April 2018 Newsletter PDF

The Word is getting out and being used!

THE SOUTHERNMOST CITY IN COLOMBIA, South America—located where Colombia, Brazil, and Peru meet—is Leticia. Though it is a major port on the Amazon River, Leticia is “an island in a sea of jungle.” The only way to access this city of 33,000 is by plane or boat because the jungle is too dense to build a road through. Into this pivotal area God called a couple from Kansas to help distribute literature to villages up and down the Amazon.

Will and Lydia C. grew up in a strong Bible-based church with an active interest in missions. Will had felt the call to missions when he was nine years old. At a camp meeting the couple met missionaries who had previously been working in Mexico, distributing WMP literature. But after receiving a letter from believers in Colombia who wanted more WMP booklets, they eventually moved to Colombia to serve the Lord there. As newsletters arrived from these missionaries, Will began to feel that THIS was the place God meant for him to work. His suggestion of going down with his son to help with a two-week project was met with a counter-offer.  They needed an entire family to help for two years! God opened doors, and Will and Lydia’s family went. After finishing the two-year project, local contacts invited them to return. Their two-year stay has lasted for 18 years!

Will and Lydia’s ministry is to support pastors, finding out their literature needs, and helping to provide those needs. WMP literature is a huge part of that work! Over the years Will has traveled up and down the Amazon River, building relationships with pastors, encouraging, and teaching. The river trips can be up to a month long as they reach farther and farther into the smaller rivers, introducing the gospel to village after village.

The Lord has blessed the distribution of the Word as churches have sprung up in many of these villages, with pastors taking the Scripture booklets to more and more villages. Since 1998 WMP has provided 1.2 million Scripture booklets, salvation coloring books, Bible studies, and New Testaments for this faithful family ministry. Will explains:

“The free literature has been an enormous blessing, allowing even the small churches to go along the streets, reaching those who are not currently attending any church. Without the benefit of WMP literature, many would not have the confidence to go door to door, because of their limited training. But with WMP literature (the favorites being The Way to God, How to Know God, and Satan versus CHRIST), they know that the booklets will answer any questions that they can’t answer. They leave a booklet with those who express a sufficient interest, both as a physical reminder of the invitation to a church and as a guide in how to know God personally. Most of the churches experience regular, constant growth because people [respond to] the house call by visiting and joining a local congregation.”

“Our work is interdenominational. Because WMP literature is topical Scripture booklets, we are able to provide them to all of the churches regardlThe southernmost city in Colombiaess of their doctrinal stance. Even in villages controlled by a sect traditionally antagonistic towards anyone entering with the gospel, when they saw A Bible Study of Matthew, they said, ‘THIS is something we want!’ Thanks to WMP literature, we are able to work in villages that normally do not receive anyone preaching the gospel.”

This year the pastors along the river want to focus on Bible study, so Will’s family will be reviewing with them the most effective ways to use the booklets and will send four boxes of booklets to each town with an outreach program. WMP will be sending a shipment of booklets and Bible studies in Spanish and Portuguese to reach both sides of the river, enabling Brazilian and Colombian pastors to reach their “Judea and Samaria” with the gospel.

WMP has many faithful distributors in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. For many years Ademir C. has been sharing The Way to God booklets along the Amazon. He receives 2 million copies from WMP each 12-18 months. This year he has asked for 5 million to reach farther and farther into Amazonia. Brother Eduardo R. in Colombia is receiving a new shipment of 2 million booklets which may last 10-12 months. Evangelists are discovering the effectiveness of the Scripture booklets and requesting more and more each month!

“The other day as I was walking,” Will wrote, “I passed someone who was taking advantage of a WiFi hotspot. To pass the time as he waited for the internet to load, he was reading aloud The Way to God in Spanish. The Word is getting out and is being used. Praise the Lord!”

[You can help supply The Way to God and other Scripture materials for outreach up and down the Amazon River in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. A gift of $50 will provide for the production of 1,300 booklets; $200 will help produce more than 5,000 booklets!]

Grateful Quotes

“These little booklets of yours are so complete!”

WMP provides Scripture booklets to those who share the gospel along with meeting physical needs for food, fresh water, medical supplies, and shoes, etc. Jesus, our example, both taught the people and acknowledged their physical needs through healing and feeding thousands. Sharing a Scripture booklet with a meal or medical service demonstrates to recipients the truth that God loves them.

“I am making five trips this year with JONIandFRIENDS.org Wheels for the World outreaches. I have just returned from Guatemala, where I was able to give the booklets to vendors on the street, but more importantly, to those pastors ministering to each wheelchair recipient, who was also given a Scripture [booklet] in their own language.

“The pastors I gave the Help From Above booklets to last year in Romania and El Salvador were thrilled to receive them and use them as needed during our distribution of medical equipment, and afterwards in their own ministries. This year I’ll be in El Salvador in March, Romania in May, Poland in June, and Cuba in October. I’m also a member of Gideons International. I do give out their testaments, but these little booklets of yours are so complete and easy to carry!”        —Eileen N., Virginia

Meet the Team

Dana W.

Finance Office Assistant

I found out about WMP from my dear friend, Karen. When my work slowed to only Saturdays, she gave me a tour with a meet-and-greet of everyone we found!  I had driven past the building many times wondering what WMP was about. Once inside, I kept thinking this amazing place is like the bread and fish Jesus multiplied, because God has surely multiplied all that goes on here!

After that tour, I began volunteering during the week, having prayed for years, “Break my heart for what breaks Yours” and “Here I am, LORD, take me.” I felt at home here very quickly, knowing I was in His will. I prayed often for Him to open a door for me to work here in the position He wanted me to fill. I prayed and volunteered  for six weeks before the door to Finance Office Assistant was opened. On June 6, I will have had the privilege of serving here for two years!

I receive phone donations (it’s a joy getting to know our donors!), help process mail, code and enter donations and orders into the computer, update donor records, and pray over and forward prayer requests. What I like best about working at WMP is that I get to play a small part in helping to save souls, and the people here have become my family! We share our hurts, our spiritual battles, our need for miracles, and we lift each other up in love and prayer. I am touched by all the notes, letters, pictures, cards, and even poems our faithful and thoughtful donors send.

In my free time, I enjoy baking, listening to music, reading books, hiking and kayaking with my daughters, and walking and playing in the snow with our dog, Sky. I love flowers, being outdoors, listening to God’s creation, and sharing the beauty of the night sky with my daughters. I love spending free time with my family most! We play games, teach our dog tricks, talk in puns and jokes to make each other laugh, and enjoy each other’s hobbies and the gift of each day.

I am blessed with two daughters and an energetic dog at home, a son living on his own, a daughter-in-law-to-be, and two grand boys. 🙂

WMP Partners Around the World

Rino B., Argentina

Brother Genaro “Rino” B., national director for Every Home for Christ in Argentina, also serves as volunteer national coordinator for World Missionary Press. He has been a pastor in Buenos Aires for more than 40 years. By evangelizing home to home, his church has not only grown, but additional churches have been planted. His church also sends and supports missionaries in Africa and Paraguay.

WMP: Brother Rino, please describe your literature ministry.

Rino: I have served with Every Home for Christ for 37 years. Our emphasis is to train the Church for evangelism and to motivate believers to become volunteer evangelists. We plan evangelistic campaigns with the churches and after a time of prayer, we reach the established areas: homes, schools, hospitals, prisons—wherever there is a human being.

WMP: How long have you been distributing WMP literature?

Rino: More than 20 years ago we started distributing WMP materials with excellent results.

WMP: How has the availability of free literature impacted evangelism in Argentina?

Rino: We thank WMP for sending us free literature so that we can offer it free of charge to the churches that are associated with our task of evangelizing, discipling, and planting new churches. We have reached several million people, and many thousands have been converted and attend different churches throughout the country.

WMP: When you receive a shipment from WMP, how long does that supply last?

Rino: We receive one container every 12-14 months, which lasts 10 to 12 months. EHC Argentina works also in Bolivia and Paraguay. We send materials they need for their campaigns from here. We could use 30% more materials.

WMP: How effective are the topical Scripture booklets? Is there a testimony that stands out to you?

Rino: The results of the distribution are amazing! Our statistics surpass 600,000 people who have received Christ; more than 50-70% were the fruit of receiving WMP literature.

A Christian lady, Beatriz, faithfully visited two hospitals each week, using 80% WMP literature. Several thousand people received Christ. However, her husband Rafael was not a Christian. She gave him literature, asking him to read “the Word of God.” Rafael received it with pleasure and every time he left for work, he would put a booklet in his jacket and when he returned home, he put it back next to his bed. Finally one day Rafael wondered, “What is this booklet that my wife asks me every day to read?” He began to read, until one day he told his wife: “I want to go to church with you!” He went to the church and made a public decision to receive Christ in his heart! For more than ten years from that day, he accompanied his wife, taking the gospel to hospitals and homes.

Rafael remembered with joy the day he gave a WMP booklet to a woman about to die at home. When he returned the next day, the lady said: “Mr. Rafael, you arrived at the right time. I read the brochures that you left me, and I want to receive Christ as my Savior.” Rafael prayed with her, and a few minutes later she went to be with the Lord.

Rafael himself died two years ago as he was returning from a prayer meeting. His wife Beatriz followed him a few months later. Now both are with the Lord Jesus Christ.

HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU SAT in a doctor’s office or waited for your car to be repaired and looked around for something to read? You might see old magazines and perhaps flyers for a local restaurant, but nothing really draws your attention. Then you notice a small display with colorful booklets and a sign that says “Free.” You casually pick out a booklet and return to your seat, perhaps surprised to find that you are reading verses from the Bible. The words touch your heart with an unexplained certainty that they are true.

This scene is repeated time and time again all over the country because of the availability of WMP Booklet Displays. These attractive and easy-to-use stands displaying and offering WMP literature can be found in mechanic shops, food pantries, medical offices, business offices, hardware stores, and any place where the owner/operator is willing to make the Word of God available.

Displays can also often be found in Salvation Army food pantries and outlets. When William Booth determined to leave his pastorate in 1865 and take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the destitute, derelict, poor, and needy of London’s East End, his vision was to introduce them to Christ and His boundless love by helping to meet their physical needs while introducing them to the Savior through “soup, soap, and salvation.”

Today the Salvation Army continues to meet physical needs as well as spiritual needs. From California to Connecticut, many of their corps have found WMP Scripture booklets to be a vital tool to assist in their mission.

