Participants:
Series Code: ASIC
Program Code: ASIC180006A
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00:01 Music...
00:19 Good evening ASI. 00:21 It's one of my favorite parts to do: Members in Action 00:26 and this evening I have with me Joshua Holly 00:29 who is a student at Ouachita Hills College, 00:33 Joshua, tell us a little bit about Ouachita Hills. 00:37 Ouachita Hills is a very small self-supporting college 00:41 in Amity, Arkansas 00:42 and I'm actually studying Theology there 00:44 and they offer many different degrees on education, 00:49 theology, business... 00:50 and it's a... it's a beautiful.. it's a special place. 00:52 Interviewer: That's fantastic Joshua, 00:55 now, why are you studying Theology? 00:57 Tell us little bit about the background, 00:59 you have an amazing story of how God has led you to that point, 01:04 what happened? 01:05 Well it's a... it's truly a miracle story. 01:08 I wasn't raised in church, 01:11 I wasn't raised a Christian at all, 01:14 I'd never heard of Seventh-day Adventists 01:15 and was actually involved in drugs 01:17 and gangs and things like that from a very young age 01:21 and I actually ended up going to the penitentiary 01:24 when I was 17 years old 01:26 and after being in prison for about seven years, 01:29 I had an experience with God. 01:32 God truly did reveal Himself to me 01:34 and He let me know He was real 01:35 and I started studying my Bible 01:37 and I was locked down to a maximum-security penitentiary, 01:41 so I was locked down in a cell 01:43 and there was no Bible Workers, there was no Colporteurs 01:47 and it's amazing how the Lord still finds a way 01:51 to reveal His truth to you because... after... 01:56 when I started studying my Bible, 01:57 this book right here, "Patriarchs and Prophets" 02:01 appeared in my cell... 02:03 and when I say, "it appeared" I mean, it did... 02:04 it was just... one day it was there underneath my television, 02:07 I picked it up and I began to read it 02:09 and I was amazed at what I was reading, 02:12 I knew that God was speaking to me 02:13 through this book right here 02:15 and I still didn't know anything about Seventh-day Adventists. 02:17 And that book... the Patriarchs and Prophets 02:20 was just not any copy, it was the ASI Edition 02:24 of the "Patriarchs and Prophets" book. 02:27 Praise the Lord, 02:28 however it got there, God put it there, 02:30 go ahead, tell us more. 02:32 Amen and... and what's amazing is 02:35 I read the book twice and a year later, 02:39 I got moved to a different cell and I was in this new cell 02:43 and there were some books that were underneath my bed 02:46 that were taped together, two stacks of books 02:48 somebody was using them to work-out with 02:50 and do push-ups on them 02:52 and I pulled the books out 02:54 and I started working out with them 02:55 one day, I was doing push-ups 02:56 and contemplating all these things, 02:58 I was reading the Bible, especially... and about prophecy 03:00 and as I was looking as I was doing push-ups, 03:03 I noticed there was The Great Controversy 03:05 right in the middle of these books... 03:07 Interviewer: And The Great Controversy 03:08 in the stack of books that you're doing push-ups on. 03:11 Joshua: It was this... this copy... 03:13 this version right here... the ASI book... 03:14 Interviewer: The ASI Edition of The Great Controversy again, 03:18 this is a new way to share The Great Controversy, isn't it? 03:21 Amazing... doing push-ups on The Great Controversy... 03:24 continue to tell us the story. 03:26 Joshua: So that's how I learned about this message 03:30 and I got out of prison still fully unconverted 03:33 I still struggled letting go of the world... I did... 03:36 and I actually ended up going to a Drug Rehabilitation Program 03:41 called "The City of Hope" in Oklahoma City 03:44 and it's a beautiful place, 03:45 it's a Wellness Center/ Drug Rehab/Homeless Shelter 03:49 and that's where I learned about the spiritual nature of Christ 03:52 and I actually got to learn about a Colporteur Ministry, 03:55 when I heard about a Colporteur Ministry, 03:56 the Lord told me that I could go door-to-door 03:58 with these ASI books and share my testimony, 04:00 I started doing that, I was blessed from the beginning 04:02 and I was very untactful doing it, 04:04 I would go and knock on some of these doors 04:06 and start telling about Jesus 04:07 and telling about how I found these books in prison 04:09 and they will change your life 04:10 and the Lord blessed, though, 04:11 people were blessed by doing that... and... 04:15 Interviewer: That's... that's fantastic, 04:18 it's so encouraging, 04:19 thank you ASI for the support with these books 04:23 it's absolutely tremendous. 04:25 Audience: Clapping. 04:26 Now, please tell us because you have a real passion 04:29 for these books now, 04:30 tell us more about your plans 04:33 and what you just finished doing just this last week. 04:37 Well, we just got done doing a ten-week canvassing program 04:40 in North Carolina... 04:42 going door-to-door with this literature 04:44 and there... there's something special 04:46 about sharing these books with people 04:47 and it's changed my life 04:49 and I know that God is going to use me 04:51 on doing this for a long time 04:53 and that's the beautiful thing too 04:55 about being in Ouachita Hills School 04:56 as this is actually how we pay for our scholarship 04:59 is, we get to go door-to-door and sell these books to people 05:02 and it's been a... been a blessing, 05:04 it's been a... it just changed my life. 05:05 That is so encouraging Joshua, 05:08 we are just so glad that God has led you 05:11 through the ministry of the printed page, 05:15 this evening, our interviews are going to focus 05:18 on the way that God has used media... 05:20 through the printed page... through television... 05:23 through internet... 05:25 and through the websites that are available. 05:30 So, Joshua again, we want to say, 05:32 "Thank you so much for your time, 05:35 coming here and sharing your story, 05:37 we'll be praying for you at Ouachita Hills 05:40 and may God richly bless you 05:42 as you continue your journey for Christ. " 05:46 And Ouachita Hills does have a Booth 05:48 and I'll be in the Booth after the Service today 05:51 if you want to come and maybe hear more of my testimony 05:53 hear more in detail, 05:55 you're welcome to come by and do that... 05:57 it's the Booth on 528. 05:59 Okay, so come and see John, he told me that his testimony 06:02 is really more like 30 minutes or an hour long 06:05 so, stop by the Booth, 06:07 you can hear more amazing stories 06:09 about how these books really do make a powerful impact. 