Technology in Evangelism - Joey Ferrell (FSOP Lectureship)

*** The following is a manuscript from The 2026 Florida School of Preaching Lectureship.  This lesson and many more can be found at the FSOP YouTube page or www.fsop.net webpage.

Technology in Evangelism

Joey Ferrell

It was 5:58 p.m. on Christmas Day 2004 in Golden, Colorado, when the first seismic

waves arrived from halfway around the world. A massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake that

had just struck off the coast of Sumatra at 7:58 a.m. local time sent vibrations racing

through the Earth’s crust at several kilometers per second, eventually reaching the

sensors that track global seismicity at the USGS [United States Geological Survey]

National Earthquake Information Center.

Inside the building nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the skeleton crew

working the holiday shift noticed something dramatic. Their computer screens were

lighting up with incoming data from seismic stations across the globe. What first

appeared as subtle squiggles quickly grew into dramatic spikes as the primary waves

arrived, followed by even larger secondary waves. (Koehler)

Someone might ask how this story relates to evangelism, and more specifically, how it

relates to technology usage in evangelism. The answer lies not within just the spectrum of this

particular part of the article, but with the tragic aftermath that continued to be reported. The

United States Geologic Survey (USGS) article continues with these heart-wrenching details

about that overly-active night of tragedy in 2004.

The most haunting moment came when they realized the danger for the Indian Ocean

region. Their scientific training told them that an earthquake this large, in that location,

would have displaced an enormous amount of water. Tsunami waves were likely already

racing across the ocean at jet-plane speeds.

The team knew that every minute counted. They began reaching out to their international

contacts and tsunami warning centers, though at the time there was no comprehensive

warning system in the Indian Ocean that could disseminate warnings to the public.

As the scientists worked through the night, reports began trickling in from the region.

The first news of devastating tsunami waves hitting coastlines confirmed their worst

fears. The earthquake they had measured from their computers in Colorado was

unleashing one of the deadliest disasters in recorded history.

The scope of loss became incomprehensible. Entire communities vanished. Villages that

had stood for centuries disappeared. The tsunami claimed more lives in a few hours than

any other natural disaster of the 21st century.

Indonesia: Over 167,000 fatalities

Sri Lanka: More than 35,000 fatalities

India: Around 18,000 fatalities

Thailand: Over 8,000 fatalities

And thousands more across other affected nations. (Koehler)

A difficult and record-breaking disaster taking hundreds of thousands of lives and

changing the dynamics and geography of many landscapes for what may seem like an eternity is

extremely hard to read, discuss, and comprehend. More importantly, however, is the fate of an

even greater number of lives—not physical lives, but spiritual lives, the souls which may die in a

lost condition or souls who do not remain faithful to our Lord.

In the Book of Ezekiel, God charged the prophet with being a “watchman” of His people.

The charge of being a watchman was clearly denoted in Ezekiel 3:16-21; 33:7-10. This role of

becoming a watchman had serious implications not only to the people being watched (i.e., the

children of Israel), but also to the person watching. This seriousness is seen in the language God

used:

“When I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and you give him no warning, norspeak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked manshall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19Yet, if you warn thewicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. ”

— (Ezk. 3:18-19, NKJ)

The children of Israel should have known the laws, the punishment for disobeying them,

as well as the ultimate reward for compliance. However, God used Ezekiel in that process of

maintaining the understanding of what he, and the people should have known from God’s own

edicts. What about the Gentiles in the New Testament age? How would they know what God

expected of them for their own souls to be saved? How would the Jews, who no longer had the

former covenant in place, know what they must do to become a Christian?

The simple answer is somewhat complex, yet it maintains its simplicity through one word

that is not found in any Bible translation today. That word is evangelism. Evangelism is a word

that can be traced back to the same Greek word translated “angel,” or “messenger.” An angel, or

messenger, in this context would be someone who heralds the good news of the gospel. Today,

many will use this word to describe a preacher, sometimes called an evangelist. In part, this is

true. After all, the apostle Paul declared, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have

not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall

they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14-15).

In this lesson, the dynamics of evangelism are going to be tested not in the first century

context but in the twenty-first century. The reality is that evangelism, as well as preaching the

word, has continued to change drastically in methodology throughout those many years since

Paul penned those very words. It is the responsibility of the church to proclaim that message

being preached (1 Cor. 1; Rom. 10, Gal. 1).

Technology As An Expedient

What is the the best way to evangelize or preach the word today? We must preach the

truth! How do we do that? Expediently. Who is to do that? The charge and command goes out to

every Christian (cf. Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). What method is most successful? That is not

an easy answer because it differs in certain situations. However, in this discussion, we will focus

on the weight of technology in evangelism today and how the future will continue to shape the

way lost souls can be brought unto the saving message of Jesus.

The first task is to show that technology in evangelism is not only practical, but it is

biblical as long as it is used expediently (cf. 1 Cor. 10:23). When God commissioned Noah to

build the ark to save himself and his family, He gave him a blueprint with dimensions, material

specifications, and qualifications. In order for that boat to float, Noah had to stick to the basics of

what God told him. What God did not tell Noah was how to acquire the wood, how to measure

the size, how to cut the wood, and how to form it so the boat would float. History does not reveal

that there had been any type of a vessel built like that before. Did God have to spell out every

single action for Noah? Certainly not. There were expedients. Did Noah use a hammer he bought

at the hardware store? Well, or course not, he would have had to devise a way to work with what

he had, what God had given to him to use, and a lot of trial and error. No wonder it took so many

years to build what can be built in a fraction of the time today with our technology. Technology

is not the outcome. It is an expedient tool that never changed the overall outcome. This principle

of using tools can be found all throughout the pages of our printed Bibles, which ironically, are

available today because of technology! Imagine if God’s word was completely written on tablets

of stone that were carved by hand!

Innovation is seen throughout the Bible as displayed by God’s prophets and in the New

Testament, by the apostles as they traveled with Jesus and went on yet another product of

technology; namely, roads. Roman roads are some of the longest lasting roads built in the world.

Paul would later use shipping routes, primitive mail systems, and even written laws to help

spread the gospel as rapidly as possible. John wrote to Gaius, “had many things to write, but I do

not wish to write to you with pen and ink” (3 Jn. 13). What is “pen and ink”? In this case, it is

technology. No longer were things recorded on tablets of stone, but on scrolls and codices using

ink and papyrus. God certainly authorized His people to use these tools by the examples He gave

us.

So, what about our century? What tools can be used today to evangelize and make the

kingdom stronger? With the pattern we have seen in the early church, as well as the patriarchal

usage of technology, it would be feasible to say that any tool that God has given us to utilize, if

used in the proper manner, would be an effective and profitable means to further the teaching of

the gospel.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be

witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts

1:8). The apostles were given this declaration straight from our Lord. The miraculous power

coming through the Holy Spirit will be seen on the day of Pentecost through the apostles’

preaching at the beginning of Christ’s church (Acts 2:1-47). Throughout the next few chapters of

Acts, this plan starts to be put into action with the spreading of the gospel. Christians set out on

foot and by boat proclaiming that gospel to “all the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Is that still

possible to accomplish today? If the apostles and the followers of Jesus could do it in a world

that was without our “advanced” technology, taking days, weeks, months, and years to travel to

meet those who had not heard, how much better is it today with the ability to send a message,

make a phone call, or publish a plea to any and all across not just a town, not just a state, not just

a country, but around the world? This is amazing to even consider.

Technology’s Value

With this in mind, research has shown that technology has a very vital and growing role

in evangelism. The form of technology has changed, but the principle remains constant and

continues to grow. Whether some technology actually improves or detracts is another topic.

However, to deny that technology has aided in communication would be dishonest. In 2019,

Clement reported that the following questions were some of the most popular questions

surrounding religion in the world on search engines: “Is God real? What happens when we die?

How do I know I’m saved? Why is there so much suffering in the world?” Along with these

questions, it was also reported that “77% of Americans are on social media” (Clement).

With those types of questions and statistics from almost seven years ago, it is hard to say

that technology does not play a very vital role in communication with others about God and the

gospel. Another survey from over two decades ago reported:

Digital discipleship and evangelism are ways to activate the social influence of a church

membership, building bridges to the local community, developing a meaningful

understanding of felt needs, and determining relevant ways to serve the community (both

in and outside the church). It’s also a strategy to scale up friendship evangelism and

empower individuals to be actively involved in the larger goals and mission of your

church. However, millennials can spend up to 18 hours a day consuming media in the

form of movies, podcasts, social media, video games, reading, etc. (McCarthy and

Richter)

Imagine how those statements and statistics have changed in the past two decades with an

entirely new generation of young adults moving into the digital world. The current social media

platforms now have record numbers of users growing daily as well as new platforms being born

as time continues. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, seems to have taken on its unfair share of space

in the cyber world today as well. Each day brings something new and exciting in the digital

world. Some platforms succeed and are seemingly like magnets to the next generation, while

even our older generations find some platforms to be their electronic “fix.” The online world has

become an eclectic host of personalities, including those who do not want to communicate in

person, or face-to-face (i.e., introverts).

Caution To Churches

The church must be extremely careful, however, as the positives of technology can

quickly turn a page and become negative, turning away people who are searching for the truth.

“Digital evangelism, using technology to spread the message of faith, has become increasingly

prevalent today. While some see it as a valuable tool for reaching a wider audience, others view

it as a dilution of traditional religious practices” (Opade, 15). The ramifications of content being

instant, even in the spiritual realm, complicate learning what is truth, as oposed to what may be

an alternate ideology. With the fast-paced growth of AI (Artificial Intelligence), computers are

generating real-time answers to any question asked, drawing images that are skewed in their

nature, and even producing video content, even from those who have been deceased for a much

longer time than computers have existed! How do we determine when and how much data to

trust in our digital evangelism efforts? That is the question that will be strongly asked for many

years to come, evidenced by the host of fake content seen recently. No story can be verified

easily. Pictures can be distorted to a point that every detail can be questioned. The same will

apply to how people will conduct efforts through technology, as well as how people will learn the

answers to their own spiritual questions. Thus, extreme caution must be utilized in the usage and

adherence of these technological tools.

Opade continues in this same article stating what is already evident, even this very

lectureship, when we use technology to record and distribute these lessons through electronic

means.

It has opened up new opportunities for evangelism, allowing religious organisations to

reach a wider audience, engage with individuals in new and innovative ways, and adapt

to their followers’ changing needs and preferences. Technology has also allowed

religious organisations to reach a global audience, breaking down geographical barriers

and creating opportunities for cross-cultural communication. Technology has allowed all

of us to become domestic and foreign missionaries. (16)

While being stewards of this new method of spreading the gospel, balance must be kept (in local

work and on foreign soil) in order to maintain the integrity of the message. Consideration needs

to be given to the potential that technology can have negative influences on the church, causing it

to become a commercial footprint in a world of already confusing religious beliefs. Opade

stresses concern about the real possibility of becoming impersonal and losing community, or

local church fellowship. When people “join the assembly online” or benevolent needs are

distributed elecetronically from afar, we lose personal involvement with one another.

