A DISCIPLE MAKING MINISTRY

Among Jesus’ final instructions to his disciple was what we all refer to as His Great Commission. His instructions are as clear as crystal. Jesus said, “… go and make disciples of all nations…” He was talking to disciples who were to go out and make disciples.

The global church is what it is because His disciples have been making disciples or failing to do so these two thousand years since Jesus spoke his final instructive words telling his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” I thrill to think how the Talking Bible ministry represents our response of obedience to those instructions from Jesus.

In a few words, this is how I see it. Talking Bibles in languages with authentic translations of the New Testament are produced and provided, focusing on doing this for non-reading, oral culture people. I see two wonderful results following. Existing believers, i. e. disciples become informed, grounded in their faith and experience a closer fellowship with Christ. These disciples, because of their having a Talking Bible, are motivated and equipped using their Talking Bibles to go out and make new disciples. Again, these new disciples also receive Talking Bibles, grow strong in their faith and, similarly, go out with their Talking Bibles and make new disciples. This is so simple yet so profound. It is doable and repeatable. Thanks and praise be to God.

This pattern is marvelous to see happening and it challenges us to enable this way of making disciples to be extended over and over until every language group has been discipled just as Jesus commanded when He said, “… go make disciples of all nations…”

I challenge and invite all who read my blog to pray for and join in this marvelous global ministry.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN ALL OUR CHURCHES TO HELP PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN EVERY LANGUAGE FOR EVERY PERSON WHO DOES NOT READ AND FOR THE BLIND.

A THIRD TIME – THIS FINAL WEEK

You will recall that someone said, "You should do it at least three times." This individual was speaking about appeals for year end donations. He said that during this busy season churches and God's people need to be reminded up to three times.

So this is my third reminder that year end donations make a tremendous difference in what Faith Ministries like Talking Bibles International can do each year.

The Talking Bible Ministry has one primary mission to fulfill. We are called to do whatever is required to put Talking Bibles in the hands of non-reading, oral culture people. The Talking Bible is a digital listening device of choice for this mission task.

We focus on doing this among Christians who do not read. Our experience shows that non-reading Christians are tremendously blessed to have a Talking Bible in their own language. Such Christians become strong in their faith with a close bonding with Christ. Not only so, but they reach out to non-reached people -- near neighbors and to those in more distant places. And, we have seen numerous instances when Christians with Talking Bibles, reach out to a neighboring language group. They find a bi-lingual person who relays the gospel of Christ to his people, telling the good news about Christ in that neighboring group's own language.

That is why I make this third appeal for a year end donation for the Talking Bibles Ministry. It is not too late. We have still have a whole week to do it. And it will take only a few minutes if you will only follow the leading of God's Spirit. Learn more from the website, www.talkingbibles.org. For all who have already responded, my heartfelt thanks. And on behalf you who will be making your year end donation before year's end, I thank you with thanks and praise to God.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra - harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES HELPING PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

A CONCOMITANT FACET OF TALKING BIBLE’S MINISTRY

The primary focus of the Talking Bible Ministry is to provide Talking Bibles of the translated Scriptures in needed languages to give non-reading oral culture people the same access to God’s Word as is enjoyed by those who read. This is made possible, primarily, through donor contributions from those whom God leads to support this ministry with prayer and finances.

With this primary focus clearly understood, I want to share some additional good news for every local congregation. Every church has people among its members who spend some time in a hospital, nursing facility or who may be ill at home. The Talking Bible makes a marvelous, comforting bedside companion for those hurting members of a local church.

I’d love to see every local congregation having one or more Talking Bibles they can loan to their own members when hospitalized, in a nursing facility or ill in their own home. While providing Talking Bibles for such Care-Giving ministries is not the focus of the Talking Bible Ministry, it offers and additional blessing that every local congregation would do well to take advantage of.

I’m trying to persuade churches everywhere to do this because I learned from my own hospital days when I was ill with pneumonia how greatly I was blessed by having beside my bed God’s Word in audio. During those long hours, when I didn’t have the energy to read, with just the push of a button I heard God speaking to me from His precious Word.

I commend, without reservation, that every church incorporate using the Talking Bible in its Care-Giving ministry among its own members. The Talking Bible is available in English and many additional languages. Check it out on www.talkingbibles.org.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES HELPING PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

WISHING YOU ALL A “MERRY CHRISTMAS”

It is hard to believe that here in America, some people are forbidden the right to say, “Merry Christmas.” Who could ever have predicted that this would happen in America?

