Chin bles - Cloverdale Bibleway
Transcription
Chin bles - Cloverdale Bibleway
November 2015 Believers Faith Challenge Report In This Issue: • • • • • • • C hin Chinese KJV Bible Printed Reports from Asia Ethiopia Receiving the Bread of Life Radio Broadcast Shaking Uganda Outreach Around the World Spanish Translation Update and Much More... B bles Just Released! The Chinese King James Version Bible A Triumph and a Treasure T he development of this Chinese King James Bible is the result of the careful and prayerful cooperation by many. Believers in China noticed that the existing Chinese “Union Bible” contained many differences from the Bible Brother Branham quoted. They recorded the differences as they came across them. They also discovered that a group of denominational Christians in Hong Kong had noticed some omissions in the “Union Bible”, and had attempted a translation. In 2011, Bible Believers, taking this version as a starting point, began working to improve it. The first revision was finished in 2012, but the Bible is no normal book; accuracy is paramount. A review by many eyes was necessary to create a version not only worthy of the original English King James Version, but also worthy of the many believers who would depend on it for Spiritual guidance. Over the next two years the team reviewed the entire draft at least three more times, cover to cover, consulting also with native English speakers to be certain of the sense of each passage. Still not complete, the draft was sent for review to a larger team of native Chinese speakers. The King James Version was placed side by side with the Union Bible, and carefully reviewed. More than 20 believers examined the draft, including Pastors, Ministers, Message Translators, University English Teachers who believe the Message, and other Believers both in China and North America. Every person involved was a Message Believer. Deep respect for the timeless Truth of the scriptures dominated the atmosphere. The final draft that emerged was not rushed, but was bathed in prayer, and was reviewed by many reverent, sanctified eyes. Knowing they were handling the HISTORICAL NOTE: When the translators for the English King James Bible convened in 1604, it was the culmination of a process. A group of believers known as the Puritans had become increasingly unsatisfied with the “Bishop’s Bible,” then in use, finding flaws in it, and crying for reform both of it, and of the whole Church of England. This pattern has repeated in China. The Bishop’s Bible, like other Bibles of the time, was based largely on the translation of one man, William Tyndale, and his effort was inspired by the earlier work of John Wycliff. Though these men were anointed for their work, no single individual had sufficient perspective to produce the kind of Bible translation the masses were crying for. 2 spiritual lifeline of millions of future readers, the process was allowed to come to full maturity. Truly the making of the Chinese King James Bible was a team effort, and the final result can be received with confidence that the utmost care has been taken to deliver the most accurate rendering possible. For final publishing, it was decided to place the Union Bible and the Chinese King James Version side by side in one volume, providing the reader with full disclosure of what has been altered and where. Readers will see that where the Union Bible was in agreement with the King James Version, its language has been left untouched. Interestingly, this was also the policy of the English King James translators of 1611, who modified the Bishop’s Bible only where necessary (see Historical Note below). A government approved printer The King James Version ended up being the work of 47 scholars, working for 7 years, commissioned to carefully review every sentence, phrase, and word, for both accuracy and prose. The translators did not make a new translation from the very beginning. The words of prior English Bibles rang loudly in the ears of churchmen, and these versions were consulted to maintain harmony of style. The King James Version ended up being a revision of many earlier English Bibles. It is claimed that over 90% of the final language is pure Tyndale, an astonishing compliment to his work, but the revision and correction of the other 10% was indispensable. Though not intentional, the development of the Chinese King James Bible had many similarities. From the Desk of Brother Ed Byskal... Dear Friends: I am delighted to announce to you that the new King James Version of the Chinese Bible is now completed. This Bible is unlike ANY Bible on earth and is truly a Triumph and a Treasure! has been selected for the initial publication, and we are happy to announce that the Chinese King James Bible is off the press and ready for use! The release of the Chinese King James Bible is truly a triumph of faith and cooperation, a treasure that every Chinese believer may welcome with joy. The Union Bible New Testament is a translation based primarily on only TWO ancient manuscripts, and has many omissions. But the King James Version is based on the agreement of over 5000 ancient manuscripts. Finally, a full 400 years after the English King James version was released, the Chinese people have available to them in their own language ALL the words that have been traditionally handed down to the Protestant church. upon it that placed it in the center of every spiritual revival in the English speaking world for the next 400 years. We hope and expect the same will be true in China. The King James Bible was the choice of William Branham, placing him as the latest in a long stream of anointed ministers who made the same choice. “I’m satisfied to take the King James…It’s waved the storms longer than any translation yet, and I just believe it that way.” Israel and the Church, 53-0325 Praise be to God that now the Chinese speaking people have their very own copy of the most anointed Bible version ever produced. Allow me to share just a very brief background of this indescribable Spiritual Event. The incredible achievement of this Chinese King James Version of the Bible is most unique in every way largely because it is solely the work of the most dedicated Believers I have ever been privileged to work with. In recent years, as the Message began to spread into China, it became evident to the Believers that their Union Bible in many instances did not compare with what Brother Branham was reading from the King James Version English Bible. The Believers then began to meticulously diarize all errors and omissions. It became increasingly evident that something HAD to be done; the people of China have a right to an accurate Bible. A decision was taken to undertake the painstaking task of providing all Chinese-speaking people of the world, with the most accurate King James Version of the Holy Bible. With great joy and hearts filled with thanksgiving to God, we can now officially announce to you that these Bibles are now printed and available to the public. THERE’S MORE... The success of the English King James Bible has been legendary, as God poured out a blessing A Bible App has also been completed and is available to read