Another one of the fiercest challenges Opade identifies can be the engagement of false

ideologies through the digital format.

Furthermore, there are concerns about the quality of religious education provided

through digital platforms, with some arguing that it is impossible to convey the same

level of depth and understanding through a digital medium. Others argue that digital

evangelism promotes a consumerist approach to religion, where individuals choose

religious content according to their preferences rather than engaging in a holistic

approach to faith … Digital evangelism raises concerns about the spread of

misinformation and disinformation. (20)

“Virtual worship” falls into this same category when thinking about the shift from

community and personal involvement. Many people who have not been able to physically attend

services have an entire new platform in which they can interact. However, when the physical

need of some people turns into a convenience to other people, worship for some loses or at least

lessens much of its God-given purpose (cf. Jn. 4:23-24; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). The virtual

platform cannot become a replacement for the worship described in the Bible. Christians cannot

“meet together” to partake of the Lord’s Supper “online.” Christians can participate in their own

breaking of bread. However, watching from a screen is not the same as sitting with brothers and

sisters in Christ to “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). Singing along with

the video is a good opportunity, once again, for those who are impaired from being at the

assembly of the saints. However, this too falls short of “teaching one another in psalms, hymns,

and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16). While online streaming, or archiving of worship services, can be

a good resource for those who are not able to attend, caution should be used with this platform,

not only as a member of the body, but especially from the perspective of the local church’s

eldership. Can a person place membership with a congregation if he or she has only “attended”

online? Some might say yes, but while there is no biblical precedent to say that it is not possible,

it would seem to be an extreme reach to say a people can be members of a congregation with

whom they have never assembled in person. Again, this is where balance must come into the

practices of Christians and the local church. Convenience and/or denominational tactics to

bolster membership numbers should not be the motivating factor for accepting people into local

church membership who have only “attended” online.

Helpful Technological Tools

What are some ways technology can be used in evangelism by the local church and

individual Christians? There are a host of ideas that can certainly fit into this growing

opportunity, and the list of tools and resources could continually grow. However, there are some

that seem to be much more effective than others in today’s online venue. What is important to

remember is that as technology changes so do the consumers of learning. Even though it may not

be equal in every way, technology is not much more than the modern printing press. Likewise, it

takes time to build the basics in order to be successful.

It is simply a transformation from the invention of the printing press in the 15th Century

to the adoption of the World Wide Web in the 1990s. It took Gutenberg about twenty

years to develop the right process for making the letters, arranging them in suitable press,

developing the right ink, and bringing all the components together into a practical

system. (Danaan, 63)

Websites

Probably one of the most important online technology tools that can be used is one that

has been around for quite a while. Yet, there are many missed opportunities when it comes to the

effective design, implementation, and usage of this tool. The world-wide-web (internet) is

today’s yellow pages, media commercial, mailer, and telemarketing program all packaged into

one simple and usually affordable concept. From early HTML coding of some pretty-basic onepage

informational sites of the mid 1990’s era to the advanced scripting and template based

websites of today, millions of people are able to search, find, and communicate with businesses,

people, organizations, churches in a matter of seconds. Online shopping has changed the retail

mindset of many consumers and businesses alike. Evangelism is no different.

When someone is searching for a “church,” why would they look any other way than they

may look for a business or a social platform? Studies indicate they do not! According to one

researcher, “80% of people visit a church’s website before attending in person“ (Gordon). With

that many people looking, or “shopping,” for a church on the internet, a lack of, or even worse,

an outdated, broken, or non-strategic website could do much more harm than good in trying to

reach souls. Websites need to look professional. The website needs to have immediate

information such as the church name, address, maybe a map, some way to contact someone, and

service times. All of this information has to be up to date and correct. A website, for example,

needs to indicate if a congregation meets at a different time in the summer than in the winter. A

visitor arriving an hour later at the end of the worship service most likely will not return.

Websites can be relatively inexpensive to build, but can be very costly if not managed

properly. Here are two important considerations. First, there are “free,” or ad-based, hosting

services. However, these are extremely risky for a church setting. There is little to no control over

what ads are shown or to what other web pages are referred to next. It is better to pay a little for

an ad-free website host. Second, it is not best practice to assign this role to just the preacher, a

deacon, or even just a member. There should always be a fall-back in the event that something

happens to the person that “owns” the site, or the URL. Sometimes, it may be best to allow

someone outside of the congregation, such as a service, own and manage the site with secondary

admins and moderators within the congregation. If there are multiple users, put an action plan in

place with expectations defined with what should or should not be posted. After all, this is a

representation of every member of the congregation. Most importantly, the website represents

our unity with Christ.

Social Media

Social media is becoming a very rapidly growing arena. It is also surpassing websites as a

norm for consuming content and searching for answers to many questions, including those about

religion. In 2016, Joseph Kidder noted:

Major organizations now use social media for customer service, brand awareness,

marketing, sales, research, and more. The level of influence and engagement that an

organization can have through social media is infinite. Therefore, your own church’s

social media platform needs to be timely and relevant. There are many of these kinds of

media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Each of these sites has several

opportunities for witnessing and evangelism. If Facebook were a country, it would be the

third-largest country in the world. There are more than 500 million users on Facebook.

YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world. More than 1 billion unique

users visit YouTube each month. (30)

Consider how that number has grown in the past ten years not only with YouTube,

Facebook, but a host of other social media platforms, including one of the most popular “reels

based” platform, TikTok. Other platforms quickly adopted the immediate success of TikTok by

introducing their own versions of short-form video content. Today, there are even major

platforms that will take a long-form video, a sermon for example, and clip it up into relevant

portions of sixty to ninety second content. This will grab the attention of viewers much easier

than the long-form companion. A true key to being successful with this, however, is to make sure

to include links to the full video that may be hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or a host of other

platforms, including large storage provider app hosts.

Social media has definitely impacted today’s world and does not seem to be slowing

down anytime soon. As the church continues to reach souls, these methods and platforms are

certainly long-term solutions that need to be considered as a way to grow the kingdom. However,

as with websites, administrators, moderators, control of the page, constant moderation of

interactions, and marriages to other platforms such as a church website cross-posting content is

imperative. A “dead” social media page or a “stale” website will turn away visitors very quickly.

Facebook

In 2025, Facebook made a major change to the way video is offered. In 2020, many

congregations found that live-streaming was a quick response to the COVID pandemic and the

accompanying hysteria among some. That method still serves a great purpose today in being able

to reach those who may be shut in or unable to attend worship services. However, as discussed

earlier, live-streaming is not a replacement for worship and never should have been. With the

changes that Facebook has made, many congregations now have “dead” Facebook pages, which

do more harm than good. All live videos now self-delete after thirty days, oftentimes leaving the

page with a post from many months or even years prior being the first thing users see. Content

has to be produced and delivered to these pages in order to be effective. A congregation should

consider such things as sharing a good work’s content, or a daily Bible verse or inspirational

quote with a picture (and make sure permissions are used and there is no copyright infringement).

Some programs will allow linking to their content and automatically post something daily. There

are several automated posting tools available for free or lower cost. These will help keep the

content flowing regularly.

Radio And Television

The discussion of technology in evangelism certainly cannot end without mentioning

some of the age-old platforms that many know have had great successes. Several ministry

programs among churches of Christ have locally, regionally, nationally, and even globally

syndicated television programs. Others may have a predecessor in radio. Both of these platforms

work nicely along with the websites and social media platforms.

There is one major challenge to radio and televison platforms. A preacher cannot just

decide one day that he will be a televised minister. Using The Gospel of Christ as an example,

the equipment that the studio uses in production carried a price tag from a 2023 revamp of tens of

thousands of dollars. After production, there is the storage and editing component. These costs

are in the thousands per year as well. In addition to storage and editing costs, there is captioning

(required by television standards), delivery, and broadcast costs. One week of a nationwide

broadcast, or even regional and local markets, can cost well into the thousands for a twenty-eight

minute and thirty second video, which also must include opening and closing credits and specific

disclaimers that condense the actual, spiritual content to about twenty-five minutes. The point

here is that television is not inexpensive by any means, and this effort requires not only a lot of

funding, but also a lot of time, energy, and commitment. The rewards, however, are certainly

seen in the fruit of harvest (cf. Jn. 4:34-38). It is common to hear of several baptisms every year

from the television and radio arenas.

Other Platforms: Present And Future

A host of other technology platforms are available for congregations to use today and

well into the future. Podcasts, apps, blogs, USB drives, and even AI have surfaced as good tools,

and these provide almost instant content to anyone, anywhere. When Jesus said to “Go” (Mt.

28:19-20), He was talking to a group of disciples who only had a limited opportunity of travel.

They could only go where they could walk, ride an animal, or journey on a boat. Today, with

technology, the church can “Go” all over the world in a matter off seconds. Mark 16:15-16 gives

the command to “Go into all the world,” and technology has given the open door. Are there

limitations? Certainly. A person that may be watching a livestream in another country cannot

simply “come forward as the invitation song is led,” which needs to be a consideration of how

congregations reach and deliver the soul-saving message. The method is not where limits are

drawn, but the message is. Paul wrote to the Galatians, warning them to not speak or receive any

other gospel than what they received from Paul and his coworkers (Gal. 1:6-9). Technology

should never be used to change the gospel message, but its use can be paramount to how

effective and how far-reaching the message will be delivered.

Conclusion

From the beginning of the written word, God has revealed His approval for using tools in

the hands of humans to accomplish His commands and to fulfill His will. The Bible reveals Noah

using tools to accomplish what God wanted from him (Gen. 6). Isaiah recorded using forging to

make tools as a blacksmith (Isa. 44:12). Paul used Roman roads and ocean navigational

technology to travel for the purpose of spreading the gospel. Jesus certainly commanded that the

gospel be preached to all the world (Mt. 24:14; 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16). As seen with these

passages, technology clearly fits an authorized expedient to “become all things to all men, that I

[or we] might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). If Paul were here today, would the question

arise about technology being included in “all means?” The answer works itself out in how we use

technology expediently for evangelism! After all, God wants good stewards. Technology can be

used for bad, but certainly it has great potential in its use for good. If God provides individuals

and congregations with ways to use technology through media, computers, internet, television,

smartphones, translation software, artificial intelligence, and countless unidentified technology

platforms that will surely come in the future, then would not technology fit consistently with how

God has always worked through His people to spread His message? The answer to that question

ultimately lies with God and with human autonomy. The Bible clearly states that the message is

to be spread (Mt. 28:18-20), and technology is certainly a biblically and morally expedient way to

sow the seed of the kingdom.

Works Cited

All Bible quotations are taken from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.

Clement, J. “U.S. Population with a Social Media Profile 2019.” Statista. 9 Aug. 2019. 2 Nov. 2025

<www.statista.com/statistics/273476/percentage-of-us-population-with-a-social-networkprofile/>.

