Participants: John Carter
Series Code: CR
Program Code: CR001609A
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00:13 We're here today to open our new television studio,
00:17 in beautiful Moorpark, Southern California. 00:21 And we have a group of very special guests. 00:24 I am going to introduce some of you 00:26 as we go along today. 00:27 But I want to thank all of you for coming to this program, 00:30 this afternoon. 00:33 God has greatly blessed us, 00:34 the very fact that we're here today 00:37 and we have this wonderful building, 00:40 which was given to us in the providence 00:42 and the grace of God. 00:44 Some people say to me, 00:46 "How can you afford to do these things?" 00:49 I don't know, but I do know 00:52 that God is a great and a wonderful God. 00:56 And God provides for all of our needs, 00:59 and so, we're here today because it's a time of praise 01:03 and it's really a time of giving thanks to God. 01:09 Would you please take your Bibles 01:10 and turn with me to this great text, 01:12 Romans Chapter 8. 01:15 Book of Romans Chapter 8. 01:19 Romans the 8th Chapter, 01:21 which many believe is the pinnacle of scripture. 01:26 The high point of all scripture, 01:27 Romans 8:31 and onwards. 01:30 Romans 8:31 and onwards. 01:34 And Paul throws down the gauntlet 01:37 to the powers of doctrine, 01:38 he says "What then shall we say to these things? 01:42 If God is for us, who can be against us? 01:47 He who did not spare His own Son, 01:50 but delivered Him up for us all, 01:52 how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 01:57 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? 02:00 It is God who justifies. 02:02 Who is he who condemns? 02:05 It is Christ Jesus who died, and furthermore is also risen. 02:10 Who is even at the right hand of God, 02:13 who also makes intercession for us. 02:15 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 02:19 Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, 02:23 or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 02:27 As it is written. 02:30 For your sake we are killed all the day long. 02:32 We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 02:36 Yet in all these things 02:38 we are more than conquerors through Him 02:40 who loved us. 02:42 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, 02:45 nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, 02:49 nor things present, nor things to come, 02:53 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else 02:56 or creation shall be able to separate us 02:59 from the love of God, 03:02 which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 03:05 We've gathered together here today 03:08 because we can testify to the keeping power of God. 03:11 And the God we serve my friend is a very, very big God. 03:16 And He has made it possible for us 03:18 to do evangelism around the world 03:21 and we invited you folks 03:24 because you have been special friends 03:26 for many years. 03:28 Some of you don't want to think as many years but really it is. 03:32 So thank you for coming, 03:33 I want you to bow your heads please. 03:37 Our heavenly Father, 03:38 we thank You for this beautiful day 03:40 here in southern California. 03:42 We thank You that nothing can separate us 03:44 from the love of God, 03:46 that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 03:49 We come here today to dedicate this building 03:52 and this studio to you for the work of Christ, 03:57 and the preaching of the Gospel, 04:01 and the saving of souls. 04:03 We give You thanks, we give You praise 04:07 and we give You glory in Jesus' name, amen. 04:15 Now today, 04:17 we have another one of those old special friends. 04:22 He was going to sing because every time he sings, 04:26 he brings a great blessing. 04:28 But he's come down with what we call... 04:32 the flu. 04:34 But he is here today, 04:36 he has told me not even to touch him. 04:41 But I am going to invite now, 04:43 Pastor Willie Garcia, great evangelist, 04:47 great singer, great preacher and a great friend.* 04:51 He's going to come and share with you 04:53 some of the experiences in the preaching of the gospel. 04:57 Pastor Garcia, it's been our privilege 05:00 and I have pleasure sir to have you with us 05:03 and I'll take the risk and we'll shake hands. 05:06 God bless you. God bless you. 05:08 God bless you all this afternoon. 05:11 It's always a joy to be able to gather 05:15 in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ 05:17 and happy Sabbath to you all. 05:22 I am most grateful today 05:24 for the opportunity of being here, 05:28 to dedicate this beautiful production site, 05:31 isn't that beautiful? 05:32 What a set. 05:35 I thank God that 36 years and 10 days ago, 05:41 the gospel of Jesus Christ became alive to me. 05:47 It started with the words of a dear friend 05:51 who out of his genuine sincerity 05:56 and concern for my life came to seek me out one day. 06:01 And I was prideful and arrogant sinner 06:07 at that time and, you know, 06:11 I used to think that gangs and drugs and alcohol 06:14 were the problem of society but they weren't. 06:17 I had came to my knowledge 06:19 that sin and pride and arrogance 06:21 were really the problem and it was my problem. 06:24 And after a short time with him, and him, 06:31 basically just listening to me spot on about how great I was 06:35 and how many things I had acquired in my lifetime. 06:39 He left me with these words, "What shall it profit a man, 06:44 to gain the world and lose his soul." 06:48 And these words just reverted my heart 06:52 as I watched him walk off and I wondered to myself 06:56 how does this guy know that I have lost my soul, 07:00 I interpreted that to mean, you know, I had lost my joy, 07:04 my concern for being creative, a good husband, 07:08 a good father, a good neighbor to friends. 