Off the Grid

Homeland -part 1: Evangelism

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

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Series Code: OTG

Program Code: OTG000013


00:18 We are out here today, we are insulating our hangar,
00:21 putting some sheet metal up to keep us warm.
00:26 It's very cold here in Wisconsin in the mid west, it is where
00:30 our maintenance operations is for the entire world
00:33 for Adventist World Aviation.
00:35 Currently we have two planes, that are in complete refurb.
00:41 And last winter, we would of probably have one done
00:43 last winter, had we been able to work in warmer climate.
00:48 But January, February, March it just was impossible to work
00:52 in the conditions, that we were working in as it was.
00:57 20 below zero, is pretty tough working conditions to work in.
01:01 So, even though we had a mild winter last year,
01:04 it still got pretty cold. You really need to have at least
01:08 40 degrees to be able to work in So we are hoping this winter
01:12 we'll be able to get some work done.
01:13 It's autumn here in Wisconsin,
01:15 it's beautiful weather out right now.
01:17 So we're working fast and furious to try to get
01:21 our hangar into a workable environment.
01:25 Adventist world aviation currently has two airplanes
01:28 that need refurbishing. They cannot be placed in the
01:32 mission field until each plane is taken apart
01:35 inspected and rebuilt.
01:38 All AWA aircraft are kept at optimal performance
01:42 and must meet the highest safety standards.
01:45 In order to do this, the planes have to be removed from the
01:49 mission field and brought back to the United States
01:52 to be refurbished.
01:54 The longer a plane is grounded, the longer our missionaries
01:58 are unable to provide people with lifesaving flights.
02:02 So it is absolutely imperative to get these planes back
02:06 in the mission field, just as soon as possible.
02:10 Before work can begin on insulating the hangar today,
02:14 everything must be moved outside.
02:16 This includes the airplane that is currently being refurbished.
02:21 Well, we have a bunch of shop equipment moved out here
02:24 of course, but we also have this airplane that needs to get
02:27 put back together. It's been all cleaned out inside
02:33 chromated, we need to get it painted and then
02:36 down to Guyana, South America,
02:40 where it is very much needed for mission work.
02:45 All the work on the planes is done at the Adventist World
02:48 Aviation's maintenance facility in Sullivan Wisconsin.
02:53 However, the winters this far north can be brutally cold,
02:57 making work in a non insulated metal hangar, almost impossible.
03:02 Last year, maintenance work had to be put on hold until spring
03:07 when better weather allowed for better working conditions.
03:11 This year as winter approached, there are two planes that are
03:16 greatly missed in the mission field.
03:18 The work cannot wait for the weather.
03:20 It's imperative to insulate this hangar so the maintenance work
03:24 can continue.
03:26 We must get these planes back into the mission field
03:29 as soon as possible!
03:31 Many organizations wonder
03:33 where does the administration's funding go?
03:37 It goes to get things done, to keep the airplanes flying.
03:42 Yes, it does help our office administration staff, but
03:45 it keeps the wheels greased, so we can get things done
03:49 so we can keep flying, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
03:52 Adventist World Aviation is an international ministry
03:55 with outposts in Alaska, the Philippines and Guyana.
03:59 However, these mission Aviation programs could NOT function
04:04 without the ground work done with the administration team
04:07 back home in the USA.
04:10 Aircraft maintenance and upkeep is a large part
04:14 of what AWA administration does.
04:17 that's making sure, the planes are keep flying safely
04:20 that's the focus of the AWA home team.
04:24 Today's hangar upgrade will greatly expedite and improve
04:28 the operations here in the US, and extend the blessings
04:32 of AWA mission aviation projects around the world.
04:36 Construction on the hangar begins early in the morning.
04:39 Oh, we are cleaning out the hangar, we got some
04:42 volunteers coming in. Contractors, that are bringing
04:47 in some equipment so we can insulate the hangar.
04:49 So we can work out here in the cold Wisconsin winter.
04:53 Today, volunteers will transform this metal shell,
04:57 into a well-insulated workshop.
05:00 Winters in Wisconsin are often very severe with heavy snow
05:05 and frigid temperatures, that halt aircraft maintenance.
05:09 Our metal shell building just doesn't hold heat very well.