Danaan, Godfrey Naanlang. “Mass Media and Christian Evangelisation in the Digital Age: Towards

Sustaining ‘Mission’ in the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos.” Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol.

5.7 (2020): 61-73.

Gordon, Joshua. “Church Website Statistics for Pastors—the Lead Pastor.” 10 Church Website Statistics

Every Pastor Needs To Know. 14 Oct. 2025 <theleadpastor.com/church-management/churchwebsite-

statistics>.

Kidder, S. Joseph. “Using Social Media for Evangelism.” Ministry: International Journal for Pastors.

Vol. 88.2 (Feb. 2016):30. 2 Nov. 2025 <digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/340>.

Koehler, Heidi. “The Night the Earth Shook.” USGS. 19 Dec. 2024. 2 Nov. 2025

<www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/night-earth-shook>.

McCarthy, Niall, and Felix Richter. “Infographic: Millennials Rack Up 18 Hours of Media Use Per Day.”

Statista Infographics. 13 Mar. 2014. 2 Nov. 2025 <www.statista.com/chart/2002/timemillennials-

spend-interacting-with-media>.

Opade, Ochenia Faith. “Perspectives on Digital Evangelism: Exploring the Intersection of Technology

and Faith.” African Journal of Culture, History, Religion and Traditions. Vol. 6.2 (14 Aug.

2023):15-24 2 Nov. 2025 <https://doi.org/10.52589/ajchrt-idap2p2m>.

'Tis the Season - An important article on giving by Dale Hubbert

This article is being shared through The Gospel of Christ in order to both educate others about methods of giving as Christians, as well as an opportunity to help The Gospel of Christ in our own efforts of raising funds for the present and continued good of the program in how we reach lost souls and help to edify the saints.

Please take some time to read. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact us at The Gospel of Christ or Dale’s information is below.

---

Tis The Season

Gifting is an opportunity that has needs year around but it seems to receive special interest near the end of the year. As Christians we want to be good and generous stewards using wisdom as a guide. There are many ways to gift to benefit the church and other organizations such as The Gospel of Christ that seek to glory God while helping others.

Gifting can be as simple as writing a check, setting up a monthly ACH or using a debit card. There are other ways that are not as familiar but can be equally if not more effective especially in the arena of saving taxes.  For some people who have tax-qualified plans like IRA’s a person who has reached the age of being required to receive RMD’s (required minimum distributions) there can be opportunities to donate some or all of the RMD to The Gospel of Christ, the church and other organizations in the form of a QCD (qualified charitable distribution) with the likelihood of this contribution being non-taxable.

With a stock market that has done well recently there are several funds that have increased significantly. Selling those funds triggers capital gains which often cause taxes to be paid. Donating those funds/accounts directly to the church, or worthy organizations like The Gospel of Christ, is a gift that can avoid capital gains while allowing a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the funds when donated.

Some people have property that has increased in value and would trigger a capital gains tax if sold because of a lower basis in the property. Donating that property directly to the church or organization can avoid the taxable gain while allowing the fair market value of the property to be treated as a charitable contribution. This is available for real property such as land. It is also available for vehicles and other property that has increased in value.

The are additional ways to contribute which may take effect later. Listing the church, The Gospel of Christ or other faithful organizations as a beneficiary or partial beneficiary of a life insurance, annuity, or investment account is a wonderful way to bless the Lord’s cause when we leave the walks of this life.

Writing a check still works but please be aware there are several other ways to be a wise steward and bless the greatest cause of this earth. You are encouraged to talk your financial advisor and tax professional to see what is in your best interest.  You can also speak to one of the elders of your congregation or an overseeing congregation of good works, or even someone at the organization who will help guide you to those who can be assistance.  

Joey Ferrell and Beverly Ramsey are the contacts at The Gospel of Christ and they can be reached for making a donation at 855-458-3905, emailing mail@thegospelofchrist.com, visiting their website at www.thegospelofchrist.com/support, or by regular mail at The Gospel of Christ, PO Box 788, McMinnville, TN 37111.

Tis the season!

Article adapted for use by The Gospel of Christ originally written and supplied by:

Dale Hubbert

Fall is com....look, squirrel! - Joey Ferrell

Yes, it is a comical title, but that is for a reason. There are a LOT of things going on right now at The Gospel of Christ and that is a GOOD thing!

We have been recording lessons every few weeks in order to accommodate for scheduling challenges, making improvements to our graphics, adding to our social media efforts, and we are about to launch a new way to get media from us - USB drives!

Polishing the Pulpit was a great success in meeting and visiting with many brethren from across the country and even from other countries. It was a blessing for us to be at both locations this year. July and August were both filled with multiple trips to congregations in multiple states, to the point that we have realized that we need help! And, we are working on that!

So, here are a list of things that are happening in the field rep and digital world as well as enhancements to the program. Please make note of some of these as we could sure use your help to accomplish these goals.

1. Adding new field representatives. We are currently speaking to multiple men in multiple areas considering bringing on more representatives to meet with congregations in different areas as well as being able to give more updates sooner.

2. USB USB USB! Can you tell I am excited….until I think about the work involved in getting the website converted! Ha! It will happen. We hope to have our USB’s in by the middle of the month and will begin to offer those in addition and in lieu of DVD and CD content. This comes with a price tag, so please consider helping if able.

3. It is budget time for a lot of congregations. That means that we are sending you a letter! Mrs. Beverly and Ms. Betty are working hard to get them addressed and sealed up to drop in the mail any day. Why do we tell you this? Because we know that you want to know how we are doing when considering your budgets at congregations. Let me say this…please consider this request as you will see in the letter that our work together absolutely reaches souls and helps them to know the gospel plan for them.

4. We are leaving CW Plus - BOOOOO….but it is not because we don’t like it. It is because we cannot measure the level of audience as well as the areas of broadcasting like we need to. We will use those funds in other areas.

5. New social media content is coming! Short-form videos, enhanced daily bible verse postings, more and more. Social media is reaching people. We have contracted with a good brother to do some added social media work for us to see how effective it can be. This also comes with a cost, but we believe the costs are worth the reach of souls.

6. Lots of new opportunities on stations across the country. We would love to have them all, but we cannot. There are some areas that do look like they would be great opportunities if a congregation can help us with it. Philadelphia, Biloxi, Evansville are just a few. Contact us if you have any contacts that may could help.

7. Additions to GospelRadio247.com - coming soon - “voices from yesterday” with several speakers. Content is being loaned to us for its use.

There are many other things going on, but this is a great picture of what things are looking like on my desk! Exciting times, souls being reached, opportunities being met, and lots of great blessings along the way.

Hope to see you soon!

Joey

"I'm glad I didn't baptize you!" - Joey Ferrell

Some years ago, I posted a couple of articles on my personal blog online that gained not only a lot of popularity, but also a lot of negativity. One of those articles was titled “5 reasons NOT to be baptized…and 1 reason TO!” The other, "What must I do to be saved? Oh...well, I don't want to do that..."

The first one got a lot of traffic on social media, a lot of concern by fellow Christians (because the title caused questions and the reader didn’t read the article in full), and actually a little one-on-one discussion on baptism. The second one…oh boy! There was possibly as much negative response from similar and different ideas than maybe there were positive.

Let me explain:

You see, the Bible teaches truth…and truth only. The Bible teaches salvation…and salvation only. The Bible teaches ONE truth and ONE form of doctrine to obey that truth…so where did the negativity come from? Ephesians 4:4-6 says this:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Did you see that? ONE baptism. Not many…and the emphasis should also be noted that baptism is among these other important “ones.” But, regardless of this verse that would seem simple to see in context, there are so many people who want to question that one form of doctrine when it comes to the nature and obedience of baptism. We could spend days probably on every single objection to baptism, but in this article, I want to focus on one specific argument that has been heard many times over…

“Paul didn’t baptize” or “Paul said it wasn’t important because of 1 Corinthians 1.”

Both of these are similar in argument, but let’s break this down a bit, starting with the context. 1 Corinthians 1:14-15 says this,

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

So, yes…Paul DID say that he was glad that he didn’t baptize them. That is a hard statement to read…or is it really? Let’s focus a little more on the context at hand. Paul is addressing a major problem in the church in Corinth. There was sectarian division. Some were claiming to be of Paul…others Apollos and so on. Paul answers this with the question of “Is Christ divided?” He also posed the question of “Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (v. 10-13)

Here is the problem with this statement that some will want to use to say that we do not have to be baptized to be saved. Paul NEVER said that one must not be baptized…nor did he say that he never baptized anyone!

While I am not sure how many will read this article, I can BOLDLY state something similar to what Paul said in verses 14-15 - “I baptized none of you except…”. It would be a blessing to know that someone I baptized into Christ (as the steward of God’s baptismal commands) is reading this very article…but in all likelihood, that is not going to be the case! I don’t keep a record of dates and names, but I can assure you that the list of people that I have personally baptized into Christ is much shorter than Paul’s would ever be! How can I say that? Well, remember what he said…”except Crispus and Gaius”. Wait…wouldn’t that indicate that they were both in that audience? I believe that to be the absolute case…and thus, Paul’s statement is a resounding truth in that the audience that included these men as well as possibly many others in this epistle as it was read had not personally been baptized by him…and his point is referring exactly back to what he had already stated about feeling some importance by the one who baptized a person instead of the One in which they were baptized into!

So, how many people DID Paul actually baptize? Well…I don’t know. We can ask him in heaven if the question is that important for us to know…but…notice this passage where we find that Crispus obeyed the gospel in Acts 18:8:

Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

So…yes, Paul baptized Crispus, who was in the audience in the letter to the Corinthians, along with his household…and notice the last part of the verse - “and MANY…heard, believed, and were baptized.”

So, what about Gaius?

Turn to Romans 16 and you will find this Christian brother listed in his good work with the church that he is a member. We don’t seem to have a record of his actual baptism, but 6 times in scripture, this brother is listed. Most of these indicate that he is a Christian and doing work for God. In Romans 16, he is part of the church…and who knows how many in that congregation were baptized at the same setting that Gaius was with Paul. Only God and Paul would know.

So…using this argument to “debunk” baptism is a fallible argument at best. Paul baptized. He baptized at least 2 men and as the record would speculate…many others at these same settings.

With that said…I personally did not baptize any of you…except those that I actually baptized. Paul is no different…and God’s word is clear.

Do you need to be baptized for the remission of sins? Do you know someone who is unsettled on this command from God? If so, we would love to help.

Exciting times! Share the joy with us! - News from the field and around the www

WOW! That is the easiest way to start this blog and article.

We just finished a week of wonderful fellowship, worship and activity at Polishing the Pulpit in Sevierville, Tennessee. PTP is a somewhat (Covid interfered) annual event that hosts over 5,000 like minded individuals learning, singing, and worshiping together.

