International (MNN)—When the Philippines were struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake, followed by typhoons, there were preachers ready to step in—thanks in part to a former gang leader, according to Helen Williams of World Missionary Press.
“This man, he was public enemy number one, gang leader for years in the Philippines, and he found the Lord. He started following Jesus in prison,” says Williams.
“Ever since the beginning of World Missionary Press, our goal has been to get the Word out to all nations, and we’ve trusted the Lord to provide day in and day out. And for the past 60 years, He’s provided everything we need to accomplish this mission.”
(Graphic, caption courtesy of World Missionary Press)
From there, he discipled many other gang members and criminals over the years. So when disaster hit Cebu City, these preachers were there to share the Gospel, handing out Scripture booklets—similar to the same booklet that originally led him to Jesus.
“It was the Scripture booklets that were the tools that led him to the Lord, and then he discipled others, and now he’s one of those boldly going to where the people need him the most with the booklets and just doing a great work,” says Williams.
According to her, hundreds of thousands of World Mission Press scripture booklets have been distributed to the area. This isn’t an isolated event for World Missionary Press, which prints and ships free, accessible Scripture booklets in over 350 languages, in large quantities, around the world.
“The Lord has people in place, and when these things come up, it’s our job to keep them supplied.”
World Missionary Press work to keep booklets on the shelves of their partner ministries, providing enough not just for church and congregation use, but also extra for when disaster strikes, like it did in the Philippines—and in Myanmar.
When a 7.7-7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, a local ministry mobilized churches and volunteers to provide emergency relief. Their approach focused on two components: humanitarian assistance and spiritual care, including the Scripture booklets.
Williams shares the testimony of one woman who had lost several family members and her home in the earthquake:
(Graphic courtesy of World Missionary Press)
“She shared that in the days following the disaster, she felt overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness, believing she had nothing left to live for. When she received a World Missionary Press Scripture booklet, she read it repeatedly. She said, ‘Everything I owned was gone and I had nothing left, but the words of this booklet told me that God still loves me and has not forsaken me. It gave mestrength to stand again.’”
World Missionary Press relies on donations to help keep their partner ministries supplied. Williams asks for prayer to help keep their staff focused, but especially for those who receive the booklets and are on the front lines, offering hope to those who need it most.
“When the Word is there, it brings the comfort, it brings the hope, it brings the reality of eternity for those that they have lost,” says Williams.
Learn more about World Missionary Press at wmpress.org.
Header photo courtesy of World Missionary Press.
