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SPRING 2025

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16 06 The Bible’s answer in a tumultuous time Which Way, America?

24 Preparing for Jesus’ return

Anyone Can Live Forever

cover feature

It Is Written continues to transform lives worldwide through evangelism, with powerful outreach efforts in 2024 and an exciting 2025 plan that includes mission trips, training events, and the Hope for Humanity Bible prophecy series.

aspects 04 President’s Page 08 Mission Report 10

Which Way, America?

Escrito Está

20 My Place With Jesus 22 Community Connection 27 Staff Highlight 30 Devotional

notes 12

Partnership Highlight

Resources

26 Impressed 28 Planned Giving 29 Tributes & Memorials 31

Broadcast Schedule

Anyone Can Live Forever Preparing for Jesus’ return

The Bible’s answer in a tumultuous time

impressions magazine

Apr

SPRING 2025 ISSUE 29 EXECUTIVE EDITOR John Bradshaw MANAGING EDITOR Cassie Matchim Hernandez ART DIRECTOR Nestor Rasi GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ariel Warren Copyright © 2025 by It Is Written. All rights reserved. It Is Written, Escrito Está, My Place With Jesus, and SALT are registered trademarks and/or service marks of It Is Written, Inc.

9 — 20

Mission Trip & Evangelism Addis Ababa & Hawassa, Ethiopia

11 — 16

Evangelism Summit Cape Town, South Africa

17 — 27

South Africa Camp Meetings Hartenbos & KwaZulu Natal

16 — 28

Evangelistic Caravan La Paz, Bolivia

R J W

J W

30 — MAY 3

Evangelism Detroit, MI

2 — 24

Evangelistic Meetings & Training Reading, PA

Wildwood Medical Conference Wildwood, GA

16 — 31

Evangelism Valencia, Spain

19 — 31

Mission Trip & Evangelism Dominican Republic

30 — 31

Kansas-Nebraska Camp Meeting Lincoln, NE

4—7

Evangelism Elgin/Austin, TX

6—7

Indiana Conf. Camp Meeting Carmel, IN

13 — 15

Chesapeake Conf. Hispanic Camp Meeting Columbia, MD

John Bradshaw

14 — 17

Michigan Conf. Camp Meeting Cedar Lake, MI

Eric Flickinger

•17 — 19, •20 — 21

Robert Costa

25 — 28

Evangelism Bastrop, TX

26 — 28

East Coast Korean Camp Meeting Johnstown, PA

itiswritten.com

May

BUSINESS HOURS M – Th, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET SUBSCRIPTIONS impressions@iiw.org It Is Written, P.O. Box 6, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0006 423-362-5800 SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/itiswritten instagram.com/itiswrittenmedia x.com/itiswritten youtube.com/itiswritten DESIGNED TO SHARE This Impressions magazine is designed to be shared with your friends, family, and neighbors. When you are done reading it, please pass it on.

speaker key

Evangelistic Caravan Neuquen, Argentina

Evangelism McDonald, TN

connect with us

4 — 13

25 — MAY 7

calendar

PRESIDENT

ASSOCIATE SPEAKER SPEAKER/DIRECTOR, ESCRITO ESTÁ

W Wes Peppers

EVANGELISM DIRECTOR

D Douglas Na’a SALT DIRECTOR

Jun

Chesapeake Camp Meeting Hagerstown, MD

President’s Page

Worth Doing

John Bradshaw PRESIDENT

would not be writing this if someone had not shared their faith with me. Or if someone had not shared their faith with him. My brother was working in the home of an elderly couple when the lady of the home asked him what he believed. Whatever his reply, it led to a discussion about the Bible, then to Bible studies, baptism, and church planting. A simple question asked by a woman in her sunset years not only changed a man’s life but also mine as well. Evangelism is not always large halls and large congregations. And it doesn’t have to seem successful to be successful. An American evangelist quit the ministry after conducting a series of meetings in Ireland which—after much prayer, preparation, and expense—resulted in just four baptisms.1 But two of them were the parents of a young girl who would grow up to marry an author. Her children would teach in colleges, author books, and lead people to faith in Jesus. Through Rachel Joyce and Arthur Maxwell and a discouraged evangelist, God influenced the world. Evangelism is worth doing and supporting. It Is Written exists for the purpose of evangelism, of sharing Jesus with others. Thank you for standing alongside us as together we take the gospel to the world.

Evangelism is not always large halls and large congregations.

4 It Is Written impressions

Richard Osborn, “The Thanksgiving of the Anonymous,” Adventist Review, November 22, 2005, https://old1.adventistreview. org/2005-1547/2005-1547-8/

Watch “The Rescue: Fugitives and Freedom” on It Is Written TV and YouTube. Released in February, this program tells the story of enslaved man John Price and the townspeople of Oberlin, Ohio, who stood up to injustice on his behalf.

itiswritten.tv/rescue

Feature

The Bible’s Answer in a Tumultuous Time

here’s no denying it: America is divided. In truth, this division isn’t new, but the intensity with which it has erupted in recent years is unlike anything we’ve seen in modern history. The rhetoric is louder, the stakes feel higher, and the ideological lines are increasingly entrenched. Amid this growing turmoil, interest in Bible prophecy has resurfaced—not as an academic discussion for a niche group but as a pressing matter for society at large. Questions about the end times and about where we are headed have found their way into the wider public discourse. This is where It Is Written entered the conversation with the Which Way, America? series—an evangelistic effort designed to provide solid answers on what’s happening in the world today. . This 21-part series, grounded in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, tackled urgent issues like: “The Mark of the Beast,” “The Dismantling of America,” and the power struggles that the Bible predicts in the final days of earth’s history. With so many voices competing for attention in social and traditional media, the key to reaching people is to go where they already are. So we focused our series on YouTube, streaming each presentation at a set time five times a week over the course of a month this past fall. 6 It Is Written impressions