on your Android hand-held device. Soon it will be available for computer. I am overjoyed to announce that Bible verses Brother Branham used or referred to have been identified, and with just a tap of your finger you may go instantly to any and every message where Brother Branham referred to any given scripture and read what the Prophet of God said about that scripture. Simply put, God’s vindicated Prophet becomes the commentary of this Bible. Bible Believers invites you to rejoice with us at this milestone event. We trust that God will use the labors of all who have sacrificed so much to complete and present this labor of love to the Bride Body of Jesus Christ. God bless you, The first Bibles from the Chinese printing press Brother Ed Byskal 3 a letter from CHINA Dear Saints, ina, where by God’s iting this report from Ch wr I’m t! ris Ch us Jes rd Lo our s trip has been to finish Greetings in the name of The main purpose of thi w. no nth mo a r ove for ing dedicated brothers and grace I have been minister r years of labor by many fou er Aft le. Bib es Jam g nt! se Kin ing. The next task is to pri the printing of the Chine translating and proofread the ed ish fin ally fin e hav es. One of the sisters, we nister in different church mi to ily fam my h wit traveling Meanwhile, I have been China. p in the southern part of cam th you the s highlights wa tains! s in the Nan Ping Moun “Mountaintop” Meeting es, skits, and even supernatural. The servic re we g Pin n Na in s ng e service I felt days of meeti ing God’s invitation. In on ept By God’s grace the three acc ut abo el nn cha e ards a pastor’s wife red in the sam ject of depression. Afterw the activities were all gea sub the d an et, ph Pro d and exposed nment of the e. The Word had discerne tim g led to speak on the discer lon a for n sio res had fought dep came up and told how she ivered after the service. del ally people. They the devil! She was tot meetings” with over 100 l ega “ill se the te iga est pped ey wanted to inv who owned the place sto Then, the police came. Th a service, but the woman of le xt day. dd ne mi the the in in aga ht e rig d they would com rne wa arrived when we were t bu , left ey Th . irs the high-speed m come upsta ing back, and also stopping them and would not let the com m fro lice po the A day! on hit, stopping cut short, we had an EXTR ng bei s But the next day a typho ng eti me the of d ve the city! Instea train so no one could lea ce of the Lord came down e up for prayer. The Presen cam le op pe an evening ng you ny rd. The last night we had Lo the After the last service ma to s art he ir the e e repentance, they gav ls. The young people gav mightily, and in tears of d children all sang specia an le the op w pe ho ng ed you tifi tes the d lts ny adu of singing and praise, an ny were set free. Even ma ma rd, Wo the of ing ach testimony how by the pre s that were hopeless. rit and souls in situation spi ir the in m the d ale he Word liverances! More Meetings, More De prayer. As she ination came forward for om den er oth an m fro s o wa t year, the same woman In another city, a sister wh was here ministering las e Ra m To r the Bro hen her. W ssessed by a demon. approached I recognized m recognized she was po To r the Bro st. ue req e sam not. This time, she had come to him with the that spirit, but she would up e giv st mu she t tha told her eiving the “Holy Brother Tom prayed and ng” where people were rec eti me n stia hri “C a to n had bee wonderful but then explained to me that she at that time. At first she felt her o int e cam d” Go of irit , “That’s not the Holy Spirit”. She felt that the “Sp very confused. I told her s wa e Sh . her nt me tor d to oat. I rebuked her and whatever was in her starte g strange noises in her thr kin ma d n rte sta she n the ” Just to give it up, or I can’t eve Spirit, that’s an evil spirit. , but she must first want on dem . the her t’s in tha ng ing rki d wo explain that was the spirit of Go commanded her to stop, ause she always believed bec , those years. She sed all pri sur ved s cei wa de e n Sh . bee pray for her that she had lize rea to an beg she , her with into tears, crying out for As we continued to work to pray for her, she broke d rte sta we hen W . red delive had never felt so released. cried out and asked to be , amazed, saying said she up od sto she ed ish fin we God to deliver her. When ! red ive tized. Jesus Christ is She was del lives, and new people bap ed ng cha ny ma d sse ne e wit ue ministering these Over the past month I hav South tomorrow to contin ing go am I r. eve for d ay an still the same yesterday tod . life of rds wonderful wo The Lord bless you, Brother Murphy 4 2015 Youth Camp in Southern China Cambodia Brother Samuel and Brother Paul newly ordained to the ministry in Cambodia Laos I t was with grea t joy this past Ju ne that Brother travelled to Cam Nestor Espano bodia to ordain la two brothers in Brother Samue to the ministry. l and Brother Pa taking the posi ul were both or tion of pastor in dained, the form the local church er would be the fir . These two brot st two ministers hers from the local preach this glor people ordained ious Message in to Cambodia. This cess of planting ha , watering, and patiently waiting s been a long proincrease. How for God to brin wonderful it is g the that the Messa country. ge has taken ro ot in that With a newly su pplied motorcy cle both of thes dreds of kilom e brothers trav eters to spread el hunthe Message in congregation, w Cambodia. Thou hich they are bo gh their th a part of, is sm than 10 Believe all (consisting rs), the Lord is of less drawing the atte the country to ntion of many this Message. around One of the grea t needs is transl ation. Thankful educated and ar ly both brothers e able to comm are it sufficient tim er Branham’s se e to translate B rmons into the rothlocal language, travel they deliv Khmer. While er the newly tr they anslated messa pastors, and in ge s to many chur terested people ches, around the coun over 100 Khmer try. To date ther translations on e are the Message H great success st ub, which is trul ory considerin ya g the few years on. this work has be en going While on his jo urney, Brother Nestor was able denominationa to minister to m l Christians. Th any e Word of this eyes and bringi Hour is openin ng people out of g spiritual systems into th children of God e glorious liber . ty of the Please pray for these brothers and their fledg largely supporte ling work. Whi d by Believers le it is C hristian Fellow can be sent thro ship in Ohio, do ugh Bible Belie nations vers for the wor k in Cambodia. Below: Brother Bounmie (far left) with Brother Nestor Espanola introducting the Message B rother Bounmie and Brother Bounchuen continue strong in the communist country of Laos. Despite the persecution that these two ministers suffer, many are embracing the Message of the Hour. Only one soul filled with the Holy Spirit can manifest the Word. With God, he can turn his country upside down. Recently a local pastor asked about Matthew 28 (Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). He told them that if we don’t believe this, why don’t we just peel off the page