Christian ministry, Christian mission, evangelism, mission, revival, revivals evangelism, mission, renewal, revival, revivals

Brief Biography of Pioneer Mission

by Geoff 27 December 2025 1 Comment

Brief Biography of Pioneer Mission in PNG

And excerpts from Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Philippines, Kenya, Ghana and the South Pacific. More details in blog God’s Surprises and God’s Surprises – PDF

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Blog: Geoffrey Waugh, founding editor of the Renewal Journal

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission CV

PDF: Brief Biography of Pioneer Mission in PNG

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Revivals Index – history’s mighty revivals

Pioneer Mission

Revival swept the highland villages in Papua New Guinea from 1973, just before and into their independence from 1975. I had the privilege of being there just before that and teaching village pastors and teachers in Bible Schools, which became part of preparing them for revival.

I landed in the 3-5,000 feet mountains of Papua New Guinea (PNG) among the Enga tribes as a raw, enthusiastic, inexperienced teacher. I had begun teaching with a class of 48 eight-year-old boys in Sydney at age 19 in 1957.

From 1965 I taught Basic English in PNG, first in mission station schools and then in village schools, less than a decade before revival transformed the church and villages there in PNG from 1973 and before PNG became independent in 1975. The Australian government poured money into PNG to raise educational and health levels to prepare them for independence.

Engas then wore nothing above the waist, and wore nets made from Pandanus fibres hung from belts made of vines or bamboo. Acquired old leather belts became popular. Now they have access to trade store clothing. More modest than many Europeans, no man would touch a woman in public including any of his wives. Big men like tribal leaders had many wives. Bride prices, given to the bride’s clan, included many pigs, maybe cows, and special shells.

The culture, wildly different from my Australian background, valued communal loyalty above individual choices. Payback, eye for eye and life for life, was not just an option but a responsibility. If someone stole from your food garden or house, you or your clan should payback the insult. That often escalated into tribal war with bows and arrows and spears.

A school I started in a remote village when I was single, the only European in that village, grew grade by grade for each of six years, adding a new grade and an indigenous teacher each year. I moved on after the first year. Someone from that village stole food from a nearby clan’s gardens, so that clan raided the village and pillaged more food. The village responded with reciprocal raids. It escalated until the nearby clan burnt down the whole school with its classrooms made of bamboo walls and thick grass roofs. The village had to rebuild the whole school.

A student I later taught in my Bible School, got involved in a fight over a tribal land border. The son of a chief, he went to prison (calaboose) for a month, building roads, along with his father and the tribal warriors. Upon release his tribal leaders re-enrolled him immediately back into Bible School, proud of his loyalty, courage, and skill. These were leaders in revival.

I accompanied two native female village teachers to an education conference via the town of Madang, using the regular Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Cessna planes. I showed the young ladies around the town. Unknown to me, local young men followed us, angry with me for taking two of their brown skinned ladies to where we stayed in a mission boarding house. They assumed I wanted sex. Fortunately the night watchman found those men creeping toward my room with knives ready to stab me. The watchman explained that we had separate rooms and I was a good man. Village teachers like them also became leaders in village revivals.

Another tribal group wanted to kill me because I had taken my school students swimming in a big pool in the river gorge nearby. But one student was washed downstream, almost drowning. His worry was not his cuts or bruises but that he had lost his school uniform sarong. He stopped his clan from coming to attack me in payback! Tribal elders insisted that I never take students swimming again there. That student later became a pastor leading revivals in the villages.

I enjoyed teaching Basic English in many schools, and then teaching leaders in Bible Schools where I used both the national Pidgin language and the local Enga dialect. Those young leaders became village teachers and pastors. Most of them became leaders in revivals among the Engas which transformed hundreds of lives in each area.

They no longer cut a joint off a finger at the death of a close relative to show that relative’s spirit their sorrow. They no longer sacrificed to the spirits for protection but trusted God. They learned to forgive and agree on settlements instead of insisting on an eye for an eye. The first corpse I saw was a man cut in his neck with a tomahawk, lying on a hollow log bridge, because he had committed adultery. Someone in the woman’s clan had killed him.

Government law in PNG made it being illegal to stop after a vehicle accident in case of immediate payback by offended locals. By law you must not stop but report immediately to the nearest police station. Gradually life changed. Peace increased as repentance and revival spread..

Of course, like us, they were not perfect nor always Christ-like. But they learned and grew in compassion and care.

I was the only single male teacher, based in four mission stations and many villages. Twenty or so single European female teachers and nurses also lived and worked there. After three years single there (and invited to many meals with single women) I married Meg, one of the teachers. I would run from my school the three hours (usually a 5 hour trek) across high ridges to visit Meg at her school at weekends. But we did not hold hands in public. Even at night that was risky. We did that one night in the dark down a ridge track. Then I saw a low glow of a straw bundle small fire approaching in the dark (a local torch) along the track. Meg and I quickly separated.

“I see you are coming,” I said politely in the Enga dialect.

“I see you are there,” replied the school student politely, and passed us by. Next day stories circulated around the school and villages that we were caught being naughty.

I proposed to Meg there, and we married on furlough in Sydney. Then we returned to teach local leaders in Bible Schools. Our first child, born in the one-room European ward of the mission hospital, never crawled because the woven bamboo floor hurt her knees. So she held onto chairs and boxes, walking by nine months. Our homes, made from bamboo walls and floor with a thick grass roof, kept us cool in the daytime tropical heat. Village ladies passed our popular white baby from woman to woman with their unwashed breasts. Our baby caught a mild eye infection from that encounter, soon fixed with eye drops.

I was the founding principal of the full-time Bible School there where respected leaders trained to be pastors and teachers in the villages. We did not know we were preparing them to lead in village revivals, with strong Spirit-filled teaching, following God’s Word, just like in the Gospels and the life of the early church in the Book of Acts.

Here are some photos of those early pioneering days.

**Village communion with bamboo cups & sweet potato**

Baptisms in creek

Typical village

School student

Bamboo and vine bridge in gorge

Geoff and Meg

Back in Australia I taught on renewal and revival at Trinity Theological College and Christian Heritage College in Brisbane and led many short term mission teams to around 20 countries to encourage revival.

For 20 years we have lived in an extended family in our home designed and built by my son where by 2025 we have four generations living together, still involved in ministry and mission.

Here are some excerpts from Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Philippines, Kenya, Ghana and the South Pacific. More details are in the blog God’s Surprises and in the free book God’s Surprises – PDF

Australia

Back in Australia I worked as a Baptist minister with the Methodist and then Uniting Church in Christian Education in Brisbane and Queensland, leading conferences, camps, conventions, and church services. That included united renewal conventions in the Anglican, Catholic, and Uniting Church cathedrals. I also worked part-time for two years as the inaugural Lifeline telephone counselling director in Toowoomba and a lecturer in Religious Education at the university there.

Later I taught about renewal and revival to Uniting Church (Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational), Anglican and Catholic students at Trinity Theological College, part of the Brisbane College of Theology. Then I lectured at and became a Fellow of Christian Heritage College in Brisbane with its schools of Education, Social Sciences, Counselling, Business and Ministry.

Revival spread among Indigenous Australians from an outpouring of God’s Spirit among Elcho Island aborigines near Darwin from February 1978. That spread across northern Australia. We invited them to Pentecost weekend meetings in Brisbane and they invited us to their annual celebrations in February. God moved powerfully among them in repentance, reconciliation, conversions, baptisms, and deliverance from domestic violence and alcoholism in large numbers.

I was the founding editor of the Renewal Journal (now www.renewaljournal.com). That led to invitations to overseas short-term revival mission trips in around 20 countries including in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, as described in my book God’s Surprises (free on www.renewaljournal.com).

Here are highlights from a few of those revival mission trips.

Asia

Sri Lanka

We taught many overseas students in Trinity Theological College, mainly from the South Pacific but also from Asia. I conducted the impressive and totally free wedding in Brisbane of two students from Sri Lanka. Philip worked as a part-time cleaner of St Stephen’s Presbyterian (then Uniting) cathedral, so we held the wedding there for free. Church ladies freely provided flowers for the service and for the following day’s Sunday Service. The mother of a student friend at college owned a boutique clothing shop which also hired wedding clothes so she gave them free choice of impressive wedding outfits. Those students lived in a Salvation Army hostel so the hostel provided a smorgasbord wedding breakfast for them as their gift.

Philip and Dhamika’s relatives led village churches and a Bible School in the hills around Kandi in Sri Lanka. They invited us to visit and encourage them and lead revival meetings. They inherited land with fresh spring water so they built a small factory to bottle and sell the water to support their church and mission work. Our time there included dedicating their new factory for God’s kingdom purposes.

India

One of our teams visited Grace Bible College and school in New Delhi. It was the largest Bible College in India with 600 students. Graduates worked in many hostile regions and faced a lot of opposition and persecution. Two of their students returned to Nepal during the time of one of our visits to Nepal. Those students were shot by Maoists. They were accused of being spies.

Nepal

A retired friend in Brisbane worked with the government in Nepal to help with international marketing. He befriended and supported many local pastors and a young evangelist. The evangelist arranged revival meetings for us in West Nepal, East Nepal, and Kathmandu where he had started a church. That Hosanna Church grew into one of the biggest congregations in Nepal and planted many new churches, established schools, trade colleges, and Bible Schools. We saw the Lord pour out his Spirit on pastors and leaders there many times. Most pastors had been imprisoned often, and some bore scars from beatings there. If, for example, a pastor conducted a Christian wedding and relatives complained about that, the pastor could be imprisoned for a month or more for disturbing the peace.

Philippines

I taught on revival at a seminary in Manilla in the sweltering heat of the Philippines. My M.Th. students reported on revival and miracles. One Baptist pastor, who was also a police inspector, reported that a church he visited sent groups of young people to sing and speak at hospitals and nursing homes.

One of those teams held monthly meetings in a mental hospital. The staff said that their patients may not understand much, but those patients did enjoy the singing. More than 40 came to the first meeting. The team offered to pray for anyone who would like prayer. They prayed personally for 26 people. The next month when the team returned, all those 26 had been discharged and sent home.