From California, M. H. wrote, “I love to provide my clients with something that goes beyond just meeting their physical need. The best gift—Jesus.”

“We have a pocket wall in the lobby of our social services office,” wrote C.R. from Connecticut. “We refill the wall every few months and the booklets fly out. They have ministered to hundreds of clients who come for services. As they wait, they are ministered to by your booklets.”

“We hand out these amazing booklets to the senior community as well as families within our agency’s programs—those who receive services from our food pantry, emergency homelessness services, after-school program, and Bible studies,” wrote J.S. from California, whose order included booklets in Armenian, Spanish, and Arabic.

“People we are serving know this as a place where they can find Jesus Christ,” wrote Major Jim, who currently serves in Michigan. “I look at [WMP] as another agent for what Christ is doing in the community.”

One Salvation Army facility in Indiana accepted a WMP Booklet Display after some initial hesitation. But the booklets have literally been flying out of the display, and Officer B. is ecstatic. They have reordered four times in the past six months just to keep the material available!

WMP volunteer Gary H. placed several Booklet Displays with Salvation Army centers while on a cross-country trip. He reported that he never had an officer refuse to have one placed in the facility after a face-to-face meeting. Gary reports a new enthusiasm and sense of urgency in encouraging individuals, ministries, business owners, and churches to take responsibility for a free display. Booklets to refill existing displays are readily available from WMP so that the Word keeps going out!

“I was at the gas station and the booklets were on the counter. The cashier said, ‘Go ahead and take some, they’re free.’ So I did, and I was just astounded and blessed about the writings. This little booklet is a synopsis of the whole Bible. I thought, Oh my! What an awesome witnessing tool. So please send my order as soon as possible. I would love to take some to my church, especially because the booklet is so plain and it also witnesses to children by the pictures…. Thank you and God bless y’all.

—G.P., South Carolina

“I have a college-bound football player. Some of his friends are ‘seeking.’ A few days ago my son gave a peer my only copy of How to Know God. The peer said that this tiny little booklet helped him SO MUCH! To GOD be the glory. I received the small booklet from the Salvation Army.”        

—A.P., Virginia

Brother Roy has been a faithful distributor of WMP literature for ten years. For the first time he was able to attend the WMP Open House and Anniversary Dinner in October 2017. He was in the last tour of the day, and the tour guide talked about the Booklet Displays and how they are being used. Brother Roy was interested! From years of ministry in Honduras he was well aware of the need for the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to use the Word to rescue a lost soul. He took three displays home with him and has ordered more since then. They have been placed in several Salvation Army facilities in his area and shared with pastors of three Hispanic churches. Each pastor wanted to introduce his congregation to the booklets for personal evangelism and their own spiritual growth.

Are you looking for a way to share the gospel in your community? Perhaps you could contact your local church or a local business about allowing a WMP Booklet Display to be placed in their facility. As it is important that the display be regularly maintained and refilled, this could become a regular ministry opportunity for a retiree or a family.

WMP Booklet Displays are available free of charge upon request, along with a supply of selected English, Spanish, or English/Spanish mix Scripture booklets and Bible studies to fill them. [Optional: Request the specific titles and languages of your choice.]

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Meet the Team

Karen M.

Receptionist

I first heard about World Missionary Press from my pastor’s wife, who was a regular volunteer in the 80’s and 90’s and spoke very highly of WMP. I had been praying about serving in ministry, as well as a way to use my talents and abilities for the Lord. Gratefully, the Lord opened this door for me.

This is my fourth year to work at WMP. I first worked in the Finance Department for over three years, then took some time off and was recently re-hired to fill a Receptionist position. I truly count it a privilege to work here. As a Receptionist, I greet guests when they come in, answer incoming calls, make announcements over the intercom, help maintain records as well as verify addresses, help with upcoming events, help prepare mailings, and do whatever else is needed.

What do I like best about working at WMP? I love the anointing here—so many people working together as a body to impact the world for Christ. We have such a diverse group, with approximately 28 churches and multiple denominations represented among the staff, all functioning together for the same purpose—changing lives through the living written Word. We are blessed to hear amazing testimonies of how lives were changed through reading the Scripture booklets. It is both faith-building and encouraging. The Word really can go where people cannot.

My husband and I have been married for nearly 30 years. We have two daughters and a son who also works for WMP. All are married, so we have a daughter-in-love, two sons-in-love, and four precious grandchildren, two of which were born in 2017. We try to spend as much time with our family as possible and have a lot of fun together. My husband and I consider our marriage and family to be our first ministry, our legacy. So we try to keep that a priority.

My hobbies are many—just about anything creative: drawing, painting, decorating, as well as reading and writing, and my grandchildren, if you can count them as a hobby! They are so much fun. When I’m not working, I spend as much time as possible with my family or doing something creative.

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WMP Partners Around the World

Benowartd U. — Tanzania

Bishop Benowartd U. serves as WMP National Coordinator in Tanzania, providing strategic planning for the availability and distribution of WMP literature there. He has highlighted several languages of Tanzania needing Scripture booklets and has recommended translators. 

WMP: Brother Benowartd, please describe your background and ministry:

Benowartd:  I am a native of southern Tanzania. I was born again in 1992 when I was in secondary school and attending an Assemblies of God church in Lindi. God called me to be an evangelist, pastor, and teacher of the Word of God. After graduating from Bible College, I started to serve Him as a fulltime minister in 1994. In Virginia (USA) I acquired a Bachelor’s Degree of Ministry and Biblical Studies and later a Master’s Degree and doctorate of Christian (Biblical) Counseling. I am now senior pastor (bishop) at Glory Christian Centre (GCC) in Tanzania.

I have been preaching and teaching in different areas in Tanzania; conducting seminars, trainings, and leadership workshops; facilitating and counseling ministers of the gospel of the Kingdom; and reaching unreached people through distribution of gospel booklets.

WMP: How long have you been involved in distributing WMP literature?

Benowartd:  In 1992 I received one copy of the gospel booklet Help From Above. When I wrote to WMP requesting more booklets, they sent me five boxes through my postal address. I have worked with World Missionary Press for more than 25 years, first as a distributor until I became the WMP national coordinator in Tanzania in 2009.

WMP: How has the availability of free literature impacted evangelism and strengthened churches in your country?

Benowartd: First, I would like to praise and glorify the Lord God for His vision and work through World Missionary Press and their supporters, who have made it possible to print these gospel booklets, which have been helpful for churches and gospel distributors to fulfill the great commission of Jesus Christ to evangelize the world.

Getting free gospel booklets has been a blessing because local workers and churches could not afford it. We pray that WMP’s supporters will continue to assist WMP in preparing many boxes of booklets.

Getting free literature has helped churches to grow in number, as many people come to Jesus through the distribution, and the number of local workers and pioneer missionaries who reach out to their communities has also increased. According to feedback that we receive, new believers are brought together and taught, using WMP Bible studies and Scripture booklets. Many Christ groups are being established. Believers are strengthened in their faith and equipped to become distributors themselves, changing the lives of people in Tanzania.

WMP: Would you share a testimony that stands out to you?

Benowartd: Many testimonies stand out to describe the effectiveness of the topical Scripture booklets in my country. For example, Help From Above has been a blessing for many people to come to Jesus Christ. Its message is very powerful, and many distributors bring testimonies from the powerful message in that booklet. This is one of the booklets that we would like to translate in two mother languages of Tanzania.

WMP: What challenges do you have in your country to the open distribution of literature from WMP?

Benowartd: The only challenge we faced was in the process of clearing the containers in the right time to avoid extra charges such as storage, warehouse rent, and demurrage through the lack of commitment of some workers at the port or shipping lines. Now we know more of how to handle that problem for the next container.

WMP: How frequently do you need a shipment from WMP?

Benowartd: According to our distribution plan in different areas and based on the population of Tanzania, one of the biggest East African countries, our ministry prayer request is to receive three containers per year, but for starting, we thank God for WMP agreeing to a container two times per year, as the Lord enables.

Jesus Christ, the Only Sure Foundation

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  —1 Corinthians 3:11

In our world today, no matter where we live, we face dangers and fears every day. Governments fail us, friends forsake us, families leave us, religions deceive us.

 

Where can people find something solid on which to build their life? Who can they trust? The Word of God has the answer—the only answer. The only foundation for this life and for eternity is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And because He is the only answer, He must be made known to all nations and peoples.

 

God gave His Word to the world so that all could know Him. World Missionary Press is daily about the work of taking this Word to every corner of the world through the production and free distribution of topical Scripture booklets in 346 languages.

Pastor Paul tells of a woman in the Volta region of Ghana who refused to accept the WMP Scripture booklet, The Way to God, claiming hatred for everything about Christ. But her teenage daughter took it. He wrote, “The woman sent for us the next morning and claimed that she could not sleep because the booklet glowed through the night like fire.” He concluded, “The woman and her daughter and others prayed to receive Christ that morning.”

A lady wrote from Texas, “My husband is in prison and has been studying and reading your literature for nearly two years! He had sent home your little Scripture-text Datebook and stated that he would like our grandsons to share in our knowledge of Christ’s salvation and love for us.” She requested two copies of The Way to God for her two grandsons. “They both were baptized this year, and I feel these will help them gain spiritual growth and strength.”

Every day tens of thousands of people receive a WMP Scripture booklet somewhere in the world. For many it is their first contact with God’s Word. As they read through the topically-arranged verses, they learn how much God loves them and what He did to redeem them from the sin that holds them in bondage. They read words of hope and their spirits sense the voice of God.

 

John K. is using WMP booklets in many states of Mexico through rehab centers. He thanked WMP for allowing them to use the booklets in Spanish “to bring spiritual life to many hopeless addicted people! The Word of God works better than anything.” After a day of witnessing and sharing the booklets on the streets, many return with great joy after leading a soul to the Lord.

 

Through a God-given network of donors, volunteers, national coordinators, and individual distributors, WMP produced and shipped—in one year—more than 80 million pieces of Word-filled literature around the world—from 48-page topical Scripture booklets to larger Bible studies, salvation coloring books, and New Testaments.

 

Like addicts on the streets of Mexico, a man in a U.S. prison and his grandsons, and a woman and her daughter in Ghana, thousands find Christ as God’s Word is shared with them. Yet millions have yet to know that it is Jesus who will never fail them and that they can put their trust and their lives in His care.

 

The need to increase production is heavy on the hearts of the WMP staff because they hear the thanks from those who see first-hand how God works through His Word, and they also hear the pleas for more and more booklets to share with more and more people.

