SHARE GOD'S WORD TODAY!

Two of the biggest problems facing Christians in America today are people not reading the Bible on a daily basis and Christians who are not actively sharing their faith! The Pocket Testament League's ministry addresses both these challenges!

Pastors or representatives of The Pocket Testament League present the "Read, Carry, and Share Challenge" to church congregations, nationwide every week. Church members leave equipped with free Gospels to use in their personal evangelistic efforts that day and are encouraged to both read and share His Word daily! Rick Warren, senior pastor at Saddleback Church, recently wrote:

"I'm excited that each Gospel from the Pocket Testament League comes with the plan of salvation, an offer for a free correspondence course, and a place to go to get more free Gospels to share. I'm also thrilled about the Pocket Testament League's ongoing efforts to encourage and equip congregations to read, carry, and share the Word of God!"

During the first eight months of 2005, Gospel orders were up 60% over 2004 and member orders increased by 100% in the same period. Since beginning the membership program two years ago, over 130,000 people have joined the League and shared Gospels with 4,500,000 people!

The Pocket Testament League was founded in England in 1893 by a 13-year old girl named Helen Cadbury. Helen was shy about sharing her faith and found that using Scripture brought people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She and a few of her friends started a club where members promised to read some part of the Bible daily, carry a small New Testament in their pockets, and share Scripture with people when God presented the opportunity. Thus the League's emphasis of Read, Carry, and Share.

Jim West, Executive Director, helps pastors present the League's program. Audiences range from the full congregation to evangelism classes, men's or women's Bible studies, or high school or college groups. The League supplies everything from the Gospels of John and League member sign up cards, to the presentation itself (35 minute written sermon available also on audio cassette) and a DVD. The League ask for a small donation to off set the cost of all these materials and their shipping.

The League currently does not supply Gospels for large outreach events as orders by individual members for the free Gospels steadily increases each month! Occasionally we will do so if a ministry or church supplies a donation sufficient to replace the Gospels they take for their event. The geographic focus of the Read, Carry and Share program is the United States and Canada.

Since beginning the church presentation program a little over four years ago, over 1050 presentations have been given or are scheduled! Besides helping pastors present the program, the League is also looking for volunteer speakers who would like to represent the League and schedule their own presentations with churches in their areas.

Membership, as well as the Gospels, is FREE too! Members are asked to pay the cost of shipping and fulfillment which varies depending on order size. There are no dues or other costs. Membership means the person has made it a goal of their life to Read, Carry, and Share God's Word. Once a person has their membership number, they can get on the Internet at www.pocketpower.org or call the toll free phone number and order more free Gospels every month for their personal evangelistic efforts. Once a month, the League sends its members an encouraging story from a member who has written in telling us how God used them in the prior month in sowing the Gospel seed!

As mentioned, the League's focus is helping the Christian share their faith with friends, family and co-workers in an easy, non-threatening way. These are not tracts. They are the entire Gospel of John with a clear presentation of the message of salvation included! Most people accept Christ when a friend shares with them how God has changed their life. This tool, God's Word, is ideal to give someone and say, "This book changed my life and I'd like to give it to you as a free gift. I hope you enjoy it." Isaiah 55:11 tells us that God's Word will not return void--we just need to do our part and sow the seed!

The League is very sensitive to manpower issues in churches and does not require time commitments from church members or pastors to run the program. Your church's information can easily be inserted into League Gospels of John. Your congregation will grow as they share God's Word and invite others to join your group to learn more and become grounded in the Word. By carrying Gospels of John with them, your church members will have a tangible reminder to read and share their faith and be equipped to do it when the opportunity comes.

The League is a nationwide ministry and members in good standing of ECFA. Billy Graham has said about The League, "I am completely sold on the work of TPTL, and continue to pray for those associated with it."

To learn more about how you can either: 1) present the "Read, Carry, and Share Challenge" to your church; or 2) become a volunteer Speaker Representative of The League, either call our headquarters in Lititz, Pennsylvania at 1-866-626-8106 Monday to Friday 9AM-2PM Eastern Time, or email Jim West at jwest@pocketpower.org today. Check out the Pocket Power website: http://www.pocketpower.org/ or mail your questions to: Pocket Power Headquarters, PO Box 800Lititz PA 17543-7026.

As one pastor recently wrote, "While many have been faithful to carry the Gospels, one girl in particular is worth mentioning. She gave her Gospel to her ex-boyfriend that night, he read it, and she prayed with him to accept the Lord. Hope this encourages you to keep up the good work. Thanks again." We receive hundreds of letters each month from folks who are being blessed by sharing God's Word with others!

The League provides Gospels in the following translations: New International Version (NIV), King James Version (KJV), New Living Translation (NLT), Spanish and Chinese. We also supply Ready References and Children's books.

Isaiah 40:8 tells us "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever". A few weeks ago, Mike Brickley, the president of The Pocket Testament League, raced into his office after a 5 hour trip from New Jersey to Lititz, Pennsylvania. His lunch appointment was waiting in the lobby. He ran in his office to grab something off his desk, covered with "things to do" and the phone began to ring. He didn't want to answer it, but he did.

There was a woman on the line, and she said, "I wonder if you can please help me.....I really would like to become a Christian." At first Mike though it was a friend playing a joke on him, but it was real. He talked with her and found out she was in Nashville, Tennessee and someone she didn't know gave her a League Gospel of John that morning at a bus stop. She had read through it and wanted to accept Christ. The man had not put his name or contact information in the Gospel, so she had called the League office in Pennsylvania!

Mike prayed with her and she received Christ that morning as she stood at a pay phone at a convenience store with the noise and people doing their business in the background. The League connected her to a local church so that she could be discipled. What is incredible, and happens daily, is that one of the League members gave her a Gospel and he had NO idea how God used him to reach someone -- someday he will know!

Don't you want every member of your congregation reading, carrying and sharing God's Word?

Altoona First Southern Baptist Church is a Pocket Church--If you need Gospels to share with others, give me an email message at: dmast@atlanticbb.net or call (814) 942-6695.

May God Bless You!

Don Mast

*All information was printed with permission from the Pocket Testament League and Mr. Jim West