06:13 Again, thank you Joshua, we're so glad you came. 06:17 Next, we're going to have Remnant Publications. 06:21 We have Dwight Hall coming and Mike Casey 06:24 and I am so excited about this particular interview 06:29 because it really touches my heart personally 06:33 Dwight, tell us a little bit about Remnant Publications, 06:37 I know many know 06:38 but some are here for the first time, so tell us. 06:40 Well, I started Remnant Publications 06:42 around 33 years ago, 06:44 boy, it doesn't seem like that long 06:47 but my kids tell me I got gray hair 06:49 and I'm getting older but it's really been a blessing 06:52 and I made a promise over 33 years ago 06:55 as I re-dedicated my life to the Lord, 06:58 that I would put life-changing books out 07:01 to the best that I could 07:02 that would help change the world one book at a time 07:05 and God started blessing... not at... 07:08 He always blesses but not big at first... 07:10 through humble beginnings but one... 07:13 there are a number of projects, Rodney, that I think is... 07:15 one that I think would resonate with you, 07:17 but we got a book out a number of years ago called, 07:21 "The Passion of Love" 07:22 how many of you have ever seen that book? 07:24 I know a number of you have. 07:26 We were told many times that you can give books out 07:30 to Seventh-day Adventists and some Christians 07:32 but you'll never get these kinds of books out to, 07:35 like, the Walmart's of the world or all these chain stores 07:38 and you know what? 07:39 It's not that we did anything 07:42 but it's because God uses every one of you 07:44 without you, we could not do anything... 07:47 it's partnerships... 07:48 we got a pallet of books out in Arkansas 07:51 and I was just backstage and... and sharing that... 07:53 Rodney said, "I was a part of that" 07:55 and there was a pallet of books that got shared in Arkansas 07:59 where the Walmart Distribution Plant is out there 08:02 and they passed books out... 08:04 the buyer there at the Walmart Store 08:07 called us up and said, "I just got done with this book, 08:12 would you be interested 08:13 in getting it into the Walmart stores?" 08:16 I said, "Nah, not really... " 08:18 no... 08:20 you see how God works things out? 08:22 And because of that faithfulness with the Remnant staff, 08:26 over 1.8 million books were gotten out 08:30 of that Passion Book and over a 1,000 Bible Studies 08:33 came directly from the Walmart Stores... it's tremendous. 08:37 That is just an incredible thing and as I mentioned 08:41 that story really touches me 08:43 because I was pastoring in Northwest Arkansas at that time 08:46 and it was one of our church members 08:48 that was at the Walmart that was passing out this book, 08:51 praise the Lord, what else... 08:53 what are some other projects? 08:54 Well, another big project was... 08:56 we partnered with 3ABN a number of years ago 08:58 and "10 Commandments Twice Removed" 09:00 that was written by Danny Shelton and Shelly Quinn 09:02 and I know, to this day, 09:04 there's probably at least over 12 million 09:06 of those books that have gotten out 09:08 and I know that there were whole churches 09:11 that got that book 09:12 and church pastors became Seventh-day Adventists 09:15 after reading that book. 09:17 I met one for sure... so that was a big project 09:20 we've gotten, "Hero of Hacksaw Ridge" 09:23 was a newer project 09:25 over 1.2 million of those 09:27 and a huge project which is dear to my heart 09:29 is the "The Great Controversy" 09:30 and we partnered with Ron Goss, a tremendous friend of mine 09:33 project restored... 09:35 in the last few years we've gotten well over 12 million 09:38 full-version Great Controversies out, 09:41 now, that's a lot of Great Controversies 09:43 and we mailed them out... 09:45 we've gotten them into San Francisco, to Chicago, 09:47 the Chicago Tribune called us up, 09:49 we've been on Television Stations 09:51 and... lots of Bible Studies from this. 09:55 Now, I will have to say that we would love it 09:58 that everybody that would write us back 09:59 that would just love the free book that they got 10:02 but one time, we actually got a book, Rodney, 10:04 that had six bullet holes in it 10:06 so, not everybody likes what you do, of course, 10:10 but it doesn't deter us 10:11 but God has... has blessed tremendously 10:13 and it's a team effort... 10:15 it's all because of all of you and others... 10:17 that help make this tremendous ministry. 10:19 Well, thank you very much Dwight, for sharing 10:22 and if your church has not yet received 10:24 a pallet of Great Controversy books, 10:26 please call Remnant and order your pallet for sure. 10:30 Now, we have Mike Casey with us, 10:32 Mike, we want to hear some more stories... 10:36 some personal testimonies 10:37 of how this literature is really touching people's lives. 10:40 Do I have three hours? 10:42 You have three minutes. 10:44 Well, there are a lot of stories and one of the projects that 10:48 that Dwight didn't mentioned is "Hope for the Hurting" 10:50 and what this is... this is "Steps to Christ" 10:52 but it has a title of "Hope for the Hurting. " 10:55 It's a full-color edition and it's wonderful... 10:57 doing a tremendous work 10:58 and we have been sending these out everywhere, 11:01 in fact, in Las Vegas, after that shooting there, 11:03 over 600,000 went out to every home there 11:06 and we would like to thank Amazing Discoveries 11:08 for helping to partner with us on this... on this project. 11:10 In fact, in the first two weeks, 11:13 we had over 40 Bible-Study requests 11:15 and one really neat one I'd like to share... 11:18 there's a lady... she called... 