Two months after requesting their first supply of 500 Scripture booklets, a U.K. church requested 1,000 booklets! “We are using the booklets at the centre of Leicester, and somebody came to Christ this morning and was baptized this afternoon!” As God uses His Word to work in hearts, excitement to reach out farther grows, and requests for booklets grow.

Phil and Margaret share God’s Word on the streets in Britain (Cardiff, London, and Birmingham). “The faces of many Arabic and Soomali-speaking people light up when we give them the gospel message in their own language . . . . In their own languages, it seems to really touch them in a VERY special way.”

Testimonies like these spur World Missionary Press on to be part of bringing more and more endangered souls into the arms of the Savior, where they find rest and peace.

These are exciting times as new technology, social media opportunities, a growing volunteer ambassador team, and open doors for booklet distribution combine to accelerate production and propel us to a new level of participation in getting God’s Word to the world.

It is a simple formula: Give God’s Word to the world through God’s plan. God raised up World Missionary Press, and for 56 years He has led and provided. HE is a sure foundation for today and for the future.

[You can help provide a sure foundation in an unstable world. Every donated dollar provides for the production of 26 powerful Scripture booklets for people around the world in their own language. An investment of $100 will touch the lives of 2,600 people; $1,000 will impact 26,000 people who need to know God.]

The Great Opportunity for Increase

We praise God, who has positioned World Missionary Press for enlargement! In the past five years, He expanded our property and provided for newer and upgraded equipment, enabling us to stage more large shipments simultaneously while more effectively scheduling and tracking the preparation and production of hundreds of languages and titles.

Last year we began to think and pray about increasing our monthly production volume to the equivalent of 10 million Scripture booklets the size of the 48-page Help From Above.

With the increased efficiency of high-volume production, producing AND shipping each extra million above our base of 7 million per month would cost just $26,000!

In spite of the highs and lows of monthly income, the fiscal year ended with total income just $20,911 under budget and expenses $34,731 under budget. However, during a period of increased production before having to cut back, we discovered the need for a new cutter/trimmer on one of our binderies to keep up with the increased speed! We look to God to supply this need ($97,000) plus above-budget income to increase production to levels of His choosing.

We are humbled by the opportunity that—as a team of “workers together” (staff and volunteers, supported by prayer and shared resources, along with a worldwide network of like-minded workers eager to distribute Scripture booklets)—World Missionary Press has a significant role in fulfilling the promise of Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

As God’s Word spreads throughout the world, people come to know JESUS, who IS “the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3).

The glory of the Lord is filling the earth. Our annual celebration Dinner in October highlighted the global impact of World Missionary Press. (A free DVD of this inspiring program is available.)

In Ethiopia 12,000 volunteers from many denominations reached 300,000 homes with Scripture booklets in five languages. God’s Word is penetrating restricted nations in the “Horn of Africa.” WMP will soon be printing more than 900,000 Scripture booklets for shipment to Ethiopia. Distribution network leaders and teams are already in place to share the booklets in Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia as well as Ethiopia.

Jad G., born in Damascus, Syria, ministers to the Arabic-speaking world. Meeting EHC’s director for Ethiopia resulted in his sending a supply of Amharic New Testaments for our next container to Ethiopia!

A former Muslim and his son shared from Canada how Hindus and Muslims are coming to Christ and believers are growing in the Lord through A Bible study on John from WMP.

Gloria Silva Lopez, director of Every Home for Christ Mexico, reported plans to complete their 10-year outreach to all of Mexico by the end of 2018! The first of three semi-trailers of Scripture booklets needed was funded in the Dinner offering! See updates at www.wmpformexico.org.

Though darkness covers the earth’s people, “Your light has come! The glory of the LORD is risen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1). It is time to “arise and shine!”

THE SEAS ARE TREACHEROUS, the destination uncertain. Upon arrival in a strange city, refugees wait in crowded camps with only what they could carry as earthly possessions—thousands have made this journey from their homelands, looking for a better life.

Driven by war, famine, persecution, and hopelessness, more than 1.6 million people have arrived by sea on Europe’s shores since 2014. Many come from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, along with those from Africa. While world leaders struggle to meet the needs of such a great migration of peoples, the urgency for many is just to stay alive.

As God looks down at the suffering, He sees individuals, not numbers. In His eye is a precious soul He created and for whom He gave His greatest gift.

As God’s instruments of love in this world, Christians must take up the challenge He has placed before them. Putting aside racial and cultural differences and seeing these displaced ones through the eyes of the Savior, we must offer them the Bread of Life and the Living Water—and we must do it with a loving acknowledgment of their physical needs. This is being done by believers in Europe—from the shores of the Aegean Sea in Greece to the northern cities of Scandinavia—with World Missionary Press as an active partner.

The IL SOGGIORNO Center for Refugees and Migrants is an evangelical center for holistic ministry to Afghans, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis in Rome, Italy. The center has received WMP Scripture booklets (primarily How to Know God) since 2000.

As the immigrant population grew, new doors opened to share the gospel. The Waldensian church in Rome asked for Scripture booklets to give out with clothes for the poor and helpless from Africa and Eastern Europe. They would like to give out Biblically-based booklets as well when people they talk to are willing to learn about the gospel.

Requests from this group in Italy began to reach WMP almost weekly. A local church south of Rome needed booklets to reach 10,000 Punjabi speakers in their town. Then, “The number of people coming to Rome is increasing,” wrote Andrew D. “We have Eritreans to reach. Please send Scripture booklets in Tigrinya.” Ten days later he requested booklets (Tigrinya, Amharic, Bengali, Urdu, Persian Farsi, Dari, Somali, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, French, and English) for outreach to refugees in Sicily who had arrived through North Africa.

And then a succinct, heart-felt email: “Without WMP we would not be reaching thousands of Central Asians, South Asians, and Africans in both Rome and Sicily.” And more recently, “Praise the Lord, we are encountering so many nations here in Rome now.”

In the past year WMP sent 110,526 Scripture booklets to Italy. A distributor in Naples who orders regularly has received 12,450 Scripture booklets in the past year. “We are involved in a church planting project in Naples, and where we work there are foreigners,” wrote Luca I. “We are reaching out to the community by doing a weekly book table and giving out free Christian literature, including your booklets, which are really appreciated when people see that it’s written in their own language.” Their most recent order included booklets in eleven languages.

Nadia A. in France touched the very heart of the matter when she asked for a small quantity of Scripture booklets in 14 languages. “These are all [for] the communities I have come to meet in my neighborhood asking for God. . . ,” she wrote. “I asked God to guide me to a way I could hand [out] His Word. Then you came. Thanks for giving the world a chance to know and reach God easily.”

A great majority of people coming into Europe from Syria and Afghanistan come through Greece.  A ministry in Athens wrote, “We have a day center for persecuted Christian refugees in Athens, Greece, which we are currently preparing to open. We have a quiet room/study for refugees to read and study both the Bible and Greek and English. These booklets will be used in this library, both to help recent converts and also to help with practicing reading Greek and English.”

Another group of believers in Athens is from Iran; they are working to reach Arabs in Greece, Germany, and Turkey with the Word of God. They requested boxes of booklets in Farsi, Arabic, and English.

From Charles K. in Switzerland: “We are embarking on a massive evangelization in the city of Geneva and beyond, and every place the soles of our feet shall tread upon. Geneva is teeming with people of different nationalities and religious beliefs. In view of this and the Lord’s imminent coming, the onus is upon us to gather together whoever believes, for the Kingdom of our God. To do this we need materials. We shall therefore be highly grateful if you will supply us with booklets in different languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, etc.”

And then there are reports to which we can only say, Praise God! It is His doing.

According to a report from Turkey, “Refugees are assigned by the government to cities across the nation, and believers among those placed in B___ have found each other and have formed a lively congregation. Pray that the joy and truth in the lives of these believers will overflow to the Turks around them. This province has very few known Turkish believers and has been hard soil for Christian workers.”

As immigrants move northward from Italy and Greece into Scandinavia, requests for Scripture booklets in multiple languages are coming from Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Ingrid B. wrote from a city in Sweden which has 600 refugees, “They stay for a while, and there are newcomers every week. We want to give booklets to everyone we meet in their own language.” A 20-foot container of booklets in 39 languages is ready to leave for Finland, where WMP’s national coordinator busily provides booklets in an increasing variety of languages.

When God raised up World Missionary Press to provide His Word in the languages of the world, He knew that someday people who spoke only their national language would have opportunity to share the gospel with someone who did not speak the same language. By granting WMP the privilege and means to print Scripture booklets in 346 languages, the opportunities can become encounters, and the precious seed of God’s Word can be planted.

[You can help provide God’s Word for refugees in Europe. Every donated dollar provides for the production of 27 powerful Scripture booklets in the many languages needed. An investment of $25 will reach 675 people; $100 will touch the lives of 2,700 people; $1,000 will impact 27,000 people with the transforming Word of God.]

Meet the Team

Curtis R.
Information Technology Associate

I’ve known about World Missionary Press ever since I was a child. My mother was friends with Ruth Goodman and her mother, Rose (co-founder of WMP), back in high school, and over the years I heard a lot from her about what WMP was doing. I grew up in a good Christian home, and every Sunday my parents would take my two older sisters and me to church.

While I was at Taylor University majoring in computer science, I was part of a volunteer team of two faculty and ten students from the Computer Science Department who traveled to Hong Kong, where Operation Mobilization’s ship, Logos Hope, was stationed. Our job was to develop a new internal website for the ship. That three-week trip helped me decide to be involved in missions.

I still needed to complete a summer internship as part of my graduation requirements when I heard that WMP could use an intern for their computer department, so I decided to apply. That summer I was blown away by what WMP was doing, and when the chance came to be hired after the internship, I joyfully accepted.

I’ve been at WMP for four years, mostly fixing computers, servers, and printers. I also do some audio/video recording, network administration, systems administration, and some software engineering. The best part of working at World Missionary Press is the people. Everyone is glad to see you. Even when things are going wrong, they still maintain a positive and prayerful attitude.

I have a lot of interests, but not anything that I feel would be classified as a hobby. I like to listen to music, read books, play board games, do research on philosophical and technological topics, and I appreciate many forms of art.

WMP Partners Around the World

Antonie B. — South Africa

Over the past 20 years World Missionary Press has provided 13 million Scripture booklets (including 1.5 million pieces of literature currently in transit) to a major partner, Every Home for Christ South Africa. For many of those years Cor and Aléta R. served as EHC’s national directors, working closely with WMP. Since taking on the responsibility of national director of EHCSA, Antonie B. continues the effective partnership with WMP.

