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Tag: Christian mission
Ghana: Jesus Film Riders on a mission
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Reaching an entire village from your desk
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How Ukraine became a missions hub for Russia
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The Life of Jesus
The Life of Jesus
History’s Great Love Story
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The Life of Jesus
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because his love changes lives forever
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Review Endorsements
* 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
* When I came across The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story, I found myself reading not just a retelling of history, but a rekindling of the greatest love story ever told. From the very first pages, your words awaken something tender and timeless, the awe of realizing that divinity once walked among us, and that perfect love chose to bear rejection, suffering, and death so that humanity could find life.
What moved me most about your work is how reverently you approach the mystery of Christ’s life. You do not merely recount His story, you invite us to behold it. You help us see the humanity of Jesus with new eyes: His laughter among friends, His compassion for the broken, His courage in confronting injustice, and His willingness to carry the world’s weight on His shoulders. Your book reminds us that the Gospels are not only sacred text but living testimony — that love in its purest form is not abstract but embodied.
You ask the questions that echo across centuries: Why would such a good man, who healed and helped, be killed? And in answering, you uncover a deeper truth, that divine love, when lived fully, exposes the darkness of human fear. That Jesus was opposed not because He failed to love, but because He loved too deeply, too honestly, too freely. Through your careful chronology and heartfelt insight, readers are guided beyond doctrine and into the living pulse of faith — into the wonder of a God who chose the road of suffering to redeem the world.
The Life of Jesus reads like both scholarship and worship — thoughtful yet filled with devotion, rooted in history yet ablaze with revelation. It is a book that can reawaken hearts dulled by familiarity, reminding us that the story of Jesus is not distant or finished, it is ongoing, alive in every life touched by His grace.
Your book holds the power to speak to multiple audiences: believers seeking renewal in their faith, seekers yearning to understand Christ through a fresh, compassionate lens, and even those who have grown weary of religion but still ache for meaning. ~ Lisa Gonzalez
* After spending time engaging with The Life of Jesus, I wanted to express my appreciation for the clarity, insight, and thoughtful exploration you bring to one of the most profound questions in Christian faith: Why would such a loving, compassionate, and powerful man provoke such intense opposition that it led to His death. Your work approaches this mystery with depth, historical awareness, and reverence for the gospel narrative.
What stands out immediately is your framing of Jesus’ life as the great love story of history. By tracing His birth, boyhood, and public ministry through the rhythm of three Passover festivals, you help readers see His life not as a series of disconnected events but as a purposeful and unfolding revelation of God’s heart. John chapter one verse fourteen tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and your book invites readers to dwell thoughtfully within that reality.
I was especially encouraged by your examination of opposition. Rather than treating hostility toward Jesus as a tragic misunderstanding, you carefully explore why truth, holiness, and divine authority often provoke resistance. Your analysis helps readers understand that Jesus was not rejected despite His love but often because of it. John chapter three verse nineteen reminds us that light exposes darkness, and your work explains this dynamic with clarity and balance.
The detailed chronology you provide is another valuable strength. It grounds the reader historically while deepening theological understanding. By anchoring Jesus’ ministry in real time, real places, and real conflict, you help readers engage the gospel accounts with renewed seriousness and awe. This approach strengthens faith by showing that the story of Jesus is not myth but history infused with divine purpose.
What makes The Life of Jesus particularly impactful is the way you continually point readers back to the good news. Beyond explaining what happened, you illuminate who Jesus is and why His life, death, and ministry matter eternally. Luke chapter nineteen verse ten tells us that the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost, and your book consistently draws attention to that redemptive mission.
Your writing offers fresh insight without sacrificing faithfulness to Scripture. It invites readers to think deeply, ask honest questions, and encounter Jesus not only as a historical figure but as the living Son of God. This balance makes the book accessible to thoughtful believers, students of Scripture, and those seeking a deeper understanding of the gospel story.
The Life of Jesus is well suited for personal study, group discussion, academic reflection, and church based teaching. It equips readers to understand both the love that drew crowds to Jesus and the truth that stirred opposition, leading ultimately to the cross.
On a personal note, your work reinforces the importance of helping believers wrestle honestly with the cost of truth and the nature of Christ’s mission. Understanding why Jesus was opposed deepens our appreciation of His sacrifice and strengthens our commitment to follow Him faithfully. ~ Dorothy Greenfield
* What stood out to me most was the thoughtful way you explore one of history’s most profound questions: why a man who loved so deeply and served so selflessly would provoke such intense opposition. Framing Jesus’ story as history’s great love story while carefully examining the resistance he faced gives the narrative both emotional depth and theological clarity.