Africa

Kenya

Francis, a Christian Heritage College graduate from Kenya began Nairobi Believers Mission (NBM) in the slums of Kibera, Nairobi, where a million people live, jammed together in small mud brick homes with rusty iron roofs. Our mission teams visited Francis to serve leaders and speak at meetings there. In spite of poverty and political unrest, their churches continue to grow steadily.

“Can I take some bread home?” asked a young man at our communion service in the slums of Nairobi in Kenya, East Africa. We shared real drink and some loaves of bread together among 30 people in their corrugated iron shed where I was the guest preacher.

“It’s your bread,” I answered. “You decide.” He quickly shoved a handful of bread into his pocket. Then most of the others did the same. Two weeks later, Francis, the young pastor, emailed me: “I’ve visited the slum homes of those people and they are still eating that bread. It’s still fresh.” Apparently God multiplied it.

Francis added: “Actually the miracle continued months after we began NBM and were feeding members each Saturday afternoon with tea and bread. God continued multiplying the food and there was always enough.”

Ghana

A young pastor in Ghana in West Africa, invited me to hold meetings there. So I arrived with three others from Brisbane during our college break in July, forgetting it was monsoon time in Ghana. We flew into a deluge of rain on the Monday. Our hosts planned night meetings in the market from Tuesday, with morning teaching in a local church.

We drove for over an hour in pouring rain from Accra, the capital, to the town of Suhum in the hills for our first meeting on Tuesday night. The heavy rain had flooded the power station there so the whole town was in darkness. We prayed earnestly, asking God to take over. Within 15 minutes the rain stopped, the town lit up with power, and we began. The host team began excitedly shouting that it was a miracle.

Soon the musicians from one of the local churches had plugged in their instruments to the sound system. The loudspeakers did not face the faithful Christians gathered in the fluorescent-lit open area, but pointed at the surrounding houses, the stores, and the hotel. Those excited Africans sang and danced for over two hours, attracting hundreds to the meeting.

When we invited people to respond and give their lives to Christ, they came from the surrounding darkness into the light. Some wandered over from the pub, smelling of beer. They kept the ministry team busy praying and arranging follow-up with their churches.

We moved about laying hands on people and praying for them. People reported various touches of God in their lives. Church teams prayed for hundreds of people. Many were saved. Many were healed. One man testified, “I came to this meeting blind, but while you were singing I found I could see.”

Each day we held morning worship and teaching sessions for Christians in the Apostolic Church, hot under an iron roof on those clear, tropical sunny days. During the second morning I vividly ‘saw’ golden light fill the church and swallow up or remove blackness. At that point the African Christians became very noisy, vigorously celebrating and shouting praises to God. A fresh anointing seemed to fall on them just then.

Although it didn’t rain the whole time we were holding meetings there, the day after our meetings finished, the torrential rains began again. The following week we saw floods in Ghana reported on international television. Later on we received letters telling us how the church where we held our morning meetings, and the other churches, had grown, expanded their building, and had sent out teams of committed young people in evangelism. Through that experience, God showed us a glimpse of what he is doing in a big way in the earth right now.

South Pacific

We often visited the South Pacific nations close to Australia, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. I describe many revival movements in my book South Pacific Revivals (free on www.renewaljournal.com).

Many revival movements swept the South Pacific islands. I was blessed to see some.

God’s Spirit fell on the Law School of the University of the South Pacific just after Easter 2002. The Law School is in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Many were dramatically saved and transformed. Those committed students also went on mission to other South Pacific nations and to Australia. Now they are lawyers and leaders, and a president of their Christian Fellowship became a Member of Parliament in Tuvalu.

Some of those teams came with me to Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. God has been moving there in unusual ways for a hundred years. Vanuatu people first evangelized the island, one becoming a martyr, A wife of the highest ranking chief returned to life after she died and told them that she had seen God and they should leave their heathen ways and become Christians. Many revival teams have served God there.

God poured out his Spirit on children and youth in the Western Solomon Islands from Easter 2003. They loved to sing and pray daily in the church after school. God gave them visions, revelations, words of knowledge about hidden sins and bad relationships and many other spiritual gifts such as healings and speaking and singing what God revealed.

A mother asked me what it meant when her young boy had a vision of Jesus with one foot in heaven and one foot on the earth. I immediately remembered Matthew 28:18 – All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Many youths had visions of Jesus.

We saw God touch around 1,000 youths at a Solomon Islands National Christian Youth Convention in 2006. One night at the convention they responded, running to the front of the open-air meeting. For half-an-hour their worship team sang “He is Lord” while we prayed for them. They fell like dominoes. Many testified to healings, visions and revelations. One young man returned to his village that night and found his mother ill, so laid hands on her and prayed for her. She was healed. His brother then asked for prayer and he too was healed. The young man had never done that before. A whole group from the Kariki Islands, further west, saw revival in their islands on their return. God moved powerfully in every meeting they held and in their personal prayers.

Solomon Islands transport

God’s Surprises

God’s Surprises – Blog: revival movements in 20 countries
God’s Surprises – free PDF eBook
Current movements of God’s Spirit in 20 countries

I summarized some of our revival mission trips in God’s Surprises.

See more resources on the Main Page

GENERAL BLOGS INDEX

Blogs Index 1: Revivals (briefer than Revivals Index)
Blogs Index 2: Mission (international stories)
Blogs Index 3: Miracles (supernatural events)
Blogs Index 4: Devotional (including Testimonies)
Blogs index 5: Church (Christianity in action)
Blogs Index 6: Chapters (Blogs from Books)
Blogs Index 7: Images (Photos & Videos)

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Revival among Gen Z, 18-25 years old, 2025

by Geoff 16 October 2025 No Comments

Revival among Gen Z, 18-25 years old, 2025

Joel News report, October 16, 2025

UK: Generation Z sparks Bible boom

UK Bible sales soar by 87% as young people rediscover faith in uncertain times.

In a striking cultural shift, Bible sales in the UK nearly doubled over five years, rising from £2.69 million in 2019 to £5.02 million in 2024. While general non-fiction sales fell, the hunger for God’s Word grew – driven especially by Generation Z.

Surveys reveal that 62% of 18- to 24-year-olds describe themselves as spiritual, compared to only 35% of those over 65. Far fewer Gen Z identify as atheists (13%) than millennials (20%) or Gen X (25%).

Publishers and ministries note that young people are picking up the Bible to find hope, identity, and guidance amid mental health struggles and post-pandemic uncertainty. “The Bible has something important to say to young people,” says Mark Woods of Bible Society.

Modern translations like the Good News Bible: Youth Edition – featuring notes, infographics, and space for reflection – have nearly doubled in sales since 2021. The NIV and Good News Bible now outsell the traditional King James Version.

Source: Bible Society

USA: Generation Z’s quiet turn to Jesus

“I want a god.” This striking confession from a Gen Z young adult sums up a surprising trend in the West today. After decades of growing secularism, the tide is turning – especially among the young.

New Barna data reveals two-thirds of US adults now say their commitment to Jesus remains important, marking a 12-point rise since 2021. Bible sales are also soaring – up 22% last year – driven largely by Gen Z’s curiosity about faith.

Why the shift? After years marked by loneliness, anxiety and an empty digital life, many are searching for meaning that transcends their screens. “The phone-based life produces spiritual degradation,” writes atheist Jonathan Haidt. His solution? Engage in spiritual practices.

This spiritual longing is drawing many to Scripture and to Jesus himself. The popular series The Chosen plays a key role, with a third of viewers identifying as non-believers or agnostics. By portraying Jesus and his disciples as relatable humans with divine purpose, the show invites seekers into God’s story.

John Plake from the American Bible Society puts it plainly: “Nobody becomes a Christian because they lose the argument. It’s because they’re invited on the journey.”

Source: Barna Group

RENEWAL JOURNAL

GENERAL BLOGS INDEX

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS(BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION(INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES(SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)

BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

*BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH(CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)***

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)

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Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission

by Geoff 4 July 2025 2 Comments

Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission
(1937-2026)

Photos: South Pacific 2015, Brisbane 2025

A summary overview of Geoff’s ministry and mission in Australia and internationally.
Geoff’s autobiographical ebooks, with links on the main page of this Renewal Journal,
describe his life in more detail.

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Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh, founding editor of the Renewal Journal

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission CV

BIOGRAPHICAL

Blog: God’s Surprises – Blog
God’s Surprises – PDF
God’s surprises in 20 countries – autobiographical reports
“I’m reading your book ‘God’s Surprises’ and I can feel the power of God and a tremendous desire for a Revival in Italy, where I live.” Francesco Trentinella.

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Journey into Mission – Blog
Journey into Mission – PDF
Biographical mission adventures
“I have read many similar stories, but this one exceeds them all. … Geoff has done well to not only be in so many places and seeing God at work but also writing a book about it all.” ~ Barbara Vickridge

Journey into Ministry & Mission – Blog
Autobiographical memoirs – condensed

Looking to Jesus: Journey into Renewal & Revival – Blog
Autobiographical memoirs

Education and Employment

1955-1956 Teachers College, Newcastle, NSW
1957-1959 Primary School teaching, NSW
1960-1963 Baptist Theological College of NSW (Now Morling College)
1961-1962 Student Pastor, North Epping Baptist, Sydney
1963 Student Pastor, Narrabeen Baptist, Sydney
1964 Pastor, Ariah Park Baptist, NSW
1965-1970 School Teacher & Bible School Teacher, Baptist Mission PNG (ABMS)
1971-1976 Christian Educator, Methodist Church, Queensland
1975-1976   Religious Education Lecturer, part-time (now Uni of Southern Qld)
1975-1976   Director of Life Line, Toowoomba, part-time.
1977-1985 Alcorn College Lecturer, Uniting Church, Brisbane – Lay Ministry
Also team ministry at Kangaroo Point Uniting Church & renewal ministries
with Dr Col Warren & Rev Wal Gregory, and worship with Bill Clark & team.
1986-1993 Trinity Theological College, Uniting Church, Brisbane – Ministry
Distance Education Director (B.Th & Dip.Min teaching)
Also leading the Renewal Fellowship in Trinity College chapel with Hilary Mackerras
1994-2002   Christian Heritage College, School of Ministries, Brisbane – Ministry
Distance Education Co-ordinator (B.Min & Dip.Min teaching)
2002-2013   Christian Heritage College, School of Ministries, part-time (retired).
2025 Fellow of Christian Heritage College
1995-present:   Voluntary Short Term Mission teaching and preaching

Academic Summary

Rev Dr Geoffrey Waugh, D.Miss., M.Th.Miss., B.Ed.St., Dip.Div., Dip.R.E.