07:11 I had lost my desire to want to sing and create any longer. 07:17 I had become so overwhelmed by my drug addiction 07:23 and those words began to challenge my heart. 07:28 And he stayed with me two weeks, 07:30 he stayed just calling me and his concern for me 07:33 and checking upon me, 07:35 and he finally invited me to come and listen to the band 07:40 that he had been playing in. 07:42 And that they were gonna go up to a prison camp. 07:46 And I thought what a noble thing 07:50 they're gonna go entertain the prisoners. 07:53 And it was during that time that I discovered 07:55 that I was more imprisoned 07:57 than the men doing time in that place 08:00 and I began to see in the eyes of these prisoners 08:04 a joy that I didn't possess. 08:07 A peace that certainly had escaped me all those years. 08:14 Finally, after hearing my friends 08:20 tell about their experience with Jesus Christ, 08:23 I was moved to cry out to God. 08:30 When am I gonna get set free? 08:33 When am I gonna know this joy? 08:34 When am I gonna know this peace? 08:37 And surely it was then, 08:38 I didn't even know I was praying 08:40 but God understands the cry of our heart 08:44 and he moved in immediately in, 08:47 began to give me reassurance. 08:50 In 36 years and 10 days, 08:53 I've really seen the power and the presence 08:56 of the Holy Sprit, 08:58 not only in my life but in the opportunities 09:01 that I've had to travel with the Carter Report 09:04 to Papua New Guinea 09:07 and to Johannesburg, South Africa. 09:09 In New Guinea, 09:11 I got to witness firsthand the presence of God, 09:14 the power of God night after night. 09:17 Over a hundred thousand people coming day after day 09:22 to the meetings that Dr. Carter was putting on. 09:26 And I must say, you know, 09:28 I had only experienced a meetings like that 09:32 by watching the Carter Report, you know, 09:34 some of the other evangelistic crusades, 09:36 but to be there in person 09:38 and to witness the power of God, 09:40 the hunger of the people 09:43 and I recognize then those people the way I was 09:46 before Christ came into my life. 09:49 And so, to be able to be here today 09:52 and just express my gratitude for what God has done for me. 09:57 Andrae Crouch wrote a beautiful song My Tribute. 10:01 You know, how can we ever began to even express, 10:05 you know, our gratitude to God after witnessing all the things 10:09 that He's done for us. 10:12 There's another scripture in Romans 8 10:16 and it's the 19th verse 10:17 and I'll just leave you with this, 10:20 "It's just for the earnest expectation of all creation 10:24 is waiting for a manifestation of the sons of God, 10:29 or of revealing of the sons of God." 10:32 And it's a challenge to us 10:33 personally to take that to heart 10:35 that our neighbors, 10:38 the people that we associate with on a daily basis 10:41 and the Food 4 Lessor the Ralph's Market, 10:43 or in school or the job, the job site, 10:47 they're waiting for a revelation, 10:52 a manifestation of us 10:55 that we would just take that opportunity 10:58 in our lifestyle to communicate to them this eternal God 11:03 that is so concerned with our daily lives. 11:06 Amen. 11:08 I love you guys so much. 11:09 Thank you Dr. Carter for this opportunity, 11:11 and I just know that God is gonna take this place 11:15 and he's gonna further the kingdom 11:18 through your efforts. 11:19 Let me take a bigger risk. 11:21 Thank you. 11:23 God bless you. God bless you. 11:25 God bless you. 11:31 There is only one really G. 11:35 The Carter Report has take a new direction. 11:39 We're not going to give up evangelism, 11:42 we're gonna do it more. 11:43 One place we're moving into in quite a big way is Cuba. 11:49 We're seeing remarkable opportunities 11:52 opening before us in Cuba. 11:55 Beverley has been there with our team 11:59 and she's going to come and talk to you little bit 12:02 about what she saw in Cuba. 12:05 Would you please welcome her too? 12:14 Hello everyone, it's good to see you all. 12:18 Now before I tell you about our recent visit to Cuba, 12:21 I want to share with you some of the history. 12:24 Some of you will know but perhaps 12:25 the younger generation doesn't know so well. 12:29 Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. 12:33 Being 760 miles long and 55 miles wide 12:37 and is on a 93 miles south of Florida. 12:40 Cuba's population is a little over 11 million. 12:44 Its known history 12:46 began with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, 12:51 and the subsequent invasion of the island by the Spanish. 12:55 Many of the indigenous groups who inhabited the island 12:58 were eliminated or died from diseases 13:01 brought by the conquerors. 13:03 From 1526, the Spanish imported African slaves 13:07 to work on the sugar plantations, 13:09 which continued well into the 1800s. 13:13 The struggle for independence from Spain 13:15 began in 1868 without much success. 13:19 But in 1898, the USA went to war with Spain, 13:24 and the US invaded Cuba 13:26 and Spain surrendered shortly afterwards. 13:30 The US forces occupied Cuba for nearly four years, 13:34 but left in 1902 although it didn't stop intervening 13:39 in subsequent a rebellions the last being general Batista. 13:43 In 1959, there arose a strong guerrilla army 13:48 lead by Fidel Castro, 13:50 and aided by young Argentinean born men 13:53 by the name of Che Guevara. 13:56 Castro introduced a repressive communist regime. 14:00 In 1960 all US businesses 14:04 were nationalized without compensation 14:07 and Washington broke off 14:08 diplomatic relations with Havana. 14:11 In 1962, the USA imposed a blockade on Cuba, 14:17 which caused Cuba to tighten its relationship 14:20 with the Soviets even more. 14:23 Fearing a US invasion, 14:25 Castro agrees to allow Russia 14:27 to deploying nuclear weapons on its island. 