As we begin 2023, we are sharing with you on television some amazing stories of how God has saved people around the world through the Audio Bibles you have provided. Incredibly, 11,218,634 people are now regularly listening to the Audio Bibles, and 5,609,317 have become new believers.
You folks that have given are responsible for this. Many of you who have been very generous will see these people in heaven and I believe the Lord will give you a great reward (Colossians 3:23-24).
As you know, statistically, about half (or more!) of those who hear God’s Word for the first time in their own language become new believers in Christ. If angels rejoice over just one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7), can you imagine the joy in heaven over 5.6 million plus who now trust Christ as their Savior! Pray with me that we can get this number up to 20 or 30 million people in listening groups in different nations.
Remember that Morgan said there are still 4,000 languages waiting for a Bible in their own language.
At the end of January, we will welcome Dr. Erwin Lutzer back into our studio to talk to us about his book, Christ Among Other gods. Millions of people today worship man-made gods, or think of Jesus as just someone else’s God.
Erwin was the pastor of Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, where most Sundays his congregation had over 70 different nationalities. He still serves there as Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Lutzer has had a lot of experience talking to people who believe in other gods and wrote a book about this topic.
But, as Dr. Lutzer explains, the greatest human need is not to have gurus or prophets to tell you how to live. What we need is someone who can actually forgive our sins, introduce us to God, and declare us righteous before God. In this series Dr. Lutzer will explain why Jesus—and no other religious leader—is able to fulfill man’s greatest needs.
In Program 1 we will learn “What makes Jesus special” as we compare Him to all the leaders of other religions.
Program 2 will lead us on “The search for truth.” What’s wrong with idea that you can have your truth, I can have mine, and they’re both equally true, even if they are contradictory?
Program 3 answers the question, “Who is the real Jesus?” How did Jesus’ interaction with His own disciples reveal who He really is?
In Program 4 we will talk about “The claims of Jesus.” Jesus said some extraordinary things about Himself. Did He back them up by His actions?
In Program 5 we deal with “The death and resurrection of Jesus,” as we examine the biblical and historical evidence for Jesus’ death and resurrection.
We end our discussion in Program 6 by talking about “The ascension and return of Jesus.” What is Jesus doing now that He has returned to heaven? What will happen when He returns to earth as He promised?
I believe you will learn a lot in our discussion with Dr. Lutzer. Please check the enclosed card to order this important TV series and Erwin’s book.
Other guests we will welcome to our studio this year will include astronomer Dr. Hugh Ross who will show us some of the evidence for God that can be found in the stars.
We have also invited Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright to share with you how to pass your faith along to your children and grandchildren. They use examples from their own families and refer to four men mentioned in Genesis as a basis for their discussion to teach us how to pass our faith on to the next generation.
Then we asked Lee Strobel to come back and present The Case for Heaven. You certainly won’t want to miss any of these programs.
Here is something to pray about. This last year we have been able to place the John Ankerberg Show on a number of secular stations in the US, including ABC, NBC and Fox affiliated stations. You can view a complete list of the stations where you or your family and friends can catch our weekly program in your own home city here: jashow.org/tv-stations
Also remember that our TV programs are streamed each week on our website, jashow.org. So, if you should happen to miss a week, you can catch up at your own convenience! jashow.org/the-john-ankerberg-show/
At the same location you will also find a number of other helps, including podcasts (jashow.org/podcasts), Bible Studies (jabible.org/), and articles (jashow.org/articles/).
You can also read and listen to the Bible in 1700 languages (click HERE). If you run into neighbors or coworkers from other countries who speak a different language, this is a great way to introduce them to the Jesus who loves them.
At our website you will also find a link to a secure place where you can give to support our worldwide ministry (jashow.org/donate/), and, as God leads, to fund Audio Bibles for other nations (jashow.org/donate-audio-bibles/).
For the viewers of our new Spanish stations, we have also developed a Spanish language site that has many of the same features as our English site.
At jabiblia.org, we stream our TV program in Spanish and have translated a number of our resources into Spanish. This is an ongoing project, so as time goes along we will have more and more programs, study helps, and articles available there. Our potential TV audience is 500 million people!
Please be much in prayer for our Spanish outreach. Pray that people’s lives will be changed, and that God will provide the funds necessary to pay for airtime. I also believe we will need more staff to help us prepare and publish our Spanish language programs and resources.
Before I close this letter, I just want to say again how very much I appreciate your prayers and gifts.
In Exodus 33, as Moses is about to lead the Israelites toward the Promised Land, we read this exchange: “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’
“Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?’”
That expresses the way I feel about your friendship and support for this ministry. If you do not “go with us,” we cannot go forward with confidence. But as we feel God’s presence with us, and as we see your continued support, we can go forward with confidence, sharing the Good News together. Thank you.
For those in our world still waiting to hear,
John and Darlene