Your structured journey through his birth, boyhood, and ministry across the Passover festivals along with the detailed chronology offers readers both accessibility and scholarly grounding. It is the kind of Christian nonfiction that clearly deserves readers who are genuinely seeking insight, reflection, and a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what he accomplished, not just casual browsing, but meaningful engagement. ~ Valeria Axel
* 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 (5-stars)
* This book reignited my faith. Rev. Dr. Waugh writes with deep compassion and wisdom, guiding readers through the story of Jesus not just as history, but as a living reality of love and sacrifice. I loved how he addressed the question why would anyone want to kill someone so good? His reflections are both thought–provoking and comforting. It’s a short but powerful read that reminds us of the beauty of God’s redemptive plan. A treasure for any Christian library! ~ William Lawson
* 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
* I recently came across The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story, and I was immediately drawn in by its clarity, reverence, and powerful simplicity. You’ve done something many attempt but few achieve. You’ve told the greatest story ever told in a way that’s accessible, inspiring, and grounded in both historical detail and deep spiritual resonance.
By structuring the narrative around the three Passovers of Christ’s ministry, you’ve not only illuminated Jesus’s life, but also offered readers a profound lens through which to understand the arc of his mission, his sacrifice, and his unshakable love. Your book is more than a biography it’s a guide, a reminder, and a call to reflection. ~ Janice M. Lovell
* I wanted to reach out with sincere appreciation for the warmth, reverence, and lived faith reflected in The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story.
What stands out so clearly in your book is the way you present the life of Jesus not only as a theological subject, but as a story of love grounded in real history and real human experience. Rather than distancing the reader with abstraction, you invite them into a narrative that feels relational, compassionate, and deeply personal. Jesus emerges not as a remote figure, but as someone whose life continues to speak through love, sacrifice, and hope.
Your long life of teaching, mission, and cross-cultural engagement gives the book a quiet authority. It is evident that this story is not simply studied, but lived. The clarity with which you write reflects decades of reflection, service, and spiritual formation, and that depth makes the book especially accessible to readers who may be encountering the story of Jesus anew, as well as those who have known it for years.
I want to say this plainly: that kind of writing matters.
In a time when many struggle to reconcile faith with history or devotion with understanding, your approach offers a bridge. By framing the life of Jesus as a love story rooted in history, you help readers engage both heart and mind, without forcing belief or diminishing mystery. The tone is invitational rather than prescriptive, which gives the book its gentle strength.
Seen this way, The Life of Jesus feels less like a textbook and more like a companion. It reflects a lifetime shaped by renewal, mission, and community, and it carries the wisdom of someone who has walked alongside many others on their faith journeys. That lived perspective enriches every page.
I don’t believe faith stories need to be complicated to be profound. I do believe they should be honest, grounded, and written with care for the reader. Your book embodies those qualities with grace and clarity. ~ Gloria Exley
* 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. ~ Christiana Michael.
* 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
* You’ve created a powerful, accessible biography that offers readers not only a historical journey but a spiritual awakening. The way you connect the Messiah’s earthly journey with the lasting impact of his resurrection resonates deeply. In a world increasingly searching for meaning and truth, your book feels especially vital. It’s a testament to the love story at the heart of history. ~ Susan B. Gravois
* 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 (Amazon 5-stars)
* This is a wonderful book and can be read over and over. Thank you. ~ Kerry Rawson
* A great read that gives a fresh and interesting perspective. Mel.
* 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
* Good clear language for a seeker to read and understand the life of Jesus. ~ Duncan Gibb
* Geoff Waugh has written a very helpful devotional book about the Saviour of the world who is also the loving presence in believers. Having known Geoff for over sixty years I can testify that every word written proceeds from his own heart of love for Jesus and for all God’s children. Geoff has avoided trying to manufacture some theory or new twist to make the book more colourful. He has used Scripture as his main source and has been faithful to both the divinity and humanity of Jesus as expressed in the Gospels. His use of chronology for headings and the many sub-headings makes the book simpler to absorb, even for an enquirer or new believer. It reminds me a little of Leon Morris’s beautiful book The Lord from Heaven. I warmly commend this book. ~ Rev Dr Tony Cupit, Former Director of the Baptist World Alliance.
* I keep this book with my Bible. It is especially helpful when reading through the Gospels. ~ Cathy Hartwig
* This book is for those who question Jesus’ reality as the Son of God, and for those who search for the details of His amazing life on this earth. ~ Judith Abrey
* The book is beautifully written and I have learned and understood a lot. I am recommending this book. ~ Kattie Mayson (Amazon 5-stars)
* I experience 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
* Impressive! This book is truly outstanding! Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment. Keep up the exceptional work! ~ Rachael Diaz
* Offering fresh insights, The Life of Jesus points you to the great good news of who Jesus is and what he did. ~ Back cover
* The Amazing Life of Jesus made Scripture come alive for me. The timeline and context around the Passover festivals were eye-opening. Highly recommended – order a copy and be inspired by Jesus’ life and ministry. ~ Philip Rettew
* I just discovered The Amazing Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story, and I’m deeply moved by your approach. A scholarly yet accessible exploration of why a profoundly loving, compassionate leader would face such intense hostility and opposition—examining the mystery of why people would want to kill God walking among us—this is exactly the kind of thoughtful, fresh perspective on Jesus’ life that seekers and believers are searching for right now.