instead and just leave Acts 2:38 (Baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ). They replied that they believe Acts 2:38, however they also believed Matthew 28, so we have no reason to peel it off. Nevertheless, one can read in the Bible that the apostles baptized more than 8,000 souls in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again it was asked of the local pastor if the apostles made a mistake in doing this, because if this is wrong, he should be peel off that page in the Bible as well. The local pastor then realized that he personally needs this right baptism. In this simple way the Message is spread. Above: Brother Bounchuen (at left) sharing the Message despite opposition Brother Bounchuen, you may recall, was the pastor that got kicked out in his church and community after receiving the Message. With the help of Believers in the US and Australia he was able to purchase a small piece of land and build a house. He testified in his broken English that after accepting the Message, he experienced such freedom he never felt while he was in the denomination. He was encouraged to press on amidst persecution and he never felt one bit of regret for standing on the Word of God ...and God did not overlook his sacrifice. It is said in Isaiah 41:10 ...fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. News reached him that the village he left was cursed after he was kicked out and the people in the community wanted him and his family to return. Indeed, God’s Word never changes! As it is written in Romans 8:31...If God is for us, who can be against us? Now the government is evicting ALL the people in the community out of their land with no apparent reason! They can now clearly see their mistake and Brother Bounchuen’s new blessed life while they suffer the consequence. They are begging for him to return but it’s now too late. Brother Bounmie, on the other hand, continues to preach the Message in the denominational church where he attends. They weren’t able to kick him out because the members believe him and they find no fault in what he teaches. His courage to preach the Message with the danger of imprisonment is truly inspiring. Fortunately, the police find no reason to arrest him as well. Even though their trip was cut short during last year’s Asian Ministers’ Conference in Manila, the police told them that it is not them that wants the arrest but the bishops in his own church. All the threats were to no avail and Brother Bounmie continues to preach the Gospel and even baptize souls! This makes their mother church hate him more and more everyday (Continued on page 15...) 5 Ethiopia Receiving the Bread of Life And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:4-6) O L to R: Bro. Lisan, Bro. Moges, Bro. Bus, Bro. Yidenek, Bro. Nat, Bro. Timothy Baptism of Bro. Gashaw Sister Marta happily working at her cafe 6 ne bright morning, Brother Busobozi (Brother Bus) had an appointment to meet someone but because the person could not make it, Brother Bus along with Brother Moges decided to check at the post office where two boxes of Message books from End Time Message Tabernacle in Edmonton, Canada had arrived for him to pick up. This was the second time to pick up such Message materials, but this time Mr. Berhanu, the post officer, can’t help but ask what they came to receive. Brother Moges answers him, “Megebu” interpreted to mean “Food” which he later clarified to the man as “the bread of life.” Excited, the man asks to receive some messages, which Brother Bus is happy to give to him. Mr. Berhanu then introduced his son, Million, to Brother Bus over the phone. As a result, Million who is a young Presbyterian theologian in his twenties, together with Theodore, a highly educated man and lay leader of the currently unofficial Presbyterian Church in Ethiopia, meet with Brother Bus during a two week period. Both hear about the End Time Message for their first time; The Godhead, Original Sin, Predestination, Church Ages, Malachi 4, The Holy Ghost among others were topics of discussion during the time of their meetings. They were on the verge of being convinced that it is the Truth, however, they could not make the decision because then it was a great price for them to pay. Not only on the part of the finances but also on their doctrine of Hyper Calvinism that gave them liberty to do whatever they pleased in life because salvation is by grace and not by works. Pray for these two men that God may continue to reveal Himself to them. Meanwhile; through these two men, there was a third man whose name is Nat, an Eritrean who was part of the fellowship of the Presbyterian Church but was forced to dig deeper into the Word after hearing Brother Bus expound the present Truth. He was com- pelled to borrow a small player of the Message from Brother Bus so as to hear the voice of the End Time Prophet. Nat, being an Eritrean refugee couldn’t get a job because it is illegal for a refugee to be employed in Ethiopia. He related to Brother Bus how he could not take care of his wife and several children due to this ordeal. Touched, Brother Bus felt to ask him if he believed in prayer (the Presbyterian Church doctrine he has been attending believes days of miracles is past) and Nat agreed. This compelled Brother Bus to tell him that he wished he could help his family with money but since he did not have it, he should take as much as he can – Pray that God will “create” a job for him, and that it would be a sign for him that the Message he has been listening to is TRUE. Without hesitating, Nat joined his hands to Brother Bus and they prayed that God would create a job for him. Within two days, Nat called to say that God had given him a job. Praise the Lord! Since then, Nat has decided to leave his former church and attend with the believers of the Message. In the May 2015 Believers Faith Challenge Update, a testimony was given about Sister Fre; an unusual person who contacted Brother Bus. She has been growing steadily and recently witnessed to a workmate named Gashaw, a former wizard who also invited his recently made contact Lisan to the fellowship. Gashaw had never been baptized, while Lisan was immersed in “Jesus” Name for his “salvation” while working in Djibouti. But when they heard Brother Bus expound the Word, Lisan exclaimed that he wanted to be identified with the fullness of Christ in Christian baptism and both of them were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to God! Both now attend the work in Addis Ababa. Reports about Sister Marta, the lady that had been a street girl for over 10 years have been given in the past. The May update about her was that through the support of Bible Believers, Brother Bus has now been able to help her get a small café started in the lower part of Addis Ababa city. She is now very happy and we are hoping she can now be able to take care of herself from this small business going forward as she grows spiritually. We solicit your continued prayers for her. According to Brother Bus, things have changed much from the time he and Sister Rebecca first landed in this historic land in early 2013. From practically no one to fellowship with, there is