evangelistic Effort
The Bible on the Front Lines
in Iraq
By David Sanford
Special to ASSIST News Service
CBN.com
– PORTLAND, OREGON (ANS) -- Roadside
bombs, suicide bombers, and mortar attacks can’t hold back
the spread of God’s Word. The Starting Point Study Bible
from Zondervan is now ministering to soldiers on the front
lines in Iraq.
For the past few months, Brad Blauser has been collecting the
Bibles from friends and family back home in Texas and distributing
them to soldiers in Iraq. Recently, three men near his battalion
were killed, causing Blauser and other personnel to be even more
acutely aware that they could be facing eternity the next time
they leave the base.
When Blauser decided to begin a class for soldiers who had recently
trusted Jesus Christ, he realized he was missing one crucial element—Bibles.
So, he issued a plea over the Internet to his friends and family
back home in Texas to buy Starting Point Study Bibles
and send them to him in Iraq.
Blauser didn’t have to wait long for a response. A children’s
Sunday school class from his home church took a collection to
purchase Bibles and send them to Iraq, and several small group
Bible Studies took on the project as well. A Methodist Church
in Irving, Texas, chose to send some Bibles as part of their quarterly
missions effort. So far, Blauser has given away 40 Starting
Point Study Bibles, and he expects more to arrive daily.
“This Bible is a great addition to any care package headed
for the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Blauser said.
Blauser also pointed out that the introduction of the Starting
Point Study Bible includes a presentation of the gospel message
and an explanation of how a person can become a Christian, making
it a great witnessing tool for soldiers who are seeking answers.
The Christian soldiers there are eager to receive more Bibles
that they can give to their bunk-mates and friends. Many soldiers
have been asking for a copy of the Starting Point Study Bible
they have seen other soldiers carrying around.
Since its release in 2002, the Starting Point Study Bible
has sold well over 60,000 copies. It includes several features
that help the reader dig deeper into God’s Word. A “Frequently
Asked Questions” section covers issues that interest new
Christians, and other articles, maps, charts, and indexes help
the reader navigate through the life-changing Scriptures.
David Sanford is a widely published author,
editor, and literary agent. He serves as president of Sanford
Communications, Inc., in Portland, Oregon.
More from Assist New Service
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