October 5, 1987
Recorder
11
Spreading the message of new life
in Christ through radio
by Eldyn Karr
““Thank you for sending
me the New Life lessons,’
writes a Voice of Prophecy
Bible School graduate from
Phoenix. ‘‘I have learned
some new truths. Do you have
a church close to where I
live? Please send me the ad-
dress.’’
For more than 57 years,
people have become acquain-
ted with the Seventh-day
Adventist Church because they
listened to the Voice of Proph-
ecy radio broadcasts and en-
rolled in the Bible correspon-
dence courses.
Helen writes from Los
Angeles: ‘In all my years
of going to church and read-
ing the Bible, I have never
been able to understand it as
I do now since studying the
New Life lessons. I do not
have a church home at this
time, but I am seeking one.”’
In Utah, Mary has a spe-
cial reason to enjoy the les-
sons. ‘‘For the first time
ever,”’ she wrote this sum-
mer, ‘‘my husband and I are
studying God’s Word together.
That in itself has made them
worthwhile.” Her husband,
Steve, wrote on his final test
sheet: “‘I have found God
through these lessons. They
have shown me the love God
has for me. They have taught
me how to pray.”’
New Life guides to the
Bible are offered not only
on the radio broadcasts, but
also in every packet contain-
ing a booklet requested by a
listener. Many church mem-
bers tell friends and neigh-
bors about the Bible lessons,
9
Eldyn Karr is public rela-
tions director for the Voice
of Prophecy.
Dish receivers like this one at Voice of Prophecy head-
quarters can pluck the radio signal from the Galaxy-1
satellite for broadcast on local stations or direct listening
at home. With Mabel Richards (center) are sons H. M.S.
Richards Jr. (left), VOP director-speaker, and Kenneth
Richards, associate speaker.
and by the time they com-
plete the course, students often
do the same.
Sylvia writes from the San
Francisco area: ‘‘It has been
a struggle inside myself as
what I have been taught in
the past fought with what I
am learning now. I've en-
joyed these lessons and now
wish to enroll others. I was
never asked for any money
for these lessons, but I would
like to sponsor someone. How
much do these lesson guides
cost to prepare, mail and
review?’’
The Voice of Prophecy
sends the names of all Bible
School graduates to local con-
ferences for follow-up by pas-
tors or Bible workers. After
home Bible studies or a Rev-
elation Seminar, many are
soon ready to make a deci-
sion for Christ and to be bap-
tized.
Phyllis Scott of Lompoc,
California, recently wrote her
Bible School instructor: ‘A
lot has changed since I first
started doing these lessons.
I’ve been baptized at the local
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Not only am I a member,
but also the youth leader. God
really had a place for me in
His church. I pray the New
Life lessons will touch the
hearts of others as they helped
me.’’
Harvestime Rallies by the
VOP assist churches in reap-
ing the interests developed
through broadcasts and Bible
courses. H. M.S. Richards Jr.
makes an appeal for decisions
at each rally.
“I hope all our members
in the Pacific Union will join
us in prayer that seekers of
truth everywhere will have a
chance to hear the good news
of salvation and a new life
in Christ,” says Richards.
“Unfortunately, the spending
practices of a few religious
broadcasters have caused some
listeners to question all mini-
stries. But thousands are con-
tinuing to respond to our pro-
grams.’’
James Hayward, manager
at the Voice of Prophecy, notes
that gifts to the radio ministry
this year fell behind the
amounts given last year only
after the so-called Holy Wars
erupted.
“‘Donations during the first
three months of 1987 were
excellent,”” he says, ‘‘but they
fell rapidly during April and
May. We are still suffering
from the effects of the gen-
eral distrust of the religious
media. However, we know
God’s hand is on this evangelis-
tic thrust of the church, and
we have confidence that His
people will stand behind this
vital outreach through radio.’
The Voice of Prophecy offer-
ing received in many churches
on October 10, along with a
portion of what is given to
the World Budget throughout
the year, will help the church’s
radio arm continue to share
the gospel message of a new
life in Christ.