now a regular number of about 15 that come to Brother Bus’ house to hear The Message of the Hour. Out of about 25 baptized over that time, 11 live in Addis Ababa and can make it to the fellowship. Travel and outreach are frequent. Brother Bus just arrived back from the city of Mekelle, a trip of 1200 kms (750 miles) where two more were baptized. Before the baptisms, Sister Helen, a new convert called the man that baptized her previously in Addis and asked him questions: Sis. Helen, “Is Father a Name?” The man, “No!” “That means Son, and Holy Ghost are not names either?” said Sis. Helen. The man, “Sure.” Sis. Helen, “Why then did you baptise me in the titles and not the Name? Is trinity biblical?” The man, “I can answer that, but can you stand it?” Sis. Helen, “If it’s the truth, I will...” The man, “Trinity is not bibilical but a doctrine of the Church...” Sis. Helen, “In that case, I will today be baptised in the NAME,” and she hung up. There is more good news to report, that after waiting for approximately four months, the Government has accepted the application for a license to operate as a legal church ministry in Ethiopia! Brother Bus reports that after a few more pending processes, the license will be ready by the end of October. This license will enable the church to have a publicly recognized location as well as freely conduct outreaches throughout the land. The work of Brother Bus and the translation work within Ethiopia is fully supported by Bible Believers. Your support and prayers are having a huge impact in the previously unreached country of Ethiopia. The Believers enjoying fellowship after a service Good news from the translation work project. Brother Abebe from the city of Adama has rejoined the translators to translate the Message of the Hour into the Oromic language. Brother Moges, the main Oromo translator writes: “Christian greetings to all worldwide believers of the End Time Message. This is Brother Moges Engida from the lan d of Habesha, Ethiopia. My origin is fro m a small village around Shashamane, to the south of the capital, Addis Ababa. I’m a lawyer by pro fession, but I’m not deep to that now. The impossi in ble is possible by God; I ha ve never imagined in my that I will be a Christian life like this. I used to follow orthodox religion which ited from my family and I inherwas blinded thinking it wa s absolute truth. There was a friend of mi ne at university whom I lived together with for fiv consecutive years; we us e ed to eat, study, sleep etc . together through all the years. Witnessing to me fiv e about his Protestant chur ch was his day-to-day ac and I didn’t even show wi tivity llingness to go and visit his church. After God met me in a miraculous way and made me His child, it wa s at that time when I rea that God was keeping me lized all the way to reveal to me HIS TRUE WORD throu the End Time Message of gh the Prophet. Thanks to Hi s precious Name, since the I’m not only a true follow n er of Christ but also a tra nslator of the Message in Afan Oromo, which is the to dominantly spoken langu age, even if it’s not the offi language, in the country. cial After I found out and be lieved it is the True Messa ge of the Hour, I felt to tra late and reach out to thi nss large population so as to save their souls, as they darkness. There is nothing are in more satisfying than ser ving God, and when I thi reaching out to the Afan nk of Oromo speakers through my translation work, it ma me really happy and mo kes re courageous to strive ha rd, because this Message Hour is precious and it’s of the going to shake the whole country. So far I have tra nslated the tracts That Women Jezebel, and The Godhea d, and the messages The Great Harlo t, Mark of the Beast, Th e Rapture, and The Hand Writing on the Wall. I am currently finishing The Evening Messenger and God willing I am go ing to start translating The Church Ag e Book. Interpreting at the pulpi t when the preacher minis ters during every service is also my litt le contribution. General ly, I’m fully engaged in the work of the translation leaving aside my profession as a lawyer. So my po lite prayer request to all be lievers of the End Time Message aro und the world is for God to give me strength and mercy. Shalo m.” Brother Moges 7 Message Radio Broadcast Shaking Uganda T o reach the millions of souls in Africa who are unable to read, the Spoken Word is the only way. Just like when the Holy Ghost fell in Acts 2, people from many lands first received truth through the ear-gate, as they heard in their own tongues the mighty works of God. Preaching was the channel the Apostles used to reach the world with the Gospel, as large portions of the world of that day were illiterate. In most African countries, believers are used to receiving the Gospel through printed form. To reach all of the people, audio preaching in the local tongues is also important. This is the reason Bible Believers has over 2000 audio translations in 14 languages on the Message Hub. We support this valuable effort to reach souls and utilize those translations of the Message of the Hour in radio broadcast. Over the past two years, the success of the Uganda Radio Broadcast has proven the validity of this Scriptural method. Up to one-third of the pop- 8 Brother Stephen Ibale handling listeners’ questions on air after Brother Branham’s translated message has played. ulation is deemed illiterate in the area of the broadcast. The weekly 90 minute broadcast of Brother Branham’s messages has been a fruitful investment in reaching these and others, though it is expensive and labor intensive. Basoga Biano FM in the city of Jinja is a leading station covering a very large area of listeners. Bible Believers has now broadcast through them for two years. One of the people touched was the manager of the radio station himself!—who now attends Brother Stephen Ibale’s church, and is now bringing his wife. Each time a program airs many calls and letters pour in. Many denominational and Pentecostal ministers who have heard negative reports “about” the Message, are now finding out from first-hand listening that the reports are not true! Two Pentecostal ministers opened up their churches when they heard the sermon, There is a Man Who Can Turn on the Light. Through the broadcast, one Message minister gained access to a Christian Fellowship in a high school every Thursday and is witnessing to the young people there. Some have come to church. One Pentecostal Bishop overseeing five churches believed and was baptized, with others from his churches following. Another Pentecostal pastor was baptized along with 40 of his church members! The effects continue to ripple out, as more people find the broadcast. For each broadcast, the team prepares a free CD of the Message to mail out to callers in. Though the program began as an outreach to unbelievers, it has also proven to be a huge benefit to current believers who cannot read, and are now hearing the voice of the Messenger with a voiceover translation in their own language for the first time. These are newly created translations that require much work to produce. With recording, editing, and correction, it can take up to three