14:31 Now the Soviets had told the US they wouldn't do this, 14:35 but like many politicians, they broke their promise. 14:39 And so, things came to ahead in October of 1962, 14:43 and many of you my age and perhaps a little younger 14:46 would remember this well, 14:47 For 14 days the world held its breath 14:51 as President Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev 14:55 try to reach a compromise to avoid a nuclear war. 14:59 The world heed a sigh of relief, 15:03 when the two countries agreed 15:05 that they'd rather have peace than annihilation. 15:09 Because of Cuba's dependence on the USSR, 15:12 when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, 15:16 the situation in Communist Cuba 15:18 got much, much worse, 15:20 and Castro was forced to allow some free enterprise. 15:25 In 2008, Fidel Castro resigns because of failing health 15:30 and his brother Raul takes over as president. 15:34 In December 2014, in a surprise development, 15:38 US President Obama 15:40 and Cuba's President Raul Castro 15:42 announced moves to normalize diplomatic relations 15:47 the two countries had been severed for over 50 years. 15:52 In July 2015, Cuba and the US reopened their embassies. 15:59 When our team recently visited Cuba, 16:02 we found the people to be warm and friendly, 16:04 even though things are still very difficult, 16:07 most of them only make about $20 a month. 16:11 But one improvement, 16:12 and young people will be interested in this. 16:15 In 2008, 16:17 the bans on private ownership of cell phones 16:21 and computers were lifted only in 2008, 16:25 I don't know how our young people 16:27 would have gotten on. 16:28 Although the communist government 16:30 is officially atheistic, 16:32 most people believe in God and the majority of the Cubans 16:36 are of the Roman Catholic faith. 16:39 Cuba stands at the crossroads. 16:42 We expect and we pray 16:44 that Cuba will become a more open society 16:47 as the people embrace new freedoms. 16:50 The Carter Report with your help is planning 16:53 ten evangelistic campaigns all over the island, 16:57 plus eleven to be held in Havana 17:00 in September of this year. 17:02 One campaign will be held in the city of Guantanamo, 17:05 the home of that infamous prison. 17:08 Now these meetings can only be held in churches 17:11 as it's still illegal to hire auditoriums or arenas, 17:16 unless of course it's for sports 17:18 or for rock and roll bands 17:20 like the Rolling Stones or of course the Pope. 17:24 So we move ahead in faith, trusting in God, 17:27 who has always remained faithful. 17:30 And we as a team can testify to His goodness 17:34 and His keeping power for never have we let anything good. 17:39 Today, we give thanks that Cuba is opening her doors, 17:43 not only to freedom for her people hopefully, 17:46 but also for the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. 17:50 Amen. 17:54 This year we're planning to go to the former Soviet Union. 18:00 I have been to Russia and Ukraine earlier this year 18:03 in January but we're... our team is going to back in 18:07 October for a youth campaign in Kiev, 18:14 the capital of Ukraine. 18:16 We're delighted to have with us today 18:18 a gentleman who is the general director 18:22 of the Hope Media Group in Ukraine. 18:27 His name is Vyacheslov Demyan, how did I do? 18:32 Yeah, very good. 18:34 Did all right? 18:35 Would you please welcome our brother today? 18:39 Thank you. Thank you very much. 18:44 Yes. When did you arrived? 18:49 Two days ago. But I want to sleep till now. 18:52 You've been sleeping till now? 18:54 No, I want to sleep now. 18:59 Also I came two days ago, I didn't switched already. 19:03 No, it has a condition that we know a bit about, 19:08 it's called jet lag. 19:12 And the older you get, the more you lag. 19:17 Thank you. 19:19 Why is Ukraine so geographically, 19:24 politically and religiously significant in the world? 19:29 Well, because actually Ukraine is between Europe and East, 19:34 between Europe and Russia. 19:36 So we have really kind of connection 19:40 between these two parts of the world. 19:43 And not just two parts. 19:44 It's in the mentality are different worlds. 19:48 And in Ukraine we have both. 19:50 Second, Ukraine is actually the birthplace of Christianity 19:56 in our territory. 19:58 In 988, officially, Russia or Kiev. 20:04 Russia was baptized by... 20:07 Thanks to Vladimir. 20:08 Yeah, that's right. 20:09 So, it was in Kiev actually. 20:11 And Kiev was the capital for all the Rus in that time, 20:16 Russians at that time. 20:19 And of course because of that, 20:21 we have a significant role in Christianity, 20:26 Orthodoxy in all the world and in Russia too. 20:31 What exactly, my brother, do you do in Ukraine? 20:35 Tell us about your work? 20:37 Well, by grace of God, 20:39 we have developed, in seven years, 20:44 Home Media Group, 20:45 which includes full-time TV channel. 20:48 It's actually the first Christian TV channel, 20:54 Protestant TV channel in our country. 20:56 And we were the first one who started this ministry 21:00 in the post-Soviet countries. 21:04 Now we have this full-time channel, 21:06 which last year became Christian channel number one 21:10 in Ukraine. 21:12 By quality, by distribution, we are the most popular channel 21:16 and even other leaders of the churches, 21:18 they are saying very openly 21:21 that we are the best Christian channel 21:23 in our country. 21:25 Secondly, we started FM radio in Ukraine 21:30 and we're the first Christian FM station 21:34 in Ukraine. 21:35 Just last year, we got license and it's really a miracle 21:40 because, you know, for you who are in USA, 21:45 you have freedom, you have prosperity, 21:48 everything is okay actually. 