As Rev Dr Geoffrey Waugh, you bring scholarly credibility and pastoral heart to history’s most important story. Your detailed chronology, examination of Jesus’ ministry through three Passover Festivals, and exploration of the paradox at Christianity’s center—why would the embodiment of love be crucified?—offers readers both information and inspiration. This isn’t just another Jesus biography; it’s an invitation to understand the good news afresh. ~ Mark Dawson
* The Amazing Life of Jesus is a beautifully composed and spiritually resonant narrative, a heartfelt exploration of history’s greatest love story. Your work brings new clarity and devotion to the life and ministry of Jesus, blending scriptural insight with compassionate storytelling that reminds readers why His message continues to transform hearts across generations. The Amazing Life of Jesus stands out not only as a retelling of divine history but as a journey into the mystery of love, sacrifice, and redemption, the cornerstone of Christian faith. ~ Avery Lane
* The Amazing Life of Jesus is an excellent summary for the life and ministry of Christ. I especially appreciated the chronological approach and the author’s ability to make complex biblical events feel simple and relatable. Rev. Waugh’s writing is thoughtful, informative, and sincere. While it’s a concise read, it’s packed with meaningful insights that linger long after you finish. It’s a great resource for both new believers and those who’ve been walking with Christ for years. ~ James Dunkies
* 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! ~ Ayo J. Olaniyi
* I read your book last night. This is a great book. Thanks for writing this for all of us. ~ Nabeel Sharoon from Pakistan who translated it into 5 languages..
Translator: Nabeel Sharoon
Nabeel Sharoon in Pakistan has translated my book The Life of Jesus & The Amazing Life of Jesus into 5 languages: Hindi, Indian Punjabi, Urdu, Sindhi, & Pakistani Punjabi.
See The Life of Jesus – in 6 languages if you’d like Nabeel to translate your work.
Free PDFs are on this page, including links to the English versions and PDFs.
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
https://books.by/renewal-journal-storeYou can freely reproduce, translate, and print these PDF books
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This book is available from WestBow Press, a division of Zondervan with this cover:
The Life of Jesus – Blog
WestBow Press version – The Life of Jesus
The Life of Jesus – WestBow Press – PDF
Amazon link – paperback, hardcover, Kindle
The 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 chart of a 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.
Contents
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
Model of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time
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]
[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
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.
Discussion Questions (for use in groups)
Chapter 1: Birth and Boyhood
1. What is one of your favourite Christmas carols and why?
2. What surprises you most about the Christmas story?
3. What challenges you about the boyhood and youth of Jesus?
What would you like people to pray about for you?
Chapter 2: Ministry Begins
1. Why do you think Jesus’ public ministry began after his baptism?
2. What puzzles you most about Jesus’ ministry? (eg casting out spirits)
3. What challenges you about being a disciple of Jesus?
What prayer would you appreciate receiving?
Chapter 3: First to Second Passovers
1. Why do you think John 3:16 is so popular and well known?
2. Who can you identify with in Jesus’ early ministry (eg Nicodemus, Samaritan woman, disciples, religious leaders)
3. What do you think challenged Jesus’ disciples?
What prayer would encourage you just now?
Chapter 4: Second to Third Passovers
1. What impresses you most about Jesus?
2. What challenges you most about Jesus?
3. What surprises you most about Jesus?
What prayer would help you just now?
Chapter 5: Passover to Pentecost
1. What shocks you most about the crucifixion?
2. What helps or challenges you about Jesus’ death and resurrection?
3. What interests you most about the Holy Spirit?
What prayer support would you like now?
Map in the book
https://www.facebook.com/bookmadbookshelf/posts/pfbid02a99Ci2h1btMz3bRf8x2ibdYNStsmDxicuAUmE9CpPRRsX4sqZgUoVvxfEPo7sbrhl
Jewish scholar argues for Jesus’ birth in Spring, Nisan 1, the first day of the first month.
See also Devotional Books
(7) The Lion of Judah – Blog
The Lion of Judah – PDF
6 books in one volume
* Looking for a great book to help you meditate on the wonder of Jesus in all his richness and grandeur and love? Geoff Waugh has helpfully and thoughtfully brought together wide-ranging biblical passages… Read this book prayerfully and you will not be the same! ~ John Olley.
* This book is full of information, biblical information. I have learned so much from it … If you want to learn more from the Bible, this is the book to read. ~ A. Aldridge
*
Crucified and Risen – Blog
Crucified & Risen – PDF
The Easter Story
Holy Week, Christian Passover & Resurrection – Blog
Holy Week, Christian Passover & Resurrection – PDF
3 books in 1
Christian Passover Service – Blog
Christian Passover Service – PDF
A Retelling of the Last Supper
RISEN: long version – Blog
Risen! –_PDF
12 resurrection appearances
Mysterious Month – Blog
Mysterious Month – PDF
Jesus’ resurrection appearances & our month in Israel
Kingdom Life in The Gospels – Blog
Kingdom Life in The Gospels – PDF
4 books in 1
Popular Books – by Geoff Waugh
Revival Books – gift ideas
Renewal Books – gift ideas
General Books – gift ideas
Devotional Books – gift ideas
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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The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story
The Life of Jesus – in English and Urdu
Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival:
www.renewaljournal.com
Renewal Journal – Popular Books by Geoff Waugh
Renewal Journal – Popular Books by Geoff Waugh, free PDFs
More on the Main Page
Inspiring articles, discounted books, free PDFs
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Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.com
Geoff Waugh – founding editor of the Renewal Journal
Giving Ideas – to serve and help others in need
Free PDF books – 2-page view at the top right of PDF.
