THE BIBLE ON THE FRONT LINES IN
IRAQ
Scriptures play key role in revival among soldiers
By David Sanford
Special to ASSIST News Service
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. You can reach David at: drsanford@earthlink.net
6406 N.E. Pacific Street
Portland, OR 97213
(888) 525-8574
|
|
ASSIST News Service (ANS) www.assistnews.net
-- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