21:50 In our country, I remember the time as I was young 21:53 and I was printing Steps to Christ 21:56 on a typing machine in a closet 21:58 because we needed to hide everything. 22:01 If not, KGB could confiscate everything. 22:06 And even I remember my first Bible was confiscated by KGB. 22:12 You know, in that country to have such a freedom 22:18 is something unbelievable. 22:19 It's a great blessing. 22:20 I've got to tell you something? Yeah. 22:22 You're ready for this? 22:24 Well, yeah. 22:25 We broadcast on 3ABN, around the world... 22:28 Very nice. 22:29 And I am so glad to see when I go to Russia and Ukraine 22:36 the close relationship exists between Hope and 3ABN. 22:39 It's true. 22:40 Yeah, we are working very close together. 22:41 Yes. 22:43 If you go to Nizhny Novgorod in Russia, 22:47 you have the great Christian Cultural Center 22:51 that was build, 22:52 it was purchased after our campaign in '92. 22:57 And there was a young man by the name of Danny Shelton 23:01 and he got a dream and a vision, 23:05 and you go there today, 23:07 and this is the largest Protestant building in Russia, 23:13 that amazing. 23:15 And now in Ukraine, 23:17 I think the main church in Kiev 23:19 that the Carter Report helped to built 23:21 is the biggest Protestant church in Ukraine. 23:25 It's true. Can you say glory be to God? 23:28 We've done a lot of work with the young man, 23:30 but he's not that young any longer. 23:32 He used to be pastor of the Avondale Church. 23:34 His name is Vadim Butov. 23:39 You could be his brother. 23:41 Thank you. Thank you. 23:42 I don't, you folks know Vadim. 23:45 Well, this is Vadim's not his cousin, 23:47 but this is his brother, his blood brother. 23:49 Now... 23:51 I know that you are a dreamer. 23:53 When I went to Kiev recently, it was cold, wasn't it? 23:58 Oh, yeah, minus 14 Celsius. 24:01 Yeah, and when you pick me up in the morning, 24:03 it was minus 18. 24:05 Yes, it's true. It was cold. 24:07 Folks, it was cold, especially when it's windy, 24:10 you know, if you're trying to preach outdoors, 24:14 this is true after a while... 24:17 Yeah... 24:19 Nothing's working, you know why? 24:21 It was freezing up. 24:23 So It can be very... 24:26 Kiev can be a very cold place, but we have there 24:29 some of the most beautiful church people 24:31 I've met anywhere in the world... 24:33 Yeah. 24:34 Brother, and we have the privilege of 24:36 running a campaign there in '95, 24:38 and saw hundreds of thousands of people 24:41 come to the meetings. 24:43 I want to ask you this. 24:45 You're a dreamer, because you've started this, 24:48 this television network... 24:51 I was impressed, when I went there to Kiev 24:55 and I saw the work 24:57 that you folks were doing with television, 25:00 your production system, and the young women 25:04 and the young men and the cameras. 25:07 I said these folks approach, glory be to God, 25:10 they can teach us a great deal. 25:13 What dreams do you have for Ukraine 25:16 and specifically for Kiev? 25:20 I remember, as I told you already, my first Bible, 25:24 my first new testament was confiscated by KGB, 25:27 by communists. 25:28 And I remember the time 25:30 as my father was invited by KGB. 25:34 And all the night in this office of KGB, 25:38 I was in the hall. 25:39 I saw these big guys, officers of KGB. 25:44 They worked with my father in the office 25:47 all the night through. 25:49 And I watched on these guys and I thought, 25:55 they think they have power. 25:56 But very soon, they will loose their power. 25:59 I was really sure that it will happen 26:02 because my parents, my grandparents, 26:05 they believe that gospel must me proclaimed 26:08 in all the world. 26:09 But in Soviet-Union, to proclaim the gospel, 26:12 it was impossible. 26:13 So it must be, it should be or gospel or Soviet-Union, 26:18 not both of them. 26:20 So, we were sure Soviet-Union will no more exit, 26:24 no longer exist. 26:25 And it happens. 26:26 I don't know why I was really, I was just 8 years old. 26:31 This confidence was deep in my heart. 26:34 Now, I have the same confidence, 26:36 and I ma sure that God will help us 26:38 to bring the gospel in all the Ukraine. 26:42 All the people in Ukraine, they needs to know truth, 26:44 they need to know about Adventist church, 26:46 they need to know hope... 26:48 About Christ. 26:49 And they need to know about... 26:51 They need to know about Christ... 26:52 Second coming of Jesus Christ... 26:53 And His first coming, His cross. 26:55 Yeah, and salvation... 26:56 Salvation. Yes. 26:57 And, you know, in our time 26:59 now as we have conflicts in Ukraine. 27:00 People don't have any confidence in their future. 27:05 They don't have any insurance that it will be something good. 27:10 They need gospel. 27:12 Tell me a little bit about the conflict 27:14 because in America, 27:16 we know there's been a conflict on the border. 27:18 What has this done 27:20 to the spirit of the Ukrainian people 27:22 and especially people in those war torn areas? 27:28 Well, I need to tell you a little bit 27:31 from another perspective. 27:32 You know, as Soviet-Union broke down, 27:34 people, Ukraine finally got independence. 27:41 But people believe that it will be enough 27:44 to have good life. 27:45 But actually, the Soviet corrupted system, 27:50 in the judgment, in police, in everywhere... 27:54 It's pervasive. 27:56 It was the same... 27:57 Yes. Nothing changed. 27:59 So people were so disappointed. 28:01 You don't have any area where there is no corruption. 28:06 If you don't have any perspective to do anything, 28:08 even if you finished, for example, medical school, 28:14 you cannot get a work, 28:17 job without paying somebody money for that, 28:21 you know, it's just terrible... 28:23 Everywhere. 28:24 So, of course, people want to have changes. 28:28 So we had one revolution. 