Graduate, Newcastle Teachers’ College, NSW, 1956
Graduate, Baptist Theological College, NSW, 1963
Diploma in Religious Education, Melbourne College of Divinity, 1967
Diploma in Divinity, Melbourne College of Divinity, 1975
Bachelor of Educational Studies, University of Queensland, 1976
Master of Theology in Missiology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1987
Doctor of Missiology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1989
Member of the Australian Institute of Human Relations, 1971-1975
Member of the Australian College of Education (MACE), 1976-1995
Fellow of Christina Heritage College

Graduate Research

A-grade research for M.Th.Miss and D.Miss:
Majors: Leadership, Church Growth, Theology
Minors: History, Anthropology, Religions, Evangelism
Units: Theology of Mission, Pauline Theology & Mission, Contextualization of Theology,
Anthropology, Anthropological Basis of Leadership, Strategy of Missions,
Historical Development of the Christian Movement, History of Evangelical Awakenings,
Principles & Procedures in Church Growth, Topics in Church Growth, Church Renewal,
Healing & Church Growth, Leadership Training Models, Training the Ministry,
TEE (Theological Education by Extension) Research, Foundations of TEE,
TEE Readings, Projects in TEE.
M.Th.Miss. Thesis: Liberate Leadership: An Innovative Model of TEE.
D.Miss. Dissertation: Multiply Ministry. Published as Body Ministry.

Publications

Ern Sipp, Brisbane (Methodist Church)
1971, Charisma (ed.).
1972, The Jesus Revolution (ed.).

University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, USA
1984 Liberate Leadership: An Innovative Model of Theological Education by Extension
Th.M. Thesis, Fuller Theological Seminary.
1984 Multiply Ministry: Charismatic Christian Ministry Foundations for Innovative
Theological Education by Extension. D.Miss. Dissertation, Fuller Theological Seminary.
Adapted into Body Ministry: The Body of Christ alive in His Spirit 2011.

Renewal Journal Editor
1993-2002, Renewal Journal, two a year, Brisbane.

1998, Flashpoints of Revival. 2^nd expanded edition published by Destiny Image, North Charleston, USA. 2009

2004, Flashpoints of Revival (Korean)
Grace Publishers, Seoul, Korea, in Korean

2006, Revivals Awaken Generations: A History of Church Revival
Translation of Flashpoints of Revival in Korean
David W Kim’s Ministries, Sydney, Australia, in Korean

2011, Revival Fires. Flashpoints of Revival adapted with endnotes.
The Apostolic Network of Global Awakening, Mechanisburg, USA

2022, The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story
WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan, Bloomington, USA

2023, The Queen’s Faith in Czech: Vira kralovny Alzbety II
KatMedia, Czechoslovakia, in Czech

Joint Board of Christian Education, Melbourne (JBCE, Uniting Church)
Reproduced by Renewal Journal (2009-2010) – www.renewaljournal.com
1977, Keeping Faith Alive Today, with 2 others
1987, Living in the Spirit: The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life
1989, The Leader’s Goldmine: Ideas for Christian Groups
1990, Kingdom Life in Mark
1991, Kingdom Life in Luke
1991, Church on Fire (ed.)
1992, Kingdom Life in Matthew
1992, Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit

Renewal Journal. www.renewaljournal.com
Trinity Theological College, Brisbane, then
School of Ministries, Christian Heritage College, Brisbane
1993-2002, Editor of Renewal Journal, Issues 1-20

20 Renewal Journals – with links
1 Revival,1993
2 Church Growth,1993
3 Community,1994
4 Healing,1994
5 Signs & Wonders,1995
6 Worship, 1995
7 Blessing, 1996
8 Awakening, 1996
9 Mission, 1997
10 Evangelism, 1997
11 Discipleship, 1998
12 Harvest, 1998
13 Ministry, 1999
14 Anointing, 1999
15 Wineskins, 2000
16 Vision, 2000
17 Unity, 2001
18 Servant Leadership, 2001
19 Church, 2002
20 Life, 2002
See Prayer & Miracles

Renewal Journals – in 4 volumes:
Vol. 1 (1-5) Revival, Church Growth, Community, Signs & Wonders
Vol. 2 (6-10) Worship, Blessing, Awakening, Mission, Evangelism
Vol. 3 (11-15) Discipleship, Harvest, Ministry, Anointing, Wineskins
Vol. 4 (16-20) Vision, Unity, Servant Leadership, Church, Life

Renewal Journal Publications, Brisbane
Now Blogs on www.renewaljournal.com
1993-2002, Editor of Renewal Journal, Issues 1-20

2009, Looking to Jesus: Journey into Renewal and Revival

2009, Light on the Mountains: Pioneer Mission in Papua New Guinea

2009, South Pacific Revivals. 3^rd expanded edition, 2012

2011, Revival Fires, Apostolic Network of Global Awakening

2011, Exploring Israel. 2^nd expanded edition 2015

2011, Inspiration (ed.)

2011, Kingdom Life in John. Compiled from 3 Kingdom Life books

2011, A Preface to The Acts

2011, Renewal and Revival, Compiled from Renewal Journal articles

2011, Body Ministry: the Body of Christ Alive in His Spirit

2011, Your Spiritual Gifts to serve in love

2011, Best Revival Stories, and
2011, Transforming Revivals, compiled into
2011, Great Revival Stories, compiled from the 2 books

2011, King of the Granny Flat, by Dante Waugh (biographical)

2013, Christian Passover Service. Christian Haggadah

2014, You Can Publish for Free

2015, Jesus on Dying Regrets

2015, Learning Together in Ministry

2015, The Lion of Judah. Compiled from 6 books

2015, Signs and Wonders: Study Guide, with Cecilia E Oliver

2015, Jesus the Model for Supernatural Mission, and
2016, Teaching Them to Obey in Love, compiled into
2016, Great Commission Mission, compiled from the 2 books

2016, Kingdom Life in the Gospels. 4 Kingdom Life books in one

2016, A Preface to The Acts

2016, Holy Week: Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday
2016, Risen: 12 Resurrection Appearances. 2 editions
2016, Holy Week, Christian Passover, & Risen

2016, Discovering Aslan, compiled from 7 books:
2016, Discovering Aslan in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
2016, Discovering Aslan in Prince Caspian
2016, Discovering Aslan in the Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader’
2016, Discovering Aslan in the Silver Chair
2016, Discovering Aslan in the Horse and his Boy
2016, Discovering Aslan in the Magician’s Nephew
2016, Discovering Aslan in the Last Battle
2017, Discovering Aslan, 2^nd Edition

2017, Annual Journal and Planner

2017, The Christmas Message, 2 editions, updated annually

2017, The Queen’s Christmas Message (Holy Fire Publications)

2018,Study Guide: The Holy Spirit in Ministry, with Peter Earle
2018,Study Guide: Holy Spirit Movements through History, with Sam Hey
2018,Study Guide: Renewal Theology 1, with Paul Grant
2018,Study Guide: Renewal Theology 2, with Paul Grant
2018,Study Guide: Revival History
2018,Study Guide: Ministry Practicum

2018, Journey into Mission, Autobiographical

2018, Journey into Ministry and Mission, Autobiographical

2019, Crucified and Risen

2019, Bible Story Pictures & Models, children’s pictures and models

2020, 100 Bible Quotes

2020, The Queen’s Christmas & Easter Messages (Holy Fire Publications)

2020, EnCOURAGE

2020, Journal & Planner

2020, Perpetual Diary

2021, The Queen’s Faith

2022, The Life of Jesus (WestBow Press)

2023, The Queen’s Faith in Czech: Vira kralovny Alzbety II

2024, The Amazing Life of Jesus

International teaching and preaching

1965-1970 School Teacher & Bible School Teacher, Baptist Mission PNG (ABMS)
1965-1968 Teaching primary schools in English
1968-1969 Teaching short term Bible Schools in Enga and Pidgin.
1969-1970 Teaching Enga Baptist Bible School in Enga and Pidgin.