WMP: Please describe your background and current ministry.

Antonie: I was born in 1975, the first of two brothers, with a father and mother who served the Lord through the way they lived their lives. My parents were called by God to be intercessors and prayer warriors. Even though we grew up poor, I had the opportunity to experience God’s provision on a daily basis.

My parents recalled that different pastors prophesied over my brother and me many times God’s call to the ministry to work for Him. After high school I worked seven years as supervisor for a metal manganese company before I finally answered God’s call in 2001 and enrolled in a Bible college. While a student, I was active in the local church and volunteered in the administration office of the college. I completed a course in Music Ministry and successfully completed my ministerial training. I also worked with youth in a faith mission for more than fourteen years.

When the opportunity came along to get involved in the ministry of EHCSA, I immediately knew this was what I wanted to do. After praying and seeking God’s will, I accepted the position of Project Manager. The fruit of God’s calling was evident, and today I serve as national director of EHCSA, working with churches all over South Africa.

WMP: How long have you been involved in distributing WMP literature?

Antonie: I was introduced to WMP when I started working for EHCSA in June of 2013 and began distributing WMP’s literature.

WMP: How does the availability of free literature affect evangelism in your country?

Antonie: Bibles are extremely expensive, and copyright laws on the Bible make it impossible to leave anything with individuals reached through the gospel. The 2-in-1 Way to God/Help From Above booklet has helped us in South Africa to bridge this problem. The different languages available help each person read the message of Jesus Christ in their own language, making this material a vital ingredient in our outreach operations. The fact that we can provide churches and individuals with these booklets for free has empowered and motivated churches to effectively participate in home-to-home campaigns with tenacity and motivation. People who receive the booklets are excited to have something in their hands to read.

WMP: How effective are the topical Scripture booklets in your country?

Antonie: The fact that the booklets are Word-based makes them very effective. Nothing is taken out of context. Many pastors have told me of waiting many years to have something to aid them. Many read a booklet until it literally falls apart. The booklets give believers confidence to share their faith more boldly. We connect and interact with other ministries in South Africa, providing these booklets to them as well.

Many of the Scripture verses quoted in The Way to God booklet are used in our evangelism and disciple and prayer training, reinforcing our teachings. Many do not have Bibles, and the booklets help them read the Scriptures and understand the Bible better. I believe in teaching and preaching the Word of God. It is the Word that changes people’s lives, and God graciously uses us despite our shortcomings. I have experienced first-hand how the Word has impacted people’s circumstances and changed their communities.

WALTER WAS VISITING A CITY in Honduras one December morning. He went to many different places and met some very nice people. That morning he took the opportunity to distribute copies of Help From Above Scripture booklets, which he still faithfully carries in his briefcase. That day hearts were introduced to the One who loves them and died for them.
Walter cannot know which seeds will bear eternal fruit for the Kingdom of God, but he does know that touching the lives of people, one by one, with the Word of God is his joyful vocation. Walter serves as WMP national coordinator in Honduras and oversees the distribution of WMP Scripture booklets throughout his country. He regularly holds training seminars to help pastors and church leaders learn how to effectively use these precious Scripture portions. One result of the one-to-one distribution and training in Honduras is that Walter needs another shipment!

Raul is a missionary in Colombia. The ministry he represents has few resources to meet the needs of people who have been displaced by much violence. He is pleading with WMP to send a new (and larger) shipment of Scripture booklets, Bible studies, and New Testaments.

  “At this time,” Raul writes, “the governor has made peace with the guerrillas and wants to initiate talks with them. We are going to need a lot of materials because our pastors will enter these areas, and a great work will be started. In all those places where death and displacement of peoples reign, Jesus will enter with His restorative power and salvation. The missionaries who carry forth this blessed gospel to all regions will be overjoyed when they see great revival throughout the countryside and mountains, and WMP will be the instrument that God will use [to supply] the material that we will be needing.”  What vision! What zeal! What faith!

While distributing Scripture booklets in a certain Colombian city one day, Eduardo met a pastor named Gilbert, who told him that several years before someone had given him a copy of Help From Above. He read it over and over fervently, eventually coming to salvation through Jesus Christ. Today he is the pastor of a small church, sharing with others what he has received. Eduardo is the WMP national coordinator for Colombia, and he too has asked for a new shipment of literature to meet the many needs and opportunities in all of Colombia. The demobilized guerillas will be moving into government-arranged neighborhoods, so churches in those areas are looking forward to witnessing to those who have been “outside” for so many years.

Peniel is a young evangelist with a vision to raise up evangelists throughout South America. “The aim is to give the Word of God to the people, to identify evangelists who are doing the work on a consistent basis, and to support them with printed materials for evangelism.” In order to support these active evangelists and teams in Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, and Chile, Peniel has asked for 1,000 boxes of Scripture booklets (500,000 booklets). Peniel also serves contacts in Europe (Portugal, Italy) who receive WMP material. [Visit www.wmpress-restofthestory.org or scan the QR code below to view a video from Peniel on the work in Paraguay (English subtitles).]
At a recent meeting of ministry leaders from all over Latin America, several attendees who are not currently receiving shipments from WMP asked to be included when future shipments are sent to their countries—expanding the opportunities and reaching more people in each nation. Currently WMP has requests from Venezuela, Panama, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. In each of these countries, the amount of material being requested is growing. There is a sense of urgency, but also an awareness of open doors and opportunity.

A pastor from Amazonas in Brazil wrote to WMP saying that he has a big job to do in a very big state and “the lack of Christian literature is very large.” He concludes, “This literature is very effective during my visits in the cities.”

World Missionary Press recently sent a new shipment to Uruguay, reestablishing our national coordinator there. They are extremely grateful for this shipment of Scripture booklets and shared how wonderful the booklets are, how all the churches are coming to get supplies, and how young people are preparing to do home-to-home outreaches.

   There is a lack of literature! The Scripture booklets are effective! The evangelists are being trained! Believers are on the streets, in the markets, on the buses, going door-to-door! They need the tools! Will you help WMP fill these passionate requests for means to touch lives with the Word of God?

  [You can help touch lives with the Word of God—in Latin America and throughout the world. Every donated dollar provides for the production of 27 powerful Scripture booklets to ship to Christians eager to share God’s Word in the languages of their nation. An investment of $100 will touch the lives of 2,700 people; $1,000 will impact 27,000 people who need to know God.]

Meet the Team

Marie M.
WMP Treasurer

When my husband, Harold Mack, responded to an ad from Intercristo (a Christian employment agency) for a computer systems manager in the summer of 1994, we were living in Pennsylvania. After receiving an information package from Jay Benson, who was president at the time, our hearts were drawn to be part of this great work of reaching the world with God’s life-changing Word.

We felt the Lord was leading us here, confirming His will through His Word and various circumstances, and had been preparing us to lean on Him and live by faith. During a worship service earlier that year, the Holy Spirit had impressed strongly on me that Harold would get a job serving the Lord and that I would get to help out too.

We came out for a visit and were about to return home. I inquired if there were any part-time openings. It so happened that Vicky Benson, who was treasurer at the time, was looking for an assistant. I completed an application and was hired that fall along with Harold. We have been working here for 22 years. The Lord has been faithful to provide for all of our needs.

In January, 2007, I started serving as treasurer, overseeing the Finance Department and managing the financial
responsibilities of WMP. I have seen God’s faithful provision every day in so many ways—putting it on the hearts of donors to fund production over the years and to purchase needed property and equipment; bringing the right staff members at just the right time; sending the volunteers needed to prepare mailings and bind and pack booklets for shipment; raising up a powerful prayer team to hold us up before the Lord daily; and giving us a godly Board to keep WMP moving in the right direction.

It is a great privilege to work together with members of the body of Christ, here and around the world, providing Scripture portions to those who need the Lord. When not working, I enjoy gardening as weather permits and staying in touch with family and friends. Our son Stephen has also been working here, first part-time and then full-time, since 2005.

WMP Partners Around the World

Syd and Liz D.

International

Syd and Liz D. have been international evangelists and church planters for more than 40 years, first pastoring in England. Now based in Michigan, they minister in 54 nations and have seen tens of thousands come to Christ. In both their world travels and local cross-cultural outreaches, they have used WMP Scripture booklets in Arabic, Japanese, Hindi, Urdu, Albanian, Korean, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.

WMP: How did you learn about WMP and start using WMP literature?

Liz: I started using Help From Above booklets in high school, then as missionaries in England, we used different titles. When we began to travel internationally, we contacted WMP and were excited to see the huge range of languages and literature available.

WMP: How have WMP Scriptures been used in your overseas ministry?

Syd and Liz: When we planned a trip to Jordan in 2015 to minister in the refugee camps, we ordered How to Know God and The Way to God in Arabic along with Arabic New Testaments, which our team wrapped as gifts. We visited several churches, including an Iraqi Syrian congregation, sharing food and blankets as well as the spoken and written Word. We heard stories of great need, oppression, and pain. We witnessed a remarkable thing: These people—nominal Christians, many professional people—stripped of everything, now realized that who they need is Jesus! More than 200 people accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.

WMP: That’s wonderful! What kind of response have you received in the U.S.? 

Syd and Liz: One of our ministries, “Who is My Neighbor,” encourages reaching out with the love of Jesus to new friends from around the world. We welcome neighbors from many ethnic backgrounds into our homes to share a meal or a cup of tea and experience the love of Christ. We began the Christmas season by singing Christmas carols and delivering gift bags (which included Scriptures from WMP) to 250 homes in the largest concentration of Arabs outside the Middle East—Dearborn, Michigan. Caroling began in the afternoon with 75 people from different churches and backgrounds forming 11 teams, and in the evening 125 more people joined us, forming another 11 groups. We gave out 585 candy canes (one for each person we prayed for). We found open homes and hearts! Five made decisions to follow Jesus, and the following evening about 150 Muslims attended the Nativity Musical in a Dearborn church, wanting to hear the Christmas story. It was the best response we have seen in ten years!

Ellie, a beautiful young Muslim woman from Ethiopia/Yemen, invited us into her home. When Robin shared the gospel using the Evangecube and asked if she wanted Jesus to come into her heart, she said, “Oh, yes! I’d love that!” We all prayed the prayer of salvation together, and Ellie joined in. A smile spread across her face. We told her to wait on the Lord; He would help her and guide her. One of the women in the team excitedly said, “What did you say? He would guide her? Today I bought this wrist band!” It said, Guided by God. “This is for Ellie!”