05:14 Just a metal building and there has been no insulation
05:17 in the ceiling.
05:18 We did put some insulation on the walls, but no insulation
05:21 in the ceiling, the heat just goes out through the ceiling.
05:26 We are anxious to get it insulated up,
05:28 so we can keep our mechanics warm and keep them going
05:31 in the winter time.
05:32 Last winter we had a big old wood heater, we were able
05:35 to get it from 20 below 0 to I think a little above 0 one day.
05:40 That's still too cold to work, so we are anxious to get
05:43 insulated so we can keep the planes ready to go
05:48 and flying for God's work.
05:49 What we are trying to do is getting everything prepared for
05:54 some volunteers who are coming down, Jay Faikel, Travis,
05:57 Noel Clark, and others are coming down to help our hangar
06:04 get warm for the winter.
06:05 It's been absolutely freezing in here the last couple of winters.
06:09 Trying to do maintenances is nearly impossible.
06:11 We've had bullet torches in here and we've had furnaces in here
06:16 wood burning furnaces, and as Dick said earlier we were able
06:20 to get it from about 20 below zero to just a little above zero
06:24 We were, through donation Kelly Hafman was kind enough to donate
06:30 some pink Styrofoam, the Owens Corning pink Styrofoam, we were
06:36 able to get the walls done, but the ceiling, we weren't able
06:40 to get done, and that is where all the heat goes.
06:43 So as an emergency measure last year we put plastic up.
06:50 That really, that warmed us up even another 10 degrees
06:52 So we got it from just about 5 degrees above we almost
06:57 20 degrees in here one day
07:00 and we felt like we were having a heat wave.
07:02 So today what we hope to do, is get some of the metal
07:06 that we got donor Kelly again, he donated this metal here
07:12 so we're going to put this metal up with some volunteer labor.
07:19 This is the metal that was donated, we hope to get
07:22 some additional insulation.
07:24 Soon volunteers and supplies begin to arrive.
07:27 Today's task will require lifts and scaffolding
07:31 to reach the ceiling.
07:32 As the trucks roll in, the workers unload supplies
07:37 and begin the work.
07:38 Today's mission will consist of putting up insulation and metal
07:42 sheeting on the ceiling which will help keep
07:45 the heat from escaping.
07:47 The team works together like a well-oiled machine.
07:50 Each person finds a task and begins working.
07:54 Yes, the old saying is "many hands make light work"
07:58 proves to be true.
08:01 Piece by piece the new insolated ceiling is assembled.
08:04 Today's work in Wisconsin will greatly impact Adventist World
08:10 Aviation's mission outposts and the many needy people they serve
08:16 By winterizing this metal hangar maintenance time will
08:21 drastically shortened, getting the much needed aircraft
08:24 back in the air to continue serving and saving lives
08:27 of the needy people.
08:40 Adventist World Aviation is not just about aircraft
08:43 We're about soul winning at it's base level.
08:46 We have an international presence
08:49 all throughout the world and Alaska of course.
08:51 Right here in the lower 48 in the United States of America
08:54 there are times when Adventist World Aviation is called to do
08:58 bigger and better things.
08:59 Being an evangelist for over 20 years, I was called a few weeks
09:03 ago by the Texas Conference, we are here in Houston Texas now
09:08 holding a series of evangelistic meetings,
09:11 leading the lost to Christ
09:14 Pastor Ric Swaningson has been an evangelist for over 20 years.
09:18 As president of Adventist World Aviation, he welcomes
09:23 the opportunity to hold evangelistic meetings,
09:26 when he is invited.
09:27 President of Adventist World Aviation, just a couple of
09:29 weeks ago I was sitting at my desk, and I received
09:32 an unexpected phone call from the ministerial director
09:36 Alton from the Texas Conference here in the United States
09:40 And he had asked, he said, Ric what are you doing? And I said
09:45 Well, I am president for Adventist World Aviation
09:48 right now. But he said we need an evangelist.
09:50 We agreed on what we needed to get done. We loaded up
09:54 the aircraft and immediately flew down here.
09:57 In one of our Adventist World Aviation Wings For Humanity
10:00 aircraft that we used to do angel flights in.
10:03 So I flew that down here.