Short Term Missions [Described in the book God’s Surprises

1981 Dec 19 – Jan 20, Israel, Egypt, family visit staying at Jerusalem and Tiberias.

1994 March 8-13, Elcho Island, revival meetings, with Hills, Hilary, Meryl, Unkles.

1994 May 4-21, Philippines, Teaching M.Th. Revival, at Asian Theological Seminary.

1994 July 3-12, Solomon Islands, Teaching, men’s conference, with Meg, Melinda, Hills.

1995 May 27 – June 16, Philippines, Teaching M.Th. Signs & Wonders, at ATS.

1995 June 19-26, Ghana, Revival, teaching & crusades, with Meg & Hills (No rain!)

1996 Nov 17 – Dec 10, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Teaching Revival to pastors and leaders.

1998 Nov 18 – Dec 11, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Teaching Revival, with Meg, Hills.

2000 April 14-28 , Nepal, India, Teaching Revival to pastors and leaders.

2002 Nov 11 – Dec 10, Australia, hosted South Pacific law student mission team of 11.

2003 Nov 18 – Dec 22, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Revival meetings and teaching.

2004 April 9-26, Vanuatu, Revival meetings on 3 islands.

2004 Sept 9-27, Nepal, Revival meetings and teaching.

2004 Oct 15-31, Dec 1-20, Vanuatu, Bible College Revival teaching and village meetings.

2005 Feb 2-22, Kenya, Revival meetings and teaching.

2005 March 25 – April 24, June 10 – July 6, Vanuatu, Revival teaching at Bible College.

2005 July 7-18, Fiji, Revival meetings.

2006 June 12 – July 10, Fiji, Kenmore Baptist Church mission team.

2006 Sept 22 – Oct 16, Vanuatu, Revival village meetings and teaching.

2006 Nov 10-15, Australia, hosting Vanuatu team of 6 in Brisbane

2006 Nov 16 – Dec 13, Solomon Islands, hills & conference, Vanuatu team, Grant, Jesse.

2007 Feb 1-21, Kenya, Revival meetings and teaching, with Joy, Alan,Pat, Jmes.

2007 June 20 – July 17, Fiji, Kenmore Baptist Church mission team, with Mathias.

2007 Sept 2-30, Solomon Islands, Revival village meetings and teaching, with Grant.

2007 Oct 23-39, China, house church leaders Revival teaching, with Grant.

2008 Jan 23 – Feb 12, Atlanta USA, Caribbean cruise, Toronto Church, with Grant

2008 June 1-22, Brazil, Sentinel Group conference with George Otis, visited revival towns.

2008 Sept 19 – Oct 7, Fiji, revival meetings.

2008 Dec 26 – Jan 19, Myanmar/Burma, with Jonathan’s mission team, Revival teaching.

2009 June 25 – July 6, Alaska cruise, Toronto Church meetings.

2009 July 7-14, Fiji, Revival meetings, with KY.

2010 April 13-21, Malaysia, Revival church meetings and teaching, KY, Julian & June.

2010 June 22 – July 19, Vanuatu, Revival village meetings with Ben, Heidi.

2011 Jan 1-9, Myanmar/Burma, Son’s team, Revival teaching for pastors and leaders.

2011 Jan 10-31, Thailand, Revival meetings in Baptist Churches and renewal groups.

2011 June 20 – July 6, Vanuatu, Revival village meetings.

2012 Jan 5-18, Myanmar/Burma, Son’s team, Revival teaching for leaders.

2012 March 2-14, Caribbean cruise, Toronto Church meetings with Joel, Candice, Jim.

2012 June 22 – July 18, Vanuatu, Revival village meetings with Andrew.

2012 Nov 5-20, Indonesia, Bali Church Growth Conference, Luis Bush.

2013 June 11 – July 1, Vanuatu, village meetings with Joel, Candice, Aggie, Hannah.

2013 July 16 – Aug 4, Germany, churches revival meetings.

2013 August 5-9, Israel visit, Christ Church hospice in Old City, Jerusalem.

2013 Oct 108, Fiji, wedding and revival groups.

2014 July 15-30. Vanuatu, Revival village meetings with Andrew.

2014 Aug 16-24, Nepal, Bible School Holy Spirit in Ministry teaching with Andrew.

2014 Aug 25 – Sept 4, Thailand, Baptist Churches meetings and teaching with Andrew.

2015 June 26 – July 19, Vanuatu, Revival village meetings with Andrew, Noel, Ben.

2015 Aug 14-25, Solomon Islands, Revival church meetings.

2016 June 24 – July 11, Vanuatu, village meetings with Dante, Andrew, Noel, Stan.

2017 Jan 9-31, Australia, hosting Vanuatu team of 5 in Brisbane and Rockhampton.

2017, June 12-24, Vanuatu, Revival village meetings with Dante, Emily, Daphne & Stan

2017-2018, Dec 26-Jan 3, Myanmar, with Jonathan & Melinda & families

2018, June 24-July 9, Vanauatu, with Dante, Ben, Scott, Sergie, Blake, Dylan,

2018, October 1-31, Bicton Uniting Church, WA, Living in the Spirit

2019, Sept 24 – Oct 8, Vanuatu, Pentecost with Christine & Robert

2023, Sept 12-28, Vanuatu, Pentecost with David Scarlett

2024, Feb 4 – March 13, Bali, Kuta Church (KICC), with Lyn & Phil

2025, Jan 28–Feb 12, May 22-June 13, Bali, Kuta Church Feb 2, June 8, November 16.

Most trips involved teams from Brisbane working with local teams.
Photo Albums of many of these mission trips are on Facebook albums:
https://www.facebook.com/geoff.waugh1/photos_albums

Web Links:

Renewal Journal – www.renewaljournal.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/geoff.waugh1

Photo Albums –
https://renewaljournal.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/facebook-album-index/

Topics Index

Authors Index

Revivals Index

General Blogs Index

Blogs Index 1: Revivals (briefer than Revivals Index)
Blogs Index 2: Mission (international stories)
Blogs Index 3: Miracles (supernatural events)
Blogs Index 4: Devotional (including testimonies)
Blogs index 5: Church (Christianity in action)
Blogs Index 6: Chapters (blogs from books)
Blogs Index 7: Images (photos & videos)

Bible Stories, Bible Study, Christian life, Christian ministry, Christian mission, Geoff Waugh, Jesus, Jesus Christ Bible, Christian ministry, Christian mission, crucifixion, Easter, Jesus Christ

The Amazing Life of Jesus – Geoffrey Waugh

by Geoff 6 April 2025 No Comments

The Amazing Life of Jesus – Geoffrey Waugh

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because his love changes lives forever

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because his love changes lives forever

Review Endorsements (from social media)

* I must commend the exceptional quality of this work. The depth of insight, clarity of expression, and emotional resonance are truly remarkable. It’s rare to encounter a book that not only informs but also transforms its readers. The overwhelmingly positive feedback is well-deserved, and I join others in recommending this as a valuable and impactful read. Congratulations to the author on such an inspiring and masterfully written contribution. – Katty Jay

* Our team recently came across your book entitled The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story, and we were captivated from start to finish. Your writing style is not only engaging but also remarkably insightful, and the story-line/topic you’ve crafted is nothing short of compelling. Its unique qualities and the emotions it evokes have the power to resonate with readers on a profound level. ~ James Mendez (Skylark)

* This is a very informative, amazing, and powerful book. Thanks to the author for investing hours of research, expressed with his masterful command of language. ~ Alex Johnson

* I recently spent time with The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story and was deeply moved by its clarity, structure, and spiritual resonance. By framing Jesus’ life and ministry around three Passover Festivals, you offer readers not only a historical overview but a fresh, accessible way to engage with the heart of the Gospel story.
Your ability to trace Jesus’ legacy his profound influence, his suffering, and his resurrection invites readers to reflect not just on a distant past, but on the living power of a story that continues to transform lives. Given that this is the world’s most translated and best-selling narrative, your work stands as a relevant and much-needed companion for both seasoned believers and curious seekers. ~ Carol Daniel

* Your book The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story strikes that rare balance between devotional warmth and historical clarity. By framing Jesus’ ministry through Passover Festivals and mapping out a detailed chronology, you’ve created something that’s both deeply spiritual and accessible for modern readers.
It’s clear your decades of mission, teaching, and renewal work flow directly into your writing, it reads like a heartfelt invitation to rediscover Jesus’ story as both history and love in action. This feels like the kind of resource not only for individual readers, but also for Bible study groups who want structured yet personal insights. ~ Cassandra Lattmore

* The Life of Jesus by Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Waugh is a beautifully written, deeply reflective, and spiritually enriching work that invites readers to encounter Jesus not merely as a historical figure, but as the living embodiment of divine love, courage, and truth. With clarity, scholarship, and heartfelt reverence, Dr. Waugh guides readers through the mystery of why a man who loved so completely and served so selflessly would face such intense opposition and ultimately be crucified.
What makes this book especially compelling is its balance between historical insight and spiritual depth. Dr. Waugh presents a concise yet meaningful overview of Jesus’ birth, boyhood, and public ministry, structured around the three Passover festivals that frame His mission. This approach helps readers see the unfolding of Jesus’ life with greater coherence and purpose, illuminating how His message challenged not only individuals but entire systems of power, tradition, and fear. ~ Patricia R. (GoodReads)

* The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story by Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Waugh is a thoughtful and inspiring exploration of Jesus’ life, ministry, and the mystery of why a man defined by love and compassion faced such intense opposition. With clear historical context, a well-structured chronology, and fresh insights, Waugh presents the Gospel story in a way that is both accessible and deeply meaningful. This book invites reflection, strengthens faith, and reminds readers why the life of Jesus continues to transform hearts across generations. Highly recommended. ~ Debbie Bosch (GoodReads)

* The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story by Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Waugh is a beautifully written, insightful, and spiritually enriching book that invites readers to see Jesus not only as a historical figure, but as the embodiment of radical love, courage, and truth. From the very first pages, this book draws you into a story that is as compelling as it is timeless.
Rev. Dr. Waugh approaches the life of Jesus with clarity, reverence, and intellectual depth, asking questions many readers have wondered about but rarely see addressed so thoughtfully: Why would a man who loved so deeply and helped so many be met with such hostility? Why would goodness provoke such opposition? These questions are explored with care, historical context, and spiritual insight, making the book both accessible and profound. ~ Mary Haynes (GoodReads)

* Be enriched. A most helpful telling of the life of Jesus using the biblical text and adding some background and charts. Anyone using this book will be enriched. ~ Rev Dr John Olley

* Geoffrey Waugh has written a very helpful devotional book about the Saviour of the world who is also the loving presence in believers. His use of chronology for headings and the many sub-headings makes the book simpler to absorb, even for an enquirer or new believer. I warmly commend this book. ~ Rev Dr Tony Cupit

* Impressive! This book is truly outstanding! Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment. Keep up the exceptional work! ~ Rachael Diaz

* I had the pleasure of reading your book last night. It is truly exceptional, providing fresh insights. The Life of Jesus effectively directs readers to the profound and uplifting news about who Jesus is and the significance of his actions. Thank you so much for this blog site about Jesus’ Life. ~ Christiana Michael.