11:19 a couple of months after this mailing 11:21 because sometimes, we don't get results right away 11:23 and she was like, nearly in tears, 11:25 she actually... she was in tears, 11:26 I was nearly in tears on the phone, 11:28 she was telling me... tell us how this book changed her life 11:31 and not only did she want Bible Studies 11:33 but she wanted Bible Studies for her children as well 11:36 and that's what makes this book so successful 11:39 and this version of "Steps to Christ" 11:42 also has... through our partnership with Amazing Facts, 11:45 introduction of free Bible Studies there 11:48 and through our partnership with 3ABN, 11:49 an introduction to the... 11:51 to their station to view Adventist Broadcasting, 11:54 So, this book, when you leave it, 11:56 it continues to work, 11:57 it's just the beginning when you drop it off 11:59 so this is... this is... 12:01 this is one of many wonderful stories, 12:02 this book has also been sent out all through the Sutherland area 12:06 after that shooting in Texas, 12:08 we've sent several pallets to Houston 12:13 after the hurricane there, 12:14 but most importantly, right here in Florida 12:16 after the Parkland shooting 12:18 in partnership, again, with the Florida Conference, 12:20 and we thank them 12:22 we were able to send every household 12:23 in the Parkland and Coral Springs area this book 12:26 and it says right on here, "In Memory of the Lost" 12:29 so it really touches home 12:31 and we've had some fantastic results 12:33 and speaking of Florida, we've had... just last week... 12:36 just before I came here, from the Panama City area, 12:39 a Pastor had gone around 12:41 and handed out, "Hero of Hacksaw Ridge" 12:43 how many have handed out "Hero of Hacksaw Ridge"? 12:45 Is that the funnest book you have ever handed out? 12:47 It's tremendous, isn't it? 12:49 Well, the lady called and she was so thankful and grateful 12:53 and again, she signed up for Bible Studies. 12:55 Isn't that wonderful? 12:56 If I have time for one quick story. 12:57 Interviewer: Go ahead. Mark: It's an amazing story. 13:00 This gentleman was walking down the street 13:03 and he was a... he's a cripple and so he had a cane 13:05 and as he's walking down the street, 13:07 he sees a book on the ground 13:09 and with his cane, he kind of flips it over 13:12 and then he reaches down and he picks it up 13:14 and it's our "Noah" book 13:16 and so, he takes it home and he reads it 13:18 but what's so beautiful... we didn't know about this story 13:21 for this had happened years before, 13:23 he was calling us up 13:25 for cases of this book to distribute... 13:28 he's is a baptized Adventist today, is that beautiful? 13:31 Interviewer: Amen. 13:33 Mark: And... and these are the real heroes... 13:34 the ones that are getting the books out... 13:36 you are the heroes, 13:37 printing the books is easy, 13:39 I mean, that's... that's the easy part... 13:40 what you're doing... that's what really makes the difference. 13:43 We thank you for that. 13:45 Interviewer: Now, before you go, the last thing is, 13:46 you have something at your Booth, 13:48 what do you have at the Booth 13:50 for everyone here at ASI? 13:51 We have this in the Booth. 13:53 Interviewer: And what are we supposed to do with that? 13:54 Mark: I'll tell you what... everyone that comes by 13:56 is going to get one of these for free 13:58 but it's not for you, please go hand them out, 13:59 okay, let's pass the favor, 14:01 let's go hand it out, let's change lives, 14:03 and it takes every one of us 14:05 and also, for those that aren't here, 14:07 please go to remnant publications. com 14:09 you can learn more about what we're doing 14:11 and please "Like" us on Facebook. 14:13 Thank you so much, God bless you. 14:15 Music... 14:19 In the 10/40 window... live three billion unreached people. 14:23 80% of the world's poor 14:26 and millions are persecuted for their faith. 14:30 ASAP Ministries believe ethnic missionaries 14:33 empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit 14:36 are the key for reaching the 10/40 window for Christ 14:39 that's why 23 years ago, 14:42 we began training lay people in Southeast Asia 14:45 as Church Planters, teachers and medical missionaries 14:48 to fulfill the great commission among their own people groups 14:52 using Christ's compassionate methods. 14:55 Today, with God's blessing, 14:58 ASAP supports nearly 600 ethnic missionaries 15:02 and 1,000s of impoverished and at-risk children 15:05 are learning about Jesus in ASAP-funded schools 15:09 across southeast Asia and elsewhere in the 10/40 window. 15:13 Along with our ongoing projects, recently ASAP has broken ground 15:18 on the first Seventh-day Adventist Academy 15:21 in the Communist country of Laos... 15:22 support a new Lifestyle Center Ministry to Muslims 15:26 in a closed country 15:28 and launched the "Reach the World Next Door" 15:30 Training Program in Houston, Texas 15:32 to equip young adults to reach refugees and immigrants 15:36 from the 10/40 window living in North America. 15:39 Thanks to an ASI Grant, 15:41 we also started a secret missionary training program 15:44 serving an outcast population in a closed country 15:48 and by faith, we began producing sermon series 15:52 for some of the world's least-rich people groups 15:55 so that they can hear the gospel in their heart language 15:58 for the very first time. 16:00 We are driven by a single purpose... 16:03 to reach the world ASAP 16:06 because Jesus is coming soon, 16:08 now more than ever, mission matters. 16:13 Praise the Lord for what ASAP is doing. 16:17 Saeng, it's so good to see you. 16:19 Saeng: It's good to see you Brother. 16:21 Interviewer: And I wanted to ask you, what does ASAP stand for? 16:26 Saeng: Adventist... it used to be called... 16:28 ASAP used to stand for: 16:30 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects 16:31 that's probably what you've heard in the past 16:34 but we have changed to: 16:36 Advocates for Southeast Asians and the Persecuted. 16:39 Interviewer: Okay, so this is what we really want to focus on 16:43 in this particular interview, 16:45 tell us a little bit about how you got involved in ASAP. 16:50 Well, I got involved with ASAP a while back 16:53 when I was just a new Christian. 16:55 ASAP had partnered with another ministry 16:59 that helped me pay for my Christian education 17:03 at Weimar Academy 17:04 and then, through Weimar College to study Theology. 17:08 In those days, there was no Seventh-day Adventist Pastor 17:13 in North America for the Laotian people. 17:16 and I felt... God was calling me 17:18 but the problem... 17:20 but the problem for me was that I came from a refugee family 17:23 and there was no way my parents could have helped me 17:26 to have a Christian education 17:29 so, ASAP and some of the Organizations had stepped in 17:33 and helped me be able to go to Adventist schools 17:38 and... and... and finished Weimar College 17:41 as the first Seventh-day Adventist Pastor 17:44 in North America. 17:46 And are you still the only Laotian Pastor in North America? 17:51 At the present time, I am. 17:52 So, how are we possibly going to change that? 17:55 What is ASAP's vision, what is your vision for that? 17:59 When I was at the Seminary, I prayed many times... 18:02 many times, I could not go to sleep 18:04 because I see this... I feel this load on my shoulders. 18:07 There are nearly one million Laotian refugees 18:11 in North America... 