28:30 Now second revolution. 28:32 I'm sorry to say that, but I don't believe that 28:34 revolution will change something. 28:36 Just gospel can change something. 28:38 Because people need to change their minds. 28:42 They cannot be without God, without morality, 28:44 without principles of holy words... 28:48 Scripture... 28:49 Holy Scripture. 28:51 Without that, you cannot have normal society. 28:54 So there must be another revolution 28:56 and we are somebody who needs to do this revolution. 29:00 Revolution in the hearts, revolution in the minds. 29:03 And I believe the time is very short, 29:06 as our people in Ukraine they will understand. 29:09 The point is not in the laws, 29:11 the point is not in the changing, 29:13 or the politicians, and not in elections. 29:18 The point is in the morality, in the gospel. 29:21 In the hearts of the people. Yeah. 29:23 But is it not so, we've chatted about this, 29:27 that in those border areas 29:29 that have seen thousands of people 29:31 die in the conflict... 29:32 Yeah. 29:33 There is a soul hunger... 29:35 Oh, yeah. 29:36 That is, tell us about the soul hunger 29:39 that comes when people are hungry... 29:40 Can you imagine, we had nine conferences in Ukraine. 29:43 Around 50,000 church members. 29:45 And eastern conference just died, died, died. 29:51 There were around 6,000 church members, 29:53 and then they became around 3,500, 3,200. 29:57 So church goes down, down and down. 30:00 But, after this conflict, 30:02 the biggest baptism where we had in Ukraine, 30:07 in the east of Ukraine. 30:09 Now this conference is no more conference. 30:11 It's a mission, but they are growing 30:14 because people, they saw this war, 30:16 they saw all these conflicts. 30:18 I don't know what happens. 30:19 But sometimes, I think, I'm thinking, 30:23 maybe people really need war to understand something, 30:28 to understand the life from different perspective. 30:32 So totally different situation. 30:35 And I told to Pastor Carter today, 30:37 we have organized our union 24 evangelistic campaigns 30:42 on those territories, which were occupied, 30:46 but now they are free. 30:49 And people are like in the 90s. 30:52 Yes hungry. They are coming again. 30:55 They are hungry. 30:56 Can you imagine? 30:57 There are small cities, 30:59 but around 3, 000 non-Adventists 31:01 visited these evangelistic campaigns. 31:05 It's something what you cannot experience 31:08 in other parts of Ukraine. 31:09 So this conflict changes a lot in our society. 31:15 When I went to Kiev, 31:17 I saw many of the folks that we baptized. 31:20 We had the privilege of baptizing 31:21 thousands of people there. 31:23 I heard horrendous stories about old people, Babushkas, 31:29 grandmothers still worshiping in buildings 31:34 that they got at rent, 31:38 the conference president said 31:39 "if it's minus 10 outside it's minus 10 inside." 31:45 And he told me 31:46 that the preacher was preaching one day, 31:50 minus 10 inside. 31:52 You wonder why people don't go to church. 31:54 You know we said, why do people get discouraged, 31:57 because they get frozen. 31:59 They get frozen out, 32:01 but he said the lights went out, 32:04 so the place is in complete darkness 32:07 and it's minus 10, 32:08 and people are shuddering with the cold. 32:12 Tell us of the building that may be 32:15 if God moves upon the hearts of the viewing audience, 32:18 maybe we can buy it. 32:20 We have found really nice place in very downtown of the Kiev. 32:25 Yes. Downtown. 32:26 This is a beach big place, two floors. 32:30 And we can have at least two churches, 32:33 two big churches... 32:34 At least, at least. At least there. 32:35 And really to be a missionary center. 32:39 You tell me, how much? 32:40 How much to buy? It's around $350,000. 32:43 Yeah, $350,000. But, I need to say to you. 32:45 It's actually downtown of Kiev. Downtown. 32:48 Because of this crisis, 32:50 the prices, they just going down. 32:53 And there are big possibilities right now in the church though. 32:56 And if we buy this place, 32:59 we can get two freezing congregations 33:02 in out of the cold. 33:04 By the grace of God, 33:06 let's raise the money and let's buy it. 33:09 Say amen. 33:11 Amen. Amen. 33:12 Now, tell me, your dreams about a campaign for the youth 33:17 in October, tell me? 33:20 Well, you know, I believe 33:23 and especially after the visit of Pastor Carter this year, 33:27 I believe in more, even more 33:29 that we can do really great evangelistic campaigns 33:33 for young people in Ukraine. 33:35 Yes. 33:37 Although Pastor Carter is a little bit older as me, 33:42 he is preaching so good for young people 33:47 and we have experienced that. 33:49 After his sermon, a lot of young people came to me 33:53 and they just shared their experience 33:56 that this sermon was changing their faith, 33:59 they're changing their lives, 34:01 changing their understanding of God. 34:02 So I believe it could be really a big experience 34:05 for non-Adventists and for those 34:08 who may be visited the church earlier 34:11 but now they're not experiencing this faith 34:15 in their hearts. 34:16 And, for those who are in the church, 34:18 but they need to become more powerful, 34:21 more powerful evangelists because I believe 34:25 every Adventist must be evangelist, 34:27 and every church must be an evangelistic center. 34:31 So I believe through these evangelistic campaigns 34:33 which we're going to broadcast live through Hope channel 34:37 and as I mentioned to you, we are very popular in Ukraine, 34:40 and I am so thankful to God for this. 34:43 We are reaching millions of people in Ukraine 34:45 through cable TV, through satellite. 34:47 And we are going to work through social media, 34:51 through social networks 34:52 because we can reach young people especially there. 