We had a booth to highlight the work of The Gospel of Christ. Joey, Beverly and William were there most days from morning til night, and we were blessed that Ben was also able to meet and greet some folks as well as take in some of the lessons himself for a couple of days.

How would I summarize the event for TGOC? Excellent! We gave out more information, DVDs and our new Free Bible studies scan cards than at any other event we have been at…EVER! If you visited with us…THANK YOU! We look forward to hearing how we can work together more to spread the gospel message in your area and around the world!

PTP also was a great time and place for us to reveal some new and exciting things on the horizon. Beginning this Sunday (9/4), we enter two new markets (Tri-Cities and Jackson TN) where we have never been before, as well as we are swapping our broadcast in Huntsville, and Memphis this same week to different times and channels. The markets of Tri-Cities, Jackson, Huntsville, and Chattanooga are unfortunately being vacated by a very long-time and very sound program called “Fabric of Family” with Barry Gilreath Jr. as the speaker.

Working with Barry, as well as with our media brokers, we were fortunate to secure three of the four slots that were left vacant. Statistics showed that our time and channel in the Chattanooga area was significantly better than the time offered, therefore, we are keeping our original slot there. It is our understanding that this Chattanooga vacant time slot will be replaced by our friends over at International Gospel Hour with Jeff Archey. We invite you to watch/record both outstanding programs.

But wait….there’s MORE!

That is right!

We also announced a very big…no, let’s say HUGE coming soon at PTP. Beginning in October, we will be a syndicated program on the CW Plus nationwide platform at 6:00 a.m. local time. What this means is that in select markets (ones who do not have local programming in place at that time slot), The Gospel of Christ will be broadcasting on YOUR local CW affiliate! That list is currently 57 markets across the country, making this our LARGEST expansion into local markets EVER! This also puts our local market count to 93 local television markets where you can find The Gospel of Christ broadcasting. Most of our airings are between 5 am and 8:30 a.m.; however, we do have a few scattered across the day on Sunday in Jackson, TN (9:30), Guam (4 pm), and Knoxville (9:00 pm), as well as on GBN channels across the country throughout the week.

What does this mean? Well, just a few weeks ago, we were given statistics for FETV (our Nationwide offering (5 a.m. ET), as well as several of our existing local broadcasts. With the FETV statistics, it was given that TGOC is the MOST WATCHED religious program in a single broadcast on the entire network - not just on Sunday mornings, but of ANY religious broadcast. The numbers were impressive! We have approximately 30,000 households watching the program LIVE every Sunday morning, with a 69% retention rate of people watching the entire program from start to finish. With the local markets that we were also supplied with (about a third of the ones we have), we also have very firm placement of households viewing and rankings on the particular channels in those markets. Some notable ones were in Meridian, MS, we are the 9th most watched program on Sunday mornings of EVERY program - not just religious, Little Rock, AR, we were in the top 10 religious programs, and Springfield, MO also showed a significant amount of viewers.

With all of this data, (it makes our heads spin, and we are sure yours too), we are excited about how many people that we are able to reach this amount of souls - whether they are already Christians added to the church, or if they have never heard about the soul-saving message of Jesus.

We could not do this without the help of both congregations…and individuals. Many congregations sponsor their local television market’s episode, and that has been phenomenal at connecting local people with local congregations…then others will help in general effort in which to do whatever we can. What a glorious illustration of 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, and 2 Corinthians 8:9. Maybe you are not able to help financially support the program, and we understand that, but as in the words of Paul in 1 Thes 5:21 - “Brethren, pray for us” is so fitting that we may find new opportunities in reaching the lost and edifying the saved.

Thank you isn’t sufficient, but please know that there are many who thank you for both your financial and prayerful support.

Until next time…

God bless!

~Joey

Sending out the 70 - are you one of them? - Joey Ferrell

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus describes what we might find as one of the most impressive evangelism efforts of that day outside of Jesus’ teachings Himself. You will remember that He selected 70 (some translations may note 72) and sent them out “two by two.” This provides for some very interesting narrative that comes next, as well as some unique thoughts that we should also carry on with in our own evangelistic efforts.

It is interesting to note that these workers were sent out not alone, but with one another. It is also interesting to note that as they went out, they felt that they needed to take all of their tools, baggage, and funds with them. Jesus tells them NO. He says that they will have what is needed on their journey and in their efforts. Now, that does not mean that these folks went out “unprepared.” Jesus told them ways in which they would be taken care of and how to remedy their needs if they weren’t met. (c.f. “leave and shake the dust off your feet” paraphrase my own).

One of the most important things that we can read in this passage is the imperative that Jesus gives as well. He says “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” PRAY for the harvest.” We certainly need to remember these things when we approach any evangelistic effort whatsoever. We need to arm ourselves with the truth, be ready to answer (1 Peter 3:15), prepare physically and spiritually, and GO (Matthew 28:18-20).

Go does not always mean to travel across the world. These 70 went out to the local areas in which Jesus was going to be entering. They were working to continue preparing the way for the Master Teacher to teach, heal, nurture, and give salvation to the sin-stricken world ahead. Go means to use what resources you have (as seen in this passage), not trying to reinvent the wheel, and work toward the harvest. One would not enter a garden expecting a harvest without first preparing the soil, planting the seed, keeping the weeds from the nourishment of the soil and certainly one would NOT leave the fruits of their labor just hanging on a plant or a tree to spoil and rot.

Back to our text…many of us who want to take on the imperative command of evangelism to seek out the harvest will sometimes be a bit zealous and presumptuous. We may feel like we are the ONLY ones at times trying to accomplish this work. I truly believe that is why Jesus explained to the 70 that they need to go out with one another. This type of combined effort will support the emotional strain, sometimes the physical or social limitations, and certainly the strengthening of attitude in finding those to reach. Working solo is HARD! Jesus knew that and gave the perfect opportunity of easing that difficulty.

Jesus told the 70 that there would be tough days. There would be good days. There would be days they would want to pack up and go home! But keep reading. When the 70 return, they are so excited…rejoicing in the efforts, sort of “bragging” about how they were able to do things that others could not in a miraculous gift…but watch the attitude of Jesus, and see what He says…

(In paraphrase) “Yes, I know what you could do…yes I saw the demons being cast down…yes, I knew you would be able to accomplish….NEVERTHELESS, rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

We need to make sure that we understand our roles in evangelism. Not every person can go to a foreign country on a medical mission, not every person can stand in a pulpit and preach the word of God, not every person has the financial or physical ability to even go to the next town…but we have so many opportunities when we think about “going two by two” working with one another as the laborers of the harvest. Paul said “I planted, Apollos watered, but it is GOD who gives the increase.” (1 Cor 3:6-7)

Are you doing what you can do in our own “limited commission?” Jesus did not tell us that we each one have to save the entire world, but, He did say that we need to….keep reading….”love our neighbor as ourselves.” Loving our neighbor requires loving ourselves. There are many who may not realize that if you do not do what is the absolute best for your soul in what our God and Father has given us through His unique plan of salvation and scheme of redemption….we do NOT love ourselves…and we certainly cannot love our neighbors if we do not love ourselves.

May the God of heaven bless you with opportunity to go out “two by two” and to realize the chilling statement that was made that “your names are written in heaven.”

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From the field…

It has been a very busy month for the field rep team as well as in the offices. We have added new stations, and unfortunately had to cancel some local markets due to lack of feedback and support in those areas. We will announce some new channels very soon.

One note of interest and sadness is that at the end of August, a very long time television program is going off air in 4 markets. Fabric of Family has been on air in Jackson, TN, Tri-cities, TN, Chattanooga, TN and Huntsville, AL for many years. Through speaking with Barry Gilreath and our media brokers, we are blessed to be able to fill two of those spots being left empty in Jackson and Tri-cities areas. We are also making a switch of channels in Huntsville to the better channel and time slot that Fabric of Family was airing.

We ask for your prayers in this effort as well as your prayers in thanksgiving for Barry and all the many others who have been working to spread truth through Fabric of Family for many years.

Several visits are coming up. We just finished up at the Connect Conference in Nashville, TN with over 1,000 attendees, and in just a few weeks we will be attending one of our absolutely favorite events that has finally been able to be scheduled again - Polishing the Pulpit in Sevierville, TN August 17-25. We will have a booth in the exhibits area. Please stop by and visit with us!

Until next time!!!

God bless,

Joey

Planting Trees - sort of - Joey Ferrell

It has been said that “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second best time is today.”

The idea behind this is that trees are not full grown when they are planted. I live near several nurseries and walk or drive past one nearly every day. Recently, they have been working the fields and over the past few days many little seedlings have been deposited into the ground.

These seedlings are no bigger than a mere dandelion or a small ragweed. Even though, this nursery must plant these little seedlings to continue their business for the next 5,10, and even 30 years from now. It’s a job of patience and the reward will not be seen for many years to come even in the smallest growth. Through the diligence of those workers 20 years ago, I see the fruit of those labors as I walk past. And now I see those newer and younger workers preparing the way for the next generation.

Let’s talk about the church now.

There is a plaguing epidemic in the church. The epidemic is the trend of the church shrinking. Not only is it shrinking in members and new converts; but, this epidemic goes much further into a bigger challenge.

Currently, there is a widely known “shortage” of ministers (add in preachers, youth ministers and so on), but even a much bigger challenge is the lack of qualified leadership. God has His design for the church. That design is that EVERY congregation should have men serving as elders (pastors, bishops, shepherds, presbyters) working in a role of guiding, overseeing and protecting the flock through example and instruction. Design also includes servants, appropriately named deacons representing the term of a servant minister in the Bible.

While it is true that a congregation can function without deacons and some would suggest that she can function without elders and I have both been in congregations without and served in congregations without, the biblical design is to have qualified elders in every church.

But, let’s think about this idea of the tree.

If those nurserymen KNOW that without proper planting and nurturing in growth of these seedlings, proper care of predatory weeds, pests and animals, just sat outside on their porch looking at the barren land saying something like “well, there’s just nothing we can do about it, maybe some day we will harvest some more trees,” do you think they would stay in business or reap a harvest?

Certainly we understand this. So, why…oh why, in the church do we sit back and say things similar? Why do we sit back and expect God to providentially provide elders and deacons? Why do we sit back and not invest in our own young people, brethren and community in order to “plant” these new seedlings?

You can unlock the church doors every Sunday and every Wednesday and lots of people can certainly come in the doors…and we greet them by saying “hi sister Sally, or how are you brother Fred?” But what about Nicholas, the young man that was at the ball field the other day that you saw trying to win the heart of a young lady sitting near. What about that new couple that moved in to uncle Charlie’s house? Of course, let’s not forget about Sam, who grew up attending the church since he was 2 but now in his 40s has never obeyed the gospel.

Friends, evangelism is MORE than gospel meetings, VBS, fellowship meals, and the occasional invitation. It is also so much more than plopping a sermon or church service on social media and celebrating the hundreds or thousands of people that click that link all over the world. All of these things can be and are good when they are used as part of evangelism, but too many workers are wondering if a seedling tree is just going to pop up…and then hope…that the mower doesn’t run over it, the animals don’t trample it, or the county weed spraying truck doesn’t poison it.