* A great read that gives a fresh and interesting perspective. Mel.
* This is a wonderful book and can be read over and over. Thank you. ~ Kerry Rawson
* I keep this book with my Bible. It is especially helpful when reading through the Gospels. ~ Cathy Hartwig
* This is a great read. Simple and easy language that even my children can read as a guide, and have a better understanding of the Life Journey of Christ, as they read it in the Gospels. Thank You. ~ Florence
* The book is beautifully written and I have learned and understood a lot. I am recommending this book. ~ Kattie Mayson

* I experienced enrichment through this profound portrayal of Jesus’s life. A compelling read with straightforward and accessible language. This remarkable book is a true gem, deserving to be revisited time and again. ~ Henry
* I was going through a tough time. This book saved my life! ~ Danielle Davis
* I have found this book to be extremely powerful and effective in my life. Highly recommended. ~ Eileen Marks
* A big life saver. I am very grateful to the author for writing this book. ~ Regina Cruz
* I really enjoyed reading this. It was quite inspirational and remarkable. What an epic journey! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. ~ Alan Harlow
* A BIG thumbs up to the author for writing it. ~ Constance Morgan

* Your book cover looks fantastic! Your writing style is exceptional, and I loved how the story unfolded, keeping me captivated. ~ Solomon Emordi
* What a captivating cover! There’s such an art to capturing a story visually, and this one does it so well. Wishing you all the best with the release! ~ Habeeb Ayomide
* Beautiful cover art and a captivating title! Already hooked. Your book is fantastic! Sending you best wishes for its success. ~ Enny Precious
* I’m blown away by your book cover – it’s stunning! And the title is pure genius, it’s got me intrigued from the very start! ~ Jennifer Mary
* The concept sounds absolutely fascinating, and the cover art is stunning—it really draws you in! ~ Chamberlain Payne
* Your book looks amazing! Its potential to captivate readers is truly inspiring. ~ Shavon Thompson

* This is amazing. Your books are educational and captivating. It brings true memories and happiness. You’re such a brilliant book author, you truly have extensive knowledge of how to catch attention and engage the audience. ~ Patricia Donald
* The passion and dedication you’ve invested in every page are truly inspiring! Now that this exceptional book has come to fruition, what’s your vision for its next great milestone? ~ Ayo J. Olaniyi
* Offering fresh insights, The Life of Jesus points you to the great good news of who Jesus is and what he did. ~ Back cover

* I read your book last night. This is a great book. Thanks for writing this for all of us. ~ Nabeel Sharoon in Pakistan, translated it into five languages: Hindi, Indian Punjabi, Urdu, Sindhi, & Pakistani Punjabi.
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Free PDF eBook: The Amazing Life of Jesus

The Amazing Life of Jesus provides a brief overview of history’s great love story. It gives a summary of the birth and boyhood of Jesus and describes his ministry through three Passover Festivals.
The book includes a detailed chronology of Jesus’ life and ministry and examines why such a popular, loving, and compassionate young leader would encounter intense hostility and opposition causing his crucifixion.
The mystery and wonder deepen because his resurrection transformed his followers and millions of lives. We date our diaries and calendars from the time of his birth. His story is now the world’s best seller annually, translated into over 1400 different languages.

Also available in earlier versions as The Life of Jesus.

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because his love changes lives forever

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This PDF is an expanded version of The Life of Jesus with extra Bible passages included.
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Page 4 of the PDF lists some of the additional passages

An expanded version of The Life of Jesus
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Permission: you can freely reproduce and share these resources and books, including printing (just include the source). You can print, distribute, and market your edition of any of my books – “by all means save some” (1 Cor 9:22)

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The Amazing Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story
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Preface [see below]
Introduction [see below]
1 Birth and Boyhood
2 Ministry Begins
3 First to Second Passovers
4 Second to Third Passovers
5 Passover to Pentecost
Conclusion
Discussion Questions [see below]
Appendix 1: Chronology Chart
Appendix 2: The Feast Days
Appendix 3: The Gospels
Appendix 4: Alternative Chronology
Appendix 5: The Shroud of Turin
Appendix 6: Publications

Other Translations

The Life of Jesus in Hindi, Indian Punjabi, Urdu, Sindhi, & Pakistani Punjabi.

The Story of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story – Blog in English
The Life of Jesus in English and Hindi – Blog
The Life of Jesus in Hindi & English Headings – PDF
The Life of Jesus in Indian Punjabi – Blog
The Life Of Jesus in Indian Punjabi & English Headings – PDF
The Life of Jesus in English and Urdu – Blog
The Life of Jesus in Urdu & English Headings – PDF
The Life of Jesus in English & Sindhi – Blog
The Life of Jesus in Sindhi & English Headings – PDF
The Life of Jesus in Pakistani Punjabi – Blog
The Life of Jesus in Pakistani Punjabi & English Headings– PDF

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Preface

Why would such a good man who loved so profoundly and helped so many people be killed? Why did he provoke opposition?

If God walked among us in the person of his Son, why would people want to kill him? Why did so many vehemently oppose him?

That puzzled me as a boy. It still does.

The greatest love story the world has ever seen led to the excruciating death of crucifixion.

Many people have given their lives for other people as soldiers do in war. They die for others, defending home and country. But Jesus’ death was different. God’s Son chose to die for us because of his immense love for us. He took our place. His death gives us life. He is the perfect, sinless, eternal sacrifice for us. His blood cleanses us from all our sin as we trust in him. We are forgiven.

But why did so many good people, good religious people, hate him? That puzzled and fascinated me, so I explore that mystery in this book. I wanted to write a summary overview that people of all ages could read.

I always believed in Jesus. Even as a small boy I loved to hear and then read stories about him. He was so unique, so different. I believed his story as a boy and trusted in him. I still do and I hope you do too.

Jesus did what was good. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, set people free from addictions and evil, performed miracles, and even raised dead people. Huge crowds followed him and wanted him to be their king.

Now billions follow him, captivated by his love, the greatest love story of all. You can do that also. I invite you to simply pray something like this: Thank you Lord for all you’ve done. Forgive me for any wrong in my life. I trust in you and give my life to you.

Introduction

The year on our calendar or diary reminds us of when Jesus was born, approximately. We count the years from his arrival. So when you look at your diary or calendar you can be reminded again of Jesus.

They called him Yeshua (Joshua/Jesus) of Nazareth, the same name as Moses’ famous general who led God’s people into their Promised Land. Yeshua means God saves, or God is salvation.

That name comes to us in English through many translations from Yeshua or Y’shua in Hebrew and Aramaic, then translated into Iesous in Greek, then to IESVS in Latin and later as IESUS as printed in the first edition of the King James Bible in 1611. Later that century ‘J’ replaced the ‘I’ so the English name became Jesu (vocative) and Jesus (nominative) but eventually just Jesus in English. Other languages have translations such as Jesu, Yesu, and Isa.

English translations of the Bible used the name Jesus for Joshua/Jesus of Nazareth, and the name Joshua for others with that same name.[1] So in English, the name Jesus became unique and sacred for Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. The angel Gabriel announced his name before his birth to both Mary his mother and to Joseph who married Mary.[2] Gabriel explained that Yeshua (Joshua/Jesus) had that name because he would save his people from their sins.

The great love story had begun. Jesus came to save us and give us eternal life.

His followers recorded that story of his life and his love in the good news of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The rest of the New Testament explores the mystery and wonder of that amazing life and love.

Scholars have a bewildering array of theories about the Bible and about who wrote what, and when, and where, and why. I’m content to run with traditional explanations that have been used throughout most of history.

Jesus’ unique and wonderful life, his brutal death for us, and his powerful resurrection, all reveal his and God’s eternal love for us all. You could pause and thank him right now even as you read this.

John’s Gospel emphasizes God’s eternal love revealed in Jesus. It includes the most famous passage in the Bible:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17, NKJV).

That love, powerfully shown on the cross, has transformed billions of lives, restoring believers to an intimate and eternal relationship with God and with others.

Three physical metaphors help me to be constantly aware of, and grateful for, God’s presence with us always:

(1) Light surrounds you. By it you can read this. The sun always shines, even when it’s hidden from us. Light shines around us though we may be unaware of it. God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. We can live in his light.

(2) Blood pumps through your body right now, cleansing and healing. We may be unaware of it until reactions like alarm alert us to our beating heart. Jesus’ blood cleanses from all sin, always. We can trust him for he is with us.

(3) We may breathe without being aware of it, or we can be aware and take deep breaths, as you may have done just now! Breath purifies our lungs and body. God is Spirit and like breath or fresh breeze, he can purify us.

May the light of God’s love breathe life in you right now.

We’ve been made in God’s image to have an eternal, loving relationship with him that even transcends death. We can know and experience God’s unconditional love no matter how far we stray from him. Those who stray most are often the most grateful for his forgiveness and love. We all stray in many ways and we all need forgiveness and we can and should be truly grateful.

God knows and loves us as we are. That makes praying or talking to him easy because he already knows our failures and struggles and welcomes us just as we are. The more honestly we come to him the more he can transform us.

If we have trouble believing we can at least say, “God, if you’re there, help me.”

Some thoughts may get in the way when we pray or want to talk to God. Just give him those thoughts. He already knows all about it and loves us as we are.

If we reject God’s love and mercy by ignoring him and going our own way, we condemn ourselves to eternal darkness away from his light and love.

If we accept his love and forgiveness by believing in him, by trusting him, he gives us life, his eternal life. That makes us new. We are transformed.

Vast numbers of people worldwide of all faiths, and of none, have prayed the prayer in the popular hymn by Charlotte Elliot, ‘Just as I am’ which includes these adapted verses:

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Your blood was shed for me
And that You bid me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fighting and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

God welcomes us and we can all pray that prayer. A title for Jesus, as in that song, is the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away our sin.

The Life of Jesus is a vast topic with millions of books written about it. I hope my small contribution gives you a helpful overview. I quote from the New Revised Standard Version unless indicated otherwise, and include many footnotes that you can explore to discover more.

Best of all, of course, are the inspired Gospels now in over 700 different languages in Bible translations and a further 3,500 languages have Bible portions, especially the Gospels. Read and respond to those Gospels.

[1] Iesous (Yeshua) is translated as Joshua in these verses: Luke 3:29; Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:8.

[2] Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21.

Start of Chapter 1

It began at the beginning, this great love story, for “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”[1]

Why did he do that? For us.

He did it for you. He loved you so much he created you to know and enjoy him now as you read this, and forever. He offers you intimate, infinite love. He created you through the wondrous union of your parents’ ecstasy.

He made the earth for us to inhabit and care for and rule. He made the heavens (plural) for us to inherit, the physical firmament and also the realms of vast, eternal glory prepared especially for us.[2]

He created us free to accept or reject his astounding love. Sadly we went our own way. We all, like sheep, went astray. We all turned to our own way. So God laid on his Servant, his Son, all our iniquity.[3] God saves us through his Son in their great love for us all. You could pause and thank him now as you read this.

In the beginning, Adam and Eve enjoyed intimate, unashamed relationship with God and each other. Then, like us, they believed lies and went their own way, losing Paradise. But God still blessed and sustained them and their descendants who chose to love him and live for him. Sadly only a few did.

