WORDS FROM RICK
The lost. We use this word a lot. It describes those living hopelessly without any relationship with Christ.
This month we highlight our deep, deep burden for the billions of people who are spiritually lost.
Years ago, I was a lost person—a hopeless drug addict. I could see no way
out and had no strategy for survival except my next drug high.
But Jesus miraculously reached down into the darkness of my hopeless situation and delivered me! Because I remember what Jesus did for me, I know there is hope even for the most lost person on earth. In this issue of 360 Spotlight we highlight four religious systems on earth
holding people in the grips of lostness.
This is a call to prayer and action. Pray for the lost of the world, that Jesus would remove the darkness covering their spiritual eyes.
Then take action! Join thousands of Light for the Lost supporters in giving as generously as you can to help resource our missionaries so they can reach lost people!
This year’s First Priority Miracle Challenge is already manifestly supernatural. So many are responding with great faith and generosity. We continue to believe that something historic is about to take place. Perhaps the first time we see $10 million invested in LFTL for world evangelism…our First Priority.
Rick
Allen National Director
Men’s Ministries/LFTL
OUR FIRST PRIORITY:
ISLAM:
An estimated 1.8 billion people have repeated those words, the Shahada, a prayer confirming one’s submission to Allah and the teachings of Muhammad.
LFTL is burdened to invest more heavily in strategic Muslim evangelism opportunities worldwide. Such opportunities are abundant in places like the Philippines, where LFTL funds provide internet and print evangelism resources every day.
Danilo uses LFTL-funded resources to tell Muslim children about Jesus in a special shool.
Because of his activities, someone hunted him down and shot him in the chest twice with a Colt .45. But Danilo survived!
After recovering, he continued winning Muslims to Christ. Today, dozens of former Muslims worship in churches Danilo started. Now they pray di erently, “There is only one God, and we worship Jesus Christ, His Son.”
Danilo, evangelist to Muslims.
In 2008 we met Danilo in the Pacific. Remarkably, God called Danilo to Muslim ministry while he was fighting Islamic insurgents in his country’s southern islands.
LFTL funds given to Assemblies of God missionaries provided gospel tracts Danilo used in evangelism.
1.8 billion Muslims. Lost. Destined for eternity without Christ. Most of them because they have not yet been reached.
The First Priority Miracle Challenge this year includes numerous Muslim evangelism projects throughout the world. Your partnership is critical to the fulfillment of these missionary requests. Thank you for giving!
REACHING
“There is only one god, and Muhammad is his prophet…”
REACHING THE LOST
HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM: “Hell waits for me.”
Most Hindus and Buddhists believe they will go to hell when they die, because they cannot successfully atone for their sins.
So, they hope for a better reincarnation and a chance to get it right in the next life. One Buddhist in Asia Pacific told a missionary, “I know hell waits for me.”
Together, Hindus and Buddhists number about 2 billion worldwide. Simply knowing that most of those people live in fear of hell should be a catalyst for each of us to pray, give, and (if called) go to share Christ with them.
Many believers in this Indian church use LFTL resources we provided.
One of last year’s Celebrate the Light videos tells the story of how LFTL partnered with Ron and Penny Maddux in Asia for 44 years as they shared the gospel of Christ. Go to www.ctl.ag.org to watch the video titled, “Asia.”
We will never waiver from our mandate to provide evangelism resources for our missionaries! Never.
A woman clings to a Hindu idol and prays in Southern India.
LFTL is honored to provide missionaries in Hindu and Buddhist countries with funds for the print, video, and internet resources they use every day to teach people about Jesus.
As long as hundreds of millions acknowledge that hell waits for them, we will do whatever is necessary to show them the way to heaven through Christ. Thank you for including LFTL in your yearend giving. Thank you for helping us keep evangelism First Priority!
Articles By Dan Kersten
ANIMISM:
ean-Baptiste’s story was published in a previous 360 Spotlight. We are re-telling it because it illustrates the desperation and spiritual hunger of those who live in animistic cultures.
People with animistic belief systems worship spirits and demons of the earth and air, animals, and they also venerate the spirits of their ancestors. They represent a bewildering variety of superstitions, rituals, ceremonies, and practices.
J Jean Baptiste grew up serving animist gods and spirits, but serves Jesus now.
Jean-Baptiste lived under such a system. But he was so desperate for a “good god” with whom he could speak directly, that he dug a well and then named the “god of the well” and prayed to it.
A missionary told Jean-Baptiste about the all-powerful God, Jesus Christ, and Jean-Baptiste became a Christian. Today, he plants churches and evangelizes using LFTL resources given to him by AG missionaries.
AG missionaries continue to request LFTL funds for ministry where animism is still prolific.
“I dug a well and prayed to the god of the well,” he says. “Now I know the real God.”
Please remember to pray for missionaries working in animistic contexts. The spiritual darkness they encounter is palpable.
LFTL currently has dozens of requests for evangelism funds for ministry in animist contexts. Thank you for helping us respond to each one!
“I dug a well and prayed to the god of the well.”
Jean-Baptiste
“I dug a well and prayed to the god of the well.”
–
A
John Bagorio
A 360Man accepts the role of priest in his home, his church, and his workplace.
A 360Man commits to ongoing, lifelong discipleship.
A 360Man invests in helping other men grow in Christ.
A 360Man supports his pastor, is active in his church, and helps his family and others to do so as well.
A 360Man helps reach the world for Christ, because reaching the world is God’s mission—and a man of God wants to accomplish God’s mission!
Please allow me to share what a 360Man is to me, and why I encourage every man in Oregon to be one, too. …
A 360Man is no longer willing to sit by and watch biblical manhood and masculinity come under assault.
A 360Man wants fellowship and friendship with other men.
Rev. John Bagorio pastors Bayside Chapel
LFTL/Men’s
What is all the fuss about? Do I really need to be a 360Man? After I thought on these things, I knew the answer was YES.
Many
men in Oregon, and 49 other States have joined. Please,
take a moment to go to www.360man.ag.org and sign up. Join the movement!
“WHY
AM I
360MAN?”
Assembly of God in Oregon, is the
Director for the Oregon Ministry Network, and is a strategic partner on our national Lead Team.
Join the movement! Sign up at www.360man.ag.org or by scanning this code with your mobile device.
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. Join the conversation on Facebook: 'Light for the Lost – LFTL' and 'Men's Ministries' | LFTL.AG.ORG | MEN.AG.ORG 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.