weeks just to prepare one broadcast. Much of this labor-intensive work is done by just one or two believers, on computers and laptops in heat and dust and difficult conditions. Still they persevere, and todate, 22 Messages have been finished, and are uploaded to the Message Hub. Now believers and even unbelievers who have access to the radio or internet can hear these messages at any time, in the Lugandan language. The believers continue to improve their equipment and conditions in order to carry on effectively. They have been renting a studio hourly for making recordings, but it is expensive by the hour, and they are rushed to make good and accurate recordings on the budget available. Last A few of the new Believers as a result of the Radio Broadcasts The Message radio broadcast in Uganda may be just the beginning. We are happy for the success of the Lugandan broadcast, but there is a need to reach the illiterate Swahili speakers in Kenya, Tanzinia, and the Amharic speakers in Ethiopia, to name a few. Predestinated souls are out there, just waiting for the Message to reach their ears in their native language. Bible Believers, through your support, has enabled many souls to hear the words of God’s Prophet for the first time by funding this effort. Please pray with us as we look for ways to expand into other languages. Family Altar The Family Altar Volume III The LORD is my SHEPHERD... T. A. Dodd Volume III year, construction began on a studio where the voiceovers could be recorded and edited in controlled conditions with proper equipment. At this time the facility is 70% complete, but construction ceased when funds ran out. Bible Believers has just sent enough funds for the completion of this work. NOW AVAILABLE Recording Studio soon to be completed The Power of the Gospel on Radio A lso in Uganda, Brother Gideon Byekwaso has an evangelistic broadcast in the capital city of Kampala. In this city of about 1.5 million a stir has arisen due to the conversion of a Catholic Priest. “My name is Joseph Muhumuza, I was a catholic priest who has been saved by the Message. I joined Katigondo National Seminary in 2006 with the aim of serving God for the rest of my life. I was ordained in 2013 and posted in Uganda Martyrs Parish as the curate where my new calling started from. I wanted to serve God with all my heart. I was also acting as the director Radio-Maria. My troubles started when I started teaching what was contrary to the doctrines of the church but in line with the Bible. It all started with my workers at the parish who were listening to Pastor Gideon on the radio program where he would tell how the Catholic Church has gone off from the Word of God. In their question they had the best knowledge of scriptures which was supposed to be known to only theologians. I commanded them not to listen to him again and if they did I wouldn’t pay them, but they insisted. Then I decided to listen to him only to criticize him. At first I thought Brother Gideon was a Pentecostal but I was confused because he would criticize them. I had never read about Reverend William Branham, only that when he visited the Vatican he refused to meet him and that the Pope said he was the worst enemy. I was caught by the way Pastor Gideon preached revelation and Genesis because I knew that many preachers dodge those two books in the Bible. I contacted Brother Gideon and we started sharing about what I believed until I realized that there exists people who follow the Word of God and are like the first Church. Then I decided to quit. I had originally joined the priesthood looking for everlasting life which I couldn’t find in sacraments but only in the Word of God.” Brother Joseph has suffered much persecution and threats because of his conversion. We choose not to publish any details, but ask that you remember him in prayer. Also please remember the radio broadcast in Uganda, which is having powerful effects in the country. Scripture readings each day will lead you through the Psalms in one year. 365 Daily Devotions - 1 per page Daily Scripture quotation from the King James Bible. Daily inspirational thought, pertaining to the daily scripture quotation, taken from the messages of Brother William Branham Coil bound for durability and ease of use. (These books will not fall apart) To order, please visit the Bibleway Online Store or contact: Cloverdale Bibleway 18603 60 Ave Surrey, BC V3S 7P4 P 1.877.576.1337 F 1.604.576.1370 orders@bibleway.org http://store.bibleway.org 9 M any believers know the dangers of social media—the time it consumes, the doors it opens to bad influences, predatorial people, the unsanctified conversation and advertisements. Also deceptive is the fact that it replaces real relationships with “feel good” internet relationships, in which a person can only reveal their good points, and hide their weaknesses. But recently, Believers in Croatia turned Facebook on its head by harnessing it to introduce the End Time Message to millions. Brother Jonathan Lerga points out that in the Second Exodus, Jesus Christ preached to the multitudes in hell, but in our age, hell has enlarged itself and is all around us. Today, in the third Exodus, we can preach to hell right outside our front door—or from our own personal computer. For several years, the Lerga family tried to witness one person at a time, by Facebook contacts. In 2014, they created a Facebook profile for Brother Branham, and secured paid promotion from Facebook. The results are almost unbelievable. Since 2014, they have received 4,169, 592 hits to the page, in the former Yugoslavian countries alone, and ads were displayed 212,415,803 times. Based on this success, they started promoting on Google, and their ads 10 have popped up on screens and smartphones 14 million times. In google searches, their average position is first or second, based on hundreds of key words such as “Jesus”, “Bible” and even “Pope” or “Catholic.” From these many seeds, there has been a harvest. Converts have been baptized, a new church has been established, and the new believers have translated new Messages into the local languages. This was all done by local believers at a low cost, without any sponsorship from abroad needed. This is just one of the many ways the Message is going out to this generation, fulfilling the words of the Prophet, “…the end shall be, after this Message has gone to all the world.” 