Revival Books – gift ideas
Renewal Books – gift ideas
Devotional Books – gift ideas
General Books – gift ideas
The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story – Blog
The Life of Jesus – PDF eBook
The Amazing Life of Jesus – Blog
The Amazing Life of Jesus – PDF eBook
* 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
* 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
* A big life saver. I am very grateful to the author for writing this book. ~ Regina Cruz
* 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
* 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.~ Florence
* 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
* The book is beautifully written and I have learned and understood a lot. I am recommending this book. ~ Kattie Mayson
* 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
The Queen’s Faith – Blog
The Queen’s Faith – PDF Platinum Jubilee edition 2022
2-page view at the top right of the PDF
Queen Elizabeth II describes her faith
70 excerpts arranged in the ten themes of Jesus Christ, service & support, peace & goodwill, faith & hope, light & life, truth & courage, love and kindness, compassion & care, forgiveness & reconciliation, respect & tolerance.
* Took a read on the link! Really interesting and a great book! ~ Natalie Tse
* I have read this book and it is one of the most amazing books I have read to date. ~ Maria
The Queen’s Christmas and Easter Messages – Blog
The Queen’s Christmas and Easter Messages – PDF Platinum Jubilee edition 2022
2-page view at the top right of the PDF.
Queen Elizabeth II describes the significance of Christmas & Easter
* The Queen’s Christmas and Easter Messages is an appealing, highly unusual and very creative anthology. ~ Alison Sherrington
* What an amazing collection! This has so many wonderful Christmas messages and is a great addition to any family during the holiday season. ~ Jenny & Benny
*
Flashpoints of Revival – Blog
Flashpoints of Revival – PDF
Revival Fires – Blog
Revival Fires– PDF
Stories of revivals – same updated text in both books
Chapter 7: Twenty-first century revivals
* I know of no other book like this one that provides rapid-fire, easy-to-read, factual literary snapshots of virtually every well-known revival since Pentecost. As I read this book, I was thrilled to see how God has been so mightily at work in so many different times and places. I felt like I had grasped the overall picture of revival for the first time” ~ C Peter Wagner
*
God’s Surprises – Blog
God’s Surprises – PDF
Biographical stories of current revivals in over 20 countries
Condensed from Journey into Mission: * 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
* 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.
*
Discovering Aslan – Blog
Discovering Aslan – PDF
Devotional commentary about Jesus
from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
* This is a remarkable work and something quite unique that I’ve not come across before ~ Russ Burg
* One of the most interesting devotionals ever! As a huge fan of all things Narnia, I am so grateful for this deeper aspect of the truths in C.S. Lewis’ stories. ~ Belinda S.
* Best companion work I know of. … Either for a young person who is interested in exploring more, or as a resource on a pastor’s desk, it is an invaluable companion to the original series. ~ Amazon Customer
* This is a great companion when you read, and is a stand-alone teaching on the depths of teaching that C.S. Lewis weaves into Aslan’s character. Definitely worth your time. ~ Steve Loopstra
*
The Lion of Judah – Blog
The Lion of Judah – PDF
six books combined into one book
* Looking for a great book to help you meditate on the wonder of Jesus in all his richness and grandeur and love? Geoff Waugh has helpfully and thoughtfully brought together wide-ranging biblical passages… Read this book prayerfully and you will not be the same! ~ John Olley.
* This book is full of information, biblical information. I have learned so much from it … If you want to learn more from the Bible, this is the book to read. ~ A. Aldridge.
*
Inspiration – Blog
Inspiration – PDF
24 stories to touch your heart
* I really enjoyed this book. It helped me to understand more about what I have been going through. ~ James Bird
*
100 Bible Quotes: Bible Verses to Memorize – Blog
100 Bible Quotes – PDF
Key Bible verses, chapters, and passages
100 Bible Quotes gives you the most popular and well-known Bible verses grouped in 12 themes for easy memorization. Additional sections add other Bible passages.
*
Bible Story Pictures & Models – Blog
Bible Story Pictures & Models – PDF
Children’s pictures activity book
* Bible Story Pictures & Models stands out above the rest, looks and sounds original, fun and very inspirational … Your stories are great for teaching children basic bible stories. Your illustrations and models are all terrific for them to color and create. It is all very well done and inviting for your targeted young readers. ~ Ellery Alouette.
* This is an excellent children’s Bible story and activity book. Our family loves it and enjoys it every day, reading a different story and creating our own pictures and models. Thanks to the author for putting this wonderful book together for families to learn more about the Lord’s Word while enjoying some creativity time as well. ~ Jewell Hart.
* This hands-on, easy-to-use guide is laid out perfectly to use as a creative tool for simple-to-understand Bible lessons with fun and enjoyable illustrations, pictures and models to colour and create. Our children are especially enjoying it with excitement while they learn more about the Bible through the stories, along with coloring, painting and creating with the fun-packed inspirational activities. ~ Beatrix Bloom.