WMP: What is your challenge to Christians for the coming year?

Syd and Liz: God is moving among the Muslim people, and now is the time to reach them for Christ. Hala welcomed us into her home when she heard us singing Christmas carols outside. She had already been hearing about Jesus from her English teacher. She received Jesus into her heart. Don’t listen to the fear in the media. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Let’s make 2017 the year we reach out and embrace our new “neighbors!” They are here to meet Jesus!

   “Arise, shine; for your light has come! . . . Darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”  —Isaiah 60:1-2

TESTIMONIES COME TO World Missionary Press from all over the world of how God’s Word, contained in WMP Scripture booklets, is transforming lives. Souls are being saved and discipled, home groups started, and churches birthed.
Brother ————-(removed for security reasons) of ————–(removed for security reasons) shared during a chapel time: “The best tool we have is the [WMP] gospel booklet, door-delivered where we are—at no cost to us. This is of strategic importance in India—being able to provide God’s Word. More than digging wells, more than houses, more than food, more than clothes, more than anything else, the Word of God works today.” Distributors around the world echo this testimony. It is the living Word of God—whether shared along with humanitarian aid such as food and clothing, in home-to-home outreach, as part of prison or hospital ministries, or during street evangelism—that imparts LIFE and makes an eternal difference for millions!
Contemplating the record level of production this past fiscal year, WMP’s president Harold Mack reported, “I’m awed to realize that—on average—240,000 WMP Scripture booklets, Bible studies, salvation coloring books, and New Testaments are being produced, shipped, and distributed each day, 365 days a year. And to think that these portions of God’s Word—often the only “Bible” a person has—can be used over and over for weeks, months, and even years.” It is a fact that after World Missionary Press moved to New Paris, Indiana, in 1970, responses from booklets printed and shipped during our first nine years in Winona Lake were still arriving in our Winona Lake postbox 25 years later!

We praise God for His blessing; we rejoice as His face continues to shine upon us (Numbers 6:24-25). This past fiscal year, contributions of 4.9 million dollars from God’s people (see financial report below) enabled us to produce a total of 87,679,441 items (both in-plant and contract printing). A record-high 51 container-size shipments were sent—10 more than our previous high two years ago (see chart on right). Distribution networks in countries around the world are growing, so the continuing need is huge.

For more than a year WMP’s national coordinator in the Philippines worked to renew the import documents required to receive container shipments of Scripture booklets. Two 40-foot containers waited in our warehouse as staff and supporters prayed for a resolution. When the shipments were finally sent, pent-up requests from hundreds of distributors who had used WMP Scripture booklets successfully for many years immediately claimed the 2.1 million booklets received by our coordinator. Another shipment is in process to help meet the great demand.

The economy in Venezuela, along with the philosophical direction of the government, made it very difficult to obtain New Testaments there. When WMP’s national coordinator sent a passionate plea for Spanish New Testaments, we were able to send 76,800 copies, which were received with gladness and gratitude for sharing with new believers coming to Christ.

As yet another natural disaster struck the people of Haiti, new shipments of WMP Scripture booklets and New Testaments were already on the way! The Haitian Bible Society, which looks to WMP for their own supply of Kreyol New Testaments, provided insight into the timeliness of these shipments and the continuing need for God’s Word in Haiti. “We are currently in a difficult situation.  With the passage of Hurricane Matthew, the living conditions of our brothers and sisters have become more complicated.  Only trust in God and His Word can help them keep hope. . . . A donation in materials allows us to meet the demand of those people who have lost everything except their faith in God.”

During the past year, three new languages were added, bringing our total languages to 346: Herero and Fijian Hindi (The Way to God) and Ojibwe (Help From Above, electronic format only). Additionally, Satan Versus CHRIST was added in Tigrinya, and The Way to God was added in Korean and Ndau.

WMP’s new responsive website went live a year ago and has become the most-used method of submitting requests for free Scripture booklets. We now have 332 Scripture booklets available for online reading via the website or the World Missionary Press App for mobile devices. We are working to make all 770+ items available for online reading and optimized for direct computer-to-plate processing. In addition, 33 booklets in 12 languages are currently accessible in audio format on the app. App users can opt in to receive automated daily prayer and praise items and/or updates on the status of shipments.

In September, WMP’s president Harold Mack traveled to India with Plant Manager Jerry W. for an inspiring visit with our two newest ministry partners there, to interact with the managers of two print shops that have printed millions of WMP Scripture booklets, and to discuss future printings with WMP’s India-based production coordinator, Brother V. of ———–(removed for security reasons). We continue working to make the huge need for God’s Word in India known through Project India—our vision to provide 100,000,000 Scripture booklets for India in three years as God provides: www.myprojectindia.org.

WMP’s Ambassador program is developing a network of “ambassadors” in local churches who will be supplied with up-to-date highlights from World Missionary Press to share with their congregations. Introduction meetings are being planned for areas where WMP-affiliated churches and donors are concentrated, starting in the Indianapolis area. To learn more, visit www.wmpambassadors.org.

Every day God is at work through His Word. What a privilege it is to be involved in providing tools for God’s team around the world!

  [You can shine light in our dark world. Every donated dollar provides for the production of 27 powerful Scripture booklets to ship to Christians eager to share God’s Word in the languages of their nation. An investment of $100 will touch the lives of 2,700 people; $1,000 will impact 27,000 people who need to know God.]

—

The Great Opportunity for Increase

World Missionary Press continues to praise God for how He has enlarged and strengthened us for the future. He has expanded our property and provided for newer and upgraded equipment, enabling us to breeze through levels of production that we used to struggle with, to stage more large shipments simultaneously, and to be more flexible and effective in scheduling and tracking the preparation and production of hundreds of languages and titles.

The increased efficiency of high-volume production plus cost
savings in many areas has led to an 11.4% decrease in the cost per booklet—now only 3.73 cents to produce. Adding shipping cost, a 48-page Scripture booklet the size of Help From Above averages just 4.43 cents to produce and ship anywhere in the world!”

WMP’s plant manager Jerry W. recently noted that our in-plant production could be increased by up to another 2.5 million per month with existing facilities and equipment. We could increase our equivalency volume from 7.5 million per month to 10 million for just $65,000 ($26,000 per extra million for production AND shipping).

Sharing the Word of God with others is the vocation and joy of every believer. Scripture booklets are invaluable tools to help thousands of believers share God’s Word with everyone, no matter the location, culture, or language.

The challenge to the Church is to reach the 7.5 billion people on earth today. No one person or ministry can do that alone, but
WMP is committed to doing all that God will grant us the resources and strength to do. With a network of like-minded workers ready and willing to distribute Scripture booklets, the prayer of WMP is to increase production to supply the demand.

The light of God’s Word is penetrating the darkness. Rino B. reported that by the end of 2016, Every Home for Christ
in Argentina alone will have distributed almost 700,000 pieces of literature (70-80% from World Missionary Press), with 70,000 new believers.

In three states in northeast Brazil, where 34 million people live, the majority are “committed to idolatry and demon worship.” Major contacts in these states, with networks of distributors, are looking to WMP for Scripture booklets to reveal the Light of the World, who dispels the darkness.  A recent shipment of 500 boxes totaling 250,000 booklets is but a small start.

The time is short. The need is urgent. Today is the day of salvation. It is time to “arise and shine!”

CHRISTIANS ARE FORWARD-LOOKING PEOPLE! We look forward to our Lord’s return. We look forward to answered prayer. As we see what God is doing in this world through the Body of Christ, we at World Missionary Press continue to look forward to new opportunities—and new challenges!—to send His life-giving Word to increasing numbers of people around the world.

What a great year this has been at WMP! We have seen God move in so many ways—providing needed staff, new equipment, and new technology—all toward increasing production to meet the growing number of requests for His Word.
He has also brought additional partners to sow the seed world-wide. A vision to reach every home in Guyana is involving denominational leaders in strategy and prayer events across the country, preparing for literature evangelism, to be followed by at least 30 crusades, trusting God to save souls. Dr. S. wrote, “And guess what! The Lord has directed personnel from Suriname, French Guiana, and Trinidad . . . all asking for me to do similar projects for them in their countries. I have given them some hope, but will need your assistance to bring this to fruition.”
Paul S. wrote to express his gratitude for 200,000 Spanish New Testaments and Scripture booklets. “Churches and pastors on both sides of the border are mobilizing to help transport this shipment of Christian literature across the border into Mexico and down into the Peninsula of Baja, Mexico. God is the Captain of this team effort!”

New national coordinators have been established in several countries, with initial shipments sent to meet open requests. Other coordinators have expanded their outreach and are asking for more material in additional languages and in greater quantities. A pallet of booklets in Russian and Ukrainian was sent in May 2016 even as doors in that area seemed to be closing.

A major thrust to reach the people of India, launched this year as PROJECT INDIA, involves developing direct relationships with a larger number of major ministries in India and providing Scripture booklets from within the country. The goal is 100 million booklets in three years for the unreached of India.

Recently a former distributor reconnected with WMP. More than 20 years ago he was very involved in taking WMP Scripture booklets into Eastern Europe, China, Latin America, and Africa. He is now developing a new ministry to facilitate the distribution of WMP material to all corners of the globe. Early communication with just a few of his many contacts from 40 years of ministry has brought eager interest from Korea, Laos, and Zambia. More will follow, and WMP is looking forward to establishing new points of distribution to ease the famine for the Word of God.

The continuing movement of refugees has also opened new doors. A group of ten Syrian refugees in Europe was  brought to the Savior by a pastor in Munich. Now intent on sharing the good news with the thousands of Syrian refugees in Germany, they have asked for WMP booklets to help in this eternal venture. African refugees are stranded at the border between Panama and Costa Rica. A ministry leader wrote, “We are helping to feed them but have no French material.”

WMP’s Language Team has completed work on an encouraging number of projects. Two additional titles are now available in Malagasy and titles were added in Kirundi, Korean, Tigrinya, and Ndau. The salvation coloring book He Is Risen! in Haitian Kreyol has been completed. Fijian Hindi, Ojibwe, and Herero were added as new languages.

The list of Scripture booklets that can be read on our website and the new World Missionary Press app is constantly expanding, and people around the world can now also listen to a variety of Scripture booklets being read in twelve languages on the app. We praise God that enhanced technology is making Scripture booklets more readily available to the nations!