Noah and his family loved and obeyed God and he rescued them from the great flood. People ridiculed him for obeying God and building a huge boat on dry ground – not even in a dry dock. The rainbow became the sign of God’s covenant to Noah and his descendants including us.

Abram, a wealthy sheik from the wide fertile Tigris and Euphrates valleys in western Asia, north-west of the Arabian Peninsula (now Iraq), loved and obeyed God. Renamed Abraham (God’s friend) he journeyed to the Promised Land, now called Israel, from the name given to his grandson who wrestled with an angel or with the Lord.[4] Circumcision became the covenant sign for them and for their descendants through whom God would provide his salvation for us all.

Abraham and his descendants walked that verdant Promised Land, as did Jesus and his followers. So did our family for a month in December-January, 1981-82.[5]

King David reigned there for 40 years from around 1000 BC, described as a man after God’s own heart who would do what God wanted.[6] That’s an amazing picture of God’s love and grace for flawed people like David. His descendants ruled from his capital, Jerusalem, till the fall of their kingdom to Babylon. The human Jesus was descended from David through Mary, as was Mary’s husband Joseph, also a descendant of the royal line of David.

God blessed his people through history when they remained faithful to him but sadly, like us, they often went their own way, not God’s way. The northern kingdom of Israel fell captive to Assyria by 722 BC, as did the southern kingdom of Judah to Babylon from 597 BC. Then Cyrus of Persia allowed the exiles in captivity to return from 538 BC. Babylonian armies took captives in waves of exiles, and the exiles returned in various groups, then speaking Aramaic, a Semitic language similar to their Hebrew Scriptures. Their temple in Jerusalem lay in ruins for 70 years, from 586 BC to 516 BC. The returning exiles became known as Jews, a term derived from the former kingdom of Judah.

Alexander the Great’s conquests established Greek culture and language in Israel from around 333 BC, eventually sparking the Maccabean revolt from 165 BC with the Jews gaining independence from 134 BC.

Their independence lasted less than a century till 63 BC when warring brothers appealed to Rome, and Roman armies then invaded and killed 12,000 people, including temple priests, in the siege of Jerusalem. Rome then ruled its province of Judea, also named from the previous kingdom of Judah.

Those searing memories simmered strong in the Israel of Jesus’ day when Jews longed for their Messiah to deliver them. Radicals often attacked the Roman occupying armies. Rome retaliated swiftly and brutally. Their armies slaughtered thousands, with hundreds nailed to crosses as in a rebellion led by Judas the Galilean in AD 6 when Jesus was a boy.[7]

Jesus’ elderly relatives the old priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth lived near Jerusalem, and Zechariah had been literally dumfounded while offering incense in the temple during his roster when the angel Gabriel told him they would have a son to be named John. Zechariah spoke again nine months later at his son’s birth when he announced that the boy’s name was John.[8]

Six months after that temple encounter, Gabriel appeared again, this time to Mary in the northern hills of Nazareth. He announced that Mary would conceive by the Holy Spirit and her son would be called Yeshua (Joshua/Jesus), meaning ‘God saves’ or ‘God is salvation.’

Mary’s pregnancy created a problem for her espoused husband-to-be Joseph. Being a good man he decided to separate or divorce quietly and not make a fuss now Mary was pregnant. An angel intervened in a dream and explained about the miraculous pregnancy and that Mary’s son would be named Yeshua (Joshua/Jesus) because he would save his people from their sins. Matthew wrote that it fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’
which means, ‘God is with us.’ (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 9:6)

The great love story burst into history through that holy, miraculous conception. Excited at her news, Mary journeyed about 100km (64 miles) south to visit her relatives Elizabeth and Zechariah near Jerusalem. Old Elizabeth declared that her baby John leaped in her womb when she heard Mary’s news.[9] Mary stayed with Elizabeth and her dumb husband for three months till John was born (when Zechariah spoke again). They believed Gabriel’s word that John would, in the spirit of Elijah, announce the coming of the Lord. Those two women, supernaturally blessed, carried the wonder of God’s loving purposes in their wombs.

This came in the fullness of time.[10] Previous history pointed to Jesus’ coming as the Messiah, the Christ, God’s Son. We now date history from that birth.

[1] Genesis 1:1.

[2] John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 2:9.

[3] Isaiah 53:6. See Isaiah 52:13-53:12, the fourth Servant Song, along with Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-7.

[4] Genesis 17:5; 32:28; 35:9-10.

[5] See Exploring Israel in General Books and Biography on renewaljournal.com

[6] 1 Samuel 13:13-14; Acts 13:22

[7] Acts 5:36-37.

[8] Luke 1:5-24.

[9] Luke 1:26-45.

[10] Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10.

Conclusion

The life of Jesus is history’s great love story. The overview in this brief book points you to the great good news of who Jesus is and what he did. That story is told best in the Bible, God’s inspired word.

I hope this brief commentary points you again to that God-breathed living word. It gave me fresh insights as I researched the harmonized story of these gospels.

Many writers discuss the popular five love languages: affirmation, service, gifts, time, and touch. Jesus demonstrated all these in various ways.

He affirmed and admired faith, especially faith in him for healing and help.
He served daily and showed it dramatically by washing his disciples’ feet.
He gave his life for us and ultimately he gives eternal life to all who believe.
His three years of quality time with his followers prepared them to serve.
His touch brought physical and spiritual healing and freedom to multitudes.

I love the way John summed up the reason for writing his Gospel: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

That is my prayer for you, my reader. Here is my echoing sonnet, penned over fifty years ago.

Sin stalks the soul, and permeates the whole
Of life lived here where we, while bound by fear,
Hunt far and near for freedom to appear
From pole to pole with our minds in control.
That worthy goal seems mockery. Sin stole
Our freedom dear, left pain and woe to sear
Each life, a mere heartache, or sob, or tear,
Like a lost mole, blind, dirty in its hole.
God’s love stepped in to fight and conquer sin
Through Christ who bled and died and rose as Head
Supreme of all who claim Him Lord. Our fall,
Clamour and din may end in Him. We win
Release from dread, freedom, life from the dead,
Unbound from gall, in answer to His call.

Map in the book

Popular Books – by Geoff Waugh

Revival Books – gift ideas

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Christian mission, evangelism, Middle East, mission, Muslim, revival Christian, Christian mission, Christian revival, church growth, evangelism, mission

Church growth in Saudi Arabia

by Geoff 28 November 2024 No Comments

Church growing in Saudi Arabia faster than global average

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Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival www.renewaljournal.comPermission: You have permission to reproduce any blog or book. Many Renewal Journal books have been translated and reproduced.

God Reports, November 15, 2024

*Dr. Ahmed Joktan, who was beaten and scarred, had a gun put to his head, for converting to Christianity, hides his identity still because the danger is still there.*

In Mecca – the crown jewel of Islam — immediately after he read the Koran and prayed to Allah during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Ahmed Joktan, the son of a grand mufti, was visited by Jesus in a dream.

“In my dream, the balcony opened up, there was this light, and I heard a voice saying, ‘Come to me,’” Ahmed says on a Gateways Christian Fellowship video.

Ahmed converted to Christ in New Zealand where he was studying English. He now lives in the West. Hundreds of thousands of other Saudis who converted remain in Saudi Arabia, boldly serving the Lord at the risk of being hanged.

Saudi Arabia is iron-clad closed to the gospel. Evangelizing is illegal. Bibles are outlawed. Apostasy is punishable by death. Non-Muslims are not even allowed in Mecca, where Muslims believe Mohammad received his visions and Abraham once lived.(1)

Oswaldo Magdangal led a church in Saudi Arabia for 11 years.

Despite the risks, Christianity is burgeoning, even approaching 10%2 of the population, says Oswaldo Magdangal, who pastored an underground church for 11 years as a Filipino worker. He was caught and almost hanged in 1992.

“Saudi Arabia has the largest secret congregation in the world, and it’s mainly Saudi citizens,” Oswaldo told God Reports. The younger generation is especially open to the Gospel. “Christianity is all over, in Mecca, Riyadh, but the biggest growth is in Jeddah.”

Is revival happening in the underground church?

“Saudi Arabia’s rate of Christian growth is about 65% greater than the global average,” says Bruce Allen, with Forgotten Missionaries International, using statistics from Joshua Project. “Just because we hear that a government is closed to the gospel doesn’t mean the hearts of the people are.” (2)

Until the new Crown Prince took over in 2017, Saudi Arabia was the home of one of the most extremist brands of Islam, Wahhabism. Of the 19 hijackers involved in 9/11, 15 were Saudi nationals and most of them followed the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. Osama bin Ladin was Saudi and influenced by several extremist ideologies, including Wahhabism. School children have been taught in Saudi schools to fight the West.

But when Mohammad bin Salman took over, he liberalized the kingdom significantly. Fanatical clerics were jailed, preachers were told to tone down their messages, women were allowed to drive, schoolbooks were re-written to encourage moderate faith.

Most importantly, the religious police were stripped of their authority.

Wally Magdangal

Negotiations are ongoing to build churches on the peninsula; if neighboring United Arab Emirates has allowed compounds to open for churches, why not Saudi Arabia? There are now Bible printing houses (printing in Tagalog and in English), Oswaldo says.

But on the downside, congregations still can’t rent hotel conference rooms or public buildings, he adds.

“There is a major increase in church attendance, particularly among the younger generation,” Oswaldo says. “There are now Saudi pastors.”

From the Philippines, Oswaldo worked as a guest worker in charge of civilian employees for the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia. His wife worked in the Armed Forces Hospital. They had good connections.

But their connections were not good enough to save him from the religious police. When he was holding services in the desert (to avoid being discovered by the religious police), an AWAC plane during the Gulf War detected his meeting. The religious police caught him in Riyadh, the capital, he says.

He was imprisoned, interrogated and flogged on every part of his body, even the bottom of his feet. He wasn’t told the charges against him until his trial: blasphemy.

Oswaldo despaired. Interrogators demanded the names of his converts and associates in spreading the Gospel.

“Eventually I was so weak, they placed the pad of paper in my lap, and they forced the pencil into my hand,” Oswaldo said in Christianity Today. “I was weeping, and I said, ‘Lord, you’ve got to help me here,’ and I began to write the names of Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon, and others. After a few days, they were so mad, because they’d been all over Saudi Arabia looking for those people.”