*
New Christian’s Guide – Blog
New Christian’s Guide – PDF
A basic guide to the Christian life
New Christian’s Guide is an introductory guide for new Christians starting out in their life in Christ. It covers basic essentials including Jesus’ instructions on loving God and loving others.
*
EnCOURAGE: Love One Another – Blog
EnCOURAGE: Love One Another – PDF
Hundreds of ideas for Christians & Christian groups
Hundreds of ideas for Christian groups with a wealth of activities, studies, prayers, and resources for groups of all ages.
*
Jesus on Dying Regrets – Blog
Jesus on Dying Regrets – PDF
Advice about the top 5 regrets of the dying
This small book explores Jesus’ advice about the top 5 regrets of dying patients.
*
Living in the Spirit – Blog
Living in the Spirit – PDF
The Holy Spirit and The Christian Life
* I find the study material to be balanced in theological emphasis and exceptionally well organized and presented. ~ Bishop Owen Dowling
* This book is not only good for personal use but also GREAT for group study. Even good for a Sunday School class. ~ SW
* If you are a Christian you need to read this book, it helps to understand the Holy Spirit and how he works in your life. ~ Allen R Lancaster
*
Your Spiritual Gifts – Blog
Your Spiritual Gifts – PDF
To serve in love
* Good basic biblical material. ~ Vanessa Hart
* Good home group study. It’s down to the home group to work as a team to put the theory into practice fitting in with existing church structures. ~ G Sinclair
*
Great Revival Stories – Blog
Great Revival Stories – PDF
Revival accounts from world leaders
* Full of true accounts of what happens to whole towns and cities when God’s people humble themselves, pray, and the Holy Spirit rushed through with his transforming power. Loved every minute of these stories. ~ Jo Swan
* Great compilation of Revival HappeningsGreat book. A compilation of reports from revivals from around the world. Really helpful in preparing for a sermon series on Revival! ~
*
Body Ministry – Blog
Body Ministry – PDF
The Body of ChristAlive in His Spirit
* This resource will be of benefit to all ministry leaders and teachers. I recommend it for positive change and for allowing the Holy Spirit, the Great Teacher, to have full reign. ~ Valerie Caraotta
*
Renewal Journals – links to 20 Renewal Journals
4 books comprising the 20 Renewal Journals
* I am enjoying these Journals a lot! Read about things that the Bible talks about, but they are happening in our day and age around the world. ~ Deborah Mares
20 Renewal Journals – with links
1 Revival, 2 Church Growth,
3 Community, 4 Healing,
5 Signs & Wonders, 6 Worship,
7 Blessing, 8 Awakening,
9 Mission, 10 Evangelism,
11 Discipleship, 12 Harvest,
13 Ministry, 14 Anointing,
15 Wineskins, 16 Vision,
17 Unity, 18 Servant Leadership,
19 Church, 20 Life
*
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)
BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)
BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS & VIDEOS)
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George Chen – In the Garden: 18 years in prison
George Chen – In the garden: 18 years in prison
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George Chen – In the Garden: 18 years in prison
Persecution in 2022
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Around the world, more than 360 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution, just for following Jesus. That’s 1 in 7 believers.
During the 18 years Chen had spent in prison, when he had often worried that all Christians had been killed or fallen away from the faith, God had caused the three churches he had led to increase from a total of 300 to 5,000 believers!
See Pastor George Chen’s moving labour camp story – In the Garden – YouTube 5 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6dIi6k76MQ – including Chen singing ‘In the Garden’
George Chen 1932-2021
A Tribute by Paul Hattaway
George Chen was the very first Chinese Christian I ever met in my life. In the 1980s I was a new believer in Christ, saved just a few months, when the direction of my life was radically changed after hearing Chen speak at a church in my home country. I knew next to nothing about China at the time and my life was directionless. I had never had a single thought of going to China.
I was speechless after hearing the testimony of this man who spent 18 years in prison for Jesus. He had endured horrific conditions, and had not only survived the ordeal, but had emerged with an unconquerable faith! George Chen’s eyes shone as I spoke with him after the meeting. He encouraged me to unreservedly make myself available to God, and to consider being a “donkey for Jesus” by carrying Bibles across the border from Hong Kong to the spiritually starving Christians in China, who had been without Bibles for three decades.
As recorded in my biography, the Lord miraculously propelled me to China through a series of astonishing events, despite being a teenager with no money to my name. I found myself in China just weeks after that pivotal meeting, and I had also been exposed to a type of Christianity that was completely foreign to most Westerners. I recalled my meeting with George Chen in “An Asian Harvest”:
“His testimony impacted me deeply. in the formative time of my Christian walk. He had spent longer behind bars because of his love for Jesus than I had been alive at that time.
This precious man had learned to appreciate the small blessings of life…. George taught me that the kingdom of God cannot be defeated by evil men or governments. Whatever terrible things Satan and the world can throw at Jesus’ disciples, His purposes will not be thwarted.” …
The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).