YouTube has become a hub for philosophical discussion. In the United States, 85 percent of adults use YouTube,1 and 92 percent of those users turn to it specifically for knowledge and information.2 But it’s not easy to stand out in this crowded space. With so many podcasts and sermons competing for attention, It Is Written has experimented with how best to engage viewers on YouTube while ensuring that we appeal to as many people as possible. Eric Flickinger, It Is Written associate speaker, aware of the rising tensions between opposing political factions as early as 2016, began preparing a series that would address the strain in America through a prophetic lens. While the changing political landscape and years of research on the interests of the general public provided the context, the heart of the Which Way, America? series was the 1

https://www.pewresearch.org/shortreads/2025/02/28/5-facts-about-americans-andyoutube/ 2 https://www.notta.ai/en/blog/youtube-statistics

Watch now on had never interacted with us before. More than just statistics, these numbers represent individuals—perhaps many of them hearing the gospel for the first time—who are now exploring the Bible’s prophetic truths. We thank God for blessing our efforts! One viewer shared, “Your teaching clarified the Bible in a way I’ve never understood before.” Another wrote, “I spent the entire day watching these videos. I’ve been awakened from darkness.” Even those who took issue with the theological conclusions were impacted, with one man disagreeing so vehemently that he wrote a letter assuring us he would share the series with his followers so they could see for themselves.

It wasn’t just the message that mattered—it was the moment. three angels’ messages. These messages, once understood, offer profound clarity about the world’s endgame—insight into how the great power struggles of our time will ultimately play out. It wasn’t just the message that mattered— it was the moment. The series’ release on November 8, 2024, immediately after the presidential election, tapped into the raw nerve of a politically charged nation eager for answers. Using dynamic imagery and title wording specifically created for YouTube, we launched the series and prayed for a wide audience. The response was nothing short of remarkable. The series collectively got over one million unique viewers, with episodes like “America in Revelation” and “The Rise of the Antichrist” striking a chord, each numbering over 100,000 views. Through this series, our YouTube channel gained 12,000 new subscribers! The number of new subscribers to our channel pushed us over the 100,000 mark, meaning that the majority of series viewers were brand new and

But the most telling measure of success was the engagement of the audience. In the comments section of each video, people from various backgrounds discussed what they had learned, debated their interpretations, and, perhaps most importantly, testified to the personal impact of the messages. Hundreds of viewers turned to It Is Written’s Bible study guides at itiswritten.study. It was clear that the hunger for truth is still alive, even in a world that seems to be drifting further from it. The prophetic message of the Bible is not a relic of the past; it is a map for the present, offering insight in the face of an increasingly uncertain world. As the nation grapples with its future and individuals search for deeper meaning, the voice of Scripture offers a light in the darkness. CHRISTINE MAGNUSON is the digital marketing specialist for It Is Written. She studied English with an emphasis on professional writing. She enjoys sharing with others how a relationship with Christ makes all the difference.

SPRING 2025 7

Mission Report

Spreading the Gospel

in One of the World’s Youngest Nations BY MISSION PRESIDENT Editor’s Note: We are publishing this story anonymously to protect the sensitive work being done in this closed country of the 10/40 missions window.

fter almost a year of planning, it was exciting to have the volunteer team from It Is Written come to help us in our frontline missions last fall! Our country is one of the newest in the world, and as such, our church here is one of the youngest in the world. With a 98 percent Catholic population, there is great resistance to the spread of the three angels’ messages here. Much preparation had taken place in anticipation of the arrival of the It Is Written team. More than 60 Bible workers were giving Bible studies, our church members were actively engaged in group Bible studies in their homes, and the youth were giving Bible studies to students at local universities. When the It Is Written team arrived on Wednesday, they hit the ground running with health

8 It Is Written impressions

expos and dental clinics prior to beginning evangelistic meetings on Friday night. Dr. Rachel Nelson created and translated 26 children’s Bible studies that were used for the children’s programs each evening. These were highly prized even by adults, as many of them do not know simple stories from the Bible. There is very little Bible material available in their local language, so they were excited to see these studies.

The devil wanted to prevent God’s people from hearing the truth, but we praise God that He is greater! The evangelism meetings were held every evening for two weeks, while health clinics, dental clinics, and children’s programs at schools were held during the day. We thank God that over 800 people attended the meetings!

Led by the mission trip doctors, nurses, a pediatric nurse practitioner, and a dentist, the medical team also gave health lectures at a university in the capital. Hundreds of students came afterward to go through the health expo and dental clinic. Many of them did not understand basic human physiology, and they were so happy to learn new information. The mission trip took place during our country’s dry season, but on the night that the subject of baptism was to be presented, a heavy rain ensued! The majority of the population either rides a motorbike or has to walk a great distance to get public transportation, so many people did not come out due to the rain. Disappointed, we prayed earnestly that they would come back the next night.