The absolute best time to “plant” seeds that will grow into elders, deacons, preachers, and good faithful Christian men and women in the church WAS 20 years ago….but the second best time to “plant” is today!

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From the field…

Things have been pretty busy with visits in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida. We love to get out and meet new people and talk about all of the exciting things happening at The Gospel of Christ.

We have launched in Winston-Salem, made a few channel changes in some markets, and working to grow our outreach digitally. FETV has expanded their coverage in 8 additional states, giving us more viewership than we have ever seen before in states that we have not seen much activity from in the past. Exciting times to be working in the kingdom and sowing seed together!

Can we come and visit with your congregation soon? Let us know who we should speak with and we will make it work if we can!

Back to the video processing….updated series and new recordings coming soon!

A Different Sacrifice - Joey Ferrell

A DIFFERENT SACRIFICE

Sin always required a sacrifice to be absolved (or pressed forward in the case of the OT), sacrifice always required the shedding of blood....except for one particular sacrifice.

In Leviticus 16, there is a depiction of a sacrifice that not only required the blood of a bull and a ram as a burnt offering, but also two goat kids. The first sin offering was to appease God of the sins of Aaron and his family, then he was to take the two goat kids from the congregation and cast lots.

Whichever goat kid that God's lot fell on would be the sacrificial goat kid, but the second goat kid would also be a part of the process of atonement.

This goat is called the "scapegoat." The scapegoat would be released into the wilderness, but not before Aaron was to take the kid, lay both of his hands on its head, confess over it the iniquities and transgressions of all of the children of Israel, "putting them on the head of the goat." The goat would then be sent away with a suitable man to bear those iniquities to an uninhabited land and be released in the wilderness.

I find this passage in Leviticus fascinating. Not just because of this being the only time that I can think of where blood was not shed as a sacrifice, but also the entire scheme of redemption displayed through this sacrifice. On the one hand, the one goat kid would shed his blood for the atonement of sin, and the other hand, the other goat would carry those iniquities "out of the camp, possibly becoming a blood sacrifice another day in another land.

Here is what really shook me up a bit. Today, we use the word scapegoat in a somewhat similar fashion. The definition of a scapegoat has a scriptural meaning as we see displayed in this text, but also has a worldly meaning. The worldly meaning is somewhat grossly similar to the scriptural meaning when you think about it. What we might consider as a "scapegoat" today is one who has laid on him/her the blame for another or many other's actions, words, or deeds...whether welcomed, deserving, or not.

This modern day definition may not have the scapegoat leaving the camp to atone the sins of those that laid blame; however, the weight "laid upon the head" of one who would be a scapegoat would be quite burdensome...and certainly could cause an emotional departure from others.

What I find even more interesting, and it breaks my heart to know is that my sins are "laid upon the head" of the ultimate sacrifice! I am not of the camp of the children of Israel, but stay with me here. My Lord and savior King Jesus fulfilled BOTH of these roles for atonement. Not only did Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins, Isaiah would say in Isaiah 53:6 referencing that sacrificial Lamb - "and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all."

I have often remembered the Levitical sacrifices in relation to the cross of Christ, but there is another sacrifice that was made alongside that shedding of blood. And He was the sacrificial Lamb for both of these atoning criteria...for me...for you...for everyone who will call upon the Lord and be obedient to Him in salvation! Glory to the Lamb! Glory to God!

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From the field…

It has been a very busy few months and continues to be so for a while.

We have added several new local broadcasts in the recent months that will be listed here as well. New congregations have had us come and give presentations and we have been at multiple lectureships.

The kingdom is growing and you have been a big help to that!

Over the next few weeks, Joey will be traveling to multiple areas to give presentations and meet with church leaderships about sponsoring the local broadcasts, and building relationships in the areas we are not as strong in. Our goal is to fill as many local markets as we can and we have started off really strong this year with now over 40 markets plus nationwide.
Not only that, but we received word recently that we were the most watched religious program in a single run on Sunday mornings on FETV. WOW!

Want to help? You can support this great work in multiple ways. One of those ways is to ask your congregation’s leadership to consider supporting the work financially, or at least having us come to introduce the program and our resources to others.
You can contact us at 931-492-9566 to schedule a field rep visit!

Happy summer and see you next time!

~Joey

Didn't Campbell start 'your' church? - Joey Ferrell

Being a member of the church of Christ, I hear this question more times than I could count and answer.  The question sometimes arises from those that want to define the church of Christ as a denomination.  Other times, the question may arise when someone is trying to refute their beliefs that do not align with those of what I consider the doctrine of Christ described in Jude 3.

So, is it a valid argument or question?  The simple answer is no.  The more complex answer is no.  While this blog is not intended to answer every question related to the era of Thomas and Alexander Campbell or Barton Stone, Racoon Smith, or any of the other known "Restoration Leaders" of that time, it is my hope that you will take a few minutes to compare the church of Christ to the church of Acts 2.

The concept of what is called the "Restoration Movement" at Cane Ridge, KY in the early 1800's or at Bethany, VA is a very unique and exciting story to research and read.  These men, Campbell and Stone more specifically, sought to return to the church of the Bible once they realized that the denominations that they were members of were not truly that church.  Presbyterian doctrines were not found to align with the things that both Stone and Campbell compared.  What did they do about it? The same thing that I am doing about it, as well as asking you to do about it...go BACK to the Bible for the answers!  Hence, the name "restoration movement" in an effort to "restore" simple Biblical Christianity.

What is that truth?  How do we know that the church of Christ is the same as the church of Acts, the church of the Bible, the church that Jesus bought with His own blood (Acts 20:28)?

1.  In the book of Acts, the story of the church starts on the day of Pentecost with Peter, the remaining apostles and about 120 "members" of the first meeting of the church.  When Peter preached that powerful lesson (as well as the other disciples that were speaking in the languages for all to hear), those that were pricked in the heart asked a profound question..."what shall we do to be saved?"  The reply, found in Acts 2:38, reads "repent and be baptized for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ..."  In Acts 2:42, the text says that about 3000 souls were baptized...and added to the church (Acts 2:47).

2.  Ephesians 4:4-6 states that there is ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE hope, ONE God, ONE body, ONE Spirit, and ONE baptism (Not in that order).  That would imply that the ONE baptism that we read of in Acts 2:38, would add one to the ONE body described as the church in Acts 2:47. (see 1 Cor 10:17, Heb 13:3, Eph 5:23, and Col 1:24).  Since this is the case described in the church of the Bible, then that is the church that one should desire to become a part of today still.

3.  Campbell, Stone, Smith...none of these men started a "denomination."  As a matter of fact, they were doing everything that they could in order to get away from a mindset of being in a "division," or denomination.  Many of the congregations that established as a result of the efforts of these men were named (for identification, not denomination) Disciples of Christ, Christian church, and the beloved name church of Christ.  While these congregations favored in most things, eventually there was some division including things like instrumental music (something that the Restoration preachers did not teach nor condone), and other divisive doctrines that would segregate once again...the church of the Bible and a congregation of people following the doctrines of men.  Paul wrote in 1 Cor 1:10 "let there be no divisions among you..."  He asked if Christ was divided.  This is simple context.  Divided is not whole.  Divided is no longer ONE.  Divided is truly what is defined as "denomination" (denominating/dividing).

4.  I only want to be a member of the church that can be found in the Bible.  My dear friends that are parts of denominational bodies - Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, and so forth, my biggest plea unto you is simply this:  Can you find "your church" matching the description and the pattern of the church of the Lord, the body of Christ, the church that Christ said that HE would build (Matt 16:18), not that man would build, or doctrines that would be listed in some creed or handbook that completely cause the identity of the body of Christ to be unrecognizable.  They were called Christians first at Antioch.  The "churches of Christ" salute you.  There simply is not authority to be a so-and-so Christian or a member of a man-made church.

Friends, I know that most likely this short blog will not be fully convincing that a.) the church of Christ is not a denomination, b.) the church of Christ was started by Christ and not by Campbell or Stone or any other man, or c.) there may be a difference in the church that you are a member of and the church of Acts, the church of the Bible, the church of the Lord, the church of Christ.  However, I do hope that you may have read something that will help you to consider a deeper study regarding the church - the body of Christ and where you may fit in.

If you would like more information or a deeper study on this topic, please email me at joey@joeyferrell.com or reach out on Facebook.  All of this is said in love for your soul and for the truth of God's word and Christ's church.

May God bless you.

~Joey Ferrell

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From the field and around the www…

Field rep visits are going very well this year. I just finished a wonderful time meeting with brethren at a congregation in Knoxville as well as attending the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies lectureship where we had a booth.

There were a lot of great folks visiting the lectureship and I certainly enjoyed meeting so many and catching up with others.

One of the brothers that I spent some time with works in a similar role as me in a completely different mission work. He and I discussed some long term goals and ideas on how we can spread the message both far and near. Many people think of missions fields being in foreign countries; however, it has been widely noted in multiple research studies that we are losing more than a third of our younger generations to the religion of “NONE.” This simply means that our kids and grandkids are choosing no religion whatsoever. In a postmodern type of world, we need to be focused on reaching every single soul that we can with the message.

That is out absolute goal for field rep visits. In our presentation, we go over some of the statistics…and how we may can change some of those. We explain how the program has helped many people, and has opened many doors for those who want to evangelize. We share resources that most people do not even know exist.

Isn’t it time for us to come and visit with your congregation? It isn’t about raising funds as much as it is about educating our brethren about great resources. God will take care of helping us raise the funds we need…we just need you to help us spread the word! Call or email us today about a visit. We would love to see you.

~Joey

joey@thegospelofchrist.com

931-492-9566

Evangelism or Arguism? - Joey Ferrell

My spell check says that “arguism” isn’t a word. I would like to argue that! Maybe I need to define the word better for us. Arguism - the state of arguing just to win a battle and not a soul. Well, that may be a bit broad, but it fits.

Too many times, the art and practice of evangelism may be tainted by this unusual practice and activity that I have developed a word for. Arguism is the end result of some well-intended discussions about the church, the Bible, and others’ religious beliefs. So, how do we avoid it?

First off, we need to approach any evangelistic opportunity with Ephesians 4:15 in mind. If we do not offer the Gospel message in love, we cannot expect it to be received well. Offering in love does not mean to discount anything of the truth, but to make sure that our approach is indeed for the soul and not for the sake of argument.

I had the privilege of studying with two different people with completely different backgrounds, completely different religious ideas and thoughts just this week. One was a planned lunch meeting that lasted about an hour and a half discussing whether or not that the idea of Catholicism is actually biblical and should it be in consideration for this individual to pursue. I will be honest…I have never really studied with anyone of the mindset of the Catholic persuasion, but I know what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) regarding some of the structure and beliefs that are in that particular religious group. It was an interesting meeting, but a few times it did become awkward when the questions and answers started veering from the Bible to a doctrine of this particular religion. Certainly we could argue about it…and we probably came close.

