JULY 2022
LFTL.AG.ORG | MEN.AG.ORG
Light for the Lost provides evangelistic resources for missionaries and missionary partners through five platforms: print, audio, video, internet, and technologies.
AMERICA SPIRITUALLY FAILING, BUT NOT BEYOND
REDEMPTION
Words
FROM RICK
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here’s no question. America is sick and needs an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Recent events centered around abortion, race relations, gender identity, the economy, and other things paint a very hopeless picture for the future. But God is not through with America! In the 13 years Bev and I served
as Assemblies of God U.S. missionaries we saw God do incredible things in people’s lives. So it saddens us to hear some Christians say America as a nation is beyond redemption. We’re not called to fix America as a nation. We’re called to reach America’s people! It is my hope that this issue of 360 Spotlight sparks a renewed faith in God’s mission in America. Did you know many thou-
sands of Americans are seeking answers to questions about Jesus, the Bible, and their own spiritual health? That fact is not making the national news (yet), but don’t be distracted. It’s the truth. Jesus is moving across the fruited plains of America! That’s why I’m so thankful for the partnership between LFTL and Assemblies of God U.S. Missions (AGUSM). This issue of 360 Spotlight celebrates that partnership, because it enables you and I to be part of God’s mission in the homeland. Last year, LFTL contributed over $186,000 to provide AG U.S. missionaries with evangelism resources. Every dollar was skillfully and efficiently used. Thank you for investing in God’s mission! There’s no question about America’s spiritual health—it will fail without Christ. But it’s clear that our intercessions for the American PEOPLE through prayer and generous giving do make a huge difference. Rick Allen National Director Men’s Ministries/LFTL
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ne of America’s most difficult, yet spiritually fertile, missions fields is the college or university campus.
Chi Alpha is a network of campus ministries on more than 300 such campuses in the U.S. and overseas. It exists to “reconcile students to Christ, equipping them through Spirit-filled communities of prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission to transform the university, the marketplace, and the world” (chialpha.com).
More than 300 Chi Alpha campus ministries and thousands of young believers like these use LFTL resources to share about Christ. “Light for the Lost funds have been such a blessing to us in Atlanta because they have provided resources that have helped us reach students at Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University.
LFTL funds provided these Bibles in multiple languages for distribution to students through Chi Alpha. LFTL partners with Chi Alpha each year to resource missionaries, ministers, and student evangelists with evangelism resources they need to engage others in conversations about Christ. Bibles are the most sought-after resource. Robbie Anderson, a local Chi Alpha ministry pastor in Atlanta, Georgia, wrote to share this with us:
“Because we have such a large international student population…we used our LFTL funds to purchase Bibles in 15 different languages. As students stopped by our Chi Alpha info tables, we were able to invite these new friends to community events where Chi Alpha students shared their testimonies and then offered free Bibles to our guests.” Each year, hundreds of students give their hearts to Christ through Chi Alpha’s ministry. LFTL is grateful for your support so that we can resource evangelism in this difficult, yet important field.
merica has an addiction problem. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics found that 11.7 percent of Americans over age 12 use illegal drugs regularly. Since 2020, more than 700,000 Americans died from drug overdoses.
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11.7 percent of American overs age 12 use illegal drugs regularly. Most are trying to break free of their addiction and need help. A new TC resource called “Breaking Free” has been a game changer for hundreds of recovering addicts.
This new resource from Adult Teen Challenge, provided with LFTL funds, is a “game changer” for recovering addicts. In places where law enforcement, doctors, counselors, schools, and parents throw up their hands in frustration, one ministry consistently sees physical, emotional and spiritual results—Adult Teen Challenge. LFTL invests heavily each year to provide all the resources local Teen Challenge ministries utilize in their work with men and women stuck in addictions.
“Men that have walked into this program with no hope are being changed by the power of God’s Word in Breaking Free and discovering His great love for them,” Carol Stiegler, a Breaking Free group facilitator said. Pete, a first-month TC student, said, “These groups have been helping me to get close with God and rely on my faith. Our group has formed a bond because we are all in this together. We build each other up, pray for, and encourage each other.” Cody, another student, said, “Within this
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Continued from previous page first month I asked God into my heart. Being here is helping me understand that God is real and that I need to follow God’s path and not my own.”
We want to say thank you to all LFTL giving partners who make it possible to win and disciple hundreds of addicts every year. Each life changed is a miracle! Thank you for partnering with us!
LFTL AND AGUSM PARTNERSHIP FOCUS ON GOD’S MISSION IN AMERICA
Last year LFTL invested $186,000 to provide evangelism resources for Assemblies of God U.S. missionaries connected to the ministries listed below. Thank you so much for helping LFTL respond to the spiritual needs of Americans in every State and U.S. territory.
CU
LT
URA
Adult & Teen Challenge
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®
IS
Equipping and encouraging high school students to reach their peers for Christ.
INTER
MIN
Sharing the gospel outside the four walls of the church: military, police and fire departments, prisons, rodeos, biking communities, and more.
Giving students at secular colleges and universities opportunity to learn about God while surrounded by a strong Christian community.
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Offering people with life-controlling drug and alcohol problems an effective, faithbased solution and the ability to become productive members of society.
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Reaching diverse cultural, ethnic, and language groups in the United States, as well as the deaf, blind, and disabled.
LFTL, US MISSIONS REACHING
AMERICAN “GYPSIES” n February 2015 we captured some dramatic moments on video in Central Florida, where U.S. Assemblies of God missionaries David and Tammy Houck minister to “Forest people” and “American Gypsies.”
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LFTL partners with the Houcks to provide a special evangelism resource which helps them share about Christ in desperate, impoverished, and drug-plagued communities. Watch the video to see what that resource is! But be warned. This video will unsettle you about American spirituality. In one interview, a man nicknamed “the Sheriff ” explains what he believes about God, the Bible, and how he plans to get to heaven. Other American Gypsies also express their spiritual beliefs in the video.
An “American Gypsy” explains how he intends to get to heaven.
U.S. Missionary David Houck (left) shares the gospel with “Forest people” in the video.
It’s heartbreaking. We left the Forest wondering, “How could this be going on in modern America?” Watch the video. Pray for America, our U.S. missionaries, and for LFTL as we continue reaching as many as we can in the homeland.
David Houck with Rocky (left), a new believer at Salt Life Church in Ocala, Florida.
YOU MUST SEE THIS VIDEO! Scan the QR code, or go to WWW.CTL.AG.ORG and click on the “FLORIDA” video.
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417.370.6280 To receive a digital version of the LFTL© 360 Spotlight, sign up at lftl.ag.org or email request to lftl@ag.org. 360 Spotlight is the official voice of Light for the Lost, an evangelism missions focus of the Assemblies of God. National Light for the Lost Director: Rick Allen; Editor: Dan Kersten; Designer: Josh Thomassen. LFTL may be reached at 1445 N. Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802. Please feel free to visit our website: lftl.ag.org or send us an email at: lftl@ag.org. If you are a missionary or missions partner that utilizes Light for the Lost funds and would like to send us your story, please email us at lftl@ag.org.
© 2022 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. All rights reserved.