Yes, the opportunities, the partners, and the tools are available. And with confidence that God will answer prayer to provide funds to bless where He is leading, we look forward to a new year of abundant harvest for the Kingdom of our God. Praise His Name!

Even in the United States, Scripture booklets are bearing fruit and enlarging the ministries of God’s people. Jessica, from North Carolina, picked up a copy of The Way to God at a church she visited several years ago and thought, “What a great booklet! It explains everything so well!” Since then she has ordered 1,500 booklets in Simplified Chinese and taken most of them into China to supply missionaries there and to give out herself.

A couple from Guam received three Scripture booklets from a Christian woman they met at O’Hare Airport in Chicago. Now they want copies to “share Jesus’ love with others and bring lost souls to Christ.”  Mark, in Hawaii, received a booklet from a woman giving them away on the street in their town. “As I read it, I was amazed at how informative and thorough this little treasure is. I will be passing these wonderful booklets to the lost in my current ministries. I have never seen such teachings laid out so simply yet thoroughly informative.”

A year after receiving a booklet at a flea market, a man reported that he “finally got around to reading that green booklet of
John” and “was now soundly saved, baptized, and a member of a church.” Buddy, who learned about WMP booklets at a bakery in Georgia now wants to use booklets in his Breakfast in the Park ministry to the homeless.

A 27-year-old inmate, in prison for the first time and serving a 5½-year sentence, wrote, “I am a new-born child of Jesus Christ.  I gave my life to our Lord Jesus Christ a few days ago. I am very happy about the decision I made. It is because of you that I was able to make that decision. A few weeks ago, my cellmate who went home left me one of your Scripture booklets, Help From Above. Not only did this booklet save my life, but it also taught me about being faithful, loving, and caring to the ones I love.”
When George called WMP from Louisiana to share about people being saved and healed as he presents the love of Jesus wherever he goes, he was overflowing with the Word, bursting with joy and excitement, and so happy to be a part of what God is doing.

  [YOU, too, can be a part of what God is doing! Every donated dollar puts 24 powerful Scripture booklets into the hands of those in need. An investment of $25 will provide a Scripture booklet for 600 people; $100 will touch the lives of 2,400 people.

Meet the Team

Helen W.

Freight Shipments Coordinator

When my husband and I started attending a church in the New Paris area, someone there mentioned World Missionary Press and suggested that I visit. When I stopped by and was given a tour, I decided then to volunteer to do whatever I could. I began volunteering daily in April, 1997, nineteen years ago; in 2006 I became part of the paid staff.

The year before I was introduced to World Missionary Press, I had felt the Lord leading me to stop working. I spent that year asking Him where He wanted me. My visit to WMP relit the interest in linguistics and Bible translation I had in my college days, when I studied Greek and Hebrew. I had also wanted to serve on a mission field somewhere. Thirty years after college, the Lord had brought me to a place where both of those desires of my heart could be fulfilled.

As Freight Shipments Coordinator, I work with national coordinators around the world helping to supply them with WMP material by processing their large and often complex orders. I lead WMP’s Language Processing Team meetings, facilitating new language projects with translators and our Prepress Department. I am also part of the editorial team that plans and prepares monthly WMP newsletters.

I love reading reports and testimonies from distributors and sharing them with our staff and supporters in regularly scheduled chapel times. I am blessed by the staff here. Each one brings something unique to my life. Perhaps my favorite part of what I do is working with the volunteer coordinators and major distributors in nations around the world. They are so grateful for the Scripture booklets and what WMP does to help the cause of Christ in their countries.

My husband Jack and I met in college in Minnesota. We have two daughters and four grandchildren. Five years ago Jack suffered a major stroke. He cannot move or speak, but he is aware and can communicate by facial expression and by mouthing words. We have been marvelously blessed by our church family, which provides someone to stay with Jack every day while I am at work and every night so I can sleep. We have felt the Lord’s love and care in a way we had not known before. It’s drawn us closer as a family and taught us how to live day to day with the Lord. This summer we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.

As far as hobbies go, I love to read! I am an avid crossword puzzle and Sudoku solver, and I love gardening and yard work.

WMP Partners Around the World

Dr. Phillipson P.

India

WMP is excited about the opportunity to work with a new ministry partner—Salem Ministries International of Kerala, India. Their director, Dr. Philipson P., also serves as the new president of Christian Salvage Mission of Canada, a ministry which for many years has included quantities of WMP Scripture booklets in the sea containers they ship around the world.

WMP: Please describe your background and current ministry.

Dr. Philipson: I was born and brought up in a Christian family. My Dad is a full-time evangelist, actively involved in literature distribution. Alongside my father, I started distributing Scripture booklets at the age of ten. Now I serve as the Director of Salem Ministries International, equipping evangelists and missionaries with materials for their work in many mission fields. I have a deep passion to reach the unreached at any cost.

WMP: How long have you been involved in distributing WMP literature?

Dr. Philipson: I have known about WMP for many years and used to request WMP booklets in Indian languages for distribution in Canada and India. But in 2014 we started a strong association with WMP and look forward to receiving a large shipment from WMP for large-scale distribution in India. (A 40-foot container has now been received in Kerala, India.)

WMP: How does having free literature available affect evangelism in India?

Dr. Philipson: Of India’s population of about 1.25 billion people, only 2.3 percent are Christians. The rest belong to multiple religious and ethnic groups. WMP literature is great, as it contains Scripture in simple and pure form. The Word of God contained in them has turned many souls to Christ. India has more than 100 languages, and WMP booklets are available in most of the prime languages. This helps us to work even in provinces where we are not familiar with the local language. It helps workers quickly share the gospel with someone. It’s the shortage of literature which makes it difficult to work in some areas.

WMP: How long does a shipment last?

Dr. Philipson: Since we receive literature requests from many churches and ministries, supplies do not last long. The need for literature is very high in India, and we almost always face shortages. We estimate a need of four million booklets per year as of now. The need increases daily as more missions evangelize in India.

WMP: What challenges do you face to freely distribute literature?

Dr. Philipson: Since India is predominantly non-Christian, gospel workers often face opposition from gospel haters. But by God’s grace, efforts to spread the good news have increased more than ever. WMP literature provides a way to pass around the Word quietly, even in places with heavy opposition. God’s Word is powerful, and it continues to stir hearts. We hear testimonies from people who got gospel literature out of the trash, read it, and gave their lives to Jesus!

WMP: How effective are WMP Scripture booklets in evangelism and discipleship?

Dr. Philipson: They are very effective, as they are concise, compact, and contain only Scripture. The more we distribute, the more our Lord works in the hearts of the people. One testimony stands out to me. An evangelist asked to place literature in a shop in our town so that people coming in could grab one. The shopkeeper was not a Christian, but was kind enough to let the literature be placed in his shop. When the evangelist went back to replenish the supply, he was shocked to hear that the shopkeeper himself had read the literature and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart! He is now actively involved in literature distribution in our town.

The Bible-study booklets are simple in language and easy to understand. They are particularly helpful for new believers who are eager to learn the Scripture. In some areas, believers gather in small groups to conduct Bible studies, and they find the Bible studies very useful.

  September 2016 Newsletter

“You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” –2 Timothy 3:15b

Fleeing want, finding Truth in Ghana

In the crowded streets of Accra, Ghana, hundreds of refugees struggle to find a way to survive the gripping famine that has driven them from their homes in the northern part of this West African nation. Many of them are Muslim and may have had little or no opportunity to know the truth of who Jesus is. One Friday night a team from Crusades for Christ went into the city giving out WMP Scripture booklets and inviting people to a meeting. Within minutes a crowd of approximately 600 people gathered to hear what this might b e all about. As the truth of God’s Word was shared, God’s Spirit moved among the people. At the close of the service many raised their arms as a sign of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and renouncing the enemy that had held their souls and lives in the bondage of sin.
Crusades for Christ in Ghana just recently received a new shipment of WMP literature. They joyfully unloaded the container, one box at a time, and within a few days separate shipments of boxes were being sent out to various churches in the area. This ministry is just one of many in Africa that has new shipments in process, or recently received. Armed with a new supply of Scripture booklets they will head for the streets, the villages, the fields, and the rivers …wherever there is someone to tell about Jesus.

When Randy H. ordered more copies of A Bible Study on John for ministry in Ghana, he wrote, “WMP booklets have been with us the past 17 years as we have planted churches in Ghana. Over the 17 years, WMP has been a part of starting more than 165 new churches and more than 50,000 people who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.” Praise God!

Growing Need for Scripture booklets in Tanzania

A long-time major distributor in Tanzania expressed his appreciation, along with a request for replenishments, “Your ministry is very unique, powerful and active for winning the lost and building Christians to become mature spiritually. I last received 2,000 boxes of booklets sent through your coordinator in Tanzania, and it has been a great blessing to the churches and ministries in Tanzania. At present I am out of stock.”

Bishop Ungele, WMP’s national coordinator, reported that he had been receiving emails and calls for literature and having to tell people that they would have to wait until he received another container of WMP literature. But because of the continued requests, he decided to share boxes from his own supply of WMP booklets for distribution to unreached people in Dar-es-Salaam and other places.

The need in Tanzania is for two containers each year. In March of 2015 Brother Ungele received a 40’ container (2 million booklets). In addition, a 20’ container (1 million booklets) was received by EHC Tanzania for their home-to-home ministry. The current shipments (one 40’ container and one 20’ container) are expected to be shipped late in 2016 with arrival in Tanzania early 2017. This is almost a two-year interval. With the request for two containers each year, the need is far exceeding what we are sending.

Hearts Open to the Word in Rwanda

A recently received shipment for Rwanda included Scripture booklets for the refugee camps in Goma, on the western border of Democratic Republic of Congo, as Congolese pastors have expressed their need of WMP literature. Brother Ananie, in expressing the need for Rwanda, told us last year of training distributors. “There will be a lot of harvest from the fields due to 272 well-trained [distributors], ready to penetrate villages.” Earlier, Brother Ananie reported on a major distribution of WMP literature in 3 districts of Rwanda.

  “We divided ourselves into groups in order to achieve the goal of giving out over 20,000 booklets. When each group reached its assigned village, it used to go two by two to different homes and also shared with the people on the way the love of Jesus.  This strategy enabled distributors to distribute 21,524 booklets.

   “Workers said it was amazing to get involved in this action of distributing Christian booklets. There was a good opportunity to socialize with people and they were open to us and to the Word of God. The ministry was so amazing because over 20,000 homes were visited and over 6,500 people received Christ as well. We thank the Lord that they will get to churches to nurture them in Christlikeness. Backslidden people repented and even churched people who heard us speak confessed that something new was added to their faith.”