61-0108 Revelation Chapter Four, 3 Similar to this work is the Living God Website (www. alivinggod. com) moderated by Brothers Tim Pruitt and Jason Watkins. One of the great strengths of this site is it displays the miraculous works of God TODAY. Testimonies of miracles abound on this site, giving believers everywhere the opportunity to share them with their unbelieving friends and family. It is no longer necessary to only point back to the Ministry of the Prophet, the Living God website provides proof that the same God is at work today, in the ministry of His Bride. No one church or movement owns this site, it is dedicated to all believers, and provides God’s irrefutable answer to the critics. For seekers who would not take the time to listen to an entire Message, the site also offers summary overviews of some of the main Message doctrines. These are powerful tools that can be utilized in personal witnessing efforts. For those on Facebook, the Living God Website also has an associated Facebook page. As the Apostle Paul preached on Mars Hill, the “open forum” of that day, (Acts 17:22) these outreaches take the Message directly to where the people are. utreach Facebook: Killing Goliath With His Own Sword Street Witnessing in Poland: Brother Jacek Walach, a Pastor in Poland reports that Believers there have been spending many hours street witnessing this year, in the cities of Ustron & Cieszyn, singing songs, giving testimonies and spreading many message books. What is the D Attraction? o you remember what it was like, when God came by your way with the Truth and Message of the Hour of the Final Voice, to the Final Age? New believers, Jason and Sami Keen certainly do, for they discovered the Message at an outreach at the Lynden Fair several years ago. A good product sells itself, and in a trade show or fair, none of the many merchant booths have anything to compare with an invitation to be a part of the Bride of Christ! What was it that attracted Jason and Sami Keen to find out more? Sister Sami testifies it was the atmosphere of the sisters, whom she had observed at earlier times, shopping in a clothing store she managed at a mall near Cloverdale. She had observed three different sisters, and not known they were all connected, until they all came to the witnessing booth at a local fair that day! What was it that attracted Clarence and Audrey Mostert? They are in their 80s, religious, highly educated, and settled. They wandered past the believers in the booth. Clarence testifies that after he walked away, the atmosphere of the young people lingered in his mind. Clarence is a studier, and has spent many years collecting and reading scholarly books on theology. But it wasn’t the books, the tracts, the conversation— there was just something about those young people! He had to find out more. nessing is effortless. The testimony of those whose lives have been changed prove that it isn’t what you say, it’s what you are. And for each one who responds to the light, there are surely multitudes who noticed it. on the face of the earth… how can we not share it? It may well be you He has planned to be the instrument to find that LAST ONE in your area. This summer, booths similar to those at the Lynden Fair were set up in cities in Ohio, with three churches cooperating. Other churches are catching the vision as well. We possess the Greatest Product and Service From One Seed… W ho has not walked through a mature forest without being impressed by the grandeur of great trees? It is amazing to think that each of these was once a tiny seed. A seed packs tremendous power and potentials into a very small place, and so does the Word of God. When it hits good soil, miracles happen. When 17 year-old Roshan Masih found several message tracts in the trash can of his pentecostal pastor’s office in 1989, no one would have predicted that the harvest would be a gifted pastor, and a whole collection of new churches—so far. As the life of a believer progresses, all our relationships change. Worldly relationships drop off, and over time we can become insular, spending most of our time with other believers. We become common to each other. We can forget that the atmosphere of a believer is striking, in contrast to the world. But those outside can see it almost like a neon sign. Brother Roshan was miraculously transformed by what some sowed in faith, and others discarded as trash. Neither knew what would become of their actions. But the scripture declares that every good seed sown has the potential to produce one hundred fold (Matt. 13:8). Brother Roshan took two tracts out of the trash and slipped them into his bag, when the pastor left the room for a moment. Jesus Christ said, “Let your light so shine before men…” (Matt. 5:16). That light must be put up on a stand—and just maybe someone has to “build” that stand! It takes effort to get out and put the light on display. But that alone is often enough to attract those God is calling, even without much verbal witnessing. When God opens the door to a heart, verbal wit- Back in 1975, Brother Ken Andes in the United States was led to make some shorter tracts out of the Church Ages book. Bible Believers continued to sow in faith by funding a translation and printing operation in Chennai, India, and these tracts were printed in Punjabi. They were sent to many but only God knew what the result would be. The seed and the soil came together, by the miracle of God’s amazing guidance. Witnessing Booth at the Lynden Fair, WA The denominational pastor eventually took the books from Brother Roshan and never returned them, but not before Brother Roshan had written down the address of the publisher. He was able to order more books, and though he was rejected by his pastor, his church, and even his family, Brother Roshan persisted, and the Lord blessed. Today, over one dozen churches within the Punjab, India have been started directly through Brother Roshan’s ministry. Thousands of souls have been impacted and countless receiving Jesus Christ. All because God led one 17 year-old boy to take tracts that others had discarded. Never underestimate the power of a tiny seed. Witnessing Booth in Ohio 11 MONGO LIA A Time for Planting M ongolia, is a dry land both naturally and spiritually. With no Message Churches, there is no foundation on which to base outreach work. It must be done from outside the country. It is only since the 1990’s that Mongolia has enjoyed freedom of Religion, and through this open door a few Brothers have stepped with the Message of the Hour. About half of the 3 million Mongolians are considered Buddhist, but thanks be to God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the Message of the Hour, is being introduced by the gallant efforts of Brother Danny Fehr and his son Andrew of Manitoba, Canada, Brother Lukram (Luke), a pastor in Nepal, and a small handful of noble Believers who are faithfully assisting these heroes of the Faith. Recently we received updates on some of the progress in Mongolia. Brother Luke held meetings in Zuunkharaa, a small city about 125 miles north of Ulaanbaatar. Brother Luke preached Sunday morning at an independent church on the Truth of Baptism. That evening the believers assembled around the dining table at the pastor’s residence. Brother Luke spoke on this occasion about the life and ministry of William Branham for many hours. At breakfast the next morning, Pastor Ganhuyag said, “I prayed and asked the Lord, ‘what shall I do?’