Reaping a Harvest for God

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, FaithSearch International is facing a financial challenge. I want to take a few moments to ask for your help. (Click here to make an online donation.) Recently, I’ve been thinking about why we’re doing what we’re doing here at FaithSearch—proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere. And about our desire to continue doing it. As a donor-supported ministry, we depend on God to stir the hearts of His people to provide the resources to do this work. Which is why I’m writing this. Here’s what I’ve been thinking.

If you’re a Christian, it is quite possible you and I have something very important in common: We want our lives to be significant by making an eternal difference in as many other peoples’ lives as we can. Jesus described it as “laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). If I’m right—if that’s truly what you want—then according to Jesus, that’s where your heart is, as is mine (v.21).

Many people (perhaps even you?) must spend much of their waking hours doing something else—important, necessary things—but not fulfilling that heart’s desire. You wish you could do more. Well, you can, and you can do it through FaithSearch! Here’s how.

Those important and necessary things which occupy your day give you earthly treasure which God calls “seed” which, if sown in the fertile soil of Gospel proclamation, will yield a harvest of righteousness (treasure in heaven):

“Now He who provides seed for sowing and bread for food will provide the seed for you to sow; he will multiply it and swell the harvest of your benevolence…” (2 Corinthians 9:10, NEB).

An Investment that Reaps Eternal Dividends—A Harvest of Righteousness

Here’s how God’s Word says this works.

1. He placed the desire to build His kingdom in your heart.
2. You are a “tentmaker” [cf Acts 18:1-5] with a limited amount of time to fulfill that desire.
3. Through your job, God provides money for food and other basic needs, AND additional “seed,” sacrificially reserved for kingdom work—which He multiplies to make an eternal difference in other peoples’ lives.

You may ask, “How can I use my ‘seed’ for kingdom work if my job occupies most of my time?” The apostle Paul explains in the very next verse:

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

The seed which you sow as an investment in partnership with FaithSearch International (“through us”: letting Carlos, Oleg and me produce a “rich harvest” (TEV) through Gospel proclamation)—is viewed as your “service” (v. 12) and “obedience” (v. 13) which result in praise and thanksgiving to God. God says your prayers and finances shared with FaithSearch are a means for you to “sow for yourselves righteousness” (Hosea 10:12)—“laying up treasures in heaven” and finding personal fulfillment of the desire of your heart.

FaithSearch: A Ministry with a Proven Record of Multiplying the Harvest

FaithSearch is in its thirty-first year of proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere, yet we’re fighting for our very survival in today’s economy. Our evangelists have shared the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ in twenty-four countries on four continents to spiritually impact more than two million people (with a potential audience more than double that size through radio and television presentations). Within these “numbers” are real individuals whose lives have been changed—and they have gone on to multiply that transformation in others, thereby increasing the harvest of righteousness.

Widdy (green vest) and her family have multiplied the impact of the Gospel with evidence into the lives of many, many others.

Widdy

Several years ago Widdy attended my FaithSearch Discovery presentation, realized her need for a Savior, and found forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. In the years since then, she has helped many women find Christ and grow through a home-based Bible study ministry. She and her husband are multiplying their faith by nurturing a godly family. More recently they started a Christian school in the Twin Cities which proclaims the Gospel and serves one of the most racially diverse and under-privileged communities in the United States. Years ago someone just like you invested a “seed” that is producing a harvest of righteousness.

Carlos discussed FaithSearch Discovery training with Gabriel and Lyd, in Mexico City in 2006.

Gabriel and Lyd

Back in 2006, when Carlos gave a presentation in Mexico City, two students, Lyd and Gabriel, stayed to chat and ask questions. They quickly became friends. Carlos struck a deal: Gabriel would pick Carlos up and drop him back at the airport, for far less than a taxi. In this way, he would get gas money when Carlos was there, and Carlos would save on cab fare. Last March, Gabriel wasn’t there… He was being trained to go to Morocco to reach Muslims, using the Gospel with evidence!

At her mother’s urging, Lyd went to college. Meeting a missionary there she realized she had always been trying to impress God with good works. So Lyd accepted the grace of God, and gave her life to Christ. Today Lyd is going to Toulouse, in southern France, bringing FaithSearch Discovery with her. Why? Toulouse is the fastest growing city in Europe. It has seventeen universities, 10% of the population is Muslim…and only 1% of the people in Toulouse know the Lord.

In part as a result of Carlos’ ministry, Latin America is not only a mission field, but a quickly-growing missions force. The fruit of his Gospel ministry is possible because people like you are becoming FaithSearch financial partners and through us experiencing fulfillment of the desire of their heart.

This professor at Oleg’s alma mater in Russia thanked him for presenting the Gospel with evidence to her students.

Moscow University Professor

On his last trip to Russia, after Oleg had just finished a FaithSearch Discovery training session to a class of future high school teachers, the professor stood and spoke:

I hope, my dear students, you realize the historic significance of this moment. Our own University graduate, after many years, comes back and teaches what would have been completely forbidden in his own time here. Out of my own heart, I cordially thank you, Oleg Voskresensky, for the highest quality presentation and material. Let me assure you that our students will be using it in their work and will thus become an extension of your efforts. Please come again. Thank you very much.

Imagine—nearly 2,500 Russian high school teachers (to date) have been trained, and are now able to present evidence for the Gospel in their classrooms! On the same trip, Oleg ran into one of his trainees in the Kremenchug Bible College who remarked, “I have been teaching [FaithSearch Discovery] regularly since last year all over my region.” Someone’s “seed” is bearing much fruit in Russian-speaking countries because they invested it in Gospel proclamation through FaithSearch.

YOU

Through FaithSearch you can fulfill the desire of your heart and be a multiplier of the Gospel, too—no matter how busy you are. The stories in this letter (and many more) were shared at our “Friends of FaithSearch Benefit Dinner” on May 1. I wish you could have been there—it was an inspiring evening. The 175 attendees that night gave generously so they could share in our harvest of righteousness in 2010.

I’m asking you to share in the spirit of that evening, and together reach another “Widdy” or “Gabriel,” with your financial investment at this time. Our fiscal year ends June 30, and we are about $150,000 short of our budget. Prayerfully consider investing with FaithSearch the “seed” which God has entrusted to you. Click here to make an online donation right now. We will use it to bring praise to God by “laying up treasure in heaven” on your behalf. Thank you!

Your partner in the Gospel,

Dr. Don Bierle
President, FaithSearch International