The devil wanted to prevent God’s people from hearing the truth, but we praise God that He is greater! The next night the meeting attendees returned and continued to make decisions to surrender their lives to the Lord. In this country, it is difficult for people to make a decision for baptism. They are often kicked out of their families, lose their livelihoods, and are persecuted. We praise God for the 46 souls that followed Jesus into the watery grave. This was the single largest evangelism result in the history of this country! Each person is now enrolled in a discipleship class in their local church as they learn what it means to walk daily with Christ. Thank you to the volunteers who took their time to serve our country, and thank you to the It Is Written donors for your prayers and support of our frontline mission work.

JOIN A TRIP IN 2025! Dominican Republic: May 21 – 31 Maryland: Sep. 24 – 29 Ecuador: Dec. 10 – 21

iiw.us/missions

SPRING 2025 9

Escrito Está

t the beginning of March, Pastor Robert Costa visited several churches throughout the capital city of Colombia, Bogotá, to participate in a weekend of evangelism entitled “Un solo corazón” (One Heart). The first meeting started with an attendance of over 300 people. It concluded with a celebration of baptisms, and many people stepped forward during the altar call requesting Bible studies.

One Heart

Evangelism in Colombia

CAROLINA BONILLA is the administrative assistant for Escrito Está. Born in Ecuador, Carolina has a passion for reaching the Spanish-speaking community with the gospel.

10 It Is Written impressions

Here is a testimony shared by Rubén, one of the volunteer Bible instructors responsible for following up on Escrito Está Bible study interests from City TV, a channel that airs our programs nationwide: “On November 21, 2024, at 8:40 a.m., one of our volunteers received a WhatsApp message from a viewer. It was from a woman named Elena. I returned the call later that afternoon, and she was very excited to begin studying the Bible with us. She had been flipping through the channels until she found Escrito Está, and it instantly caught her attention. She opened the doors to her home, and we began studying the Bible together for a few months, along with her husband. The topics that impacted the couple the most were the Lord’s day of rest and baptism. After completing all the lessons, they decided to get baptized. I’m now studying the Bible with Elena’s other family members to prepare for a future baptism. This is a powerful

People come forward in response to the altar call.

Elena and her husband celebrating their baptism.

story. It all began with a woman flipping through the channels looking for something to watch, and it culminated this weekend with a new beginning in Christ for her and her family!” Elena, a lawyer, was just one of many people—at all levels of society—whose lives are being transformed as Escrito Está continues to air in different parts of Colombia. Currently, our television program airs every Sunday at 5:00 a.m., reaching a potential audience of over three million people in the capital city alone. Since Escrito Está started airing on City TV in 2023, it has become an agent for spreading messages of hope and faith, resonating with people both in and out of the church. In addition to the 30-minute program presented every Sunday, the two-minute devotional, Toda Palabra (Every Word), is broadcast daily on the same channel from Monday to Friday, where Pastor Costa shares inspiring stories and invites the audience to establish a closer relationship with Jesus. Each program contains a QR code that viewers can scan to access additional resources, such as a link to Esperanza Colombia Radio, Hope Channel Inter-America, virtual Bible studies, and a WhatsApp number to send prayer requests or request personal Bible studies. There is a big push by the church in Colombia to share the gospel with a wider audience, and we are happy to be a part of those efforts through contemporary media and evangelism. Pastor Costa will return to Colombia at the end of the year to conduct evangelism and connect with the audience. So far, we have seen amazing results, and we thank God for this opportunity!

Watch uplifting Christian television in Spanish. escritoesta.tv SPRING 2025 11

Partnership Highlight

Hurt HEALING

From

at Partnership

hen Kimberly was invited by a friend and employee of It Is Written to attend a Partnership event in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, she was hesitant. Past experiences with the church had left her wary. Raised as a Christian from childhood, Kimberly struggled with the pain caused by unkind individuals in the church she once attended. Betrayal, criticism, judgment, and even abuse left her questioning the character of God, leading her to distance herself from the church altogether. That perspective remained unchanged—until she experienced the Partnership event. Kimberly had long struggled with depression, and her past experiences in the church included painful incidents of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of church leaders. These so-called “examples” of Christianity had distorted her perception of faith. But at Partnership, she felt something different. Kimberly said, “I remember watching the director of evangelism, Wes Peppers, and how he interacted with everyone—especially his children. Even though he was incredibly busy, he showed such genuine care. It struck me, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is a real pastor.’” Upon arrival at the event, Kimberly felt nervous, but those feelings quickly faded as she encountered the warmth and kindness of the It Is Written employees and Partners. “I was so impressed with how everyone treated each other and me!” she said. “It was amazing to see how passionate the Partners were about furthering the gospel.” What touched Kimberly the most were the spiritually uplifting testimonies shared throughout the weekend by John Bradshaw, Wes Peppers, Eric Flickinger, and Robert Costa, as well as those shared by other Partners she met. One testimony that

Learn more about becoming an It Is Written Partner at 12 It Is Written impressions

itiswritten.com/partners

“It was amazing to see how passionate the Partners were about furthering the gospel.” —Kimberly resonated deeply with her was that of a couple from Alaska who converted to Christianity after attending an evangelistic series hosted by It Is Written. “I felt the Holy Spirit there,” Kimberly said. The atmosphere and spirit of the people at the event reminded Kimberly of her mother, a devout Christian who had recently passed away. This connection stirred something in Kimberly’s heart, leading her to make significant changes in her life. Following the event, she felt compelled to remove anything from her life that was not aligned with God’s will. The first step was removing her nose ring, followed by discarding crystals that were given to her. Today, Kimberly is happy to share that she is now a proud It Is Written Partner, attending church and studying the Bible regularly, and looking forward to joining one of the It Is Written mission trips planned for 2025. Partnership isn’t just an event for Partners to hear about how God is working through It Is Written. Even at our Partnership events, God is working on the hearts of His people, drawing them back to Himself. Join us at a Partnership event this fall and experience this for yourself. TAMMARA DE LEON serves as the associate director of development for It Is Written, where she connects with donors and coordinates Partnership events. She lives in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area with her beloved fur babies, Mimi the cat and Maximus the dog.