Being under no such limitation, let me wish all of my blog readers your best Christmas ever, i. e. a merry Christmas. When I think of the angels singing that first Christmas and of all the songs created across the centuries to praise Jesus, God’s costly gift to save us from our sins and to deliver us from the power of Satan, saying “Merry Christmas” is the least that we can say this Christmas and all the Christmases that follow.

I want to say it again, “Merry Christmas.”

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES HELPING PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

TOLD TO SAY IT UP TO THREE TIMES

Someone on the internet was giving his opinion on “Year End Donations.” He said one should probably appeal for year end donations up to three times. I have no way of knowing if this person is right or wrong in his assessment. But, what he said encourages me to write this short blog to say it once more. Here it is:

Donor supported ministries need year end donations. Donor supported, Faith Ministries like Talking Bibles International thank God for all who are led to make a special year end donation this year.

If you’ve read my blogs, you’ll recognize that this is the second time at least that I have discussed the need for and the importance of “year end donations”

So let me thank you for pondering this blog and praying over it. There is still time to do it. Ask God if this is something He would have you do -- a year end donation for the ministry of Talking Bibles International. A year end donation means someone will receive a Talking Bible who will otherwise be left waiting. Such a year end donation is like a special Christmas gift for a non-reading person, longing to have a Talking Bible with God’s Word in his/her own mother tongue. A year end donation makes an essential difference. Thanks be to God for what He will enable.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY WITH A SPECIAL OFFERING IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES HELPING PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

A SPECIAL YEAR END DONATION

Donor supported, Faith Ministries like Talking Bibles International thank God for all who are led to make a special year end donation this year.

I’m on the mailing list of quite a number of donor supported ministries. I am blessed to know how God is leading and providing for them. I’m not able financially to do that much, but their mailings keep me informed and I can pray more knowledgeably.

As I’ve been reading these various mailings from a number of Faith ministries, I’ve noted a common thread in nearly all of them. With thanks to God, nearly all are appealing to their donors -- churches, individuals and other institutions -- for a special, year end donation. Some tell of how nearly thirty percent of their yearly support comes in through these special, year end donations.

If you’ve been reading my blogs, you will recognize that I, too, have highlighted the importance of year end donations. It is no secret that in today’s economy, such year end donations are more difficult to make, while at the same time being needed more than ever.

Thank you for pondering this blog and praying over it. Ask God if this is something He would have you do -- a year end donation for the ministry of Talking Bibles International. If there is one thing we know, it is that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Knowing that, I close with thanks and praise to God.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY WITH A SPECIAL OFFERING IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES HELPING PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

A REVOLUTIONARY NEW AGE!

It’s a revolutionary new age – the information age! Digital technology, microchips, spectacular listening devices – cell phones, iphones, ipads and numerous types of excellent small, easy to carry listening devices. Ours is identified as a trade-marked Talking Bible.

It has the appearance of a printed Bible -- was designed to be the best possible listening device for a non-literate, oral-culture person or group to use easily. Mark and Paul who both grew up in Africa had a good understanding as to how oral-culture people think. They designed a listening device for the kind of people they knew from having lived among them. They believed that a listening device having the appearance of a Bible would also come to communicate a non-verbal message that this was indeed a Bible with the Word from God. They had their listening device trademarked with the name “Talking Bible” so that everyone would know that in this listening device was the exact Word of God – nothing added and nothing missing. Normally the Talking Bible has a single voice narration of the translated Scripture.

Testimonials from many parts of the world confirm that the Talking Bible does what it was designed to do. People love it. To have a Talking Bible is like having someone come to read to you from the Bible. Many tell how their lives have been changed as they hold this beautifully designed listening device in their hands and hear God speaking His Word to them in their own language. Testimonials indicate that non- literate Christians listening to the Talking Bible grow stronger in their faith. Many tell how sinful, pagan customs are abandoned and how their lives are changed to become more like the person Christ wants them to be. Many go out to near and far away places and invite others to listen with them to their Talking Bible. Those who listen hear God speak to them in their own language and many hearts are touched.

It’s a new age. With Talking Bibles, otherwise ordinary Christians, become strong and true disciples of Christ and are inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit to win others to faith in Christ. New churches are planted. Let God be thanked and praised!

And I thank you for your strong prayers and financial support for this marvelous, effective, global Talking Bible Ministry. To God be all the honor, glory and praise!

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES WITH A SPECIAL OFFERING TO HELP PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

“WHY HAVE WE NEVER…?”