34:56 So I believe this evangelistic campaign 34:59 can be something significant 35:01 in our ministry of the church in Ukraine. 35:03 Amen. 35:05 I just want to say, my friend, 35:09 you won my heart, you blessed me. 35:14 Thank you. Actually you bless me, too. 35:15 I am glad, I love you folks. 35:20 We are so glad that you came so far, 35:22 and together by the grace of God 35:25 in this coming month of October after the 21 campaigns in Cuba. 35:32 By the grace of God, 35:33 let us strike a blow for Christ right throughout Ukraine. 35:38 Let us reach out to the young people 35:40 of that great nation. 35:41 Can you say amen? Amen. 35:43 We will pray for this event. 35:45 Thank you very much. Thank you. 35:46 Thank you. 35:51 I wanted you to know something. 35:55 Our God is not dead. 35:57 Our God, our Christ is very much alive. 36:01 And you go to some places 36:03 and you can feel the pulse of the heart of God. 36:08 I can tell you this. 36:10 Now, sometimes in Australia, in America, 36:13 Western Europe, we say, 36:15 you know, it's finished, the church is dying. 36:20 Folks, the church hasn't even started yet. 36:22 I mean, our best days are still to come. 36:26 And the Bible tells this, tells us this 36:28 that when the judgments of the Lord are in the land, 36:32 you know what it says? 36:34 The people are going to learn righteousness. 36:38 And wherever we go, 36:40 where we see suffering and hardship. 36:44 It wasn't very long that we went to El Salvador. 36:48 We had a tiny window of time, just a tiny window of time. 36:54 I don't know if we could go there today, 36:56 because the gang warfare is so bitter and so intense. 37:00 I think they're killing 30 people a day, gang warfare. 37:06 It's only a little country of 6 to 7 million people. 37:10 When we went there, 37:11 because of the problems 37:13 that El Salvador had experienced, 37:16 because of the gang warfare, 37:18 the blood in the streets. 37:20 You see something in those countries 37:22 that I don't see in my homeland of Australia, 37:25 you see a hunger for God. 37:30 And it's going to happen here one day. 37:32 It's going to come again, because our God is alive 37:37 and the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation 37:42 to every person who believes. 37:44 I would like you to take your Bible, 37:45 my precious friends. 37:47 Come with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 37:53 Today, we are talking about thankfulness. 37:57 And I am thankful to God for our brothers and sisters, 38:01 in the lands of the old Soviet Union. 38:04 I am thankful to God for you people here today 38:07 in this blessed land of the United States of America. 38:11 1 Thessalonians 5 and let me see. 38:16 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 38:20 "In everything give thanks, 38:23 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 38:28 The Bible tells us that we should be thankful people. 38:34 I just want to for a few moments today 38:36 because you are my friends. 38:39 I want to tell you why we at the Carter Report 38:42 are full of thankfulness. 38:44 You know an attitude of gratitude 38:47 gives health to the bones and strength to the soul. 38:53 I have four reasons why we ought to be thankful 38:56 and grateful. 38:57 Number one. 39:01 There is more good than evil in the world. 39:05 When you turn on television, 39:07 you see what's happening in Brussels, 39:09 you read of ISIS and then you see 39:11 what's going on in politics in America 39:13 and you think it's all over. 39:15 No, no, no. 39:16 There is more good than evil in the world. 39:21 When you leave the meeting today, 39:23 look at the trees, look at the sky, 39:27 listen to the birds. 39:29 I was at jogging the other day. 39:31 This is just a simple little story. 39:33 You may think it's of no consequence. 39:35 It's consequence to me. 39:37 I was at jogging 39:38 and I was wearing this big old clodhoppers, 39:42 these old funny old boots, 39:44 and the shoe laces come undone. 39:47 Now, a car had gone past me down the street. 39:50 And I didn't think he saw me, 39:52 of course he went past pretty fast. 39:55 And so I-- 39:56 you know I have, in case you haven't noticed it 39:58 but my hairs are little white these days, 40:00 so I sat down on the curb 40:03 and I was doing my shoe laces up. 40:05 This guy turned around, 40:07 and he came back and he pulled up and he-- 40:10 This is what he said, he said "Excuse me sir, 40:13 are you okay?" 40:18 You don't read about this on CNN, do you? 40:20 Another time, this is very recently, 40:22 I was hiking up in the mountains, 40:24 Santa Monica Mountains, where I have seen two lions, 40:28 and lots of animals up there, and I was hiking along, 40:32 and I had taken a drink of water 40:35 before I left home. 40:36 But it was a very hot day and I was sweating away. 40:40 And I was going fast, I was going up a hill. 40:42 In fact, I was passing the bicycles 40:44 that were going up the hill. 40:48 But a man saw me, I was sweating profusely. 40:50 He said, "Excuse me sir, 40:52 would you like a drink of water?" 40:54 I'm telling you. 40:56 I said, I was sort of a little flabbergasted, 40:59 I said, "Right, do you think I needed it?" 41:01 He said, "You look as though you needed." 41:04 And he gave me a bottle of water. 41:06 I said, "Is this going to leave you short?" 41:09 He said, "It doesn't matter 41:10 whether it leaves me short or not." 41:12 He said, "I want you to have a bottle of water." 41:14 I want you to know, 41:16 there is more good than evil in the world. 41:18 Remember tying my shoe laces and the bottle of water. 41:21 Number two. 41:24 God is still here and God is still the same. 41:30 Now sometimes in this life, you know it's true, 41:35 people let you down. 41:37 And you see things in the world 41:40 and sometimes even in the church. 