Then, as this meeting ended, an opportunity presented itself to strike up conversation with someone that I have known for several years that has of recent been searching harder and more diligently to find honest biblical truth about her soul’s eternal situation. It was more of a casual discussion. We are good friends that pick at each other about many things from time to time, as well as have disagreed many times on scriptural matters based on each of our own knowledge base and teachings in our study of the Bible. It happens. And I have seen it destroy not only friendships, but also family relationships when one enters the realm of arguing to win the argument instead of evangelizing to win the soul. Not the case with this dear friend. We had a very good discussion that ended with smiles, a hug, and an invitation for more discussion in the future.

What is similar about these two opportunities?

Simple! We are all 3 looking for truth!

Now…being that I am a preacher some Sundays, a Bible class teacher some Sundays and Wednesdays, have studied even at a college level in Biblical studies, you might think that I should have a firm grip on truth…and I believe I do; however, as I personally start any Bible discussion for several years now, here is my attitude that I make very clear:
”Listen, I am going to look at what you believe and have to say and if it doesn’t match what I believe, we need to look to the Bible and see what is right. If what you say is right and I have been wrong…I WILL change. But, I want to ask the same from you. If you believe something different than what we discuss today and I can show you in the Bible that it is the truth…will you change?”

Friends, this attitude will make a world of difference when it comes to opening hearts and ears. NOBODY should ever want to use the Bible as a weapon for an argument! It should be used as a weapon against the world and against Satan…not with precious souls who may not know absolute truth or may be wayward in their thinking.

Too many souls are turned away from God because of “arguism.” I heard a story recently of a situation where the “Freedom From Religion” group was protesting a religious symbol in a certain building. A news story was published about this particular situation and the news outlet left their comments section open for a while before having to shut it down. From my understanding of this story, several self-proclaimed “Christians” commented on the page with very harsh words saying such as “I will take a baseball bat there and show them there is a God,” “They will know when they die that there is a God,” and “Let’s see if they think there is a God when I march in there with my shotgun and blow them away.”

Obviously, this was a very bad situation that had to be stopped…and the news outlet did, but not before the FFR folks took screenshots and used them against “Christianity.”

We need to understand that every person that we come into contact with has a soul that will be somewhere for eternity. Some will be in heaven…others will perish. Jesus said that the greatest command is to love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, but likened unto it….here it is….Love your neighbor as yourself! Think about that a minute. I love both of these individuals that I met with this week. I have only just met one, and his soul is so important to me that when we ended the conversation, we prayed together that our journey to finding truth will find us a home in heaven together. That second one…oh, I love her dearly. She has been a friend in good times and in bad and I can ALWAYS count on her to be smiling at me when I see her. I certainly want to see her in heaven. But, if I have a knowledge of truth that differs from either of these…I need to share it with them both and prove all things according to God’s word in order to see that come to fruition, and them with me as well. Anybody can win an argument (at least in their own mind anyway if not otherwise)…but it takes sincere loving evangelism to win a soul! I want to love my neighbor as myself.

I want to be in heaven with my Savior…and I want them to be there too! Do you? If so, put down the arguism armor; drop the dagger, the ax, and the brick that you may have been ready to throw at them just knowing that you are right…even when you may be wrong. Love one another. Love the beauty of God’s gift of salvation, and let’s share the truth the only way we should…in love.

Let’s get to evangelizing!

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In the field…

We have been catching up a bit in the markets that we broadcast in most recently by visiting congregations in the Tennessee and Kentucky areas as well as some mass mailings going out to many of our broadcast areas over the next few weeks.

There are a lot of exciting things happening and we want to share them with your congregation too!

Just a few weeks ago, we relaunched the www.freebiblestudies.net platform offering Free Bible studies in areas where we have sponsoring congregations. This has been pretty successful. One specific area of great response is Guam. We have had many requests coming from Guam and have put those in the hands of some great folks there to reach out.

Would you consider having a field rep visit soon? Let us know who and where you are. We would love to see you!

~Joey

Have you seen this? Ron's baptism story! - From the Field and around the WWW

Ron’s Baptism story!

This was posted on our Facebook page this past week:

Two weeks ago, we received a few calls from Ron that had watched the program on WTGL in Orlando, FL that is sponsored locally by Concord Street Church of Christ. This gentleman said:

"I am calling to see if there is a church near me...I appreciate what this man [Ben] taught on the essential of water baptism...boy I needed to hear that."

We relayed the information to one of the elders at the Concord Street congregation, who in turn contacted Ron, as well as Joey followed up with Ron on Saturday night (2/12 as he was trying to find the local church).

After a connection was made between Concord Street and the local church - Church of Christ of Flagler County - it appears that studies began...and after opening our email this morning we find this exciting follow up - yesterday on 2/20/22, Ron became our brother in Christ!

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 in full action! To GOD be ALL glory and praise!

Thank you to everyone who helps The Gospel of Christ in our efforts of Taking the WHOLE Gospel to the WHOLE World!

What an incredible opportunity to work with congregations around the world to help in growing the kingdom! And did we mention that it was all in part by you? Every prayer, every financial gift, every share of a lesson, Social Media post, download, mention and so on helps this program to reach more people every single day! And, we would be remiss if we did not celebrate this with you…and THANK YOU!

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Television updates

We are still negotiating in several markets to add the program; however, we have to sometimes unfortunately move on in some areas.

Effective immediately, we will not be able to broadcast in most of the Georgia markets due to loss of funding and support in those areas. We have already discontinued Albany, and this week was the last airing in Columbus. The bigger one that hurts so much to have to cancel is Atlanta. We have been airing there for just over a year and had partial support of the program; however, that support has ended and we cannot feasibly afford to continue there either. The last local airing on the program on WATC will be March 27.

We have diligently tried to find new funding sources (congregations) in these areas with no avail, and with the costs of these three markets being upwards of $3,000 per month just in the broadcasting and not production, it is a challenging decision that had to be made.

Fortunately, during our time airing in these markets, we know of at least 3 baptisms, some local church growth and many changed lives. To that we say to God be the glory!

You can help us in these and other markets. We are always looking at opportunities to broadcast the program in markets that we are not currently in, as well as solidify those that we are. We are in need of partial or full sponsorship in the following areas:

Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, TN | Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas TX | Montgomery, Birmingham AL | Springfield, MO | Meridian, MS | Montana | Paducah/Cape Girardeau Ky/MO | Oklahoma City, OK | Little Rock, AR | Bluefield/Beckley VA/WV

Would your congregation be willing to look at helping us in these endeavors? If so, email us at joey@thegospelofchrist.com and we will connect to share how we can work together to advertise the local congregation and build the kingdom together!

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Field Rep Visits

We have been scheduling a lot of visits already this year. It is very exciting to get back in to tell congregations what all is new and exciting with this work.

Would you consider having us come to visit?

Scott Furniss covers much of Oklahoma and North Texas. He can be reached at scott@thegospelofchrist.com, or Joey Ferrell can meet with congregations in various parts of the country when opportunity exists - joey@thegospelofchrist.com.

We would love to hear from you!

Until warmer weather!!!

~Joey

The wages of sin..... - Joey Ferrell

Sin will always have consequences.

Sometimes the consequences are seen right away, sometimes it may take years.

Most times, the consequences will be of a personal nature, and personally related; however, many will also have innocent parties becoming a victim of circumstance.

Where one is in their spiritual maturity level (if they have one) will often determine how the consequences will affect them and those that are around them. Owning up to sin and asking for mercy and forgiveness would be the absolute mature and reasonable way to begin healing and possibly change the outcome of some of the consequences.

When we ignore our sin, celebrate our sin, or refuse to even acknowledge our sin, our spiritual lives begin to die. There is no reason whatsoever for that to happen. Paul said "the wages of sin is death..." But...he doesn't end there. Please read the entire verse before you discount that you can never find healing and forgiveness...

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Even in the worst of consequences...there can still be a light guiding your way.

Do you need help? Emotional or spiritual help? Do you need forgiveness? Do you need someone to hold your hand and walk with you through the trials of life? There are many that will and can do this. We should all want one another to get to heaven, and living the best life that God has offered us here...and in eternity.

Circumstances change. Consequences can be repaired. Sin can be forgiven. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise...and don't give up!

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2022 has begun! We have already been visiting a lot of congregations, and hoping for many more!

If your congregation has not had a visit in a while, you may be amazed at what all we have going on. We are increasing our local broadcast footprint nearly every week for a few more weeks and now have over 3 dozen local markets (many in major markets) as well as our offering on FETV.

The Freed Hardeman Lectureship is February 6-10. Joey will be there with a brand new advertising booth! Stop by if you are at the lectureship and pick up a dvd or two and chat with us about how the work at The Gospel of Christ is growing!

I once was lost... - Joey Ferrell

When I was 17 years old, I LEFT the church.  I had been offended by some of my "friends" in the church and segregated from a lot of their activities because I wasn't in the "cool kid" group.

I gave up.  I knew my Bible very well I thought.  I decided that I could live my life the way that I wanted to, and that there would be no consequence to that.  I had been baptized right at the age of 10.  I was in a "future preacher's" class by the time I was 11.  I went to Short Mountain Bible Camp every summer.  I didn't cuss.  I didn't disobey my parents (much).  I didn't do the things that seemed to be bad.  I just didn't do them!

I was a Christian.  And, I loved God!

At 17 years old, I could have lost it all.  It was MY desire that was taking precedence over God's.  I quit attending Bible study first (since I could drive and had a job...I even asked to be scheduled so that I couldn't possibly be there).  Then it was Wednesday night services that became non-existent in my prerogative.  Then it was Sunday night worship services.  Then this discrimination happened in my own youth group...even some by a "youth 'minister'".  And...that was it!

I knew that I was my own person and that "I knew best" about how I could get to heaven.  After all, I wasn't going to attend with those hypocrites; nor subject myself to such embarrassment and personal persecution.  It just didn't have to happen.  Me and God had it right.  We were working together.  I DID NOT need the church, anyone in the church, and certainly not these people that wanted to tell me how to live my life, when I knew better!

I knew God.  I knew Jesus.  I loved them both.  I still read my Bible.  (Notice I did not say study)  I prayed...sometimes.  I thought about what would happen if I were to die that particular day...many days.  And, I answered myself...."You will go to heaven!  You love God.  You have been baptized.  You have..."  Well, YOU get it.  There was no way that God would be so cruel to "make me go to church."  I could do just as well on my own.

I don't remember exactly how long this lie lasted, but it became bigger, and bigger, and bigger.  I began to tell my parents that I was attending worship services at different congregations (so they couldn't check up on me).  But, when I would leave the house early on Sunday mornings, I would take two changes of clothing.  One was what I would wear to work that afternoon.  The other was my "when I get clear of the house I am wearing" outfit to fish in, hang out with some friends with, etc.

