The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 3
January 25, 2009
In This Issue
Did You Know?
Over 300,000 have enrolled in World Bible School (WBS) over the Internet, 55,000 new students in a 12-month period. It is expected that 250,000 will enroll in 2009. Approximately one million have enrolled in printed courses. But that’s a drop in the bucket. There are presently 1.4 billion people in the world that have access to the Internet. People are going online–connecting, communicating, building relationships, and sharing information. They’re also seeking answers and true purpose in life.
WBS will be there too. We believe that the World Wide Web’s highest providential purpose is to speed God’s Good News around the globe. Thirteen years ago, we were one of the first Christian ministries to take advantage of the Internet. We’ve seen constantly accelerating demand from students enrolling via technology and to study our online lessons. WBS is investing $650,000 to create methods and tools that exploit the latest in Internet technologies and usage trends–and enroll millions of Bible students. Every day Christians will be able to “cast the ‘Net” more effectively than ever–and to connect with truth-seekers in the ways they want to connect. From Yahoo to Yahweh, WBS is using technology to share Jesus with a lost world.
What makes World Bible School unique? YOU! As best we can discover, no other religious group in the world has an equivalent to WBS. True, many groups offer literature and Internet lessons. But the pool of teachers makes the difference. Typical groups depend on their denominational offices, which have inherent limits depending on their staff sizes and budgets. But churches of Christ use a different model. YOU, the everyday member, make up the ever expanding teacher and follow-up pool–a veritable “global network”! The WBS method and lessons are simple enough that virtually any member can participate.
This method applies the Great Commission principle which involves every member in sharing Jesus with the world’s lost. We at WBS educate and motivate so that more members like YOU realize the potential at their fingertips. We equip members like YOU with all three types of interactive Bible studies: postal, electronic and face-to-face. Here is a proven way to impact your own region and to reach effectively “into all the world.” Make the most of your opportunity–it truly is unique!
The above is a slight rework of two articles in the January issue of “ACTION” the WBS monthly news paper. Should this motivate you to desire to participate, please contact either Troy Thompson or me.
—John Qualls
FAMILY MATTERS...
We are always happy to welcome our guests to the worship of the family of God in Champions. Please complete a visitor’s card and place it in the collection plate this morning. God bless you...and, please come again!
We also welcome new members to our Christian family. Donald and Joyce Same; Darrin and Amy Clinton and children, Jack and Caelen; Bryan and Devin Mize; Al and LaNeil Allee, and Tonya Hamilton, the daughter of Arlene Hale. We are glad they have chosen to be part of God’s family at Champions.
Remember our Each One Reach One! This is the challenge from our evangelism deacons. Have you considered your God-given talent, and then put it to work—Sowing, Teaching, or Maturing. The sign-up sheets are in the foyer.
We want to encourage our new members to have their pictures taken today in the fellowship room immediately following our morning worship.
We are looking forward to having 100% of our membership in attendance on September 13th! Have your marked that date?
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Bill's Bits
Living in History
January 20th marked another period in history. As Barak Obama was sworn in as President of the United States, millions watched. Some in eager anticipation of the moment, some in varying states of concern.
In the whole process I am reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy found in I Timothy 2:1-4.
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Here is our chance to live a moment in history. We are called to be a people who lift up our president in prayer. Why? So that he may do a good job? So that he may find strength? I think that these things are appropriate but Paul points to a different reason. We pray for our leaders in order to live quiet lives marked by tranquility and dignity. We pray in order to let God be God and have control of our lives. We pray so that we may willingly submit to God’s authority. We pray so that we may shine as lights in the world so that all men may come to know God.
A life of dignity calls us to trust God’s power and God’s judgment. A life of tranquility calls us to peace, not worry. A quiet life calls us to be a calming influence on the world around us so that people can see Jesus. We pray for President Obama so that we can look like Jesus. It is an historic moment and we are blessed to be able to live in it and watch for God’s movement.
—Bill Rasco
Jeremy's Junction
I was slightly upset this past week when I realized that I had tried too late to reserve a copy of "The Amazing Spiderman" #538. I tried to no avail when I got home from my vacation and youth conference. They said that their orders were backed up and that they would not be able to get me a copy. Last Thursday, this made me very upset when I looked up the comic book on eBay and saw that it was selling for around $90. The day before, it went on sale for $3.99. Yeah, that did not make me happy.
Fast forward to Wednesday of this past week. I went into the comic book store to pick up the stuff in my box and I found an issue of the comic I missed. They were able to find me a copy. When I purchased this book, they warned me to take this straight home because people were harassing customers coming out of the store with this particular issue because this was the issue where Spiderman meets President Obama.
I thought I had missed my chance to get this major collector's item. I had waited too long to reserve my copy and thus didn't deserve to get one. However, even though I didn't deserve one, the comic book store people still were able to find one for me. Awesome.
There is a major reward coming for the people of God who "reserve" their seat. You can't buy your way in or do some amazing deed that earns your way in. God gives you this blessing when you choose to devote your life to Him. Some people are putting this complete devotion off. They may be planning to repent and devote themselves someday, but a day will come like a thief in the night and those people will be left wanting.
However, even though we are not righteous, Christ still died for us. The perfect for the imperfect. We didn't deserve the gift of eternal life, but Christ freely gave it to us anyway. All we have to do is accept this gift.
Be desperate for Christ. Be a people who long to devote yourself to Christ. On the day he comes back for us, be someone who is confident that Christ is truly there to take you home.
—Jeremy Geurin