18:12 not counting Australia and parts of Europe 18:15 and so, there were nights when I couldn't go to sleep 18:19 and one night, I happened to pray to the Lord 18:21 late in the night... early in the morning... 18:25 and I was inspired by... by a DVD I watched. 18:29 And that DVD inspired me to... to start... 18:33 to have a vision to share the gospel to multiply myself 18:37 so that I could... I could cover more grounds 18:40 with just being one... one pastor... one preacher... 18:43 and so, through that inspiration, 18:46 I've been involved with ASAP... 18:48 I've been involved with Media Ministry 18:51 and thanks to ASI Grants in 2008, 18:54 I was able to launch the Laotian TV Ministry 18:58 for my people here for North America 19:01 and I found that Media Ministry 19:04 not only touched the Laotian-speaking people 19:07 in North America, 19:08 just last year, I went to Laos, for the first time in ten years 19:12 and I was surprised how... how famous I was over there 19:16 and I was shocked... 19:17 I didn't know what to do with myself, 19:18 everybody seems to know who I am 19:21 and so... and... and I come to realize 19:24 that they had distributed... 19:25 distributed my DVDs across the country 19:28 and many people have come to the Lord through the... 19:31 through the TV and DVD evangelism... 19:33 projects that we've... we've done. 19:35 Amen, so, we heard the power of the printed page 19:38 at the other interviews, 19:40 here we're hearing the power of Media and DVD ministry. 19:44 Tell us a little bit more, Saeng about some other projects 19:50 that ASAP has... specifically to help reach the refugees. 19:54 So, here, since I've learned from the experience... 19:57 the few years I've done with Media ministry 19:59 among my own people 20:01 and I've seen the success that the Media Ministry has 20:04 on my ministry, 20:05 I have joined ASAP a year ago 20:09 and part of my work is to help inspire other pastors 20:13 and church planters here in North America 20:15 to... to be involved in Media Ministry 20:17 because some of these language groups 20:19 that have come here to North America... 20:21 sometimes there is no pastor, no... no trained pastor 20:27 among these different people groups 20:28 and so, my... my desire... 20:32 my goal is to help inspire those... 20:33 those few workers that we have to utilize Media 20:37 so that they too can spread the message to their people 20:41 that are scattered throughout the world, 20:43 many refugee groups have come to the United States as you know 20:46 and... and it is such an opportunity for us 20:49 here in North America, we have the freedom to share... 20:52 freedom to preach 20:53 and the message that we share with the refugees here 20:56 will not just stay here, 20:57 eventually, the refugees will send this message home, 21:00 send these DVDs home so that their people in... 21:03 in other countries... in their home country 21:06 could hear and could be reached 21:08 and so, ASAP Ministries believe that Ethnic missionaries 21:12 in these very last days, 21:14 ethnic missionaries are key... and that's... that's... 21:17 we believe that it's the most effective... cost effective 21:20 and that's how we can reach the world ASAP. 21:22 We agree with you. 21:24 In ten seconds tell us what is happening in Houston. 21:27 In Houston, we do have a training center... 21:29 training school... to train North American young people 21:33 to reach out cross-culturally... to reach out to other faiths... 21:39 Muslims... Hindus... Buddhists, 21:41 un-churched people 21:44 so if you have some young people who want to train 21:47 how to reach the refugees and immigrants 21:49 that have come to this country... 21:50 send them to Houston, we have a Center... 21:52 training center called "Reach the World Next Door. " 21:56 If you want more information, go to Booth number... 21:59 515... 22:01 515 and go and talk to ASAP Ministries. 22:04 Thank you so much, Saeng, God bless you. 22:07 Audience: Clapping. 22:11 Our last interview this evening 22:13 is going to be a very exciting one, 22:16 Mark, so glad you could join me here, thank you so much. 22:19 Mark is from Oak Haven and Country Life 22:22 and they have an incredible ministry in Michigan, 22:26 tell us a little bit about what happens at Oak Haven. 22:29 Okay, well, we operate a health-food ministry 22:32 and a health ministry, 22:33 we're located in southwest Michigan on 1,200 acres. 22:38 We distribute food nationwide and a little bit of export, 22:41 we like to support health ministry in all we can 22:45 sometimes, it's in a... 22:47 in the form of sending food to a church 22:50 that has a Co-op that schedules a Supper Club 22:54 that can invite neighborhood people... community people 22:57 and then schedule an event 22:59 where they can get to know their neighbors 23:02 month after month after month when the food delivery comes. 23:05 Now, you are also involved very specifically 23:08 in an evangelistic kind of effort, 23:11 tell us a little bit about that. 23:13 Yeah, so, in our local outreach... 23:14 we... we do a number of different programs... 23:16 some things we prepare ourselves... 23:18 sometimes we use like, Nedley's Program, 23:21 Dr. Guthrie's Diabetes and different things 23:23 so we were doing an "Optimize Your Brain Program" 23:26 and we met this young man named Jeremiah Holmes 23:29 which you'll see in Skype in a few minutes. 23:31 But before we get there, let us... 23:34 there was a mailing that went out, right? 23:37 Okay, right, we... we as a church 23:40 we were at the Pullman Church in Michigan, 23:42 Oak Haven Country Life... the Pullman Church... 23:45 we worked together with evangelism, 23:47 with the Conference... 23:48 and Michigan Conference has a wonderful program 23:50 called: biblestudyoffer. com 23:53 so our local church sent a postcard to the community... 23:56 3000-or-so homes... 23:58 and Jeremiah responded in an interesting way at first, 24:02 he threw it in the trash... 24:04 and he'll tell you about what happened afterwards. 24:07 Yes, we're going to actually at this time, 24:10 bring Jeremiah here to our auditorium on Skype 24:13 so, we're going to bring in a live interview now, 24:17 if everything works well, 24:19 Jeremiah, are you there with us this evening? 24:22 Jeremiah: I am here. 24:24 Interviewer: There he is... 24:25 Jeremiah say, "Hello" to the audience here in Florida. 24:28 Jeremiah: Hello, praise the Lord. 24:30 Interviewer: Oh, praise the Lord, 24:32 we are so glad that we're able to have this interview, 24:35 so, Jeremiah, we just left the story, 24:38 you got a card in the mail for Bible Studies 24:42 and we heard from Mark 24:44 that you tore it up and threw it in the trash. 