has eaten a vegan diet for the past 50 years. “After 100 years I’m proud to have followed the Bible,” Ellsworth said. “I have been a supporter of It Is Written for many years and I appreciate their ministry.” Who will you meet at Partnership in 2015? Register today and find out. SUMMER 2015

Tributes and Memorials If you would like to give a donation in memory of someone please go to giving.itiswritten.com/give or use the enclosed envelope to mail your donation.

IN MEMORY

Gale, Mary Suzanne by Mr. Steven Gale

Anderson, Ruby by son Mr. Virgil Anderson B

Gibbons, Jack by Mr. and Mrs. James C. Culpepper

Bailey, Ray by grandaughter Denise Bailey

Golke, Elsie by Mr. and Mrs. Tony Krause

Berger, Trudy A. by Mr. James Elvin

Grondin, MaryLou by husband Mr. Michael Grondin

Boccheciamp, Elias by wife Mrs. Lorraine Boccheciamp C Calcagne, Anna by daughter Dorothy Pacchino Cortez, Augustine by daughter Nina C. Cortez Curtis, Vie by Mrs. Eileen I. Curtis D Dendy, Glen and Marguerite by son Mr. Robert Dendy Dennis, Dean and Hazel by children Mr. and Mrs. Ron Dennis Diol, Vicky by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kasznia

H Hall, Allen by father Mr. Neil Hall Helin, Doreen by son Mr. Robert Helin Herzel, Ed and MaryLee by Mr. and Mrs. George Halleron Hickman, Mary Elizabeth by son Mr. John Hickman Hinken, Mr. and Mrs. by son Mr. Albert Hinken Hovland, Cecil by Jean Stivers J Jaqua, Clifford by wife Dr. Ellen L. Jaqua

Jarnes, Dorothy by Mr. and Mrs. Rolf Jarnes

Forsberg, Jason by father Mr. John Forsberg

Jarnes, Haakon by Mr. and Mrs. Rolf Jarnes

Foster, Bill by Mrs. Pamela Anders and Cynthia Young

Johnson, Elwyn G. by Mr. and Mrs. Darrell McPherson

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Johnson, Helen by children Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Clark Jolliffe, Bob by Mr. and Mrs. Henri Pelletier Jordan-Huffaker, Sandra by Vernon H. Huffaker K Kampmann, Shirlee by daughter Ms. Shelley Patterson Klein, Ann by Ms. Dolores Dower Knittle, Frank by Mrs. Rita Vital Krenzler, Levern by Mr. Dan Gordon

P Periatomby, Rosie P. by Mr. Nagapen Periatomby Pflugrad, Chester by Dr. and Mrs. Ellen Pflugrad Powell, Jack by Dr. and Mrs. Lewis C. Sommerville Powell, Mary by Dr. and Mrs. Lewis C. Sommerville R Rescigno, Felice by Dorothy Pacchino Ruf, Roland M. by Mrs. Rita Vital S

L Lee, Martha by son Mr. Kelvin Davis Lorenz, Lily by Geraldine Hill M Mallery, Susan by father Steve Mallery Martin, Charles by daughter Sandra Martin Mastroianni, Filomena by daughter Deborah Tompkins Moulder, Shirleen by Mr. Michael Moulder

Smart, Leslie A. by Dr. and Mrs. Lewis C. Sommerville Smith, Bill by Mr. and Mrs. Darrell McPherson T Thoresen, Doug and Mrs. Llaurel by Mr. and Mrs Neal E. Wearner Tracy, Florence by neighbor Robert Miller

Tupper, Mabel by 1st grade students Mr. and Mrs. James Sutton

Niyagi, Allyce by Helen S. Bledsoe

Turner, Clifford by son Dr. Mark Turner

V Vandeman, George E. by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Martin W Weakley, Betty C. by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Weakley Weich, June by Mrs. Lorrayne Fast ANNIVERSARY Dickman, Chuck 40th Wedding Aniversary by Mr. and Mrs. William Ryan BIRTHDAY Welch, Lee by daughter Brenda Welch HONOR Barlow, Renee by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Freeman Brie, Alison by Mr. Antonio Maldonado Cook, Dale and Mathias, Paula Helped give me sight! by M. D. Drumheller Kuhn, Mike, Karen, Tim, Jaime, Tayden, and Tenly T. The gift of eyesight! by Mr. Matthew Kuhn My father by Lynnette Murphy Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute Thanks for my sight! by Hal Gross Welch, Lee by daughter Brenda Welch Wibberding, Ronda by Mr. James Elvin Wightman, Roy R. by daughter Ms. Wanda L. Poole

SALT is It Is Written’s School of Evangelism in partnership with Southern Adventist University. An acronym for Soul-winning And Leadership Training, this twice a year program holds training sessions to teach people of all ages how to give Bible studies, speak to people about Jesus, and gain baptismal decisions. One of the two SALT intensives happens in the summer. Appropriately called Summer SALT, this session spans no longer than one week. This 2015 Summer SALT session was the most successful intensive in SALT history. Over 15 different churches were represented across 8 states. Participants completed the program in both English and Spanish tracks. “To see the large classroom packed people with people of all ages eager to serve Jesus as volunteer Bible workers was amazing!” Yves Monnier, It Is Written Director of Evangelism, said. “The prayer for more laborers was answered during It Is Written’s Summer SALT program.” To learn more visit itiswritten.com/SALT

BY JOHN BRADSHAW, Speaker/Director

Devotional

hen two convicted murderers broke out of a maximum security prison in upstate New York, their escape was destined to end badly. In spite of their meticulous planning, the complicity of certain prison staffers, their cunning and their boldness, the prison break could barely have ended any worse than it did for the escapees. There’s a wonderful prison break found in Acts 12, one where God Himself enabled a prisoner to go free. Following the execution of James, Peter was

Woken by God we then have the choice to accept God’s gift...

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imprisoned and was facing death himself. But as he slept in the prison, bound in chains between two guards, an angel woke Peter. His chains fell off, and the angel led Peter past the prison guards and out of the prison—the prison’s great iron gate opening to Peter of its own accord. Like sinners in this broken world, Peter was liberated simply because he followed God’s leading and accepted God’s provisions. God (through the angel) woke Peter, and Peter followed the angel’s leading. God opened the gate to Peter, and Peter walked through the open door. And when God had freed Peter, Peter kept walking into freedom and didn’t think to go back to his prison cell. Salvation works in the same way. The offer of salvation comes to those who are sleeping in their sins. Woken by God we then have the choice to accept God’s gift and follow Him into freedom, or to resist His goodness and remain in our sin. God offers the gift, and we choose to accept or reject His phenomenal goodness. Peter said, “I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me” (Acts 12:11). “The Lord … has delivered me.” Such amazing words. Words we can say today because of what Jesus has done. I pray you are able to say those words with confidence, and share that hopeful message with others. Rejoice today! The Lord has delivered you!

PHOTO (RIGHT): ERIC STONG AND VINCE CANTRELL

D E L I V E RE D

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Provision for

Grow h

It Is Written has recently purchased land for a brand-new headquarters in Tennessee. Nestled in the heart of Collegedale, this plot of land is the fertile soil God has provided to grow the It Is Written of tomorrow.

Bring Pastor John Bradshaw into your home or church to share insights from Revelation with your friends and family. Watch for the mobile app release this fall! Learn more on page 16.