Good News that Keeps Coming

This week, we hit an amazing milestone: two billion gospel visits! It’s a celebration to which we’ve been looking forward to for some time. We’re still amazed and grateful to be part of an organization God has used to reach so many people. We’re grateful to each of you for your faithful prayers - seriously humbled as so many people tell us we’re in their daily prayers. We’re grateful for your sacrificial investment in us. Some of our partners have retired or had incomes cut in some other way but have remained committed to their giving, or even increased it, calling it a privilege to be a part of what God is doing in the world. We feel the same way.

Joining GMO in 2004, we were delighted to learn that as many as 50 people a day were exposed to the gospel through our sites. There was no COVID-19, but the AIDS epidemic was at its height, with 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths each year from 2003-2005. Each year, even as we noted accelerating natural disasters, terrorism and political unrest, by the grace of God and through the prayers and gifts of people like you, we were able to increase the numbers of people we were reaching, with God blessing us in ways we never anticipated. Within five years, buoyed by the huge worldwide adoption of smartphones, we were registering 64 million annual gospel visits.

The two billion number is definitely something to be excited about. That represents the gospel being preached to all the world, just as Christ commanded. But the second number on the chart is even more exciting: over 229 million indicated decisions for Christ is the harvest. If that day we’re anticipating is one day closer, it’s because we’re closer to the day that “the fulness of the gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25 ) Outrageous as it sounds, 2 Peter 3:12 encourages us to think of it as “waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God…”

Thumbnail Despite the massive number of people reached, the time we’ve been serving at GMO has taught us urgency. Not only because of the New Testament’s doctrine of imminence, that we should regard Christ’s return as being at hand; but also because we’ve been warned that our hearers will increasingly refuse to put up with what we are sharing, (2 Timothy 4:3, cf., 3:1-7; 1 Tim. 4:1-3), that they will mock at our warnings, (2 Pet. 3:3-10) while lawlessness steadily increases. (2 Thess. 2:7)

Our world is suffering the consequences of all these things right now: skeptics, scoffers, practitioners of false religions, the superstitious and conspiracy theorists—they all come to us with their anger, their mockery and their questions: can they trust anyone in today’s world?

As worrisome as the COVID-19 pandemic is in terms of the lives lost due to the virus itself and the restrictive measures meant to prevent its spread, God’s passive judgment of withdrawal (Romans 1:24,26,28) is more sobering.

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Ultimately, for people to come to God, more is necessary than our partnership in ministry: without the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the world, (John 16:8), the message of the cross is foolishness. (1 Cor. 1:18)

The wonderful news is that, for now, the increased numbers we’re seeing—and what they’re telling us—is abundant evidence that He’s still at work, so there’s still time for millions more! (See 2 Peter 3:15)

“I have a lot of sin in my life before the virus. I've been in my home for almost 6 weeks now. This allows me to keep away from sin and I'm grateful. I've confessed everything to God and I feel relieved. But I'm still worried about the future and what it entails.” (Contact Michelle)

“I’m 58 years old by myself dealing with binge drinking it just started a month ago.” (Contact Nick)

“I’m so depressed. I lost one son to a brain bleed, and another to a heart attack. I am homeless and I had my car repo’ed. I had a car accident and have a fractured lumbar in so much pain can't sleep thinking why didn't I do things differently for my sons they are on my mind all the time I cry a lot.” (Contact Colleen)

“My girlfriend and daughter are on drugs and I've lost them! I pray every day.I have prayed for her to come home and us to be in church.” (Contact Chris)

“My husband tried to kill me. I'm a victim of domestic violence. I am divorced now and I've been by myself for like 7-8 years now.” (Contact Janice)

“My daughter had covid19 symptoms. And due to an accident I am unable to walk and need surgery. I only have a disability check after rent about $20.00” (Contact Jacqueline)

We regard every such opportunity as a chance to share the gospel. People are struggling and seeking God’s help. Our trained Online Missionaries are more than ready to share their hope in Christ. Because of God’s providence through your continued faithfulness, we can continue to use technology to put people who are suffering and alienated from God in touch with people who are excited to tell them about His love and hope for the future. Thank you so much!

Love, in Christ,