Gideons annually visit church congregations to let them know how the Lord is using the seeds being sown through the gift of Scriptures. They have been doing so for more than 100 years. Currently, Gideons inform churches that the ministry is now distributing the Word of God in 89 languages...and in more than 187 countries. Just recently, The Gideons passed the 1.5 billion milestone in total Scriptures distributed.
God deserves all the glory for these accomplishments, but Gideons also want to thank every church that has prayed for the ministry or provided financial support through its members. The Gideon ministry simply cannot function separately from the church.
Testimonies tell the real story
Without a doubt, the most meaningful part of any Gideon church presentation is the opportunity for a Gideon to convey the inspiring accounts of lives changed through Scriptures supplied by the church’s backing of the ministry. So many of these testimonies show how clearly, and amazingly, God works through the distribution of just one New Testament to touch multiple lives, like this testimony about Gary in Florida:
“At 17 years of age, Gary was into alcohol and drugs. He had missed 53 days of school; was about to fail to graduate...and very afraid to tell his mother.
Lying in bed, Gary suddenly remembered a New Testament given to him in the fifth grade by a Gideon. He went to his dresser, and that Testament was still sitting in one of the drawers. Gary opened it, and for comfort, read John 3:16...but then he also read John 3:17: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ Right then and there, Gary dropped down on his knees and prayed—and God saved him that very night.
Gary immediately gave up the drugs and alcohol. He wanted to help others like him. He joined a youth group at a local church, and he began sharing his faith with other kids at his school. Because of his long hair, folks called him the ‘church hippie’—but through his witness, that church youth group grew from 13 to 200.
Today (more than 35 years later), Gary is a minister and evangelist, preaching in the U.S. and all around the world.”
It is true...what goes around comes around! Years ago, someone in a church gave a donation to the Gideons that helped purchase the New Testament that Gary received. God’s message in that Scripture then changed Gary’s life... and now Gary is giving back to God’s church as a minister of the Word.
New Gideons come from churches
There is another vital reason why Gideons don’t “skip church.” It is through the close relationship between Gideons and pastors that The Gideons International finds so many of its prospective members.
Sometimes a pastor recommends a church member who would be a strong Gideon. Other times, a man simply approaches the Gideon speaker at church—and says he feels led by the Holy Spirit to seek to join. All Gideon prospects must be active members of their local churches.
Gideons cherish their relationships with pastors
Gideons also meet periodically with pastors—simply to pray for the needs of their churches and families. On many occasions, pastors are burdened with problems they do not feel comfortable sharing with members of their own churches. A local Gideon can often be an objective, trustworthy sounding board for pastors—someone to rely on when they need just a comforting hand on the shoulder...or perhaps a strong prayer partner.
The close bond between Gideon and pastor benefits both in another way, too. As Gideons witness to others while sharing God’s Word, they attempt to direct new Christians to a local pastor and church so these recently saved persons can grow in their Christian walk and their relationship with the Lord.
Invite a Gideon to speak at your church
Gideons don’t “skip church!” Their first accountability is to God...and then to the church.
Has your church had a Gideon speaker visit in the past year? If not, talk to your pastor and ask if he or she would contact your local Gideons to arrange for a speaker to come.
You can locate your local Gideons through the white pages of your telephone directory—under “Gideons.” Or, simply call The Gideons International Headquarters at 615-564-5000, and we will have a local Gideon share more information about the ministry with your pastor.