. Now I am ready to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ: It is the Truth, Praise the Lord!” Another Soul for Christ! Services were also conducted in nearby Jargalant as well as Ulaanbaatar, and many heard the Word with gladness. Of course, a servant’s work is never without trials and tribulations. On the way to the meetings in Zuunkharaa, a wheel blasted out and flipped the car upside down. By the grace of God, none of the Believers, including two six month old babies, were hurt badly. A host of angels protects those who believe. The meetings were a great success: 28 souls in all were baptized during the meetings in Jargalant, Zunharaa, and Ulanbatar. One book has been translated, God’s Provided Way for This Day and printed in Mongolian. This is the only message the Brothers have to give out, along with Bibles, to form the foundation for the introduction of the Message. Opposition to the Message is prevalent, but the Brothers continue to sow and water that God may give an increase. The tract/booklet The Mystery of God has also been redone and is ready for printing in Mongolian. These saints have asked that we be in prayer for the Believers in Mongolia. While this work is funded largely by the Saints in Manitoba, we are happy to share the burden with our readers. A Testimony: Sometimes miracles happen and we fail to see them because of our preconceived ideas of what a miracle is. The brothers flew 1000 miles from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar to a place called Khovd and then drove 155 miles to Bayan Olgiee - quite a dry region of Mongolia. Because this was home to Mongolian Kazakhs who are about 95% Muslims, they were advised not to publicly speak or hand out books as a Christian girl had been severely beaten at school just a few weeks prior for her beliefs. Brother Fehr prayed and asked the Lord to confirm His Word in might and power as the people needed to see the God of the Bible come on the scene and do what He promised. (Of course he was thinking the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear…) “The morning after we arrived in Bayan Olgiie I looked out the window and the area was clouded in and lightly raining. I was a little disappointed at this wet, dreary day and thought it might hinder our plans for the day. That day our Buddhist friend and driver (a former Mongolian Colonel) took us to see a Muslim man who trains eagles and hunts with them. (Continued on bottom of next page...) Below: Bro. Dan Fehr (far left), Bro. Andrew Fehr (second from left) and Bro. Lukram (far right, standing) Above: Bro. Andrew baptizing 12 Bro. Dan, Bro. Andrew & Bro. Lukram sharing the Word Meeting the Enormous Demand for T Pastors in Honduras receiving new titles of the Message they’ve never had before. These Messages were downloaded and printed in Choluteca, Honduras, where Brother Ernesto Mendoza and his team are printing thousands of books for all of Central America. Spanish Translations he three great languages of the world today are Mandarin, English, and Spanish. More people claim Spanish as their native language than even English. On the Message Hub, Spanish is in greatest demand by far. In fact, downloads in Spanish are often as numerous or more so than downloads of all other languages combined. Clearly there is a spiritual pull for the Word from the Spanish speaking world. Why so? When the Enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God lifts up a standard against him. (Is. 59:19) The Catholic Church has chosen a Pope from the Americas because this is their growth area now, with religion on the decline in Europe. The Pope’s visit to the U.S. Capitol and the first address to Congress by a Pope is a further indication of their intentions. For several years Mexico has been the single largest contributor to the Catholic Church. Clearly the Whore is focusing on South America. The timing of this translation project is crucial in light of these facts. Each one of the newly translated Messages is like a beam of light, scattering darkness, and freeing precious bound souls. At this time, only a little more than half of the Message is available in Spanish, a situation that has gone on too long. The translation team, assembled in 2014 by Brother Paul LaFontaine and Brother Doug Baker, desire to finish the work within two years. In 2014, the project hired 10 paid translators, and now the team has doubled in size to 20. It costs about $200 to translate one message, and about half the needed budget has been donated by believers. So far the team has uploaded 101 Messages, with 60 more close to complete. This will complete all Messages from 196065. May the Lord reward everyone who gave to make this possible. While this project was not initiated by Bible Believers, we are working closely with these Brothers and are highly supportive of it. More qualified translators are needed, and finding them has been an ongoing challenge. If you might be able to help in this area, please contact missions@ literallifechurch.org. All Spanish messages will be made available free of charge and without restrictions on the Message Hub. Whether you can give, translate, or simply pray, you are needed for this project! May the light of God’s Truth overwhelm the darkness, as the Message of God’s last day prophet invades the strongholds of Catholic darkness, overturning generations of lies. Mexican Young People Making the Message go “Mobile” B elievers who have used the Message Hub website know that it makes the Message available online on demand, in many languages, both in text and audio. However, the free Message Hub Mobile App does much of this and more on any android device. Right now, in several languages, volunteers are working to reformat the online messages for the Mobile App. away in a link next to the scripture. Click it, and you instantly have prophetic light on that scripture. Once the app is installed, no continuous internet connection is required, the Bible and Message exists on your device. The Mexican young people caught the vision for this and went to work. When enough translations are reformatted, the Spanish language will be added to the Message Hub Mobile. Recently Brother Billy Aho, a 17 year-old young person from Cloverdale Bibleway, spent a summer in Mexico City, and while there many young people were trained to help reformat the messages. In two months, 60 messages were reformatted by volunteers. While translating takes a high level of skill, reformatting can be done by anyone with enough familiarity with a language to know where a paragraph starts and stops. This same reformatting work is needed in many languages. The Message on smartphones is the next wave. Computers are fragile and difficult to maintain in many countries. But smartphones are cheap and durable. If you would like to help with the reformatting work in your language, please contact Bible Believers. In addition to bringing the whole Message to your smart phone, the Message Hub Mobile App also provides powerful new features, such as linking the Bible and Message by scripture. When you are reading the Bible in the app, comments by Brother Branham are just a click (...Mongolia continued) The Muslim man thanked our Colonel friend for bringing these “good men” to his village because we had brought “blessings” to his town in the form of rain. You see a Mongolian proverb is that rain (blessings) follows when ‘good men’ come to you. Two days later we travelled 155 miles to another region and it rained again.” By these events the Buddhist Mongolian Colonel was convinced that these visitors had brought good news of eternal life to Mongolians. Brother Fehr relates that he felt bad for not recognizing that God was answering prayer, confirming His word - that he was in the middle of a blessing and answered prayer and did not even recognize it. We trust the seed planted there will bring forth much fruit. 