Churches throughout China suffered continual hammer blows throughout the 1950s and 1960s, as Satan’s fury was unleashed on them. One Christian who suffered greatly was George Chen (Chinese name: Chen Minying), who endured inhumane treatment at the hands of his persecutors, only to be preserved by the hand of God. He was even given an international ministry after his release from prison.
Chen was born in 1932 to a humble family in Zhejiang Province. The chaos engulfing China at the time caused them to move to Shanghai, where George grew up. After hearing the Gospel he surrendered his life to God, and the Holy Spirit gave him a gift of evangelism.
Chen founded three rural churches with a total of 300 members, most of whom he had personally led to Christ. The believers had a hunger for the Word of God and desired to spread the Gospel, which soon caught the attention of the Communist authorities. Chen was first arrested in 1960 and imprisoned as a counterrevolutionary.
For the first three-and-a-half years, George was one of five inmates crammed into a cell that was so small the men had to lie on their sides, head-to-toe, like sardines in a can. A wooden bucket in the corner of the tiny space served as the toilet for all the men. George was often so hungry that he ate toothpaste to satisfy his cravings. Chen’s wife and son were not allowed to contact him during his incarceration, and for years he was oblivious to the fact that she had died, and his son had been killed by the Communist authorities.
In 1964, Chen was moved inland to a prison labor camp in Anhui Province, where he served a further 14 years.
Inmates at a prison labor camp in China in the 1970s.
After months of backbreaking work, seven days a week, the prison leaders were infuriated that they had been unable to make the evangelist deny his faith in Jesus.
They ordered Chen to perform the worst job in the prison, daily shoveling human excrement to be used as fertilizer. The massive amount of waste produced by 60,000 prisoners flowed into a large cesspool a short distance from the cells. He later recalled the struggle of those long and difficult years, and how he was often troubled by thoughts that God had abandoned him:
“I spent my days deep in human waste, turning it with a shovel to make compost. They thought I would be miserable, but actually I was happy. It smelled so bad that no one came near me, so I could pray and sing aloud all day.
If I was not a Christian I would have died, because the smell was maddening, and the stench terrible. But I enjoyed being alone in the cesspool, so I could pray to our Lord, recite the Scriptures, and sing hymns loudly.”
To counteract the thoughts that he had been forsaken, as he stood deep in human waste every day, George often sung the beautiful words of his favorite hymn, In the Garden:
“I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses.
“And He walks with me And He talks with me And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known.”
Finally, in 1978, the political situation relaxed a little in China, and Chen was released from prison and placed under house arrest. Eighteen long years had passed.
When he entered prison, the Cultural Revolution had yet to begin, and Mao held complete power. Now, the Cultural Revolution was over, and Mao was in the grave.
George was afraid that nobody would remember who he was. Most of all, he wondered if any of the Christians he had once known were still alive, or if there were any believers left in China at all. With trepidation, he slowly made his way home, not knowing what he would find.
For almost two decades, George Chen had been both burdened and blessed by the memory of his church members. Countless times, as he stood in the excrement pit, he prayed aloud for them, asking the Holy Spirit to sustain their faith and help them to overcome. As he got off the bus in his home area, he failed to recognize many of the buildings or faces of the people he passed.
Then, from behind, came a cry of shock from an elderly woman. “Pastor… is it you?” One of his former church members was still alive! In a typically constrained Chinese manner, the two did not hug, but shook hands as tears rolled down their faces. George was relieved. Now he knew that he was not the only Christian left in China. There were at least two!
Millions of books (including Bibles) were burned during the Cultural Revolution, creating a famine of the Word of God in China.
God is Good
News of the pastor’s return spread throughout the neighborhood like wildfire, and soon the shining faces of many other believers pressed against the windows of a house he was invited to stay in. Many people were beside themselves with both shock and joy. They presumed the pastor had died decades earlier, and not a word had been heard to suggest that he was still alive.
The biggest shock was to come. When George asked one of his old friends if any fellowship of believers had survived, he was told, “Yes! God is good! He has sent His Spirit to breathe on us, and now we have many members. We are so glad that you have returned, because we do not have any Bibles and few of us remember many of the words of Jesus. Please teach us, pastor. Please!”
The Lord Jesus Christ, who promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church, had done a great miracle. During the 18 years Chen had spent in prison, when he had often worried that all Christians had been killed or fallen away from the faith, God had caused the three churches to increase from a total of 300 to 5,000 believers!
George was amazed, and he hardly slept that night as he tried to take in everything he had heard. His rejoicing was soon tempered, however, when he was told that his wife had died years earlier, and his young son had been killed. The prison officials had cruelly withheld this information from him.
Chen remained under house arrest until 1981, when he was “rehabilitated” by the government and his criminal records were erased.
Remarkably, for a man whom other Christians had forgotten about and assumed to be dead, God opened the door for George Chen to obtain a passport, and he shared his testimony in church meetings around the world during the late 1980s and 1990s. At each meeting, he invariably took time to thank the Body of Christ for sending missionaries to China in the past.
