2007 Celebration:
Racing to the Finish
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The 2008 “finish line” for Extending
the Vision
was constructed at the end of the hall,
with target-language populations throughout the world
shown in orange.
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The 2007 FaithSearch Celebration Banquet was
held amid praise and excitement on April 14, in the Blue Room
at Northwestern College. Several of the 214 guests in attendance
commented that this was "the best celebration you've ever
done."
The program centered on the theme "Pressing on Toward
the Goal," taken from Philippians 3:14. Program elements
and decorations depicted a race setting, with guests and platform
speakers positioned as "runners," pressing on to the
conclusion of the "race." Presenters and attendees
alike wore race numbers; each table was decorated as a roadside
refreshment station for racers; and the host served as a broadcast
announcer and commentator on the "press stand" beside
the "race course." The "finish line" was
represented at the end of the room, in view, but still down
the road. Guests were invited to participate in the race to
bring the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.
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Charlie Abro, from Bangalore, India, and his wife
Saly, were on hand to celebrate with us.
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"Front runners" in the race—FaithSearch
evangelists—were interviewed on the stand about progress toward
Extending the Vision (ETV) goals in their ministry area. This
included Charlie Abro, of India Campus Crusade for Christ, who
recounted the history and impact of FaithSearch
in his country, and his hope for continued progress. In a "multinational
Macedonian call" (see Acts
16:9) an appeal was delivered from the Middle East, asking
for the Gospel with evidence to be made available to Arabic-speaking
people. This prompted individuals in the audience to add their
pleas, on behalf of French-speaking and Chinese-speaking peoples,
for FaithSearch materials in their languages.
To address these appeals, "player-coach" and ministry
president Don Bierle—also a runner in the race—presented the
"game plan" for completing the ETV goals, including
ministry developments in those languages, and for the future
beyond the 2008 ETV finish line. ETV seeks to extend the proclamation
of the Gospel with evidence—the FaithSearch message—-into
new geographical, cultural and language areas, through translation
of our ministry resources and the training of indigenous ministry
leaders.
In this, the penultimate year of the ETV plan, Dr. Bierle said,
"The ministry is on track and looking forward to the
completion of goals established for 2008. But it doesn't stop
there." He explained, "We have in view the maturing
of this vision—making the ministry of proclaiming the Gospel
with evidence in each of our eighteen target languages and geographical
regions around the world transferable, reproducible, and
sustainable."
Dr. Bierle introduced Roy Kruse as FaithSearch
vice president, who will largely guide this future international
thrust of the ministry. Roy spoke of his appreciation and vision
for FaithSearch, and how his experience with the
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association—networking with Christian
leaders around the world—will facilitate that effort.
Also at the event, the FaithSearch Distinguished
Service Award was presented to Bob and Pauline Benedict, recognizing
their years of "exemplary service to FaithSearch
International and in deep appreciation for their ministry vision
and stewardship for the cause of Jesus Christ."
Next year's banquet—the highly-anticipated celebration of the
culmination of the ETV goals—has already been scheduled. Plan
now to join us at Northwestern College in the Blue Room again
on April 26, 2008. Don't miss it.