41:43 And, you know, you say, 41:45 why does God allow these things. 41:48 But we should never forget it. 41:50 God is still here and God hasn't changed. 41:55 You know, the story from England, 41:57 when England was being bombed by the Nazi's. 42:00 London was burning. 42:02 There was a mother with a little family, 42:03 with the husband, 42:05 and the mother was killed by one of the bombs. 42:08 One of the little girls was killed. 42:10 One little girl left and the father, 42:14 and he took his daughter home. 42:18 The house was in a shambles, 42:21 it had been not directly hit by a bomber, 42:25 partly broken down. 42:27 At that night when they went to bed, 42:31 he said to his little girl, go to sleep. 42:36 And they could hear outside the crash of the bombs, 42:39 and spitfires in the sky above. 42:42 And after five minutes in the pitch blackness, 42:45 because they had to turn out every light. 42:46 She cried out and she said "Daddy, are you still there?" 42:50 He said "I'm still here, go to sleep." 42:52 And five minutes later, "Daddy, are you still here?" 42:58 He said, "I am still here." 43:01 Then another five minutes went by 43:03 and she repeated the words, "Are you still here." 43:06 Then after another five minutes, 43:10 she cried out "Daddy, are you still here 43:16 and is your face turned toward me?" 43:20 He said, "Yes, I am still here 43:22 and my face is turned towards you. 43:25 I am looking at you even in the darkness." 43:28 We should be thankful 43:30 because God is looking at us even in the darkness, 43:36 when everything seems to collapse. 43:39 Sometimes people let us down and God is still here, 43:43 He still the same. 43:46 Number three. 43:47 God amazingly provides for our needs. 43:52 Now I can testify to this. 43:55 You know somebody said 43:57 and I said about it early today, 43:59 "How do you pay your bill, sir?" 44:00 I say, "I don't know how, but we do." 44:08 I can testify to that 44:09 even though we have run huge campaigns 44:11 around the world. 44:14 And usually when we start those campaigns, 44:17 we don't have as they say in Australia, 44:20 a Brass razoo. 44:24 Sometimes for those campaigns, we don't even have a dime. 44:30 But I want to tell you folk something. 44:32 Before the campaign is over, we're paying all our bills 44:37 and we're building up reserves. 44:40 Can you believe it? 44:43 When we ran a campaign in India, 44:46 that campaign we were told was going to cost us 44:49 about a million dollars. 44:50 We didn't have anything like this. 44:52 We did not know how we are going to pay for it. 44:54 I want to tell you folk something. 44:57 Before the campaign was over, 45:00 not only were tens of thousands of Hindus and Muslims 45:04 coming to the meetings. 45:06 And thousands of people getting baptized. 45:09 But we had paid all our bills, all of them, 45:14 and we had money in the bank. 45:16 How do you explain that? 45:19 Now you've seen this building here. 45:20 This is a beautiful building, it really is. 45:23 We should not have it. 45:25 An old friend of mine came out from Tennessee, 45:28 he walked around and he said, he sees what's going on, 45:32 we have got a big great television crew, 45:34 we got the best television cameras, 45:36 because we ought to have them. 45:38 We are doing things 45:39 and he said, "How do you do this? 45:43 You are good businessman." 45:44 I said about the worst one that was ever born, 45:47 but God blesses us, you see. 45:50 And we are glad to tell people, we're thankful, 45:52 everything you see here, 45:54 even this great television wall and this news studio. 45:59 Everything we've got. 46:02 The bank doesn't own it. The bank used to own it. 46:06 When we came along here, let me tell you something. 46:08 I was met at the door by a lady 46:11 who works for one of the doctors 46:13 who was in the building. 46:15 She said go away, you wouldn't want this building. 46:17 That made me want to come in straightaway. 46:19 She said no, no, they were trying to buy, you see. 46:22 And then the bank sent a representative. 46:25 And the bank was asking so much, I said, well, look, 46:28 go and tell the bank manager, go and tell the organization. 46:31 We are prepared to pay so many dollars. 46:35 I'll tell you exactly, I said it's negotiable, 46:38 I'm not bargaining that, just go and tell him, 46:40 so they can offer it. 46:42 I said no, no, you don't understand. 46:44 We are prepared to take this. 46:46 The other people kind of offered, 46:50 the doctors and they kind of offered more than us, 46:55 but the bank said we think you ought to have it. 47:00 And the guy who signed over the papers for us, 47:03 he said, "I am a Christian and I think God won today. 47:08 I said even though, 47:09 we're getting it cheaper than that. 47:11 He said, "We think you are a sure thing. 47:14 We think we can trust you." 47:18 So how do you explain those things? 47:21 I say these are reasons why we should be thankful. 47:25 And there is another reason. There's another reason. 47:29 God has a wonderful future for His children. 47:35 I have a very precious, dear, friend in Australia 47:40 who is very sick at this present time. 47:43 Some of you folks know my friend. 47:46 I have never had a better friend. 47:48 He is a good, decent, kind, funny man. 47:53 He is the best scholar the church has 47:55 in the South Pacific. 47:56 One of the best scholars in the world. 48:01 He is a great guy. I called him last Sabbath. 48:06 I read John 14:1-3, 48:08 "Let not your hearts be troubled. 48:10 You believe in God. 48:11 In my father's house are many mansions, 48:14 I go to prepare a place for you." 48:16 I told him, I called him by his name of course, 48:20 I said, 48:24 "One day you and I are going to go 48:26 for those great walks again." 