SPRING 2025 13

Resources

Save 15% with code 15PC25. Free black tumbler when you spend $150 or more. 5 free Bible study sets when you spend $300 or more.

For the Cycle of Evangelism

Preparing the Soil • Health series on itiswritten.tv • CREATION Life Study Guides • Health DVDs

Planting the Seed • Faith-building DVDs • Sharing cards • Pocketbooks • Sharing books

14 It Is Written impressions

Offer ends December 31, 2025.

Cultivating the Growth • New Beginnings Health & Bible Study Guides • Printed It Is Written Bible Study Guides in multiple languages • Online adult, children’s, and health Bible studies in English and Spanish at itiswritten.com/biblestudy • Bible Study Slides (English & Spanish)

Gathering the Harvest • Outreach Series Builder • 104 Useful Sermon Illustrations books • Successful Public Evangelism book • Buried Treasure children’s evangelism program

Preserving with Discipleship

Discover Buried Treasure at buriedtreasure.fun

• Flight 3:16 VBS • The Hope of Glory devotional by John Bradshaw • Line Upon Line & Sabbath School programs on itiswritten.tv

Order online at itiswritten.shop or call 888-664-5573

Business hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET

SPRING 2025 15

Cover Feature

Just Getting Started 2025 and Beyond!

hen I think of It Is Written evangelism, I think of countless lives transformed, precious souls who experience a new birth in Christ, and people who discover eternal hope. This is the heartbeat of evangelism, and it is without question why It Is Written exists. We firmly believe it is our calling to share the gospel in every way we possibly can, everywhere we can, to every person we can. When people like Paul, who was in the midst of a near divorce, severe addiction, and planned suicide, find Christ through an It Is Written evangelistic series, why would we ever consider slowing down? If anything, we want to reach farther and broader than we ever thought possible. In 2024, God miraculously worked through It Is Written in places like Alaska, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and more, bringing thousands of searching people

to faith in Christ. In Alaska, more than 60 people were baptized at the end of our efforts there, which is twice the typical amount of baptisms for the entire state in one year! Since that time, even more people have been reached. Sarah, who had been a Buddhist most of her life, found It Is Written TV, our full-time TV channel, while flipping through channels. She had never realized that she needed a Savior until she listened to the programs and heard about Jesus, who had lived a perfect life and died to forgive her sins. Her heart was touched by a personal God who loved her and had a plan for her life! She accepted Jesus right then and there. Soon after, she heard about It Is Written coming to Alaska and attended our live evangelistic meetings, presented by John Bradshaw and myself. She accepted all the Bible truth presented and was baptized into God’s church.

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In Indonesia, a young couple was harassed by neighbors of a different and empowered to make religion. Realizing that a difference in the world only Jesus had the power for Christ! to give them lasting hope, It Is Written is partnering OC 5 TO B E R 2 0 2 they decided to follow Him no with two conferences and matter the cost. Soon, they were nearly 30 churches in the greater baptized and followed a Savior who had Baltimore area for a massive initiative conquered death and was alive in their called “Reach Baltimore.” For over a year, hearts. These are just a few examples It Is Written has conducted inspirational of the lives transformed by God’s grace rallies and evangelism training across the through our evangelism. territory. In 2025, we have already trained

Evangelism is at the forefront of our plans, and we are already moving at lightning speed. In 2025, our mission remains to share the gospel with the world! Evangelism is at the forefront of our plans, and we are already moving at lightning speed. January kicked off with ReCharge in Baltimore, Maryland, where many conference leaders, pastors, and lay people attended our yearly evangelism training conference. Dedicated to preparing for Pentecost 2025, North America’s 2025 initiative for mission, attendees experienced cutting-edge training to share their faith and transform their churches into evangelism training centers. Everyone left recharged, revived, equipped,

more than 100 people to get and give Bible studies and systematically work in their communities to reach others with the gospel. This group will lead the way for other participating churches. More than 300 requests for Bible studies have been received so far, and more come in daily. Members are following up regularly. This summer, a large team of young people will sweep through the city, sharing Bible-based literature and offering more Bible studies. This fall, a medical and dental clinic will be held in the city center, where several thousand will SPRING 2025 17

receive multiple medical services completely free. Several other outreaches are planned, and all attendees will be invited to attend Hope for Humanity, a Bible study series with It Is Written. Hope for Humanity will be a dynamic Bible prophecy series co-preached by John Bradshaw and Dr. G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president, from October 3 to November 1 in Baltimore. Powerful messages will be shared each evening, pointing people to hope in Jesus and an invitation to accept Him and His life-changing truth. The series will be aired live on It Is Written TV and other channels, so please save the date and join us! Every church in North America can become a host site. We invite you to register your church, school, or small group to stream the series at iiw.us/pc25train. Our mission trips this year will visit Honduras, Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador, where participants witness God work miracles as He uses them to bring a message of salvation through medical and dental clinics, children’s programming, and construction projects. Many who come on It Is Written mission trips preach a Bible series, often for the first time. As they witness the Holy Spirit work in people’s hearts, it changes them equally as much as those receiving the messages. More than 10,000 people have come to Christ in the last three years from It Is Written mission trips across the globe. They truly make a difference! During the trip to Puerto Rico in 2024, our team restored a community building in an impoverished neighborhood where people lived in destitute situations. Many were depressed and hopeless. The restoration of the building brought new 18 It Is Written impressions