New Opportunities in Zimbabwe and Liberia

A 40-foot container for Zimbabwe will include a variety of languages, including Chinese for Chinese workers there. The tragic meltdown of Zimbabwe as a nation needs God’s intervention and the hope which only He can provide. We have been encouraged to pursue translating WMP booklets into Ndebele, a language used by the second largest segment of Zimbabwe’s indigenous population.

Sydney T., WMP national coordinator for Liberia, reported the need for another shipment for Liberia, where stock was running low. He wrote, “We are very, very grateful for this partnership that greatly accelerates our quest to reach every home in Liberia with the unchanging gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

   [You can help provide God’s Word for African nations. Every donated dollar puts 24 powerful Scripture booklets into the hands of God’s people zealous to share His Word. An investment of $25 will provide a Scripture booklet for 600 people; $100 will touch the lives of 2,400 people.]

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Meet the Team

Phil K.

Dispatch Manager

When my uncle and aunt, Watson and Rose Goodman, returned from sixteen years of missionary service in South Africa, I learned of their excitement about starting a new faith venture in Winona Lake, Indiana, to be called World Missionary Press, Inc. It wasn’t until many years later that the Lord brought me to WMP, which had by then moved to New Paris.

In January of 1985 I hired on as a framer with a construction crew based in Bremen, Indiana. However my boss told me he would not be able to use me until the weather permitted getting concrete trucks into fields for pouring foundations. It was a very, very wet Spring. I was still waiting for the contractor’s call when WMP’s newsletter came in the mail announcing two or three job openings.

After consulting with my father, I called my uncle and offered my services. Watson said he would call me back. Later that same day he called to say that I could start working at WMP the following week. Within half an hour, the contractor called and said that he was ready for me to start work! I sensed that the Lord had kept that door closed long enough for Him to get me where He really wanted me, so I told the contractor, “Thank you very much. However, I already have a job.” My first day at WMP was May 7, 1985. I was trained to operate the web press bundler and soon made many friends.

As WMP’s dispatcher since 1997, I am responsible to gather boxes of languages/titles for freight shipments. After obtaining competitive quotes from forwarders and freight consolidators, I contract the shipment, and schedule loading from the warehouse. It is a real blessing to call WMP staff and volunteers together to pray over outgoing container shipments and see them leave WMP’s dock, headed for places all over the world!

God has been so good. I’ve experienced His abundant blessings and His marvelous mercies, which are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22, 23). My wife Martha and I have two grown children and a wonderful son-in-law. As a family, we love to spend time together doing all manner of activities. For instance, just before July 4 we traveled to southwest Michigan to pick cherries together!

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WMP Partners Around the World

Dries and Valerie D.

Madagascar

  As WMP’s national coordinators in Madagascar for more than ten years, Dries and Valerie are a great encouragement to us as distribution of WMP literature has increased, and their work as Every Home for Christ National Directors has grown. They have been involved in translating several WMP Scripture booklets into Malagasy, one of the official languages of Madagascar.

WMP: How long have you been distributing WMP literature?

Dries: In 1990 or even before, Valerie prepared our first order on a small manual typewriter. We first used the material for ministry to seamen in our port city in South Africa. At that stage we knew that we would go to Madagascar, but didn’t know the dates yet. We were waiting on the Lord. It was a blessing to minister to the seamen. We had so many different languages from WMP, we got carried away! Then we ordered some in Malagasy to use when we visited Madagascar in 1993. We distributed booklets to whoever moved!

When we moved to Madagascar fulltime in 1995, you were sending boxes of Scripture booklets in post-office bags. I think it was in 2003 that we were asked to become WMP co-coordinators. Soon EHC asked if they could come alongside us in Madagascar. You sent the first 20-foot container at the end of 2004, then others in 2006, 2009, and 2014.

WMP: How long does a shipment last now?

Dries: It was about the middle of July, 2015, that we received our first 40-foot container filled with powerful booklets. We know the next 40-foot shipment is in production for 2016. We have great faith that we will receive this shipment soon, because I do believe that we will run out of stock in the next 2 weeks (mid-July). So, it seems we need a 40-foot container at least once a year.

WMP: How effective are the Scripture booklets in evangelism?

Dries: They are so effective and powerful. In December, we visited more than 161,000 homes in six cities in three provinces before Christmas, distributing one Help From Above and one copy of The Way to God plus a seasonal tract to each home. What a joy it was to have 12,329 respond positively to the gospel! We see how effective the booklets are. Lives are changing when the logos words become a Rhema Word. It will not return void to the Lord, but brings forth fruit and seed. We also use the He Is Risen! salvation coloring book, another powerful blessed tool.

WMP: How does having free literature available affect evangelism in Madagascar?

Dries: Free literature is always a blessing, as most of the churches can’t afford to have tracts and material printed, so when we can’t supply them with free material, they just don’t share the gospel message the way it should be done. We have just seen how powerful your booklets are, as we used them during our midyear project. We visited about 185,000 homes, and we praise the Lord for all the fruit. On the island of Nosy, on the northwest coast, it was awesome to see how the churches took hold of the booklet distribution; some 38 denominations and churches took part in the project. To have booklets available free was a great blessing; they could not believe it! So many cell groups were planted and, as far as we know, to date three churches were planted. I was with our team for about ten days on the island, so I can say that is what I saw, and not only what our workers shared.

  August 2016 Newsletter

“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” –1 Corinthians 16:9

MORE THAN 5,000 PASTORS and church leaders gathered for Thailand’s 8th Congress on Evangelism last year to plan strategy for how better to reach Thailand with the gospel of Jesus Christ. ActsCo and WMP Scripture booklets were there! Thousands of pieces of Christian literature and more than 100,000 Scripture booklets were given away within 48 hours.
As WMP’s coordinator in Thailand, ActsCo—a Christian printing company—operates BookHouse to disperse free Christian books, Bibles, and tracts, logging all the free literature given out daily. “Practically every pastor in this country knows about it,” wrote ActsCo President Kendall C. A recent ActsCo mailing of a free book contained a flyer announcing FREE booklets for evangelism. “In the past three days,” Kendall reported, “the BookHouse has been jammed with people, and our office has been receiving many calls specifically for WMP booklets.”

In addition to a 40-foot container of 4,215 ten-pound boxes of Scripture booklets in various languages planned for shipping to ActsCo, a second 40-foot container is being planned for Every Home for Christ. Last year EHC reached nearly 500,000 homes with two titles each plus handing them out in prisons and to each student in schools. “We are so thankful and praise the Lord for your kind giving to the Thai people generously,” wrote EHC’s Sister Buakab. “This is the time that God’s hands have moved through many parts of the country, even the South! God is at work in many churches and mission organizations to reach out to that difficult area tremendously! I have been training women across the country to rise up and do evangelism. Our teams reach out to youths and children as well.”

Malaysia

When EHC reactivated work in Malaysia in 2014, Sister Koh became their national director and was able to receive a variety of Scripture booklets and Bible studies—a few boxes at a time. The first freight shipment of one pallet (192 ten-pound boxes) was delivered late last year. A second pallet was expected to arrive in mid-July. Earlier this year the High Court in Malaysia ruled in favor of religious freedom for a Muslim man to convert to Christianity as an adult (his parents had converted to Islam when he was a child). Pray that this landmark ruling will open more doors in Malaysia.

Fiji

Literature distribution in Fiji is expanding to the point where EHC teams cover an average of 500 homes per day. Plans are to send increased quantities of Scripture booklets in Fijian and a first printing of 80,000 The Way to God in Fijian Hindi. In April a church in Queensland, Australia, ordered booklets to take along on a ministry trip to Fiji to help after the cyclone. Earlier, booklets were ordered for one-to-one evangelism on the streets of Fiji’s capital city after a member of the Gideons shared a copy of The Way to God and they saw the address on the back. More recently, a ministry in New Zealand ordered booklets for outreach in remote areas of Fiji and Vanuatu in June and July.

Pakistan

Printings in Pakistan can often face delays because of power outages or lack of manpower. Delivery of 20,000 copies each of My Bible Reading Book and A Bible Study on John in Urdu was delayed because “some of the Muslim workers feast before their holy month of Ramadan.” In the meantime, the translation of A Bible Study on Revelation into Urdu was completed and is now being printed ($12,100). In addition to printing WMP materials in Pakistan, we also send containers of Scripture booklets for use by our major ministry partners there.
Brother Nadeem emailed Harold Mack, “WMP booklets are being delivered to churches and ministries throughout our country, and God is definitely using them wonderfully in His appointed ways. We are thankful to you and WMP for this great support for Pakistani Christians!”

Indonesia

Opportunities in Indonesia seem to be increasing as Frans K., WMP’s coordinator in Indonesia, tries to keep sufficient quantities of Scripture booklets in stock in the nation with the largest Muslim population in the world. Large orders from churches in Central and West Java and North Sulawesi kept staff busy packing boxes of Indonesian Help From Above and The Way to God. Indonesian Bible studies on John and Matthew needed to be reprinted. Reprinted He Is Risen! coloring books were delivered in time for a large meeting of pastors in Surabaya.

Then came an urgent email from Frans! “Today when our staff went to pack WMP booklets for West Borneo, South Sumatra, and other churches in Java, Bali, and Timor, they found that Help From Above and The Way to God is out of stock!” In addition, more stock would be needed in September for Batu Bible School’s big reunion—from its first class (1955) to its 60th class (2015)—bringing thousands of pastors from around Indonesia. What better time to provide supplies of Scripture booklets to take back to their churches! Reprinting 150,000 of each title was approved.

Brother Frans has also facilitated recording the audio version of Help From Above in Indonesian (now available on the “World Missionary Press” app), with more recordings “in the works.”

Nepal

Brother David L. expressed his thanks for the willingness of WMP to print a good amount of WMP booklets in Nepal—250,000 copies each of Nepali Help From Above and The Way to God and 50,000 How to Know God (total cost $22,223). “It will be wonderful help to our 48 pioneer crusaders for reaching homes of Nepal.” Others request booklets from them as well. Right now distribution is not much of a problem, but this situation may not last. Pressure from Hindu agitators compelled the present government to take back the Christmas holiday, which was sanctioned in 2006, and they are likely to pass anti-conversion laws. “In this background, we are so much in a hurry to reach out to homes by the gospel booklets. In fact, we need it huge,” wrote Brother David. In mid-June he reported, “Last week eight Christians were arrested . . . for distributing gospel literature among little kids in two schools.” Much prayer brought their release, but a case has been filed. Workers need prayer “because we are doing literature evangelism so openly.”