It was getting tough.  I was getting rough.  At 17 years old, I was trading my skills that I had acquired through my non-church "friends" of tinting windows and installing car stereos/speakers, etc. for cigarettes, liquor, beer, wine coolers, and living a life that was full of satan and sin!

I was LOST!

Now...go back to where I started.  Remember - I was a young Christian.  I had read my Bible.  I had prayed sometimes.  I had faithfully attended worship services AND Bible study assemblies for years!  I even went on youth retreats and waited on the Lord's table, and thought I was bringing my friends to Christ.

It all changed.  I was now living a lie that satan had created.  He was winning.  I was losing.  My lie?  "I don't have to 'go to church' to get to heaven."

While this subject is a much deeper one than most will give time or credence to reading, it is a very serious problem.  God says that He wants us to worship Him.  The Hebrew writer tells us WHY we come together in 10:24-25.  Jesus says that we MUST worship in spirit and truth - giving a priority to worshiping Him in John 4:23-24.  It was so important in the time of the early church that many LOST THEIR LIVES for the church and the ability to worship God.

Way back when I was 17, I thought I knew it all.  I thought I knew what was best.  I thought I knew more than God.  I thought my life was more important...than my soul.

I am so thankful that there were those that saw my condition...and pulled me out of the fire.  They were and remain my true friends.  My brothers and sisters.  They showed me what life in Jesus Christ was supposed to be like....not what I thought.

A dear friend kept inviting me to come with her and some of our mutual friends to worship with them.  I finally did...one Sunday night.  That night was the first time that I had ever met Tony Lawrence, my mentor and friend. He held out his hand to greet me, asked my name, remembered my name, and showed me that he cared about me. Another dear friend and several others that attended there welcomed me as their friend...and brother in Christ. 

You see...it was never about me.  It was always, and will always be about God.  When I put "I" in front of God, I become less dependent on God, and more dependent on satan.  Not something that I am proud of, but it happened. 

I have repented of these things both publicly and privately.  That is what the Bible tells me that I needed to do.  I cannot say that I have lived the most faithful life every day since these days; however, I can say that with the wonderful blood of Christ that continually cleanses sinners like me that repent, I now understand more about why I was wrong, I was ignorant through satan, and I was LOST.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but NOW I am found...was blind, but now I see.

Please don't be blind.  Please don't be lost.

~Joey

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Gearing up for the new year!!!

Lots happening…new stations…new programs…new set coming soon….new year….that’s what we are getting ready for…are you??

Scott and I are excited to welcome a new year in the Field Rep program. We would absolutely love to come and visit with you and the congregation to tell you more about all of the exciting things we have added and what is in store.

Please call our office today and discuss our visit! We look forward to hearing from you.

Lord...teach ME how to pray! - Joey Ferrell

Recently, I filled the pulpit at my home congregation (when I am not visiting with The Gospel of Christ). It wasn’t completely short notice, but it was short enough that I did not have enough time to build a brand new lesson from scratch.

I reached into my electronic archive and found a lesson that I had prepared several years back, opened it, began studying it…and realized that I had missed part of the biggest point of the sermon that I “thought” I had preached.

Each year, instead of making resolutions, I personally make “proclamations.” Why? So I don’t have to tell anyone I broke my resolutions maybe? I dunno! Anyway, for several years now, I have been making the same statement to myself.

“Lord, I want to be more intentional in my prayer life.”

Simple enough right? Well, I thought so…until I looked at the context of scripture surrounding the lesson that I was studying to preach again. Most everyone can find these familiar words from the disciples - “Lord, teach us how to pray.” They are found in the great sermon on the mount as well as in other places of the gospel accounts. But, have you ever wondered WHY the disciples asked this question?

I have no doubt that they knew how to pray. These were religious men. They had studied the Torah, they knew the commands that were once housed in the Ark of the Covenant. They knew of Elijah’s prayerful life and much more. It wasn’t a basic question of teaching them how to - as we might say - “bow your head and fold your hands.”

In the context of this passage, Jesus teaches them “how” to pray, not just “what” to pray. Our idea is more of a “what to pray” in my opinion. I am as guilty or more than the next man that stands in the assembly to pray. Our prayers go something like this:

“Lord, give us rain” or “Lord, please stop the rain”
”Heal the sick” or “be with those bereaved”
”Give us guidance”
”be with us til we meet again”
”please forgive us of our sin”

There may be a host of other things that I have said including praying for our military, our leaders, our church family, and so on. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with these things…except, sometimes, our plea to God is more about US than about His will and the will for others. That is MY confession of not praying more intentional.

James talks about in chapter 4 that it isn’t about what we will. It is ALWAYS about what God wills. James says that no matter what we desire, if it is not of God’s will, it is pretty much in void of asking.

Jesus also warned us of those in which would offer vain and repetitious prayer…also GUILTY in my life. I, and others have fallen into that pattern sometimes, and although we may be certainly offering sweet aromas to God, we may be missing what He really wants to hear from us.

So, how do we pray? We let Christ teach us. Not just quoting the model prayer as he taught His disciples, but actually meaning what we pray. Being intentional toward others, and not so much ourselves. Don’t get me wrong…James also talks about prayers for the sin-stricken, the ill, and so on. But…remember, one of those statements of “please send rain?” What if the next town over has completely flooded and cannot recover. Maybe rain isn’t exactly what is needed for everyone at the same time.

Prayer is an attitude. It isn’t just words. And, our attitude must be like that of Jesus when we approach the Father, asking in His will, asking for the good of His will to transpire, and not our own (c.f. prayer in the garden), and we must remember that our prayers are a conversation WITH God, not an instructional opportunity for us to tell Him what we want.

I want to be more intentional in my prayer life…and I want to pray for you. Let me know how I can. You can email me at joey@thegospelofchrist.com and I will certainly offer my prayers to our Father on your behalf.

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Around the field and the www….

Great things continue to happen with the digital side of our program. We recently passed 250,000 website views for the year. Phenomenal! We have added a few more television markets recently. We also are preparing to plan for 2022.

Scott and myself would love to visit with your congregation to tell you more about what is happening, how people are responding to the program, and to distribute free materials to you and the congregation. This program has so many resources that can help your own personal study, but it can help YOU reach many more souls in your own evangelistic efforts. Let us show you how!

Contact Joey at joey@thegospelofchrist.com, Scott at Scott@thegospelofchrist.com, or call our office at 855-458-3905 to speak with someone about visiting.

Until the next cold month coming up!

In all service to Him,

~Joey

Are you going to heaven? - Joey Ferrell

When you ask a question of such - “Are you going to heaven,” generally, you will get different answers. What would your answer be?

Think about the youngest of our young in a church setting. They have been taught maybe by their parents, or maybe in Bible school about God and heaven, even though maybe they don’t always grasp the deeper ideas of salvation. When you ask one of those precious souls, their answer - rightly so - is a resounding YES!

As one gets older, the mental idea changes. Sometimes it is because of sin in their lives, or maybe just their faith has weakened, or some other idea of less than worthy may come into play. The answer often heard to the question of “are you going to heaven,” is often “I think so!’

Then, when we see our parents, grandparents, older friends and loved ones reaching the peak of their lives, that time in which the reality of eternity really begins to set in and the years living on earth seem to be less than the time already spent based on the life expectancy of man, and they are asked that same question…”Are you going to heaven?” Unfortunately, many times the answer may come in a subconscious mindset of “I hope so!”

While it is understandable that many times in our ever-changing lives, we are faced with things that can absolutely destroy our faith, push us to a point in which we may not realize how confident we were in our younger years, or even just something discouraging that honestly makes one doubt the reality of a chance in heaven, Christians need to stand firm on their hope of eternal life!

1 Peter 3:15 talks about that hope that we need to carry. Peter tells his audience that they need to be ready to give an answer…an answer of the defense of the hope that we must have. Too often it seems, that defense is short-sighted and can be knocked down way too easily.

Here are four things to remember about our hope of Blessed Assurance!

1. Certainty - we must be certain of our ideology in heaven and the way to get there. Jesus has already “paved” the way for us. (John 3:15-16) Paul also tells us that we can be certain that NOTHING can take that away from us once we are obedient to Him (Romans 8:31-39)

2. Confidence - we must have confidence in our salvation. Hebrews 10:19-23 tells us of the powerful tenet that we have that can be embraced “as we see that Day approaching.” 2 Timothy 1:7-12 tells us to not have fear in our lives when it concerns our faith in God and promise of eternal life.

3. Conviction - The Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 6:11-19 that we MUST have diligence toward our hope of eternal life. We must set our sites and true them in daily in order to have that blessed assurance that we have been offered. We MUST continue to grow in faith, learning, and love toward the Savior as we diligently study, learn, and seek opportunities to share with others.

4. Continuity - Once we have obeyed that form of doctrine as is described in Romans 6, we must continue living faithful lives toward God, with our Savior and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was writing to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-10, there were some challenges. The church in Ephesus was an example of one that had done some great things…however, Jesus charges them with something that seems so disappointing. He says “you have left your first love.” He does give a hope that if they return that things will be okay for them…but then he ends His thoughts in this letter to the church with “be faithful unto (some translations say until) death” and they would receive the crown of life. Interestingly enough, many times a very big part of context is missed in this passage. Here it is…these people….our brothers and sisters in Christ…were about to be persecuted SO HARD that some of them would even experience death. The text alludes to ten days. TEN DAYS. Can you imagine being persecuted in such a way for ten days in such agony, knowing that the outcome would and could be death…would that be a test of faith? For most…it would. The words of Jesus here are a comfort. They are an admonition to press on…keep on keeping on…hold strong to their faith…because the reward IS coming!

Blessed Assurance…Jesus is mine! Are YOU going to heaven? If you cannot answer with Certainty, having the Confidence of your answer, being Convicted of your relationship with God, and Continuing to live a life that is toward righteousness, please give consideration today to your soul and eternity!

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In the field…

As fall has approached, many congregations are winding down from special meetings, days and so on. As you are, we would like to ask that one of our field reps be able to talk to you about a visit.

Many times, we find out that there are a lot of members of the church that do not know how they can utilize the resources on our website, the program, our app, and so on. We want to make sure that YOU know as well as everyone around you. We would love to come and visit with you soon! Give us a call at 855-458-3905.

We have launched on several new local markets once again this month, and as a reminder, you can find us Nationwide on FETV, Roku, AppleTV, and online.

Until next month!

~Joey

Fall is at hand...leaves aren't the only things changing!

As was announced last month, we have made a decision to not renew our contract with NewsNation. This was a very difficult decision; however, just in a few weeks time, it has proven that the switch to FETV is a great move for our program as we have experienced a lot of new viewer activity!

We do know that not every location and platform has FETV, and we are hoping to see them add more soon. You can go to www.FETV.tv and click on their channel finder to find out how you can watch locally, or request that your cable system will provide the network at a later date.