E RTO

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life and excitement to the neighborhood. The church is now able to conduct several outreach, health, and Bible programs there, ultimately leading many to Christ. Additional projects in 2025 include training events for conferences, unions, and pastors’ conventions; television programs; live evangelistic meetings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Bastrop, Texas; Bolivia; Spain; and more. As these plans go forward, they are more than just events. Individuals attend seeking something better in their lives, and God is there waiting to fill their hearts with His presence. It is incredibly heartwarming to see tears flow down the cheeks of people who finally find what they have looked for all their lives: a love that sets them free. When they were ready to give up on all they knew, they found a God who gave up all for them. That’s evangelism. That’s It Is Written. Thank you for making it possible through your prayers and support! WES PEPPERS is the evangelism director for It Is Written. He schedules and oversees all of the ministry’s evangelism projects around the world. Wes is married to Marion, and they have two children.

Reaches Millions More

Exciting news—It Is Written has expanded its global broadcasting footprint!

few months ago, our full-time channel, It Is Written TV, began airing on the Galaxy 19 satellite, which includes the Glorystar system. This puts our truthfilled programming before the satellite audience in North America—from the top of Alaska through Canada and the United States to the bottom of Mexico—24 hours a day! Additionally, we recently began airing It Is Written TV in the United Kingdom on Freeview, which is on the televisions of more than 16 million people. “I’m beyond excited,” said John Bradshaw, It Is Written president. “This is what we exist for—to get the message of the cross, the message of the soon return of Jesus, the message of the three angels—in front of an increasing number of people.” In a time of developing technology, we felt this opportunity was a gift from God. “While It Is Written is committed to utilizing the internet and other cutting-edge technologies, there is still a large audience watching satellite and traditional aerial TV, like Freeview,” said John. “These are logical options if we’re serious about reaching more people than ever. I am grateful that our ministry Partners have made this possible. We expect to be on ever more outlets—reaching even more people—soon.” Please pray that God will use these new opportunities in a powerful way to grow His kingdom. SPRING 2025 19

My Place With Jesus

Go and Tell! “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.”

Isaiah 52:7

love honey! I enjoy mixing it with peanut butter and spreading it on toast. Whenever I have a sore throat or cough, I mix honey with lemon to soothe my throat, or sometimes I’ll just enjoy a teaspoon of honey on its own. Honey is produced by bees, which are true wonders of God’s creation. There are three main types of honey bees in a hive. There is the queen bee, and she is referred to as the mother of the hive—there is only one queen bee in a hive. The drone bees are the male bees, and together with the queen, they make baby bees. Did you know that the drone bees are the only ones without a stinger? Then there are the worker bees, who have many important jobs. Some are nurses, taking care of the baby bees, while others are janitor bees, keeping the hive clean. Some worker bees, called foragers, go out to collect nectar, while others are busy making honey or creating wax to seal the honey cells, preserving it for later. A single bee can visit up to 5,000 flowers in one day, depending on their size. Flying from flower to flower, they collect the sweet, watery nectar hidden deep within the blossoms. Although you can’t always see nectar, you might have tasted it if you’ve ever enjoyed honeysuckle. Bees have a long tongue, which acts like a straw, allowing them to sip up

nectar. Once they’ve collected it, the nectar travels to a special part of their stomach called the “honey stomach,” where the nectar mixes with a special enzyme and it thickens into honey. If you were to watch a busy hive, it might seem like the bees are each doing their own thing. But they actually work in a very well-organized system. When a bee finds a good source of nectar, it loads up before returning to the hive. A bee can carry as much nectar as it weighs! When the bee gets back to the hive, it doesn’t keep its discovery to itself. The bee communicates with other bees, telling them the location of the nectar source. This reminds me of something Jesus told His disciples. After calling them to be His followers and teaching them how to serve God and others, He sent them out to share the message of His love. Where would we be if the disciples had kept the gospel to themselves? Remember the demoniacs, Mary at the tomb, the Samaritan woman, and the leper? After Jesus healed or helped them, He sent them out to share their story. And Jesus still calls us to go and tell others about Him. He wants us to lead others to Him—the source of happiness, peace, and eternal life. Today, I hope you will choose to be a worker bee for Jesus, and tell the world about God’s wonderful love!

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Answer: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8

Bee a Messenger!

AN IT IS WRITTEN MINISTRY

Decipher the verse below. How do you think this relates to honey? Each letter has been shifted back by 1 in the alphabet. To decode it, shift each letter forward by 1. Example: S becomes T Z becomes A R becomes S

“Szrsd

zmc

rdd

Knqc

sgzs

sgd

fnnc.”

“_____ ___ ___ ____ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .” ABCDEFGHIJKLM NOPQRSTUVWXYZ

MELISSA BRADSHAW is the children’s ministries director for It Is Written. Melissa and her husband, John Bradshaw, have two children and live in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area.

Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/myplacewithjesus

SPRING 2025 21

Community Connection

RECHARGED FOR EVANGELISM

“At ReCharge, I was convicted to become more involved, move forward in sharing Jesus, and not waiting on any ministry or any person to invite me to do so.” —Tony Williams

Watch this year’s ReCharge presentations at iiw.us/recharge25. 22 It Is Written impressions

his is just one testimony from nearly 200 people who attended our annual ReCharge event, held this past January in Baltimore, Maryland. Every year, It Is Written offers ReCharge, a public evangelism and church growth conference designed to teach pastors, church leaders, and lay members how to make their outreach ministry more effective. This year’s event was dedicated to preparing for Pentecost 2025, the NAD’s evangelism initiative. Emil Mikle, an elder in his church, and his teenage son Mark traveled to ReCharge from Drums, Pennsylvania, about a threehour drive from this year’s event. Emil said, “We love ReCharge. We attended our first one when it was offered at the General Conference building, and we got hooked! We attend every one that is within reasonable distance for all the good and valuable training, materials, and lessons to learn and implement at our local church,

ReCharge Q&A panel where attendees receive practical answers from experienced evangelists.

“It was wonderful to be taught by people that really had experience in this field and at the same time had a love for God and people that touched everyone’s heart. I took away many, many practical skills and ways to minister to people that I cannot wait to implement. Only God knows the fruit that will spring from this event.” Already, Lasse and others have experienced a shift in their ministry as a result of their time at ReCharge.

EVERYONE HAS A UNIQUE ONLY-THEYCAN-REACH CIRCLE. Eric Flickinger, It Is Written Associate Speaker, trains on fundamentals of soul winning.

North American Division Evangelism Director, Calvin Watkins, gives attendees hands-on instruction.

especially as we prepare for live evangelistic meetings as part of Pentecost 2025. Thank you It Is Written for doing these powerful days of training!” During the event, the in-person and online attendees gained field experience and practical training from seasoned evangelists John Bradshaw, Eric Flickinger, Wes Peppers, Doug Na’a, and Dr. Calvin Watkins. “God has blessed the teachers with tremendous experience and a passion to teach others to be successful in their ministry,” said Lasse Flinker, a Bible worker who traveled to ReCharge from Denmark.

“At ReCharge, I had a renewed realization that there are some people who I am best suited to share Jesus with,” said Tony Williams, a church elder and lay leader from Maryland. “Not because of any talent I have but rather because of relationships I have. Everyone has a unique only-they-canreach circle. Since ReCharge concluded I’ve stepped in and stepped up on many fronts. My church is planning two evangelistic series this year, and recently I’ve given much time to prayerfully seeking where to personally engage for Jesus.” Tony also said that he has had numerous spiritual conversations with family members, begun Bible studies with neighbors and friends, and began praying for all the people in his area by name. He credits ReCharge with showing him how to make evangelism a part of his daily life. We thank God for another successful ReCharge event. Join us next year in Atlanta and learn how to recharge your outreach ministry for Christ! CASSIE MATCHIM HERNANDEZ is the marketing & communications specialist for It Is Written. She helps to create and edit content for It Is Written audiences. Cassie and her family live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

SPRING 2025 23

Feature

ANYONE CAN LIVE FOREVER BY JOHN BRADSHAW, president

fter making $300 million from the sale of the online payments company he founded, Bryan Johnson dedicated his life to pursuing longevity. Mr. Johnson currently spends two million dollars a year trying to live forever.1 His doctors say that, at 47, Johnson has the heart of a 37-yearold, the skin of a 28-year-old, and the lung capacity of an 18-year-old.2

While immortality is definitely possible, it can be achieved in only one way. Bryan Johnson takes 54 pills a day and goes to bed at 8:30 p.m. every night. Yet in spite of his commitment to living forever, Johnson’s own regenerative medicine physician admits they “have not achieved any remarkable results.” 1 2

Although the pursuit of good health is laudable, Bryan Johnson’s quest, in its current iteration, is futile. While immortality is definitely possible, it can be achieved in only one way: through faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel states that, through faith in Jesus, anyone can live forever. “I go to prepare a place for you,” Jesus said in John 14. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (vs. 2–3). Three chapters later, He said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Mr. Johnson could save himself a lot of money by accepting eternal life on God’s terms. As the most well-known verse in the Bible states, anyone who “believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

https://people.com/who-is-bryan-johnson-netflix-dont-die-8767837 https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/26/bryan-johnson-extreme-anti-aging/

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At the return of Jesus, this broken world will be swept aside, and the redeemed will experience a new reality. As long as we are here on this earth, bodies will deteriorate, knees and backs will ache, eyesight will lose its sharpness, and visits to the doctor’s office or the emergency room will be a fact of life. But when Jesus returns, and the heavens depart as a scroll, there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The Bible describes the advent of Jesus. At the second coming, “every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7). Jesus returns with “the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), meaning Jesus’ return will be heard by His waiting saints. And at that time, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” The greatest reunion the world has ever witnessed will take place. The saved of all ages will be together in the presence of God. Then, after a thousand years in heaven, God’s people will return to this earth and witness the recreation of the world, and the final, permanent eradication of sin. So how should God’s people live in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus? Here are four points to consider. • Put away sin. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians 3:5–6). Jesus came into the world to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Sin causes separation from God (Isaiah 59:2). Faith in Jesus secures forgiveness from sin. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

• Be filled with the Holy Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The Holy Spirit brings the personal presence of Jesus into the life of a follower of Jesus. As Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9). • Share your faith. Jesus taught that we are to “occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13, KJV). “You shall be witnesses to Me…to the end of the earth,” Jesus said (Acts 1:8). It is our privilege to participate in taking the gospel to the world. • Trust in the Mediator. “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). An Advocate! God is merciful and gracious. Even the weakest sinner can know there is power in Jesus to forgive and save. Paul described the return of Jesus as “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). We do not have long to wait for the greatest day since the creation of the world. Jesus is coming back soon.