He was to be hung on Christmas Day, a date selected to mock his faith. Not only the Philippines appealed to King Fahd, but also the US, the UN, Amnesty International, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and the Pope.

The church was praying, both outside and inside Saudi Arabia. His Saudi converts did a biblical Jericho-like march around the Kaaba.

Pastor Wally’s supporters did a Jericho march — around the Kaaba.

Muslims march around the Kaaba as part of their religion. It is the most holy site in Islam. But when the Christian Saudis did it, under cover, they were signifying that Islam could not withstand the God of the Bible.

It worked. With only hours before the execution, King Fahd ordered Oswaldo’s release at midnight. Military personnel came to rescue him and escort him out. He and his wife had to leave the country within 24 hours.

Oswaldo – who goes by Wally – has not been back since. He tried to visit in 2022, but was denied an entry visa. Oswaldo and his wife hope to get into the country eventually and start telephoning their old contacts. Oswaldo believes he can get a meeting with MBS, at which he wants to present the gospel.

Ever since it discovered oil and became flush with cash, Saudi Arabia has used foreign labor for a full range of menial jobs. Some of those workers are Christian tent makers, like Paul, using their worldly skills to advance the Gospel where traditional missionaries are shut out.

Recently the tent makers have been joined by tourists. In an attempt to pivot away from an all-oil economy, Saudi Arabia is now wooing tourists. Who would have guessed that Christians would be among the first to come?

They visit the site where some believe Moses received the 10 commandments, Jebel al-Lawz, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, near the Gulf of Aqaba — and they pray.

(1) According to the Quran and Islamic historical sources, Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) traveled to the site where Mecca now stands, built the Kaaba, and established monotheistic worship there. However, this narrative does not appear in the Hebrew Bible or other Jewish or Christian sources.

(2) According to Joshua Project, the percentage of Christian adherents in Saudi Arabia is 4.02% and the percentage of Evangelicals is 0.53%. The Evangelical annual growth rate is 4.3%, higher than the global growth rate of 2.6%.

If you want to know more about a personal relationship with God, go here

Related articles:

Brother Rachid went homeless for two years in Morocco for accepting Christ.
7th Century coins expose fabrications of Islam’s history
Does Islam plan to take over Europe with violence?
Is Islam inherently violent? Look at the history.
Why are Europeans converting to Islam?
Sharia law in London is practiced locally and internally.

About this writer: Daniel Corado studies at the Lighthouse Christian Academy in Santa Monica.

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Blogs Index 1: Revivals (briefer than Revivals Index)
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United Nations is a unique mission field

by Geoff 19 November 2024 No Comments

The United Nations is a unique mission field

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:20

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United Nations is a unique mission field
Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com

Permission: You have permission to reproduce any blog or book. Many books have been translated and reproduced.

The United Nations is a centre of political influence. Chris Rice, the Mennonite Central Committee’s representative at the UN, sees it as a unique mission field, a space where Christians can bear witness to Christ’s love, compassion, and justice.

“I’ve witnessed the power of Christian presence in these halls,” Rice says. “The UN is home to more than 8,000 employees and 5,000 diplomatic staff – many of whom may never have heard the gospel or engaged with Christian values. What if Christians saw this community as an unreached people group, ripe for the influence of God’s love and truth? A few evangelical organisations maintain a permanent presence here and use the significant opportunity to engage the people shaping international policies and make a lasting difference.”

MCC operates in 45 countries, often in places where political power blocks the efforts of Christian ministries. “The 2021 military coup in Myanmar, for instance, sent many of our partners fleeing for their lives. Gangs in Haiti have seized control, making it nearly impossible to carry out our health and agricultural programs. The war in Syria has devastated the country, scattering refugees and upending the lives of our church partners. In these challenging environments, our local partners on the ground possess vital knowledge that becomes invaluable when shared with the UN. After Myanmar’s coup, we worked with a UN body to document and report on chemical weapon attacks on civilians, giving a voice to those suffering under oppressive regimes,” according to Rice.

Christian organisations have credibility

Christian organisations, like MCC, have a unique role at the UN. “As a Christian diplomat told me, ‘Information is the currency of the UN,’ and the trust and connections that Christian groups have with local communities give them credibility that even elite diplomats often lack.”

Engaging with political power doesn’t mean controlling it. Rather, Christians are called to bear witness to the values of God’s kingdom – compassion, justice, and truth – while navigating the political complexities of the UN. “It’s a space where we must learn to listen, build relationships, and speak the truth in love,” Rice says.

“At the UN, there’s no obligation for diplomats to listen to Christian organisations. But this can teach us how to be persuasive through quiet influence and respectful dialogue. Over lunch with a US diplomat, I expressed concerns about US policies affecting Gaza and North Korea. The diplomat listened thoughtfully, and through that respectful conversation, we began to build trust – a crucial foundation for future engagement.”

The patience needed for peacemaking

The UN is far from perfect. It’s often slow to act, and its bureaucracy can be frustrating. But it’s one of the few places where representatives from countries like Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and the US and Iran can sit at the same table and try to find common ground. “In a world where people increasingly avoid those they disagree with, the UN forces us to engage with diverse viewpoints and learn the patience necessary for peacemaking,” Rice says.

“Every day, as I pass the 193 flags outside the UN and head into the Church Center where I work, I’m reminded that the world gathers here. Our Christian presence at the UN allows us to influence global conversations, carry the values of God’s kingdom into the halls of power, and be witnesses to His justice and mercy. As Jesus called His disciples to go to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), today, those ends of the earth gather at the UN. Through our presence here, we have the opportunity to touch the lives of people from every nation – and that is a mission field we cannot ignore.”

Source: Chris Rice, CT

Joel News International # 1368, November 19, 2024

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Africa, Christian ministry, Christian mission, discipleship, evangelism, Geoff Waugh, life of Jesus, mission, The Queen Christian ministry, Christian mission, evangelism

Bicycle Evangelism in Kenya & Free Resources

by Geoff 2 April 2024 No Comments

Bicycle Evangelism in Kenya & Free Resources

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Bicycle Evangelism in Kenya & Free Resources
Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com

Pastor Francis Okiwa reaches rural areas in Kenya with the Gospel and resources.

Here’s his story.

A MUSLIM FAMILY GAVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST AFTER THEIR FATHER WAS HEALED BY JESUS AFTER PRAYER

We were taught and trained that once you are born a Muslim, you are always a Muslim. I used to follow my father to the mosque five times a day. I never seriously questioned the rituals of my family’s faith until a friend at school showed me a Bible.

I never wanted to read the Bible because if I’m caught, it will be another story. It’s the highest degree of crime to convert from Islam to Christianity. My friend told me that God is love. It’s not about what you do, but it’s about having faith in him through Jesus Christ.

That’s when my friend invited me to a Christian healing service.

I was very curious to go. Those who came with their crutches started abandoning their crutches, and they were screaming and shouting, “I am healed! I am healed!” That shook my idea about Jesus Christ—that he’s just one of the prophets. The healing power of Jesus Christ is real! And that day I accepted him as my Lord and my personal Saviour.

From that day I stopped going to the mosque with my family and began sneaking off to church. One day my father confronted me.

When I looked at his face, the rage, the anger, he was a monster saying, “Come here, boy. Tell me where are you going.” I said, ‘church.’

“What? You’re going to church?” He pulled out a sword, and he ran after me. He started yelling, cursing me, “I deny you as a son, you are a traitor, you have denied our faith, and you are not my son anymore.”

I used to hide in my friend’s home. After three weeks of hiding, I heard that my father had become paralysed and was dying of an illness that doctors couldn’t diagnose.

When I heard that, I told my friend, “Let’s go and pray for my father.”

My friend said, “No, you cannot do it. This is very dangerous. They are looking for you—they want to kill you!” He said, “You don’t understand.” I said, “You don’t understand! When Jesus heals my father, they will know that Jesus is real.”

I went to see my father.

He was looking at me, I remember. He couldn’t talk. He couldn’t do anything, but he could hear. And I said, “Dad, I’m here to pray for you.”

I said, “Lord Jesus, I know you are a healer. Heal my father right now, so that the Muslims here and the whole world will know that you are a healer.”

Before my prayer ended, I saw my father moving his body. He got up from his bed and he sat. He started talking, “Your Jesus prayer has healed me. Your Jesus is real. I can talk, I can move my body. All the pain is gone.”

He said, “Come back home, you are my son and there’s no more persecution,” in front of everybody.

Many family members saw what happened and also gave their lives to Christ.

That healing miracle led to the conversion of my mother from Islam to Christianity. My younger sister gave her life to Christ. My younger brother gave his life to Christ. Even my half-sisters and brothers who were very devout and they were all mad at me, insulting me, looking for me to kill me, they all gave their lives to Christ as a result and they started going to church with me.

I left my town of Kitale, Kenya, and came to settle In Eldoret to attend Bible Seminary. I now travel around Kenya speaking and praying for others.

Since I gave my life to Christ, my life has never been the same, I’ve been changed into a new person and his love has brought me joy, peace, and happiness. We don’t have to do anything to earn his love. We just have to embrace him into our lives.

by Pastor Francis Okida, New Vision Gospel Ministry

Francis with the books The Life of Jesus and Living in the Spirit

Here are more comments from Francis:

I’m a full-time pastor and a very serious soul-winner evangelist, mainly in far rural areas, and for many years I have been walking a long distance on foot, like 50 km, to go and preach the gospel in far rural areas to distribute gospel tracts, scripture booklets, and books. By the time I reach there, it’s too late in the evening, and I normally get tired on the way, so I cannot preach on that same day, so do it the next day.

With donations we helped him buy two bicycles for his work.

Pastor Francis & Co-pastor evangelize by bike.

He wrote:

We print and distribute your wonderful books locally by using what we call ‘Perfect Book Printing’ here In Eldoret Town, Kenya. By doing that we reach poor Pastors, Church Leaders, Evangelists and many other Preachers in far rural areas with no access to the Internet.

We have several printing machines here In Eldoret, Kenya, so we shall distribute to over 700 rural Pastors in Kenya. I will be distributing these books free of charge as the Lord provides.

If you would like to help Francis you can email me at geoffwaugh2@gmail.com.