10:05 And we set up, we are working right here at this church here.
10:10 West Houston Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of Texas'
10:14 largest churches and we've been here for the last two weeks
10:18 holding meetings, very difficult series of meetings to hold
10:21 in just a short period of time, but the Lord blessed.
10:24 The greater Houston area conducted a city wide campaign
10:28 called "Restore Houston". All Seventh-day Adventist
10:32 churches in the Houston area participated in this campaign.
10:36 The West -Houston church leaders asked pastor Ric to hold
10:40 a revelation seminar in their church.
10:43 Restore Houston is a city wide initiative,
10:47 which has been planned by the Texas Conference.
10:50 And basically what it is, is for all of the Seventh-day Adventist
10:55 churches here in this wonderful city to hold evangelism meetings
11:00 all at the same time. For these past two weeks in October
11:03 every single Adventist Church here in Houston, both English
11:09 speaking and Spanish speaking has been holding evangelism
11:13 series and the idea of Restore Houston is for all the churches
11:21 to come together, focus on evangelism and reap a harvest
11:26 for the Lord, so it's been a real blessing to be part
11:29 of that initiative and that exciting event.
11:33 I was in contact with the Conference Ministerial Director
11:38 yesterday. And he informed me of the wonderful news that
11:42 we had over 300 baptisms at the end of this Restore Houston
11:47 event So Praise God for what He is doing here in the city of
11:52 Houston We've decided to have meetings here because there is
11:56 a big effort being put on by the Texas Conference. They go to
12:01 different cities and they put on huge evangelistic efforts.
12:05 Previously was in Dallas, in St Antonio.
12:07 This year it was here in Houston so West Church, and the churches
12:13 around the Houston area have been putting on evangelistic
12:17 series at the same time to gain the maximum number of souls
12:22 for the Kingdom.
12:23 This church has responded in such an amazing way
12:27 The membership, the elders, the deacons,
12:30 every one pulled together, to really as a team to bring people
12:36 and invite people. We had our young adults go out and just
12:39 hand out invitations. The youth were involved. So everyone
12:43 pulled together and its been the most amazing most encouraging
12:46 thing to see the church reaching out in one unit.
12:51 For 2 weeks, nightly meetings were held.
12:53 Church members, as well as newly interested people from the
12:57 community attended the meetings.
12:59 Pastor Ric shared with them the great gems of Bible prophecy.
13:04 Night after night, the pews were filled with interested listeners
13:09 as they learned the beautiful truths found in God's Holy Word
13:14 The soul winning efforts of AWA are not limited to overseas
13:18 territory, but very much alive here in the US as well.
13:25 As the two weeks draw to an end, Pastor Ric
13:28 gives an appeal to accept Christ prepare for baptism.
13:33 The Holy Spirit touches the listeners
13:35 and many hearts respond.
13:37 The church pews come alive as hands begin to raise
13:41 all over the sanctuary.
13:44 Eleven individuals accept the call and choose to give
13:50 their lives to Jesus Christ. We praise God!
13:54 The pastors of the church meet with those people who raised
13:58 their hands and prepare them for baptism.
14:05 It's a joyful day here in Houston.
14:08 The day of baptism arrives. The entire church is FILLED to
14:13 capacity as all come together in celebration.
14:17 Everyone is overjoyed to have a baptismal service today.
14:22 The senior pastor and his associate make their way
14:26 into the waters. One by one, each of the
14:29 candidates enter the water as Jesus invited all sinners to do.
14:33 Signaling a new birth, new life in Jesus Christ.
14:40 Pastor Ashwin and myself are just so overjoyed
14:43 to now baptize you in the name of the Father, in the name
14:47 of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit.
15:13 Over 11 souls gave their hearths to Christ today
15:16 Beyond that 11 more for a total of a little over 24 folks are
15:21 going to be baptized here in just the very near future.
15:24 So, I would say what happened here was an extreme exciting
15:27 success for the Lord. The Holy Spirit poured out of His Kingdom
15:32 of Heaven an amazing blessing for Adventist World Aviation.
15:36 The church in God's Kingdom most importantly.
15:39 So pastor Ric led me to the choice of becoming a member
15:44 of God's Kingdom.