SPRING 2025 25

Impressed

IMPRESSED Feedback from our followers I enjoy the 28-minute It Is Written programs very much because they are interesting and easy to understand. Thank you! —I.N. Thank you all so much for your ministry. I watch your programs on the app and they have been a true blessing in my life, including the health videos. Blessings! —Y.R. Blessings from Quito, Ecuador. I listen to you through Radio Nuevo Tiempo 92.1 FM. —M.G.C.

Amen. Thanks a lot for words of wisdom and always great and informative video clips. God bless you and your team for these great teachings. ️ —H.S.

❤😊🙏

Every Word

I don’t belong to a church right now but I listen to IIW every day. —K.K.

I love these straightforward answers. A merry heart is good like medicine. —M.S.B. Through these broadcasts, I always receive valuable spiritual impulses that confirm and strengthen my faith. Thank you! —R.D. Thank you for the Bible study guides. We have been using them for several years and through the studies several have been baptized, become committed members of our church, and faithful followers of Jesus! —M.R

The devotional by John Bradshaw is outstanding. They each day are my favorites!!! TY!!! —S.R. I really needed to hear that today! Thank you Lord for loving me so much and caring for me! —S.E.

Men of Faith Part 2: How John Newton Wrote “Amazing Grace” I love real life inspiring stories like these! THANK you for the compilation of this story, well done, God bless you. —S.W. This is so encouraging to my heart, in 2024 all you seem to see is a planet in war with our loving God! This story fills the heart with joy!! Thanks Brother John!! —J.L.

Do you have a story about how God has touched your life through the work of It Is Written? Tell us! Simply email impressions@iiw.org

Staff Highlight

Tammara (Tammy) De Leon ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

With her heart for God and people, Tammy is an excellent leader for our Partnership program. Editor’s Note: Tammy replaces Jocelyn Anderson, who passed away in April 2024. Here is a little bit about Tammy in her own words. I joined It Is Written in October 2024 as the associate director of development. One of my greatest joys in this role is working directly with donors and coordinating Partnership events. Every day, I am reminded of how amazing God is in orchestrating our paths. One thing He has taught me is that He can change your circumstances in an instant. I never imagined myself living in Tennessee, but here I am. Before stepping into this position, I owned a private homebirth midwifery practice, worked at a prestigious hotel, and even served as a volunteer firefighter in Virginia. After many years in those fields, I reached a season where I needed a change. Through a series of extraordinary events, God made it undeniably clear that Tennessee—and specifically It Is Written—was where I needed to be. His plans are always greater than our own, and He certainly has a sense of humor! I believe my journey is a testimony in the making, and I’m always happy to share more if you’re curious. Working for It Is Written has been a tremendous blessing. As an extrovert, I thrive in this role because I get to meet so many incredible people, especially our Partners. Encouraging others— whether through a hug, a kind word, or prayer—is not just my role here, but my purpose wherever God leads me. What I love most about It Is Written is the uplifting spiritual environment and the company devotional time each morning. Being part of the development team and collaborating with others is truly a delight. “Tammy is an exceptionally positive person,” said Mark Guild, director of marketing and development. “She is very dedicated to building relationships and improving the department. We are happy to have her here.”

Get to know Tammy: What is your favorite meal?

Arroz con gandules and tostones, classic Puerto Rican dishes!

What is the best advice anyone has given you?

Silence often speaks louder than words.

What is one thing most of your co-workers don’t know about you?

I love to paint!

SPRING 2025 27

Planned Giving

Let the Sunshine In As the sun rises on a fresh new year, there are ways to make the new year even better for you and the ones you love. You can save money, create income streams, and save taxes by using some of the following tools.

How does the idea of a lifetime of fixed, reliable payments (at high fixed rates) sound to you? A charitable gift annuity pays you, without changing, as long as you live. Tired of watching the ups and downs of the stock market? Transfer some stock to a charitable remainder trust that will give you more control of your income and provide tax benefits. Would you like to keep your home but receive tax benefits from it now? Give a life estate and receive income tax savings today. Brighten your day and your year. Call or email us to ask about the things you can do now to give your new year a fresh, bright start. Don’t be left in the dark. Create income, save taxes, and support your family while advancing God’s kingdom.

PERSONNEL UPDATE:

800-992-2219 plannedgiving@iiw.org hislegacy.com

Kurt Allen joins It Is Written as the director of Planned Giving and Trust Services. Cindy Stephan has retired, and John Baxter has replaced her as trust officer for the Central United States.

Kurt Allen

John Baxter

28 It Is Written impressions

This information is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.