24:47 Tell us a little bit more, what happened? 24:50 Jeremiah: Well, I had been studying... 24:52 reading a lot of other books to try to become a better person 24:55 and so far that was working, I was pretty busy with that, 24:58 being an IT guy, I recognized the cost of DVDs 25:01 and on this card I saw that there were free DVDs 25:04 and so, I thought about it, 25:05 thought I'd want to do something with it, 25:07 a few days went by and I just threw it in the garbage, 25:09 said, "I don't have time for this. " 25:10 Well, it stayed in the garbage for about three or four days 25:13 and I decided I really did want to know more about that, 25:15 so, I pulled it out of the garbage... 25:17 taped it back together and I called the phone number 25:19 so that I could find out what was going on 25:21 and that's when I'd asked the... 25:23 about the... "It Is Written" versus the DVDs 25:26 and they told me that "It Is Written" 25:28 was going to be more on the New Testament 25:30 and I said, "I want to know more about the history" 25:32 and they said, "Well, then you want the DVDs. " 25:33 And so, I registered for that and began watching those. 25:37 Interviewer: That is fantastic, now, tell us a little bit 25:40 about your religious background before this point. 25:44 Jeremiah: When I grew up I... 25:47 I suppose I was a typical Christian American 25:50 who went to various churches, 25:51 didn't really have a specific denomination 25:53 that I sat with or was devoted to 25:56 and that was for most of my life 25:58 and so I'd heard some Bible Stories and... 26:00 and things that... sermons out of the Bible 26:02 and in 2003 I as searching for my life-meet... my life partner 26:08 and met my wife online and she's from Bangladesh 26:11 and so, I was learning about her 26:13 and I was learning about Bangladesh 26:15 and that most people are Muslim over there... 26:17 I was learning a bit about Muslim 26:18 and based on my understanding 26:20 of how I had a relationship with God, 26:23 I felt that that matched on point 26:25 with where I was in my heart and in my mind 26:28 and so, when I went over there in April 2004, 26:31 I got married to my wife 26:33 and at the same time, I converted to a Muslim 26:36 and so, it wasn't until 2017 in February 26:40 where that Bible Study Offer card came in the mail. 26:42 Interviewer: That is an amazing story, so Mark... or Jeremiah, 26:49 you were a Muslim basically 26:52 and you received this card in the mail, 26:55 tore it up, threw it in the trash 26:57 and then received the... 27:00 how many sets of Bible Studies did you go through 27:03 after you...? 27:05 Jeremiah: I went through three Bible Studies total. 27:07 Interviewer: How many? 27:09 Jeremiah: Three total. 27:10 Interviewer: Three total sets of Bible Studies through this, 27:14 now, we left the story with Mark 27:18 and he came to a Seminar at Oak Haven. 27:23 Mark: Okay, right, so as Jeremiah corresponding by mail 27:27 on these Bible Studies, 27:28 we inserted an invitation to come to our local outreach 27:33 which was, as I mentioned, "Optimize Your Brain" 27:35 and this really resonated with Jeremiah 27:38 who said... he was looking to better himself 27:41 and not from a "give God the glory" standpoint 27:44 but to something that it really touched him 27:46 and so, he started attending "Optimize Your Brain" 27:49 for six weeks and was really... 27:50 the point is... really engaged... 27:52 really applying everything that he learned. 27:54 Interviewer: That's fantastic, 27:56 Jeremiah, can you tell us a little bit 27:57 about your experience then, going to "Optimize Your Brain" 28:00 and then, starting to attend the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 28:04 Pause. 28:05 Jeremiah: Okay, yeah, the "Optimize Your Brain" 28:07 was really awesome, 28:08 I was into taking food supplements 28:11 to have optimal health 28:13 and with the mentorship program I worked with, 28:16 I was also looking to expand my circle of influence 28:18 and I knew that there were people 28:20 that wanted to better themselves 28:21 that would actually attend the "Optimize Your Brain" course, 28:23 while I was attending that course, 28:25 I learned a lot of very important details 28:28 about the various vitamins and the fruits that provided them 28:30 so that our bodies can be with ultimate health 28:33 and... and essentially the brain to... to think clearly 28:36 and so, taking the class really changed my life 28:40 and at the same time I went there, 28:41 I found out that the person 28:43 from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pullman 28:45 who was mailing the Bible Studies... 28:47 "Landmarks of Prophecy" to me 28:49 attended the class as well and that's how I learned 28:51 that the church was right across the street 28:54 and so, I was able to increase my frequency 28:56 of going through that 28:58 "Landmarks of Prophecy" Bible Study 28:59 and finished both courses and immediately after that, 29:02 it was May of 2017 29:04 and I'm now Wednesday and Sabbath attendance 29:07 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 29:09 Interviewer: Can you say, "Amen" to that? 29:11 Audience: Clapping. Interviewer: God is so good. 29:13 Thank you for joining us, Jeremiah, 29:15 thank you for being with us, Mark, 29:18 if people want to learn more about Oak Haven, 29:20 where can they go? 29:21 Mark: Yes, we're at Booth Number 816 29:23 and we typically hand out a Trail Mix sample, 29:25 if you're familiar, come and get some. 29:27 Interviewer: Praise the Lord for members in action. 29:29 Music... 29:36 violin... 29:44 On a hill far away 29:49 stood an old rugged cross, 29:54 The emblem of suff'ring and shame, 30:03 And I love that old cross 30:07 where the dearest and best 30:12 For a world of lost sinners was slain. 30:20 So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 30:29 Till my trophies at last I lay down; 30:37 I will cling to the old rugged cross, 30:45 And exchange it some day for a crown. 30:53 music... 31:00 To the old rugged cross 31:05 I will ever be true, 31:09 Its shame and reproach gladly bear; 31:17 Then He'll call me some day 31:22 to my home far away, 31:27 Where His glory forever I'll share. 31:34 Music... 31:40 more music... 31:44 So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 31:52 Till my trophies at last I lay down; 32:01 I will cling to the old rugged cross, 32:09 And exchange it some day... 32:15 And exchange it someday.. 32:19 and exchange it someday 32:24 for a crown. 