Enlargement in India

This fiscal year WMP has printed 9.4 million Scripture booklets in multiple languages for shipping on five containers to India. In addition, 6 million booklets have been printed in India, with another 3.7 million in the works.  They will be delivered to four regional headquarters of a partner ministry which has more than 20,000 pastors and evangelists involved in pioneer evangelism, church planting, leadership training, and mobilizing intercessory prayer for the nation. Their work is reaching 409 people groups in seven states of North India.

The burden to do MORE for India’s 1.2 billion people, trusting God for increased resources, led to PROJECT INDIA, a vision to provide 100,000,000 Scripture booklets for India over a period of three years.  Distributors in India believe the time is growing short, with reports of increasing hostility in many areas. WE CANNOT HOLD BACK. Now is the time to move forward in faith and passion!

  [You can provide God’s Word for the nations of Asia. Every donated dollar puts 24 powerful Scripture booklets into the hands of Christians eager to share God’s Word. An investment of $25 will provide a Scripture booklet for 600 people; $100 will touch the lives of 2,400 people.]

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Meet the Team

Trent B.

Finance and Prepress Departments

I was born and raised very near World Missionary Press, but until 2013 I had never visited. After teaching English in Hong Kong for eight years, I felt God had a change for me, so I moved back to Elkhart County at the end of 2012 to consider a few work possibilities.

During the month of March, when my church focused on different ministries and missionaries, Harold Mack shared about WMP in a Sunday service. The following day I took a tour of World Missionary Press and was amazed! How could I have been so unaware of such an incredible ministry right here in New Paris, Indiana? Before leaving that day, I was given a work application to fill out and return the next week. After a couple of interviews, feedback from key people in my life, and lots of prayer, I accepted a position at WMP. It’s hard to believe how quickly the past three years have gone.

I work in two departments: Finance and Prepress. My responsibilities in the Finance Department involve collecting paperwork related to the arrival of shipping containers sent around the world and sending funds to WMP national coordinators and contract printers in other countries. In the Prepress Department, I help prepare aluminum plates that are used on the different printing presses. Even though these departments are very different, I enjoy the variety.

What a blessing it is to work for a ministry that impacts people around the world! It is great to pray for shipments that are sent out and also for the people who will receive the Scripture booklets. God is working, and I get the privilege of being a part of what He’s doing! If you are ever in New Paris, please stop and take a tour of WMP. We love to share what’s happening and how you can get involved.

When I’m not working at World Missionary Press, I enjoy flower gardening, eating out, and playing games with friends. I also like to collect foreign money when traveling overseas.

Grateful Quotes

“I Wish You Could See the Faces”

Scripture booklets were sent to a family in California for a short-term YWAM mission trip in Uganda and South Sudan.

“We mainly used the gospel booklets in villages and in prisons. Life savers! We couldn’t get Bibles over there, so the booklets were the only Scripture we were able to give out. It was so wonderful to have them in native languages. They speak so many!

“No photos were allowed to be taken inside any prison facility we visited, but the Youth prison director was so pleased with our missionary team he took a photo with us and pleaded with the YWAM base to please keep coming back. He said it was making a difference in the lives of the youth, and they had tried many other programs unsuccessfully.

“Books and Bibles are very hard to get in these parts of Africa, so passing out the Scripture booklets was so precious to these at-risk kids. I know God is doing wonderful things in Uganda and South Sudan . . . and World Missionary Press is helping accomplish them!”

 After their return, Christine requested a ten-pound box of booklets in Arabic, Bari, and English be sent to YWAM missionaries on furlough in Texas to take back with them in July. On hearing it would be sent the next day and arrive in a few days, she wrote:

“Thank you so much!!!! I’m so excited. . . . I wish you could see the faces as they are given out. They will truly be a blessing in South Sudan. God bless you!”   —Christine R., California

WMP Partners Around the World

Victor S., Chile

When Harold Mack, now WMP President, travelled to Chile in 2007 to meet with distributors, he reported:  “Victor S. is the Every Home for Christ national director for Chile and pastor of a church. . . . He is also a former professional soccer player! Over the past few years, Victor has organized home-to-home distribution of literature throughout the length of Chile, relying heavily on large quantities of WMP booklets.  We PRAISE THE LORD that Victor has agreed to serve as [volunteer] WMP national coordinator for Chile!!! . . . This is an answer to prayer, and a vital ingredient in getting WMP material throughout Chile.”

WMP: Victor, how long have you been involved in distributing WMP literature?

Victor: In 1996 we opened the ministry of the crusade to every home in Chile. From the beginning, WMP was present with literature in our country, and we have been working in the distribution of literature for 20 years.

WMP: How does having free literature encourage evangelism in Chile?

Victor: During 2015, together with WMP and EHC we have done hard work all over our country. Thousands of people have received in their hands several booklets that have transformed their lives. Hundreds of witnesses have confirmed to us that the work we have been doing all these years has not been in vain, and the planting done has borne much fruit.

This year, we had two major projects in addition to distributing literature monthly throughout Chile. First, we visited the cities of Concepción, Coronel, Arauco, Contulmo, Temuco and Los Angeles, a journey of 1500 km. A total of 206,500 booklets distributed, with 2,119 responses to the gospel.

Second, five cities in the North of our country—a distance of 1990 km—were visited; 127,000 booklets were distributed, with 1,982 responses. As we began our return trip, it started raining in these cities (unusual), ending up with a flood that killed hundreds. Thank God we began our journey in time, and we were saved out of this tragedy.

WMP: How does WMP literature assist local churches in Chile?

Victor: We continue to implement a project that spans our country, distributing literature to the churches of Chile to reach the homes, hospitals, prisons, and streets of their cities. From January through November (2015), we distributed 765,900 booklets.

WMP: How can WMP help you and the EHC teams reach your goal of evangelizing to the last corner of Chile?

Victor: A container shipment lasts 10-12 months. We would like an increase of 50% and a frequency of one 40-foot container (2 million booklets) per year.

Victor concluded his 2015 report with praise to God for the families reached, the homes restored, and the “many children who have returned to the Heavenly Father.” He wrote, “It has been wonderful this year! And we give glory to God! Although we have not been exempt from problems, disasters, and earthquake, we exalt God because everything has helped well! We are rejoicing together to bless Christ in Chile through the material that you provide us.”

May 2016 Newsletter EDITED… 8-7-19——-

Meet the Team

Randy B.

Electronic Formatting Specialist

I came to WMP more than 33 years ago after hearing about it from my aunt who lives in Oklahoma. A friend of hers was volunteering at WMP, and when my aunt mentioned my desire to work in Christian ministry, the friend informed Watson Goodman of my interest. Consequently, he sent me an application and, after reviewing it, offered me a position in the prepress department. Initially I turned the position down, but the Lord had other plans. I could not get WMP out of my mind.

About two months later, I hesitantly called Watson to ask if he would reconsider me for the position there; however, he had hired someone for the job he had offered earlier, and no suitable job was available. Still, when I hung up, I knew God was calling me there and vowed to go if the Lord ever made it possible. Four days later, Watson called, offering me a position in the same department as before and I accepted whole-heartedly.

Typesetting was quite a change from packing eggs on a chicken farm in Pennsylvania! I learned various aspects of the process of preparing Scripture booklets for printing in new languages and loved the variety of work. While serving as prepress supervisor for 26 years, I saw many changes in prepress technology. My current position at WMP involves scanning translations from the pre-computer era into digital format to be used on our website and in the direct-to-plate system now being used. This involves hundreds of languages.

What I like best about WMP are my co-workers, who have been so supportive in many ways, especially by prayer and encouraging words. Also, how else can one reach the world from a single location to such a great extent? Only God knows how many have come to know Him through the Scripture we have sent.

When I am not at work, I like to garden and also to read, run on the treadmill, play piano, and talk to good friends whenever possible. My family lives on both sides of the country, with two brothers and a sister in Pennsylvania and my oldest brother living with his growing family in California. My aunt in Oklahoma is still living and will be 100 years old on May 1!

The years at WMP have not been easy, but God has been good through it all and I love Him way more than when I first began. Praise the Lord!

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WMP Partners Around the World

Gilford M., Malawi

Gilford M. serves as WMP’s national coordinator for Malawi, a nation of 16.3 million people in southeastern Africa, hit hard by HIV-Aids, with more than one million children orphaned by the disease. Words of hope through Jesus Christ find fertile ground here.

WMP: Please describe your current ministry in reaching your country with the gospel.

Gilford: As WMP’s national coordinator for Malawi since 2010, I am responsible to receive and distribute literature to ministries and churches for evangelism. WMP distributors and volunteers across the country also help distribute literature. I am also National Director of Every Home for Christ. WMP literature has been a primary source of the literature we are using in reaching every home with the gospel. Several other ministries and churches are using literature from WMP for Bible study and evangelism.

WMP: When did you first learn about WMP? 

Gilford: I started distributing WMP literature in 2005 when I was volunteering with EHC Malawi; however, I first got booklets such as Help From Above and Who Am I That a King Would Die in My Place? in the mid-eighties when I was growing up as a young Christian. The topical layout of these booklets helped me to understand God’s plan of salvation. This helped me in evangelism and witnessing. I have been involved in distribution work for the past eleven years.

WMP: How does the availability of free literature affect evangelism in Malawi?

Gilford: The availability of free literature has helped us reach many people in rural areas which could not have been the case if the literature were not free. Many people in the rural areas do not have Bibles, because they cannot afford to purchase them. The opportunity to have portions of the Bible helps churches not only in their outreach programs but also in discipleship programs. Free literature has increased the number of souls reached, which has greatly helped churches to grow.

WMP: When you receive a shipment from WMP, how long does it last?

Gilford: Because many churches and ministries constantly request literature, the supply does not last long. We first distribute the literature to all those who had requested material before we received our consignment. This makes it difficult to give literature to new requests that come after it arrives.

WMP: How would you describe the effectiveness of the topical Scripture booklets in Malawi?

Gilford: WMP booklets have been a very good discipleship resource to the body of Christ. The topical Scriptures have helped new believers and churches to study topical subjects without problems, which has helped to ground Christians in the faith. As there are very limited resources available in the local languages for discipleship, WMP materials—the main resources available—have helped the Church to grow.