Dear Family and Friends:

I try to be a good communicator. I want to be accurate and clear. I have a little more trouble being “concise.” Can you relate? “Concise” is defined as “a lot of information clearly and in few words.” Writing that way takes focus. (and usually, for me, several revisions!) Is it worth it? Is it even possible to say much of significance in only 140 characters? I think so. Here are some of the significant things our visitors to a special site are saying in few words:

“I’m so tired of every time I feel like I’m on the right path that I get pushed back so I'm ready to just give up.. PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME!!” —C, Jackson, MI

“I ask God to forgive me all my sins protect me from all evil plans against me and help me to serve Him with my whole heart.” —L, Newark, NJ

“I need a new home for my son and I,and that God will restore my marriage of 14 years.we are separated.” —H, USA

“I always pray 2 God 2 bless me with a child i have a loving husband and a career bt i dnt get any kids” —M, Johannesburg, South Africa

An Online Missionary volunteer [“OM”] shared the gospel with each of them via text. Then they let them know they trusted Christ. The OMs are members of a new “SMS Response Team” Mike is helping lead. We can now allow visitors to give us phone numbers to follow up with them using “texting.” [SMS]

When OMs respond to visitors, they can only write 140 characters at a time. Our secure Response Center helps us count characters as we type. They have to be a little more creative, but after the initial period of learning, the volunteers have been enthusiastic about the response: “Most of my responses are scripture references, because I only have 140 characters and that's all I need! like what was mentioned last night,” [in a conference call we both attended] “you get right down to business!” [OM Ivonne] “Daniel of Phoenix professed Christ. Total of two texts from me  and two from him. And then Elisa of College Station responded when I asked her if I could help her pray. Could it be that this is the preferred way for young people in the USA to respond? Exciting stuff!” [OM Barry]

What can be packed into just 140 characters? How many famous quotes are longer? How many of the Bible’s precious promises and most vital challenges can be fit into 140 characters? Our volunteers are finding out. Here are a few:

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor 5:21). “to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Rom 4:5) “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29). “…the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37b) “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14).

Aren’t you glad these beautiful truths are in the Bible? Whatever means we use to get them out, it is a great privilege to share them with eager readers worldwide! Thank you for the part you play in helping us try new ways of doing this!

Love, in Christ,

 

Mike & Cindy
One Day Closer! (Romans 13:11)

P.S. See our latest family photos here!

Download a copy of this letter in for Acrobat Reader (PDF) here.