15:46 The clencher for me, the thing that got me the most
15:49 that actually almost literally stopped me from breathing
15:52 was when pastor was talking about you know how we were
15:56 supposed to keep the seventh day which is the Sabbath day holy.
16:00 And he pointed out something that we all should know anyway,
16:03 that it was a commandment. And I always knew, that it was
16:07 a commandment, but to hear it manifest in front of me
16:10 and to hear someone say, oh well if you been going to church
16:13 on Sunday and not going on Saturday, you are not keeping
16:15 the Sabbath day holy. That is what got to me,
16:19 because I've been going to church on Sundays
16:21 for 29 years now. So I mean to hear someone actually
16:26 call me out on it. And I know he wasn't calling me out personally
16:29 but to hear someone call me out on it and challenge me
16:32 was actually the biggest clencher for me.
16:35 That when I heard that, I was like
16:36 no, I can't disrespect God any more. I have to keep
16:38 His Sabbath day holy, which is why I decided to get baptized
16:42 again and to make my recommitment.
16:45 I really had a lot of problems in my life, I drifted away
16:48 from the Lord. I had lot of issues going on several times
16:54 in my life, but I've really turned my life around
16:57 and I just wanted to really let the Lord know
17:00 that I was serious about making my commitment to Him
17:03 coming back and you know,
17:05 I know it is a process, I know baptism is only the beginning.
17:09 The spiritual walk not really the end, of what you repented
17:13 from, but the new walk begins now.
17:16 It has always been about me, me, me.
17:19 I just want to serve the Lord and be the best witness for Him.
17:24 Show through my old ways, that I am new.
17:28 I just want people to see that. I changed for His will for Him
17:34 for what He wants me to do and not just being blessed by Him
17:37 thus far in my life.
17:39 My love for God is definitely undeniable, so I had to make
17:43 this commitment, or recommitment to Him, to let Him know
17:47 that I am serious about His Kingdom.
17:50 All Heaven rejoices with the West-Houston church
17:54 as 11 new souls are welcomed into fellowship.
17:57 We note the expressions of joy on each face
18:01 as they emerge from the water.
18:03 New people in our Savior Jesus Christ.
18:09 It's always a joy especially to see the faces as they come up
18:14 out of the water.
18:15 And for people it's different, today I saw different
18:18 expressions. The most impactful impression was of William.
18:23 The gentlemen, who's had a long interesting spiritual journey
18:30 and as he came out of the pool, we pulled him up, he paused and
18:35 he just spontaneously, just burst into tears and that really
18:41 moved me and I think it moved the congregation.
18:44 They were not tears of sadness. But they were tears of joy.
18:48 That for me is the abiding memory that I will have of this
18:54 particular baptism. It was just those tears of joy,
18:56 tears of release and tears to say Jesus I am coming home.
19:01 And I am happy and I am rejoicing.
19:04 It was just an awesome experience
19:06 I am new, I am a new pastor,
19:08 I am young and every chance I get to get into the baptismal
19:11 pool with a senior pastor, pastor Ashwin Somasundram.
19:15 It's such a marvelous experience just witnessing the new birth.
19:19 before my very eyes. Their expressions range from gasping
19:24 for air to just faces of joy. Some holding back tears
19:28 And it's just amazing to see the impact in the very split moment
19:33 when they come out of the water in newness of life
19:37 and just to share that moment with them.
19:39 To share the expression with them is a joy,
19:41 that I can not even describe. It's amazing.
19:45 Well, my thoughts in the water were, here I am Lord
19:49 You know the past is supposed to be washed away, you come
19:55 up fresh and new and just help me to continue this walk
19:59 Just a rebirth, the thoughts of rebirth
20:02 is the most important thing.
20:04 I felt very happy that I was brought to Jesus and my sins
20:09 are going to be washed away and I can be closer to God.
20:14 It was the most exhilarating feeling in the world.
20:17 As soon as I emerged form the water I felt this new found love
20:22 and passion to go out and evangelize to other people.
20:27 Not only by being baptized am I renewed but by the encouragement
20:31 and the loving words that I have gotten from everyone.
20:34 I am renewed as well.
20:36 Following this beautiful baptism the pastor feels moved
20:40 by the Holy Spirit to make another call for surrender.