13 Print Stations AFRICA B Bro. Tekadiomona, Bro. John Armstrong, Bro. Kioni, Bro. Didier rother Richard Sieunath of Trinidad has planted many print stations throughout South America. Many other names could be mentioned from other parts of the world; just like Brother John Armstrong from Arkansas. Brother John attends the same church as Brother Frank McComas where Brother Jason Jackson is the pastor. He works at an oil rig. He has always worked in the Gulf of Mexico, but he had to move to Angola because of his job and. Though initially he didn’t want to do it, he relented and went. After meeting believers in the country, Brother Armstrong became burdened with the great need for message books amongst the Believers. Being familiar with the Message Hub, Brother Armstrong contacted Bible Believers and arranged to establish a Print Station in the City of Luanda. Soon hundreds of books were being printed and pastors from around the country were lining up to have the opportunity to receive books from this newly commissioned work. There are over 200 Portuguese translations on the Message Hub in the Brazilian dialect. While it appears that one Print Station will not be enough, as the Believers in China found out, with just a couple of printers, tens of thousands of books can be distributed. Please remember the Saints in these countries in your prayerful support as they sometimes have difficulty in keeping the Print Stations running due to the difficulty of obtaining supplies. SOUTH AMERICA At Right: (L-R) Bro. Didier, Bro. Frank McComas, Bro. Kino, Bro. Tekadiomona 1. Otavallo, Ecuador 2. La Paz, Bolivia 3. Arequipa, Perú Below: Messages 4. Chiclayo, Perú printed from the 5. Trinidad (not on map) Print Station 6. Barcelona, Venezuela 7. Asunción, Paraguay 8. Formosa, Argentina 9. Neuquén, Argentina 10. San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina 11. Cali, Colombia 12. Panamá City, Panamá (not on map) 13. Montevideo, Uruguay 14. Bahía Blanca, Argentina 15. Arica, Chile 16. Huasahuasi, Perú 17. Córdoba, Argentina 18. Buenos Aires, Argentina 19. Ciudad Ojeda, Venezuela 14 20. Caracas, Venezuela 21. Guayaquil, Equador 22. S.D. de los Tsachilas, Equador 1. Malawi 2. Madagascar 3. Chad 4. Burkina Faso 5. Paidha, Uganda 6. Mbarara, Uganda 7. Rukingirir, Uganda 8. Biiso, Uganda 9. Tororo, Uganda 10. Kisoro, Uganda 11. Luanda, Angola Message Hub Mobile A Bible Reader and Yet Much More! What is the The Message Hub Mobile? • An Android App for Hand-Held Devices (tablets, smartphones etc.) • A Bible Reader • A Message Reader • It Includes LINKS Between the Bible and Messsage • It Includes SEARCH Capability Now Available in 12 Languages! English Chinese Dutch Polish Russian Vietnamese French Indonesian Croatian Slovenian Slovakian Serbian Message Hub Desktop Study Tool (for Windows) To include the linking & search capabilities in multiple languages that are currently on the Mobile App Minister’s Tablets Inexpensive tablets for overseas Ministry, preloaded with Message Hub Mobile New translator tools are allowing for simplified uploading of translations to make them available for the Hub website and Mobile App. Here is an example of the upload activity that takes place in a few days on the translators site. The efforts made are tremendous as Believers from around the world work tirelessly to bring this Message to that last Seed! (...Laos continued from page 5) but again, God is in control. He moves in mysterious ways in Laos and all things work together for good. Recently 5 church leaders came to confront Brother Bounmie on water baptism, but being unable to withstand the wisdom emanating from our Brother’s mouth they were speechless, realizing that the Truth of the Word could not be resisted. Message Hub Mobile App is available for download free of charge on the Google Play Store or Amazon AppStore. Please pray for these brothers and their fledgling work. This is another work that is largely supported by Believers from Believers Christian Fellowship, in Ohio. Donations can be sent through Bible Believers for the work in Cambodia and Laos. 15 Enhanced Translator Tools on the Message Hub website have resulted in a significant increase of translations available. POLISH from 66 to 285 Translations RUSSIAN from 241 to 502 Translations within the past year! A COMPLETED TRANSLATION BECOMES A PUBLISHED BOOK WITHIN MINUTES! From the Desk of BrotherTim Dodd... T his past year has been a rollup-the-sleeves kind of year. A couple of major projects that will affect Believers world-wide have been completed. Firstly, after countless hours of work by Believers both in Canada and China, the Chinese King James Version Bible is rolling off the printing press. As you will read on pages 2 and 3, this is a tremendous achievement, and will have a great positive impact on the lives of Chinese Believers, not only in China but around the world. Secondly, I am personally happy to have finally finished the third, and (Lord willing) final in the series of the Family Altar devotional books. The first two volumes have been well received in both printed and electronic versions and I believe that volume three, based on the Psalms, will be a fitting capstone to the devotional series. You may be interested to know that all revenue from the sales of the Family Website: www.biblebelievers.org Message HUB: www.messagehub.info Message Hub by Number: 67 Number of Languages available 301 Number of Audio Translations uploaded in 2015 2,154 Number of Book Translations and Reformatted Messages uploaded in 2015 28,305 New Visitors to the Message Hub in 2015 44,969 Number of Audio Messages downloaded in 2015 176,837 Number of Message Books downloaded in 2015 1,707,090 Total Downloads to date (Book and Audio) www.messagehub.info Altar books goes into Missions. I think you believe, like I do, that in giving to Missions in any way we can, the reward is not in this world but the one that is to come. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12) Combined with these efforts, the Missions work continues tirelessly in Ethiopia, Uganda, China and other areas of the world. Many have laboured to make the Message available on the Message Hub Mobile Application. This will make the Message infinitely more accessible to the Bride of Jesus Christ. Much labour is expended, but the fruit is not measured in books and computer applications. The real fruit is the souls that are redeemed and built up in the stature of Jesus Christ. While I cannot comment on every area which we are involved in or works that we are familiar with, I hope that you will prayerfully read the accounts we were able to include in this Faith Challenge Report and in that way continue to be a part of what the Lord is doing around the world. Brother Tim Dodd Contact Us In Canada In the USA Phone: 604.576.1337 Toll Free 1.877.576.1337 Fax: 604.576.1370 18603 60 Ave PO Box 128 Surrey, BC V3S 7P4 Blaine, WA 98231 Email: info@biblebelievers.org th PRINTED IN CANADA