‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ John 13:34
There is no greater way to show love to our neighbours than to give them the greatest gift, the hope of Jesus and the blessing of eternal life with Him! What a life-giving and life-changing gift that is!
The Gospel of John has been delivered in NT and WA over the last few weeks and it launched in Tasmania on Saturday. We had four key locations – Launceston, Queenstown, Sandy Bay and Lindisfarne, but there has been volunteer engagement all across the State, with delivering happening from St Helens to Smithton, Penguin to Sorrell, Huonville to Devonport and everywhere in between. The gospel is going out to all corners of Tasmania and it’s so exciting to see God’s Word being delivered to so many people! There are 43,000 gospels in Tasmania, which will be placed into the hands of people across our island state who may not know Jesus yet. What a blessing it is to share the good news with our community!
One of the most exciting aspects of the Day on Action on Saturday was the fact that we, in Tasmania – the most southern state – were delivering gospels at the same time as the northern-most state – QLD. Also, the team in Alice Springs, NT joined us for a second Day of Action – what troopers! Across TAS, QLD and NT all manner of weather, terrain and conditions were experienced, which is another reminder of the vastness of our country and God’s creativity as He created red earth, rainforests, barren hills, beach side towns and so much more across our beautiful country. What a testament of His Sovereignty!
Over the weekend, approximately 60 volunteers were involved with delivery and more than 4,000 gospels were popped into letterboxes or hand-delivered through face to face conversations. Since Saturday, many new volunteers have become involved and almost all of the 43,000 gospels have been allocated, with delivery continuing in the coming weeks. It’s inspiring to see volunteers across the state and country working at the same time for a common purpose – to share the Good News of Jesus and to make His Name known to all ends of the earth.
On Saturday our volunteer teams gathered together to pray. Community prayer is powerful and we know God heard, as He promised in His Word, but also showed us through His response. There were so many instances of answered prayer – we were blessed with good weather (and the rain held out), volunteers had opportunities to have positive face to face conversations, many people who were offered a gospel accepted them and we even heard of one person who was so touched to receive a gospel that it brought her to tears. Please join me in continuing to pray for those people who received a gospel, that they read it and respond to the call.
In Launceston many volunteers came to collect boxes with their families and headed out together to do the deliveries. It’s been exciting to hear that many positive conversations have been had and a large number of locals gratefully received the gospel. There was even one gentleman who declined the offer of a gospel as he ‘isn’t religious’ but wished the volunteer God’s blessings for their work. God works mightily in so many ways!
As we were delivering in Zeehan, some children approached us to ask what we were doing, to which we replied, ‘We are giving out this very precious book, which is the story of Jesus.’ The children said that they didn’t know who Jesus was, but they wanted to and asked if they could have a book each. It was so sweet to see how happy they were to receive a gospel. The cutest part was seeing the children run off in glee, waving their gospels in the air shouting ‘look at my special book’, and returning moments later with their siblings who were hoping to receive one too. One of the parents popped out to speak to us and it was encouraging to see that he was struck by how happy his children were. Now we’re praying that the children ask their parents to read the gospel out loud and that the family can see who Jesus is through doing so.
In Queenstown several people engaged in conversations about what it means to be a Christian and took a gospel, despite initially declining the offer.
In Hobart it was great to see the volunteer teams gather and have a time of fellowship before heading out with their boxes. It was encouraging to see so many people leave the venues with multiple maps, multiple boxes and much enthusiasm.
I would like to sincerely thank all the volunteers across Tasmania who are involved with this campaign. I’m so encouraged by your commitment, zeal and desire to spread God’s Word. What a blessing it is to be united as brothers and sisters in Christ as we spread the goodness of God’s grace and truth to our neighbours. It’s been such a privilege to witness God working mightily through you all! May you be richly blessed as you use your time and talents to serve our Father in Heaven.
Also, an extra big thank you to our Volunteer Leaders across Tasmania who have been fantastic throughout this campaign. Thank you for your commitment and your devotion to serving ACL, our volunteers and, above all, our Saviour.
We pray that God continues to bless the Gospel of John project over the next few months. Please join us in prayer. Pray for all the volunteers, the logistics of the campaign, the team leaders, that any attacks of the devil may be thwarted and pray that those who receive a gospel read it, so that Jesus can transform hearts to be shaped like His. Please also pray that God uses our efforts powerfully, and for His purposes.
We look forward to hearing the testimonies of your experiences in the coming weeks. If you are a volunteer with us, please send us your photos and share with us your stories of involvement. We’d love to hear from you!
There is still time to join the Gospel of John campaign if you haven’t already. Sign up at www.acl.org.au/volunteer and you’ll be able to join a local team. To God be the glory!
‘As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55:10,11
Photos from the TAS Day of Action