20:43 This baptismal service was so powerful and so moving,
20:49 that everyone in the church could feel the presence of God
20:52 and again the congregation responds.
20:57 Every baptism is such a joy. For me as a pastor, there is
21:02 no greater joy, than baptizing someone into God's Kingdom.
21:06 It is the reason why I am in ministry.
21:10 Not only to be experienced the wonderful baptism of 11 new
21:15 souls today, but when for the power of the Holy Spirit
21:19 I was moved to make a call, an appeal for those who where
21:24 impressed by the baptisms today and who felt the moving
21:28 of the Holy Spirit on their hearts. I was moved to make
21:32 an appeal for those to come forward who felt the Holy Spirit
21:38 knocking on their heart's door. Who wanted to respond to Jesus
21:42 calling them into His love and into His faith.
21:46 We were just so blessed to have so many people come up for the
21:50 appeal at the end of the service and we are looking forward to
21:53 working with them and baptizing them soon into God's Kingdom.
21:57 It was the most amazing thing after I stepped out of the
22:01 baptistery, the pastor asked when he made an appeal
22:05 and I know that the Holy Spirit was there mightily.
22:08 He was moving, He was touching people's hearts, because there
22:11 was just a mass of people that made a decision to give their
22:15 life to Christ right then and there. So praise be to God
22:19 for the number that responded, seeking to have baptism as well.
22:25 So I know, that the time is short. I know that God is
22:27 calling people to give their life to Him in these
22:31 last few moments of earth's history.
22:32 So witnessing that happen, it's I wish I had the words to say...
22:37 It was awesome to witness!
22:39 Just the number, throng around the baptistery.
22:43 We have had a real day of celebration and joy.
22:46 As we have experienced this wonderful baptism
22:49 of 11 new souls that has been won for God's Kingdom today.
22:54 And we are just so happy that pastor Ric has come down and
22:58 blessed us with his ministry.
23:01 This evangelistic series has made a profound impact
23:05 on the West-Houston Texas area.
23:08 Many souls have been won for the kingdom and many lives changed
23:13 for the glory of God.
23:17 We all have sinned and most people don't want to do things
23:20 because they feel like they are not worthy, or because they feel
23:22 like you know their past transgression may hold them from
23:26 being excepted. Well, I am a living witness that, if you love
23:32 God, even if you sinned, even in your iniquities, even in any
23:37 bad things you've done, you have a Redeemer.
23:40 And that Redeemer is Jesus and He died for us.
23:44 And He died for all of our sins. So when you just sit there and
23:47 beet yourself up about your sins which I have done before.
23:50 You have to realize that Jesus is your Redeemer
23:54 and He still loves you. And He accepts you just at that moment
23:58 as you are, so even with all the filth even with all the sin
24:02 He'll accept you at that moment
24:04 and make you white as snow and clean again.
24:13 Adventist World Aviation is not just about international
24:17 aviation projects and soul winning work out in the field
24:24 at various different parts of the world, but it's also here
24:27 in the United States. At home our administrative staff
24:30 is always on call. Willing to answer the call of reaching the
24:35 unreached of the world. In the world there are some 800 million
24:39 people who have never heard the message of Jesus Christ.
24:42 Here in the United States, I don't know what the
24:45 proportion is, but United States is part of the world as well.
24:49 The administrative staff at Adventist World Aviation
24:52 is willing to work here, not only here in the United States,
24:56 but abroad as well. When a call arises to do evangelistic work
25:00 to do medical evacuations, or non medical emergencies,
25:04 such as angels flights.
25:05 we're willing to take up the call and do just that.
25:08 There is a lot that is goes on behind the scenes
25:10 at Adventist World Aviation that administratively, that most
25:15 people don't see. Lot of that is in maintenance, lot of that is
25:18 in church work, but most importantly it is what we are
25:21 doing right here in Houston Texas It's evangelism.
25:24 As a result of evangelism, souls are won for the Kingdom.
25:28 And Adventist World Aviation's part of it's fundamental basis
25:31 is building the Kingdom. And if we are not about building
25:34 the Kingdom, than what's the point? Why don't we all go home
25:37 and watch the television.
25:39 But that's what we do, we build Jesus' Kingdom, for ever more!


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Revised 2014-12-17