Chen remarried and spent much of his latter life traveling between his home and southwest China, where he ministered among ethnic minority groups, especially the Lisu people in the high mountains straddling the border with Myanmar. He was much loved, and he often drove a van hundreds of miles to deliver loads of precious Bibles to spiritually hungry Christians.
Although he officially retired in 2012 at the age of 80, George Chen continued to travel to China, where he advised house church leaders in Henan and Yunnan provinces. After many years spent ‘in the garden’ with Jesus Christ, his life shone into many dark places, and had become a sweet fragrance that attracted many souls to the kingdom of God.
Just a few months ago we received this photo of George. He looked fit and healthy, and we remarked that he would probably live to one hundred.
It wasn’t to be, however, and the Lord Jesus Christ finally called His servant home on October 27, 2021, when George Chen died peacefully in his sleep while in Hong Kong.
He was 89 years old.
George Chen in 2021, aged 89
Article edited from: In Memory of George Chen – Forever ‘In the Garden’
Posts on China – from Mission Blogs:
Asia’s Maturing Church (David Wang)
The Spirit told us what to do (Carl Lawrence)
Revival in China (Dennis Balcombe)
House Churches in China (Barbara Nield)
China – New Wave of Revival
Chinese turning to Christianity
Revival breaks out in China’s government approved churches
China: how a mother started a house church movement
China – Life-changing Miracle
China’s next generation: New China, New Church, New World
China: The cross on our shoulders and in our hearts
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‘The Lord reached me right in the mosque’
‘The Lord reached me right in the mosque’
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“But when I got to the fifth chapter of Matthew something supernatural and unusual happened in my mind.” He read: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” After reading this verse, he believes the Holy Spirit fell upon him – and filled him – as his heart and mind were regenerated.
Pakistan: ‘The Lord reached me right in the mosque’
Like other boys in his Pashtun tribe along the Pakistan-Afghan border, he was sent to a madrasa at age four, where he was compelled to read, recite and memorize the Koran. “The children mimic or copy the mullah,” says John Taimoor, founder of The Crossbearers, a ministry devoted to presenting biblical Christianity within an Islamic context.
By age 14 he stumbled across the name ‘Isa,’ the Arabic name for Jesus in the Koran. “I read the name of Jesus and became curious,” he says. “The Lord reached me right in the mosque.” When he asked the mullah about Jesus, he was told that he should find ‘The Book of Isa.’ “Nobody had ever heard of a Bible.”Taimoor searched for a ‘Book of Isa’ for two years. When he asked his teacher or inquired at the library he was met with suspicion. “What are you up to boy? Do you want to become a Christian?” they asked.
“I begged him to get me a Book of Isa.”
He met a young man at school rumored to be a Christian. “I begged him to get me a Book of Isa,” he says. “He got so scared he never returned to school again. He thought they would stone him or kill him.” There were times Taimoor rode his motorbike 30 to 40 miles because he heard about a gathering of Christians. “No one was willing to give me a Bible, they were so scared. But being strong-willed, the more people stopped me, the more determined I became,”Taimoor adds.
One day he happened to meet a missionary passing through the area north of Islamabad handing out small New Testaments. Taimoor spied the man from a distance and hurriedly rode his motorbike toward him. “He looked at me and greeted me like a Muslim and said, ‘This is the Book of Isa.’”
“It hit me like a bullet,” Taimoor says. “I was almost paralyzed.”
Hesitantly, he asked the missionary the cost of the book. “Nobody can pay the price for it,” he said. “If you want it, you can give me whatever you would like to give.” Taimoor fished into his pocket and pulled out the U.S.equivalent of 20 cents.
“The Holy Spirit fell upon him”
Racing home, Taimoor underwent a ritualistic cleansing, deciding this would be appropriate before reading such a book. “I didn’t understand it in the beginning,” he says. “But when I got to the fifth chapter of Matthew something supernatural and unusual happened in my mind.” He read: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” After reading this verse, he believes the Holy Spirit fell upon him – and filled him- as his heart and mind were regenerated.
“I got saved without the help of any individual,” Taimoor recalls. “I didn’t say the sinner’s prayer or go to any altar call,” he says. “Within six months I discovered Jesus Christ is God in human flesh.”
It would be five years before Taimoor had any meaningful contact with other Christians or saw the entire Bible. In the meantime, he set out to memorize the New Testament. “As a Muslim, I thought every good Muslim memorizes the Koran,” he recalls. “Naturally, Christians must be memorizing their books.” He thought he should memorize the books before meeting other Christians. He also feared the book might be taken away from him at any time.
When his mother found out about his new faith she told him, “If I had known you would become a Christian I would have strangled you as a baby.” Several years later, Taimoor’s mother and brother both became believers.
“My ministry is to establish new communities of ‘messianic Muslims’ “
Because Taimoor’s faith developed outside of mainstream Christendom, some of his views would be considered provocative to Christians. “I respect Muhammad and use him next to the Bible and the church as the third great witness of the glory of Christ,” Taimoor says. “I am proving to the Muslims the God they worship is the same God as ours,” he says. He believes Muslims are like Jews – they worship the same God as Christians – but reject Jesus as Messiah. Many Christians will not understand John’s strategy because it sounds like compromise. “To some degree it is,” he admits. At the same time, he emphasizes his main thrust is to prove that Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. “We worship Him as the Creator and the Savior.”