Tributes & Memorials If you would like to give a donation in memory of someone, please visit itiswritten.com/give or use the enclosed envelope to mail your donation. IN LOVING MEMORY OF Anderson, Moses by Joy Anderson Berreth, Kelsey by Darrel & Cheryl Berreth Chopin, John, Jr. by John Chopin Cortez, Ruth by Joyce D. Martin, Laura Garcia, Susan Jones Krider, and Nadene Frick

Miller, Frances by Toni Lewis

Victims of Flight 5342 by Cindy Lehmann

Orquia, Herminia M. by Bernardo Orquia

Wileman, Maralyn by Daniel & Lonna Petsch

Ortega, Mary by Christopher Ortega

Williams, Herbert by Diane Bibb Williams

Parks, Perry by Gloria Parks

IN HONOR OF

Pennock, Joanne by David Pennock

Combes, Tabitha, Dr. by Brad & Angela Emde Hamilton, Jean by Lori Fisher

Deynes, Eugenia by Samuel Deynes

Peppers, Regina by Wes & Marion Peppers

Ermshar, Arlene by Karin Johnson

Pettit, Jayne & Bin by Bruce Pettit

Kilijansky, Leni & Ethiopian farm community by Meir Pear

Ford, Layman Rex, Elder by Ellen Brown

Rinaldi, Maria Josephine by Anthony Rinaldi

McCarthy, Michael Ryan by Belkis McCarthy

Gilchrist, Hugh by Karen Gilchrist

Rocco, Stephen Thomas by Salvatore & Catherine Rocco

Morrison, Bob by Brad & Angela Emde

Hix, Michelle Fandrich by Melissa Brotton

Shekar, Lalitha by Clifford & Sharon Almeida

Schell, Richard & Lois by Dr. & Mrs. Randy Schell

Kampmann, David C. by Shelley Patterson

Small, RF by Patricia Small

Sergio, Paul & Peggy by Randy Raciti

Lane, Dale by Eun-Hwi Cho

Smith, Karen by Linda Earls

The Sarpong Family by Samuel Nyakebise Imani Sarpong

Lanningham, Ruth by Sara Marie Lanningham

Tagert, Francis by Adam Tagert

Thiry, Francis & Carol by Craig Seheult

Lord, William by Sara Tackett, Donna Prelog, and Carol Shupe

Vandeman, George by William Harless and Sharrell Hopkins

To see the complete list of tributes and memorials, please visit itiswritten.com/tributes.

Remember someone special with your love gift to It Is Written. Your memorial or honorary gifts help share the gospel with the world. Unless you request otherwise, your name will be listed on the Tributes web page and may be printed in future Impressions. If you wish, we will send a gift acknowledgment card to your desired recipient. Please be sure to include the recipient’s name and address. SPRING 2025 29

Devotional

’ve had a few pets in my life, but the most memorable was a stray cat I found one Sabbath outside my church. He was in rough shape—malnourished, filthy, and his tail reminded me of a stick with a tuft of fur at the end.

REDEEMED I couldn’t just leave him there. So, I scooped him up and brought him home. The first thing I did was feed him, then I gently placed him in a warm bath. He stood there patiently as the soapy water washed away the dirt. Soon, he was clean, dry, and resting in the sunlight streaming through my front screen door. My family and I adopted him, and his transformation was incredible. He put on weight, his fur became soft and full, and he became a beloved member of our home. That little stray reminds me of what God has done for us. When He looked down at our broken, sinstained world, His response wasn’t anger or disgust—it was compassion. Just as I couldn’t turn away from that helpless cat, God couldn’t turn away from us. He saw our desperate need 30 It Is Written impressions

and moved forward with a plan for our redemption. The Bible tells us, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). What a comforting truth! God doesn’t just find us; He rescues, cleanses, and transforms us into who He always intended us to be. And here’s the beautiful part—He invites us to be part of His rescue mission. Every day, we meet people who are lost, hurting, and in need of hope. What a privilege it is to share God’s love and extend His grace! May we never miss an opportunity to help bring another soul into His healing embrace. DOUGLAS GARCIA oversees the video editing at It Is Written as postproduction supervisor. Douglas also voices many of our on-air video promos. He lives near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Broadcast Schedule 2025

May

NEW

Apr

The Good Seed

Seedtime and Harvest

The Man Who Stopped the Sun from Shining

Not Guilty

Scriptural Solutions: Coping With Stress

Five Women Who Changed the World

“I Shall Return”

Watch It Is Written 24/7 on: or itiswritten.tv Find It Is Written on these channels and more:

Radio

3ABN Amazing Facts TV Better Life Broadcasting Network Blue Mountain Television Central Ohio Association of Christian Broadcasters

NEW

CUT AND SAVE!

Jun

NEW

Freeview (United Kingdom) NEW

The March of Death

G19—Satellite only NEW

Daniel the Prophet: Daniel and the Lions’ Den

Good News TV

Great Characters of the Bible: Isaac

A Father’s Love

More Than Meets the Eye: The Remarkable Patricia Bath

Daniel the Prophet: The Rise of the Beast

Airdates may vary. Consult your local station's schedule for details.

Hope Channel TBN WDEF (Chattanooga) WMAR (Baltimore) NEW 3ABN Radio Network LifeTalk Radio Network Strong Tower Radio Network WSJL – “Elijah Radio” 88.1 FM (AL) SPRING 2025 31

P.O. Box 6 Chattanooga, TN 37401-0006

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PLAN TO JOIN US THIS FALL AT AN EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP EVENT!

Partners make a vital impact for Christ by committing $1,800 or more to share the gospel. Join us at your favorite location for an uplifting weekend of fellowship and spiritual encouragement! Gatlinburg, TN

Sept. 5–7

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Sept. 12–14

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Sept. 19–21

Rancho Mirage, CA

Nov. 7–9

Stevenson, WA

Nov. 14–16

Monterey, CA

Nov. 21–23

Gatlinburg, TN

Dec. 2–4

New event—no children’s program provided.

Gatlinburg, TN

Dec. 5–7