32:31 Music... 32:38 more music... 32:43 Audience: Amen... clapping. 32:49 Good evening ASI... 32:51 Good Evening ASI, 32:54 all right, I want to make sure you're awake out there. 32:57 That's right. 32:58 So, welcome to another "Offering in Action" Segment. 33:01 It is my privilege to be able to interview 33:04 different projects to let you know that those... 33:07 just a few of them that are in your booklet 33:10 that will benefit from the offering this year 33:12 and I have a distinct pleasure of interviewing 3ABN tonight. 33:18 I'm really excited because we go way back, 33:22 3ABN and ASI are joined at the hip for ministry 33:27 and we are really excited to be able to have been... 33:30 to be able to partner with 3ABN 33:33 and I'm just... you can tell, I'm just falling over myself 33:36 because I'm so excited that they're up here 33:38 so, we have Jill and Greg Morikone 33:41 and tell me what is your role with 3ABN? 33:44 I'm 3ABN General Manager, 33:46 Mollie Steenson was Vice President 33:48 and General Manager, she retired the end of December 33:51 so I stepped into her position. 33:52 Interviewer: Okay, and Greg... 33:54 She's my boss. 33:55 Jill: Not really... 33:57 Greg: I wear multiple hats, I'm actually Production Manager 34:00 and I'm also General Vice President at 3ABN. 34:02 Well, we were reminiscing a little bit... 34:04 so, I've been with 3ABN since 1999 34:08 and back in the day, I used to send Debbie on backstage 34:13 back there saying, "All right Debbie, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... go... " 34:16 Now, we're on together... it's a little nerve-racking. 34:19 Laugher. 34:20 So, as I've interviewed some of the projects, 34:23 it's become apparent to me that a theme seems to be the... 34:27 as they've been in existence for quite some time, 34:30 that they are looking for new and innovative ways 34:33 to reach people for Jesus 34:34 and so, I'm wondering if you could share with us... 34:37 and what's going on with 3ABN now 34:39 and how are they innovating to reach people for Jesus? 34:42 Absolutely, first I want to... just want to talk to you 34:44 about the mission of 3ABN. 34:46 When God gave Danny Shelton the vision back in 1984, 34:51 the Lord told him, 34:52 "I want you to begin a television station 34:54 that would reach the world 34:57 with the undiluted three angels' messages, 34:59 one that would counteract the counterfeit" 35:02 and for 34 years, Danny Shelton and the 3ABN team 35:07 have been faithful to that vision 35:10 to proclaim an undiluted three angels' messages 35:13 to a lost and dying world 35:15 and I... I like to think that we do that 35:17 in a three-pronged approach, 35:19 first we want to present the gospel message 35:21 to those who have never heard the name of Jesus, 35:24 to those who may be... have heard about Jesus 35:27 but they don't know the truths that we hold so dear, 35:31 the truths we can find in the Word of God 35:34 so, first of all, 3ABN is to be as a light... as it were... 35:37 in a dark place... in a dark world. 35:40 Just this afternoon, at the Booth, 35:43 we had the privilege of meeting a young woman, 35:45 beautiful young woman from Kuwait. 35:47 She's 19 years old and her name is Glennie. 35:51 She came up to the Booth and she said, 35:53 "I grew up in Kuwait, I was in a Baptist home 35:57 and one day my parents were flipping the channel 36:00 and they stumbled across something called 3ABN 36:04 and they were riveted and they were hooked 36:07 and they watched the programs 36:10 and they took it back to their church 36:11 and they questioned... and they... they studied 36:14 and they started family worship 36:15 and at family worships, they would study 36:18 what they had been seeing 36:19 and what they had been watching on 3ABN. 36:22 They were baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 36:25 Interviewer: Amen. 36:26 That's a result of you all... that's a result of you at home 36:30 because of your support of the ministry, 36:32 people are... people's lives are being changed for eternity. 36:36 You know, Debbie, 3ABN wants to also thank ASI 36:39 because you guys have been a part of 3ABN 36:42 from the very beginning. 36:43 I know that 3ABN is a blessing... 36:45 we get to go do these programs. 36:46 A number of you have come to 3ABN over the years 36:49 and done programming at 3ABN but we just want to thank you. 36:52 Many of you know that Danny Shelton 36:54 had open-heart surgery two weeks ago... today 36:57 so he's actually at home 36:59 but he sends his greetings to you as well 37:01 but we just thank you 37:03 because it's definitely a team effort together 37:06 because our goal... all of us, right, 37:08 ASI together... along with 3ABN... 37:10 all the other ministries is to hasten Christ's soon return, 37:13 Isn't that right? 37:14 And what a privilege, this is just today... 37:16 the story that Jill's talking about, 37:17 man, that just thrills our hearts 37:19 but that's... you guys too... 37:20 so thank you for your financial support through the years, 37:22 one of our newest employees at 3ABN... 37:25 his name is Ryan Day 37:27 and he became a Seventh-day Adventist because of 3ABN 37:31 and he also was an Evangelist for Amazing Facts 37:34 for what was it? Five years... 37:35 before he came to 3ABN. 37:36 That's again, thank you to you for your support of 3ABN 37:39 through all of the years. 37:41 You know the fantastic thing about this is... 37:44 as much as you're thanking ASI, 37:46 we want to thank you on behalf of all of our ministries 37:49 and members. 37:51 Because of 3ABN giving some presence and some visibility, 37:54 many of our ministries have... 37:57 everybody knows about who they are 37:59 and what kinds of needs they have 38:01 and so, like you said, we're working together... 38:04 we just give greater lift to all of our ministries 38:07 because of our working together. 38:08 Amen, it is a privilege to partner together, 38:11 you know just to partner together, holding hands 38:13 as we reach to proclaim this message 38:15 to a lost and dying world 38:17 and I... I'd like to think that the Lord has blessed 3ABN 38:20 with the opportunity to have a platform for your ministries. 38:23 You know, so many of you have come to 3ABN... 38:27 have been featured on 3ABN and then we hear stories. 38:30 People say, "I received so many donations 38:34 that we could go out and we could spread the gospel 38:36 with our own ministry" 38:37 so that's one way that 3ABN can give back 38:40 by having other ministries come and be featured on 3ABN. 38:44 So, tell us more about what you're doing 38:47 in an innovative fashion. 