In the meantime, don’t forget our app - www.gettheapp.org, we are on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, and over 30 locally aired networks across the country. Our website has the latest information on channels and locations.

Around the field - Scott and Joey both have appointments to meet with congregations in the coming weeks. The ability to make it to more congregations has indeed been a blessing. There are a lot of souls that need to be reached, and we hope to help your congregation “arm” themselves with the many resources that The Gospel of Christ has to offer.

If you have not had a field rep visit, please contact us. We would be happy to see if we can make one work…soon!

Happy fall y’all!!

Until next month.

~Joey

Where did we go? - We are still here!!

It has definitely been an interesting summer!

With the field rep program, we were able to meet with multiple congregations in many states including Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Mississippi, as well as make new acquaintance via phone and email with several others.

Exciting news has been the crux of the summer for us. We have launched over a half a dozen new local markets including Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Albany GA, Columbus, Chattanooga, Biloxi, Beckley/Bluefield, Birmingham, and more! We aren’t finished just yet either!

As has been mentioned, this past Sunday was sort of a sad day for us as well. August 29th was our last airing on the former WGN (now NewsNation) due to multiple changes in the platform and the audience they hold. We launched several weeks prior on FETV on Sunday mornings and we have gotten so much great feedback from this network, that we still believe this was the right decision in order to continue our road map of growth and sustainability through 2021 and beyond. So, yes…we will miss WGN…but we absolutely love the response we have been getting from FETV. You can find what channels FETV are on at www.FETV.TV under the channel finder, or visit our website and click on “Broadcasts” to see a list of those as well as all of the local markets we are now in.

GUAM! Wade Phillips visited with me a few months back and we discussed his missionary work in the area of Guam. He was scheduled to take a trip this summer…and did. Prior to his trip, he came by our office and packed up several DVDs and we discussed how great it would be to have a broadcast there. Well…after he did some leg work, and we did some negotiating, we are now on CBS on Sunday afternoons in Guam! Special thanks to Wade and Joanna for their diligence in getting this going, publicizing it, as well as helping find individuals and congregations that would sponsor and support this new effort.

With the launch of several new markets, congregations have asked about our “church finder” site as well as how to be a “sponsoring congregation” that has their name on the program. We invite your congregations’ leadership to reach out to talk with us about some of the things we are doing to get your information in front of lots of people. We would be glad to discuss it more. Just give us a call or email me at joey@thegospelofchrist.com for more information.

Our website has been very active this year. We have reached all new records on both the site, number of visitors, and on our app. This is a great time to have a digital evangelism opportunity with your community and we would be glad to help with some ideas for you.

Finally, I personally want to thank you for all of your encouragement, prayers and support of the program. I recently celebrated my 4th anniversary with the program and it has been an incredible journey in ministry that I never imagined would be what it is. I know I speak for all of us when I say “thank you” for caring about people’s souls and working alongside this wonderful program to do what we can to Take the Whole Gospel to the Whole World!

What's new for you? - Lots!

Our media and field rep programs have been very busy lately.

About a dozen new congregations have been met with over the past 3 months in 5 different states, and many more are scheduled. We have some very exciting things happening and we want to share those with you.

New Markets!

We have signed agreements to broadcast in some new television local markets once again! We added Orlando recently with some stellar response. We debut in Houston on August 1 on 55.1 Quest, and in Bluefield/Beckley in September. We are working on other opportunities as we speak and would welcome your thoughts on areas that we could add for our viewers!

Updated series!

This year, we embarked upon a production schedule like never before. As you can imagine, with the many changes that not only our country and world have experienced, with Ben moving to North Alabama to preach, our offices and studio relocating at the end of 2020, and just all of the scheduling challenges in general, this was a very bold undertaking.

It has been very successful! Not only have we updated many of our New Testament Books lessons, we have updated several of the lessons that had not been in over 5 years, such as Special Studies, the church of Christ series, and soon to be recorded - Godly Homes in an Ungodly World with an interesting set configuration.

Successful trial run!

We took a leap of faith and launched on FETV about 6-8 weeks back. FETV is a nationwide network on most cable and satellite platforms. We are airing at 5:00 ET on Sunday mornings. The response has been phenomenal. This is a channel that has a lot of family based programs and we feel very at home in this environment! We have indefinitely extended our time on this platform and hope that you will join in and set your recorder as well!

New interactive web content!

Our church finder page - www.findthelordschurch.com - has taken on a new look. We have implemented an interactive map that shows all of our supporting congregations (based on a 2 year history), their address, and you can easily click on the map to find more information or directions. There are currently over 145 congregations listed and we are adding more weekly.

This map also is interactive to display our local market broadcast areas with channel information, time and sponsoring congregation information! So now, you can find a congregation near you, or when traveling, as well as find basic information about a broadcast in your area!

One major change that needs to be announced!

Sadly, with all of the positive changes we have made known, a negative change is soon coming.

You may remember that we launched our first ever nationwide broadcast last June on an iconic American broadcast platform - WGN America. We also shared with you after the first of the year, a major change to that network in a rebranding to NewsNation.

Since that time, from our demographics and statistics that we have access to, the viewing audience has somewhat changed from the envelope that was WGN to the new NewsNation. There are still a lot of opportunities on NewsNation for us; however, after much consideration, as well as an expiration of our current contract, and some market information that we have been given that shows that our viewership has declined on this platform, we will be leaving this particular broadcast after the August 29th episode.

We will certainly miss being on just before our good friend and brother Phil Sanders with In Search; however, we do hope that you will change your recorder to catch us either locally (as we continue to add major markets and networks), or on our new Nationwide platform - FETV. You can find your provider and channel number at www.fetv.tv/channels or by clicking below:

We hope you will continue to pray with us for many more successful launches in new markets, and for great opportunities to evangelize and reach many more souls with the loving message of Jesus!

~Joey Ferrell

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Stay "tuned" in for more TGOC! - From the field and around the WWW

When we launched a nationwide broadcast last summer, we made some very difficult decisions to pull back in some of our local markets as well as national feeds on satellite on multiple channels. At that time, we were broadcasting to a potential of over 40 million households across the US alone not to mention some other countries.

NewsNation (formerly WGN) more than doubled that exposure for us with reaching up to 80 million households potential, so it was one of those necessary evils in which we had to cut budget to make budget work.

Our supporting congregations and individuals just continued to help us press forward and slowly over this past year, we have re-entered several local broadcast markets! We are over 20 local broadcasts now, with still seeing possibilities to expand through this year with more locally sponsored programs.

In many of these local markets, we have been very blessed to receive commitments of sponsorship of the program. What this means is that these congregations are helping us with part or whole of the expenses that it takes to broadcast in those areas. I would like to spotlight these congregations that have dedicated support directly to those programs (of course this does not cover all of our supporting congregations…these are the ones that have dedicated a certain or additional amount of support for their local market). These congregations are also advertised on the programs itself in an effort for us to “give back” to them with contact information.

How well does this work? Well…how about a first week’s airing in a brand new local market that resulted in our new sister in Christ, Anna Taylor? To God be the glory that Anna reached out to us and we were able to connect her with the local congregation there. More on that story next month in our newsletter!.

Here are the local markets with sponsoring congregations:

Atlanta, GA - Bremen church of Christ
Baton Rouge, LA - Gonzales church of Christ
W. Monroe, LA - Beacon church of Christ
Shreveport, LA - Hope church of Christ
Oklahoma City, OK - Del City church of Christ
Joplin, MO - Joplin church of Christ (26th and Conneccticut)
Little Rock, AR - Judsonia church of Christ
Smithville (DTC), TN - Alexandria church of Christ and Chestnut Mound church of Christ
Mobile/Pensacola - Central church of Christ (Saraland) and Pensacola area churches of Christ
Panama City, FL - Freeport church of Christ and Church of Christ at the Beaches (Port St Joe)
Pikeville, KY - Main Street church of Christ
Columbus, GA - Torch Hill church of Christ
Dothan, AL - Abbeville church of Christ
Huntsville, AL - Plainview church of Christ and Simpson Point church of Christ
Wichita Falls, TX/Lawton, OK - Sullivan Village church of Christ
Omaha, NE - Sunny Slope church of Christ
Orlando, FL - Concord Street church of Christ

Thank you so much to these and all of our supporting congregations and individuals for helping to Take the Whole Gospel to the Whole World….one precious soul at a time!

Want to know more about how you can help? Have one of our field reps schedule a visit to meet with the congregation and tell you more about the program and our upcoming plans.

We have a couple of really exciting things to tell you about very soon!

Spring is in the air.... - Lot's of things happening.

We are seeing the beauty of spring in Middle Tennessee. The cold weather isn’t completely gone yet with the what seems like dozens of “winters” that come near spring. Going from one extreme to the other in just a matter of days sure does work on my allergies, sinus, and tiredness.

Isn’t that sort of what happens with our spiritual lives too? We get supercharged sometimes because we are able to meet with our brethren at the assembly on Sunday, and then on Monday we are still sort of hyped about the lesson we may have heard (or preached)…then by Tuesday maybe the air gets a bit cooler. Many congregations will have a Wednesday night Bible study and that can help charge us back up…but what about if we cannot make it…how does Thursday look. And oh boy…Friday is rolling around and we are super excited because it is the weekend…and then we see rain and cold in the forecast.

Sin certainly can creep in like a cold and wet day any time in our lives, and even though Fridays are pretty exciting days for one reason or another, it is even more exciting to think about the opportunity we have to worship our God and His son Jesus on Sunday once again with the saints.

Don’t let a “gloomy” day cause you to lose your spiritual excitement. Friday is here…but Sunday is coming!

Maybe you don’t know the spiritual excitement that I am speaking about. If you don’t, we would love to talk with you and maybe help you with some studies. Just call or visit our website and shoot us an email.

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Here we come!!! We are launching in numerous new television markets right now. This is a very exciting time for us as a program and it looks like we will be on about 20 local markets (in addition to NewsNation/WGN nationwide) very soon!

Here are some of the newer markets:

Dothan, AL

Columbus, GA

Albany, GA

Little Rock, AR

Shreveport, LA

Biloxi, MS

Wichita Falls, TX/Lawton, OK

and there are more to come!

Are you interested in seeing us local to your area? Congregations can help us get there by sponsoring the program. We negotiate our broadcasts down to a very affordable and reasonable amount in our local markets. This is especially important because when a congregation has the opportunity to sponsor the program, it is a very easy work to take on…and reach many more souls than most other platforms. Sponsoring congregations also have their name on the broadcast - directing viewers to reach out or visit the local congregation! It is a win-win-win so to speak. The sponsorship helps us to get the program in more places, it helps the church with exposure to their name and address, and most importantly, it becomes an available resource that helps bring souls to Christ! 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 is one of our favorite passages when it comes to working together to spread the message!

Let us know if you would like more information.

Our new church finder address is reaching a LOT of people. You may want to bookmark www.findthelordschurch.com as a resource that lists our supporting congregations across the United States.

Until next month…

May God bless!

~Joey