Renewal Journal Resources

All the Renewal Journal resources – www.renewaljournal.com – are freely available, and may be shared, reproduced and distributed freely. Some examples:

Kenya

Francis saw them online and now prints some of those books and distributes them in Kenya, as with Flashpoints of Revival and God’s Surprises (both on the main page with links).

Pakistan & India

Nabeel Sharoon saw The Life of Jesus online and translated it into Urdu and Hindi and other main languages of that sub-continent. They’re available free online and some mission groups print some of them. See his work on The Life of Jesus

Korea

Dr David Kim translated Flashpoints of Revival into Korean.

Czechoslovakia

Paulinky Press published The Queen’ Faith in Czech.

Global Awakening

Dr Randy Clark heads Global Awakening from America, often leading teams to minister in many countries. He printed Revival Fires, an updated version of Flashpoints of Revival.

General

Every day people explore Renewal Journal papers and books on Academia, and they are referenced in various academic papers and reports.

The Renewal Journal began as 20 printed journals mailed to subscribers. Many universities and Christian colleges subscribed for their libraries. Now those journals, books, and hundreds of blogs are available online. Around 400-500 view the blogs daily. You have permission to freely reproduce any of these resources and books. Some are available in Christian bookstores and on Amazon.

You are welcome to share or reproduce any Renewal Journal resource and book.

Now it is cheapest to print it yourself and distribute or sell it yourself.

GENERAL BLOGS INDEX

Blogs Index 1: Revivals (briefer than Revivals Index)
Blogs Index 2: Mission (international stories)
Blogs Index 3: Miracles (supernatural events)
Blogs Index 4: Devotional (including Testimonies)
Blogs index 5: Church (Christianity in action)
Blogs Index 6: Chapters (Blogs from Books)
Blogs Index 7: Images (Photos & Videos)

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Bicycle Evangelism in Kenya & Free Resources
The Life of Jesus – in 6 languages
The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story

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www.renewaljournal.com

Christian mission, church growth, evangelism, house church, persecution, prison, women in ministry Christian mission, evangelism, mission, persecution

Vietnam: Jailed five times, but unshaken

by Geoff 20 December 2023 No Comments

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
– Romans 12:21

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Vietnam: Jailed five times, but unshaken
https://renewaljournal.com/2023/12/20/vietnam-jailed-five-times-but-unshaken/
Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com

Vietnam: Jailed five times, but unshaken

Although Christians still face persecution in Vietnam, churches thrive because of leaders who endured suffering to spread the gospel in the communist country.

They include 95-year-old Pastor Duong Thi, also known as Mrs. Ly, who helped start Vietnam’s house church movement. Her favorite verse is Romans 12:21 which says: ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’

She endured many hardships, such as being imprisoned five times. When asked how she felt during the ordeal, she answered: “I was not afraid because God was with me.” Bibles were not allowed in the prison but Mrs. Ly was able to have access to some of its pages which her church members used to wrap the sticky rice they sent her. Even inside the prison, she boldly shared the gospel.

Mrs. Ly’s father served as a pastor of the Christian Missionary Alliance, the only traditional Christian church in Vietnam at the time. She followed in his footsteps, becoming a pastor of that church. In 1982, however, she became the first member to step out after she experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. She went around the different provinces in Vietnam to share about the Holy Spirit baptism and set up the first charismatic house church.

Mrs. Ly mentored many of Vietnam’s current Christian leaders, including Pastor Pham Duc Trung, who went from being dependent on drugs to running several rehabilitation centers which is the main ministry of his church, The Blessing Church. “When I became a Christian, it was her church that I first attended and where I really felt loved. She recommended the rehabilitation center where I was delivered from drug addiction,” Pastor Pham said. Mrs. Ly’s legacy also lives on in her children and grandchildren who have become pastors and church workers.

Source: Duong Thi

Joel News International # 1328, December 19, 2023

See also: Revival continues worldwide – Africa and Brazil

2023: A year of revival on college campuses

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Christian mission, mission, YWAM Christian mission, evangelism, mission

Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM

by Geoff 10 October 2023 No Comments

Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM

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Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM

Loren Cunningham, the impactful global evangelist who founded Youth With A Mission (YWAM), passed away at age 88 in Kona, Hawaii on October 6, 2023.

“Loren was the first person in history to travel to every sovereign nation on earth, all dependent countries, and more than 100 territories and islands for the sake of Christ and the Great Commission (Mark 16:15). Now he has added one more ‘stamp’ to his well-worn passport: HEAVEN!” the official announcement on the YWAM website states.

Cunningham has been described as a “de-regulator of missions” because he enlisted young people to serve short-term, globally, raising their own support. This resulted in millions of young people deployed around the world to proclaim the Good News. The ministry he launched in 1960 now has tens of thousands of full-time staff in 200+ countries serving at over 2,000 YWAM locations.

Cunningham answered the call to missions at a revival meeting in 1948 at the age of 13. God spoke to him through Mark 16:15: ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.’

He received a remarkable vision from the Lord in the Bahamas in 1956. He was staying in a missionary’s home, kneeling beside the bed, praying in preparation to speak that night. He recorded the experience as follows:

“Suddenly, I was looking at a map of the world, only the map was alive and moving! I could see all the continents, and waves were crashing onto their shores. Each wave went onto a continent, then receded, then came up further until it covered the continent completely. The waves became young people – kids my age and even younger – covering all the continents of the globe. They were talking to people on street corners and outside bars. They were going from house to house and preaching the Gospel. They came from everywhere and went everywhere, caring for people. Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the scene was gone.”

– Excerpt from Is That Really You, God? by Loren Cunningham with Janice Rogers, YWAM Publishing

Global initiatives launched under Cunningham’s leadership include YWAM Olympic Outreaches, the University of the Nations, YWAM Ships (28 vessels currently serve the most isolated islands and coastlands), and myriads of other ministries birthed by leaders he inspired, according to YWAM.

Cunningham believed that every Christian is a missionary and that there needs to be a ‘deregulation’ of missions. In other words, the global Church needs to change the way we view and conduct missions. Missions can be done anywhere one is, even in the marketplace. When Christians do that then we will be able to finish the Great Commission.

Cunningham is survived by his wife, Darlene, two children and three grandchildren.

Source: YWAM

Joel News International, #1319, October 9, 2023

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I plant secret house churches

by Geoff 2 October 2023 No Comments

Iran: ‘I plant secret house churches because I was saved into one’

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I plant secret house churches

Nathan shares how he found Christ as a teenager in Iran and how God led him to launch a mission to equip persecuted believers. “I plant secret house churches, because I was saved into one,” he says.

This is his story:

I grew up in a Muslim family in Tehran, Iran. My mother, a devoted Muslim, taught me to follow Islamic practices diligently. However, fear of losing my parents haunted me due to uncertainties about salvation. One day, a Christian relative visited us and shared the gospel. Even though I’d been taught that the Bible was corrupted, her words resonated deeply with me. My mother surprisingly listened and questioned rather than getting defensive. Her claims of Jesus freeing us from fear struck a chord in my soul.

Later, I found myself on my knees, asking Jesus to save me. To my amazement, my mother was undergoing her own spiritual transformation. We, along with my father and brother, embraced Christ. A secret house church provided us refuge. Despite potential danger, the Holy Spirit emboldened us to share the gospel with Muslims.

‘We now lead an Instagram fellowship for secret house churches’

Over the years, I delved deeper into my faith, attending Christian conferences abroad and returning to teach in Iran. A dream of leaving Iran in 2013 came true as I became a refugee in the United States, fulfilling God’s promise. My ministry extended to social media, where I equip Persian believers through online education and mentorship. My wife and I lead an Instagram fellowship for secret house churches in places like Iran and Afghanistan, allowing us to reach Muslims globally.

The transformation was powerful – my once fearful heart was liberated by Jesus. My father’s passing brought sadness but also peace, as he embraced Christianity and found solace in his last days. I am now a church planting pastor and leadership coach in North Carolina, thankful for the journey that led me to Christ and my mission to empower persecuted believers.

Joel News International # 1315, September 15, 2023

Added to BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

GENERAL BLOGS INDEX

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 3: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

BLOGS INDEX 4: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)

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I plant secret house churches

Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival:
www.renewaljournal.com

Brief Biography of Pioneer Mission in PNG

*

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh, founding editor of the Renewal Journal

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission CV

PDF: Brief Biography of Pioneer Mission in PNG

Pioneer Mission

Australia

Asia

Sri Lanka

India

Nepal

Philippines

Africa

Kenya

Ghana

South Pacific

God’s Surprises

Revival among Gen Z, 18-25 years old, 2025

UK: Generation Z sparks Bible boom

USA: Generation Z’s quiet turn to Jesus

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS(BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION(INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)

Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission (1937-2026)

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh, founding editor of the Renewal Journal

Blog: Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission CV

See also: Brief Biography of Pioneer Mission

Education and Employment

Academic Summary

Graduate Research

Publications

International teaching and preaching

The Amazing Life of Jesus – Geoffrey Waugh

LIFE WAY Digital Magazine, cover story May 2025 The Amazing Life of Jesus, also available as The Life of Jesus

Review Endorsements (from social media)

Also available in earlier versions as The Life of Jesus.

Contents

Other Translations

Preface

Introduction

Start of Chapter 1

Conclusion

Map in the book

Blogs Index 2: Mission (international stories)

Blogs Index 2: Mission (international stories)

Bicycle Evangelism in Kenya & Free Resources

A MUSLIM FAMILY GAVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST AFTER THEIR FATHER WAS HEALED BY JESUS AFTER PRAYER

Renewal Journal Resources

Kenya

Pakistan & India

Korea

Czechoslovakia

Global Awakening

General

Vietnam: Jailed five times, but unshaken

Added to

Blogs Index 2: Mission (international stories)

Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM

Loren Cunningham, the impactful global evangelist who founded Youth With A Mission (YWAM), passed away at age 88 in Kona, Hawaii on October 6, 2023.

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)

Iran: ‘I plant secret house churches because I was saved into one’

Added to BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 3: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

BLOGS INDEX 4: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS & VIDEOS)

Geoffrey Waugh – Ministry & Mission
(1937-2026)

LIFE WAY Digital Magazine, cover story May 2025

The Amazing Life of Jesus, also available as
The Life of Jesus