38:49 That would be the method... 38:51 we have the mission, then we have the method. 38:53 When God called Danny 34 years ago, 38:57 to proclaim the message, 38:58 there wasn't even such a thing as satellite 39:00 and then Satellite became... 39:02 and then, the gospel was spread throughout the world 39:05 through Satellite 39:06 and then, now, we're talking with our team at 3ABN 39:11 about new and innovative ways we can spread the same message 39:16 but package it in a different format. 39:18 What I mean by that is, so many young people... 39:21 and I'd like to think we're still... are we young? 39:23 Pause... 39:24 You'd better say we're young. 39:26 Yeah, Baby, you're young. 39:28 Jill: Okay, thank you... okay... 39:29 Greg: I don't know, my knee was hurting this morning, 39:31 does that mean I'm getting old? I don't know. 39:33 Interviewer: Good answer. 39:35 Jill: I'd like to think we're young but... 39:37 but young people want downloadable content 39:40 and they want shareable content. 39:42 No longer do people say, 39:44 "I'm going to wait and turn on the 6 o'clock program on 3ABN" 39:48 they want to say, 39:49 "I want to see it now... when I have time. " 39:51 Professionals are busy so you can pick up your phone, 39:54 you can watch it on YouTube. 39:56 We have 1,000s of videos there on YouTube 40:00 that you can watch anytime. 40:01 Yeah, absolutely, that's one of the more exciting things 40:03 because really, this day and age is more IP-driven 40:06 which is Internet Protocol 40:08 and so the nice thing about us putting the stuff on YouTube 40:10 and more internet-based 40:12 is because "searches" are one of the key things, 40:14 so, back in the day we were talking about 40:16 people flipping the channels, 40:18 you've all heard those stories, right? 40:19 Well, people don't necessarily flip the channels as much 40:21 anymore... but they do a lot of searches online 40:24 and so, what we're doing... Jill was mentioning the YouTube 40:27 that's one of the big things that we're doing... 40:29 we're streaming live always 24/7 on YouTube... 40:31 we have a big library of programs 40:32 that have been done on 3ABN 40:34 and the key thing is, putting key words in there 40:36 that way, if someone's going online... 40:37 doesn't know anything about the Sabbath... 40:39 and they put in "seventh day" or "state of the dead" 40:41 or "what happens when you die" 40:43 that's how people are stumbling across 3ABN now. 40:45 That's wonderful, I tell you... 40:47 that's one of the reasons why we wanted to identify 3ABN 40:51 as one of the two projects 40:54 that would be recipients of our overflow. 40:56 Greg: Thank you. 40:58 Interviewer: So we really want to sacrifice from our hearts 40:59 because as we give more and more, 41:02 and it spills over to 3ABN 41:04 and the New Beginnings Picture Rolls, 41:07 then, it just... again gives greater lift 41:10 and more opportunity for other ministries. 41:12 Greg: Yeah, it's a privilege to work together, 41:15 thank you very much. 41:17 You're very welcome. 41:18 You know I... I just want to say 41:20 that I'm looking so much forward 41:23 to our continued relationship 41:24 and ASI... I just want to thank you on behalf of ASI 41:29 for everything that you do for us 41:31 because you have taken us around the world 41:34 through the... through the ministry of 3ABN. 41:35 Thank you very much. 41:37 Greg: Thank you and thank you again for your support. 41:38 Audience: Clapping. 41:43 Coming to the podium now is Antoinette Fournier. 41:47 Antoinette... you heard from last year 41:49 when she shared with you 41:51 the dream of being able to build the Kibidula Girls' Dorm 41:54 in Tanzania, Africa. 41:56 Today, she has an update on the status of that dormitory, 42:00 Antoinette. 42:01 Good Evening ASI. 42:04 It's a privilege to be here 42:06 in sharing God's blessings with you. 42:08 One year ago, I stood before you on behalf of a team 42:11 at Kibidula Mission in Tanzania East Africa 42:14 and it was exactly one year ago 42:16 that we thanked you for choosing our project 42:18 for vulnerable girls to be a recipient 42:21 of the ASI 2017 offering. 42:23 This year, I have a different joy and privilege 42:27 and that is to bring to you a report 42:28 of what your offering... with God's blessing and hard work 42:32 has accomplished this past year. 42:34 Are you excited yet? 42:36 happy laugh... 42:38 You may have remembered me sharing with you 42:41 about our program for vulnerable children. 42:44 These... this part... 42:46 sorry, I'm not getting my slides to go... 42:50 pause... 42:52 this school was started in partnership 42:55 with Reach Switzerland 42:56 to give young children a second opportunity 42:59 to gain education and become educated. 43:02 These young people have failed 43:05 or dropped out of the school system 43:06 and they have... 43:08 due to poverty, they have very few options left. 43:11 I'm sorry... let me go back here... 43:13 there we are... 43:15 girls especially are vulnerable and face unique challenges 43:20 that can be potentially devastating 43:23 as they grow up in extreme poverty 43:25 and at our school, these last few years 43:28 we've had a challenge where our male students 43:31 are slightly less in number than our female students 43:33 and we didn't have enough accommodations 43:36 to properly house the girls 43:37 and we needed to build a new dormitory 43:39 and ASI chose this project 43:42 to be a part of the 2017 mission's offering. 43:45 Last year, I showed you the blueprints for this dormitory 43:49 and I pointed out that we've managed to pour the foundations 43:53 at the time of ASI, 43:55 ASI, the Lord has blessed very much 43:58 and I'm very excited to report to you 44:01 and to show you the new girls' dormitory at Kibidula Mission 44:06 that will house 42 female students 44:09 who have not had the privilege 44:10 of obtaining basic education before now. 44:14 The building is almost 100% complete. 44:17 Isn't it beautiful? 44:19 Audience: Amen. 44:22 Audience clapping. 44:26 This dormitory is an important part of our Program 44:30 to reach vulnerable youth for Christ 44:32 and give them a few more years of shelter and education... 44:36 before they have to face life on their own 44:39 and if we have succeeded in our mission to them, 44:42 they will know that they don't have to face life on their own 44:45 but that's not all. 44:47 A donation from ASI this past year 44:49 into our Publishing Department 44:51 has enabled us to get two 20-foot shipping containers 44:55 full of books from "Springs of Life" in Poland 44:58 helping over 2,000 Literature Evangelists 45:01 to continue spreading very important books 45:04 throughout Tanzania. 