48:28 Remember when we walked along the beach, 48:30 Kings Cliff, north New South Wales, 48:32 a great white sand beach. 48:34 We walked along, we discussed theology. 48:37 He would say to me, "I won't tell on you, 48:39 if you don't tell on me." 48:41 So we are discussing some fine points of theology. 48:45 I said, "We are going to do it again. 48:49 We are going to go for walks. 48:51 We are going to be young again." 48:54 I won't have white hair, but I don't care, 48:57 people say you got white hair, at least I got it, 49:00 which is better than some folks of God. 49:02 And people say, is it yours? 49:04 Well, you know, what you see folks 49:06 is what you get, that's all there is to it. 49:08 You see how solid it is. 49:11 It's going to be worth it all. 49:16 The reason we can be thankful is because God is here, 49:19 He hasn't changed, He supplies our needs. 49:26 We're going to buy, by the grace of God, 49:29 we gonna buy that building in Kiev. 49:31 We gonna run a campaign. 49:33 I believe it is written in the word of God. 49:37 My God shall supply all your needs 49:39 according to his riches and glory. 49:41 And we can testify today 49:43 that this is a time of thanksgiving for us. 49:48 We have purchased this wall, 49:50 I won't tell you too much about it. 49:54 It's the best that Hollywood can give. 49:57 It's exactly the same 49:58 as they have on the big sets in Hollywood. 50:00 We have it. 50:03 We got the computer software 50:05 that runs at upstairs like a king's ransom, 50:10 but we have it 50:12 and God has sent us the right television crew, 50:15 the right people, 50:18 and therefore our heart suggest full of thanks to God. 50:23 We are delighted today to have with us 50:25 our Hollywood's team conference president Elder Salazar. 50:30 He and I have been old friends for a long time. 50:33 No, we have been friends for a long time. 50:36 That's right. Yes, yes. 50:39 And it appears to me 50:40 as though you're getting a few flex of grey in your hair also. 50:45 So we're going to ask Elder Salazar to come 50:48 and he is going to lead us in a prayer of dedication. 50:52 Elder Salazar, come please. 50:56 Thank you my friend. 50:58 Thank you for this invitation on this special occasion. 51:02 Thank you. 51:03 And we praise the God, 51:04 how the Lord has guided this ministry 51:06 that has been reaching souls for the kingdom of God. 51:10 And for more than 55 years, 51:13 he has been using you 51:15 along with many other people that you have inspired. 51:18 Thank you. 51:19 To go and reach souls for Christ. 51:23 May the Lord continue blessing your ministry, 51:26 your team, your mate... 51:29 Thank you. 51:30 That both of you Beverley and you, 51:32 both have been traveling the world... 51:34 Thank you. Bringing souls to Christ. 51:36 Thank you my brother. Thank you. 51:39 Let's now have our word of prayer. 51:43 Our heavenly Father, maker of heaven and earth, 51:49 You could dwell not in temples or buildings 51:52 made with human hands. 51:54 We thank you today for the revelation of Your love 51:57 and Your mercy through Jesus Christ. 52:01 As we can commemorate this weekend His sacrifice 52:05 that He made on the cross. 52:07 We want to give Him all honor and glory 52:11 for this wonderful gifts of salvation. 52:14 Today we also recognize 52:16 that the commission given by our Lord 52:18 to spread the gospel to all the nations. 52:22 To teach them and to build them up 52:25 into a fellowship worthy of Your name. 52:28 And Lord, at this very moment 52:31 we want to ask you for a special blessing 52:35 for the Carter Report Ministry. 52:38 We want to thank You for the vision and the work 52:42 of Pastor John Carter 52:46 and his wife Beverley. 52:50 They have been your instruments. 52:51 They have been your agents 52:52 of communicating hope to many people 52:55 that they have not been having hope in their lives. 53:00 They also have been instruments in lifting up the Jesus Christ. 53:05 And Lord, believing in that promise 53:08 that when You will be lifted up many will be drawn to You. 53:12 They have accomplished this mission for Your glory 53:16 and for Your honor. 53:18 And Lord, this afternoon we have come here 53:21 and we ask you to continue blessing this ministry. 53:24 Keep the missionary seal 53:26 to spread the gospel at home and abroad. 53:29 Keep their eyes open to see the missionary opportunities 53:33 where we are in the whole world as mission field. 53:38 We want to remind ourselves 53:40 that we are waiting for Your soon coming. 53:44 There are many people not just here in this community, 53:48 in this state, but in the world they can came. 53:53 Especially Lord, we want to ask a special blessing us. 53:57 This team prepares to go to Cuba into to Russia 54:04 now there in the fall. 54:06 Lord that Your spirit can go ahead 54:09 and prepare the hearts of those will be hearing the messages 54:13 that will be presented. 54:15 That those hearts will be touched by the Holy Spirit. 54:22 And when the preachers be ready to invite them, 54:26 to turn their lives to Jesus, they can come 54:30 and surrender their lives to the savior of this world. 54:35 Thanks again, Lord, for the many blessings. 54:38 And we continue lifting up Jesus Christ. 54:41 And this afternoon 54:43 we surrender our lives to You once again. 54:46 Use us as Your instruments to honor You 54:52 and to benefit Your people. 54:55 We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. 54:58 Amen. Amen. 57:05 For a copy of today's program, please contact us 57:08 at P.O. Box 1900, 57:11 Thousand Oaks, California 91358. 57:15 Or in Australia, contact us at P.O. Box 861, 57:20 Terrigal, New South Wales 2260. 57:24 This program is made possible 57:26 through the generous support of viewers like you. 57:29 We thank you for your continued support. 57:32 May God richly bless you. |
Revised 2016-05-23