This haunting question is indelibly etched on my heart. I heard this serious question raised by an elderly Majang woman more than 40 years ago. Her question was “Why have we never heard this before?”

It was late in the afternoon on a market day in Teppi in SW Ethiopia. Lavina and I, each of us on a horse, accompanied by 10 young Majang believers who helped by carrying our sleeping gear and food stuff, were nearly sixty miles from home. We’d been trekking through various Majang villages, sharing the good news about Jesus wherever we stopped. We were as far as Teppi and the next day would begin heading back toward home at the Godare River.

As we prepared for the night stop, among the many heading for home from the market was a group of Majang people. We invited them to remain for a bit while we played the message about Jesus in their language on our cassette player.

It was when the message ended that this elderly woman, sitting on the ground with others, turned to ask someone sitting behind her, saying, “Why have we never heard this before?”

Hers was a haunting question. What excuse could I offer? Why had no one in all these centuries cared enough to visit them with this good news from God? It causes me to ask, “Why? How much do we really care?”

Today we can rather easily share this fantastic good news about Jesus by means of our Talking Bibles. They’ve already placed several hundred of these among the Majang but that’s not nearly enough. Pray with us and make a generous donation saying, “For the Majang Talking Bible Project.” Say with me, “Woman, we have heard your question. Talking Bibles are on the way so that you and your family and all your neighbors to the very edges of your tribe will hear this good news about Jesus.” Thanks be to God for this incredible opportunity.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY WITH A SPECIL OFFERING TO HELP PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR ALL WHO DO NOT READ AND FOR THE BLIND.

YEAR END GIVING – MAKING A CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE

It’s wonderful to know that many individuals, churches and other entities make a special year end gift to support ministries like Talking Bibles International. Such gifts are a tremendous encouragement and an enormous help. They make a crucial difference in what donor supported ministries can do each year.

I’ve read of some ministries saying that up to as much as forty percent of their annual donor support comes to them via these crucial year end gifts.

Recently I read a statement on the internet reminding churches that it is not too late to include a special year-end offering in their desire to help donor-supported ministries.

So, let me close these few thoughts with my heartfelt thanks to all of you who are remembering this blessed, global ministry of Talking Bibles International. Your year end gift means a Talking Bible will become someone’s Christmas gift – someone who will otherwise be left waiting for this most precious gift – a Talking Bible telling the good news about God’s incomparable gift to us, His only begotten Son whom they called Jesus – because He is God’s Savior who came to seek and to save the lost. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable love and mercy – Our Christmas Joy!

I thank you for being Partners In Mission supporting this global, Talking Bible Ministry.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra - harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: AN ANNUAL TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES TAKING A SPECIAL OFFERING TO HELP PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND.

RETIREES AND A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

I can well imagine the joy a new retiree must feel when the alarm no longer needs to be set -- no more long trips to get to work -- no more long hours at work preventing one from enjoying the freedom that comes with retirement.

But, I can also recognize that this first relished freedom may well lead to some having a feeling of meaninglessness, lack of fulfillment and even boredom.

I’d like to suggest that the committed Christian also look upon retirement as an opportunity to do something creative and fulfilling in the life and work of his or her church. The retiree who has a heart to serve the Lord will be guided by the Holy Spirit, enabled and inspired to do something special that will otherwise likely remain undone.

A retiree can explore possibilities and is free to pursue that which he or she never even thought of in the past. Getting involved in some aspect of Christ’s mission will make the remaining free time that much more enjoyable and satisfying.

If you are a retiree, let me encourage you to visit our www.talkingbibles.org website.
If strong and hardy, you might even consider how you can go out and audio record a New Testament so that non-readers can have God’s Word in audio in their own language. You might want to consider participating in a short-term mission trip.

Or you might want to find out how you can become an informed advocate for the Talking Bible Sunday – in your own church, and in other churches with which you can demonstrate the Talking Bible and share about this ministry.

Many donor supported, Faith Ministries welcome and depend on volunteers to do tasks which paid staff cannot find time to do -- tasks ranging all the way from folding letters for mailings to repairing and painting the building which houses the ministry.

If you are a retiree with free time on your hands, let me encourage you to give the office in Escondido, CA a call at 1-800-318-7262 or email: info@talkingbibles.org. Make it a matter of prayer and the Lord will guide. You may be the person God is waiting to bless to use for some unfinished task. To God be all the glory and praise!

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: AN ANNUAL TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL CHURCHES TO PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES FOR NON-READERS AND THE BLIND