45:05 This money will come back to us 45:07 and enable us to buy more books 45:09 but with a 43% increase 45:12 and it's this increase that should grow and strengthen 45:15 our publishing work 45:17 so that future profits can go to support the mission. 45:21 You may also remember that Kibidula has been a recipient 45:25 in the past of receiving funding for an Avocado Farm 45:28 in an effort to become self-supporting 45:31 and it's with much thanks to the Lord and ASI members 45:34 that we report that the Avocado project is doing well. 45:38 The new orchard of 8,000 trees that I showed you last year 45:42 is bearing fruit 45:44 and our very first harvest and export to Europe 45:47 is taking place as I'm speaking... 45:50 super exciting for us. 45:52 In partnership with ASI Members, 45:55 we have spent this past year putting in irrigation. 45:58 Kibidula has a very long dry season 46:01 which makes irrigation essential to successful farming. 46:05 This will water our both existing and future orchards 46:10 and we thank ASI for business leadership... for vision... 46:14 for a heart for missions that have helped projects like us 46:18 to take a step like this 46:20 that we could only dream of for years. 46:22 Part of the irrigation system is a dam that was built 46:27 in the latter part of 2017... 46:29 the product of many hours of hard work and expertise 46:34 by many different individuals... 46:35 not the least important 46:37 that of young volunteers from different continents. 46:40 Thanks to a very large solar-pump set-up, 46:43 the largest that we know of in Tanzania, 46:46 water is being pumped uphill into a big holding reservoir 46:52 and from there, water will flow downhill through miles of pipe 46:56 to irrigate 52,000 trees. 46:59 What a busy and productive year it has been 47:03 but it is not finished. 47:04 The rest of 2018 will see us raise the wall of the dam higher 47:09 to capture more water for irrigation 47:12 and building a large packing facility 47:15 to process the 100s of tons of avocados 47:19 that are expected in future harvests, God willing. 47:22 Praise God. 47:23 Audience: Amen. 47:24 You know, every avocado that is grown and sold 47:28 is with a prayer 47:30 that souls will be impacted for eternity because 47:33 each avocado that is sold 47:35 has the potential to print a tract in our Print Shop 47:39 or help translate and publish a book 47:41 in our Publishing Department 47:43 or bring restored health to a guest at our Wellness Center, 47:46 or help us keep students in one of our schools 47:50 where they have an opportunity to meet Jesus 47:53 will keep a Bible Worker on the front lines 47:56 of God's advancing troop. 47:58 Take Faraja for example, 48:00 growing up in a small village in a home environment 48:04 that her father shared with his two wives and their children, 48:08 Faraja knew the hardships of a life of poverty first-hand 48:11 and when she failed to progress in secondary school 48:14 and had to drop out, 48:16 she was left wondering what she's going to do with her life 48:19 and she told me herself 48:20 that she did not want to get married young. 48:23 When she heard about the Kibidula Agriculture School, 48:26 hope revived that she might be accepted 48:29 and be taught a trade. 48:30 Faraja did come to our school, graduated 48:34 and is now a fully self-supporting 48:36 20-something-year-old 48:38 she sews and sells clothing to customers. 48:41 She sells produce from a field 48:45 that she had hand-hoed and cultivated 48:48 a long distance from her workplace 48:50 and she has invested some of her profits 48:53 and bought a piece of land and planted her own avocado orchard. 48:57 When I visited with Faraja, something stood out to me. 49:02 She was more thankful for having met Jesus at our school 49:07 than for the success she is now enjoying 49:10 due to her education 49:12 and I asked her what she would say to people like you 49:16 who have invested into our Program. 49:18 "Was it worth it?" 49:19 And she said, "Please tell them that I say, 49:22 'thank you... before I came to this school, 49:24 I was not a believer but now I am. '" 49:27 ASI... our mission is people 49:30 and it takes a global network of God's people 49:33 inspired by love to Him to reach people... 49:37 long pause... 49:41 did you hear me? 49:43 Audience: Amen. 49:44 It takes us... a global network of God's people 49:47 inspired by love to Him to reach people. 49:49 And building God's kingdom in this fallen world, 49:53 looks a lot like growing avocados 49:56 or building churches, 49:59 or teaching or building schools and hospitals 50:02 and wellness centers, 50:03 doing business and building companies, 50:07 translating, publishing books, farming, 50:11 and all that we do can be relevant 50:14 if we pray and if it's anointed by God's Holy Spirit. 50:18 My husband will forgive me for taking an excerpt 50:22 from a letter that he wrote to a friend. 50:24 "It is God's work 50:26 and I want to do my best each day 50:29 to do God's work. 50:30 And if some day, 50:32 there are a few more people in heaven as a result 50:34 God's heart will be filled with a little more joy. 50:37 And you and I, and everybody there, 50:40 will be filled with a little more happiness 50:43 forever and ever and ever. 50:45 And multiply that by billions of years... 50:48 that adds up to a lot of happiness. 50:52 I couldn't be tempted here to spend my time 50:54 doing anything else. 50:56 May God help us keep our priorities 50:59 on serving Him until then. " 51:01 Thank you ASI... 51:05 Audience: Clapping. 51:10 Wonderful stories aren't they? 51:11 Do you believe Jesus is coming soon? 51:15 Do we have a message to tell? 51:17 Let's stand together and sing, "Christ is Coming. " 51:21 Christ is coming... 51:24 piano... 51:33 song 52:49 Let's pray together. 52:51 "Our Father in heaven, 52:54 we are so grateful for the opportunity 52:57 to tell others that Jesus is coming soon. 52:59 and we're thankful that He is coming soon, 53:02 we see this world falling apart 53:05 and we sense, more than ever, 53:07 our great need of your Holy Spirit. 53:09 of your direction day by day 53:11 that we might speak to others of the hope 53:14 and the joy of Jesus' soon return. 53:18 We just pray that you will bless us to that end 53:21 bless us with your Spirit. 53:23 Please continue to pour out the messages of hope 53:28 and healing upon the world 53:29 and we pray that we might have a part in that... " |
Revised 2019-01-07