"Give Me The Bible"

On September 1, 2003, you and I will join 13,000,000 Seventh-day Adventists who will reach out to the families of this world and whisper, "don't be afraid." Within one year, we will share that message from God with one billion friends, neighbors, and strangers, by giving out 2 pamphlets per day.

That Biblical message is now being prepared for 57,600,000 Mongolian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English readers who live among the 1.5 billion residents of the Northern Asia Pacific Division. Each pamphlet includes an invitation to find out how to live with no fear by enrolling in a Bible study course. This huge project is called "Sow One Billion."

Ma, Yo Han (John McGhee)

Currently, five Bible Correspondance Schools in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are in operation. Mongolia will soon open a school. However if 10% of those who receive our pamphlets respond, our schools would have to process an unbelievable 5,760,000 requests for Bible studies in one year. But, you say, that many people would never respond. Let's agree to accept your argument. So what if 1% responded. That would mean 576,000 new requests for Bible studies would come to six Bible schools next year.

Even if it were possible for the staff members of our Bible Correspondance Schools to send lessons to, grade, give personal responses, and encourage in writing each of the half a million new students, the church would still have a big problem to solve.

As I mentioned last month, we would have given the Bible to our students, but we would not have given them brothers and sisters in Christ who can personally help them to have no fear for the future. In the past, due to our neglect, other Christian groups have followed up these Bible students with personal visits to their homes. Many joined the churches represented by the visitors.

Now, we'd like to do better. Consider the following goals which were recommended by the General Conference and the NSD recently. "That 10% of our churches, companies, and groups operate church-based Bible Schools by the end of 2003. And every year therafter, another 10% will be added so that there will be 100% of our churches who operate Bible Schools by the end of 2012."

What does that mean for the NSD? We have just over 4000 churches and groups in our territory. You do the math. To achieve this goal we held a special event on June 5 - 7, 2003, at the NSD office. It's purpose was to equip master-teachers who would equip their colleagues to start 400 church-based Bible Schools by December 31, 2003

Our Guest teacher was Elder Calvin Smith the former GC SS leader and founder of Sabbath School Action Units, who did an outstanding job of providing detailed instructions, many illustrations, and personal passion through his teaching. Elder Smith is currently the Associate Discover Bible School Director for the Voice of Prophecy. His team has started 2,400 church-based Bible Schools during the past 7 years.

Our master-teachers were given the resources and training to start a church-based Bible School after giving a 3-hour seminar to at least two church members who promise to run the Bible School.

Training for master-teachers was given on Thursday and Friday. Before leaving, your master-teachers pledged to begin 236 Bible Schools by September 1, 2003. Sabbath was the laboratory. All serious delegates were sent as teams to practice what they had learned. On Sabbath evening, there was an evaluation. Together we praised God for using our master teachers to open 23 new church-based Bible Schools.

At this moment we need at least 3000 volunteers who would help to staff these church-based Bible Schools. You can receive enough training in one Sabbath afternoon to start. Please let your pastor know in writing that you and some members of your Sabbath School class would be willing to help. Would you kindly send a copy of your message to your country's Bible School Director?

Should you choose to help, you will experience the joy of giving the Bible to people who would like to live with no fear. You will also be one of the first to become their brother or sister. "Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken, When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear; Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken, Hold up faith's lamp to show my Savior near." Priscilla J. Owens (1829-1907)

The names and email addresses of your Bible School directors are:

Chinese Union Mission - Daniel Jiao

E-mail Address(es):

jiaowx@chumsda.org

Taiwan - Paul Liu

E-mail Address(es):

paulliu@twmsda.org

Hong Kong - Lee Choke Woh

E-mail Address(es):

wohlee@hkmcsda.org

Japan - Tadashi Yamaji

E-mail Address(es):

yamaji@sda.or.jp

Korea - Lee Hark-bong

E-mail Address(es):

kucspm@kuc.or.kr

Mongolia - Dale Tunnell

E-mail Address(es):

tunnell@magicnet.mn

_____________________
Ma, Yo Han (John McGhee), Sow One Billion Coordinator/SSPM Director