One of Taimoor’s ministry objectives is to establish new communities of ‘messianic Muslims’ throughout the Middle East based on the Book of Ephesians. He likes to say his travel style is patterned after John Wesley. “I work in a circuit and then move on. I move fast,” he says. “Some will follow along.”
“If I had not become a Christian I would have been a Taliban,” Taimoor says. His houses near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan are lined with prayer rugs, and have the feel of an Eastern worship center. They’re completely filled with Islamic books except for one – the Bible. People can stay there for extended periods while they read and memorize the Scriptures. “When people come here they want to know what this black book is all about,” Taimoor says. “If they’re serious, I tell them they can stay.”
Group meetings in his homes can last up to six hours, but he refuses to call this ‘church,’ instead preferring the term ‘Jaamat Rabaani’ – which means‘ gathering of the people of God.’ “If it looks like a church they will burn it,” he says.
“There are a lot of people in the Middle East who are really hungry and seeking,” he notes. “They only fear Western missionaries because they think they are cultural terrorists. We need to be one of them and go in on their level.”
Source: John Taimoor
Joel News 893, November 2, 2014
There is an ongoing underground revival in the Muslim world. Over the past 20 years more Muslims have found Isa (Jesus) than in all the previous centuries together. See links:
Iran: where Christianity is growing fastest
Iran – fastest growing evangelical population
Iran: How two women brought hope in Tehran’s brutal Evin Prison
Many Muslims are turning to Christ
Jesus and Muslims: Life in the desert
18,000 Muslim leaders led to Christ in West Africa
Jesus appears to a Middle Eastern Muslim for a month
Iman hated Christians until Jesus raised him from the dead
Muslim woman returns from the dead to tell about Jesus
If you want to know more about following Jesus, go here
Now on
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
GENERAL BLOGS INDEX
BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)
BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)
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‘The Lord reached me right in the mosque’
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Mexico: Thousands of migrants meet Jesus at the border
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God’s Grace Can Reach Any Heart
God’s Grace Can Reach Any Heart |
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| Share good news – Share this and any page freely. Over 100,000 views of blogs in 2020. Share this link on your media, eg Facebook, Instagram, Emails: God’s Grace can reach any heart Renewal Journal – a chronicle of renewal and revival: www.renewaljournal.comThe story of Pastor Bessarab, a former criminal who became an evangelist, pastor, and martyr.
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, In eternity, I believe we may see how God wrote chapters into the lives of people we knew on earth and also into the lives of our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. In 2004, I traveled to Tajikistan [northern neighbour to Afghanistan] a few months after a pastor named Sergei Bessarab was shot to death in a small city called Isfara, where Bessarab had planted a church. In my book When Faith Is Forbidden, I share Bessarab’s story and introduce readers to his widow, Tamara. In addition to meeting Tamara, I also met the man — also named Sergei — who had prayed for Bessarab’s salvation. The two men had met in prison while Bessarab was serving time for his criminal activities. In prison, Sergei prayed every day that Bessarab would come to Christ. But Bessarab was less than grateful for his friend’s concern. “Don’t waste time praying for me,” Bessarab told him. Sergei remained steadfast in prayer, however, and Bessarab did eventually bend his knee to Christ. The former criminal became a bold witness for his Savior both inside the prison walls and, after his release, as a pastor on the outside. In addition, he made frequent return visits to the prison to share the gospel with inmates. Soon after Bessarab and Tamara moved to Isfara and planted a church, which began to grow as Muslims turned to Christ, a headline in the local paper asked the pointed question, “What’s Going to Be Done About Sergei Bessarab?” On Jan. 20, 2004, the son of a local mosque leader answered the question, shooting and killing Bessarab as he strummed his guitar during his nightly time of worship, Scripture reading, and prayer. In my book, I close Bessarab’s story with words spoken to me by his friend Sergei just months after the shooting: “One day we will meet this person who killed [Pastor Bessarab] because we have a prison ministry all over Tajikistan. And we will be ready to tell him about Jesus.” A front-line worker in Central Asia recently met with Bessarab’s widow, Tamara, who told him how God has extended her husband’s legacy. When the young man who killed Bessarab was convicted and sent to prison, Christians were waiting there to meet him, just as Sergei had promised. In God’s amazing providence, the killer was eventually assigned to a cell with a Christian prisoner who had been led to Christ and discipled by Bessarab! And over time, the mosque leader’s son became Bessarab’s spiritual grandson, placing his trust in Christ. Bessarab was once a convicted criminal. Many would have written him off spiritually. His killer was also far from God, and some may have written him off as well. But God’s grace can reach any heart. If you need a reminder of that today, picture the final chapter of this story: Pastor Sergei Bessarab stands worshiping before God’s throne for all eternity — side by side with the man who ended his earthly life! In Christ,
This is an update from a story in When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians. Receive a complimentary copy for a donation of any amount at vom.org/forbidden. |
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