“. . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
The first time I set foot in Thailand in 1994, I realized the great need for the Word of God. We went to work on providing a Bible for the people of Thailand, which was not made available until July 4, 2006. I do not believe a person can be set free, become a disciple, and have the assurance of salvation without a copy of the Word of God in their language.
Tim and Missy Shook are the leaders of Team Thailand. In their March newsletter of this year, I wanted to give you a small portion of the testimony that can be repeated thousands and thousands of times all over Southeast Asia because the Word of God has been made available to the people by BEST Missions. The following is a quote from the Shook’s newsletter of just one believer who received a copy of God’s Word in their language.
We are seeing God work in our church members’ lives on a daily basis. After Sunday’s church service, one of our newer members shared with Missy that ever since she received her own copy of the Thai Bible from our church, the Word of God came alive to her. She said now when she reads it, she learns something new every day. With tears in her eyes, she said, “I didn’t even need to watch the video today about Jesus’ betrayal and death to know what was happening, because I just read that same passage last night before bed.” She went on to say that she has learned more about following Jesus in this last year of being in our church than she has in the last several decades. Before attending our church, this lady was not even sure of her salvation, and now she is growing and is a thriving believer and follower of Christ! What a joy it is for me to share these precious testimonies from our church.
This testimony can be given thousands and thousands of times in my nearly 20 years of providing the Word of God because of the Bibles that folks like you have provided through your prayers and giving. The main reason for the work of providing the Word of God is for His Glory!
There are only three things that are eternal in this world: the souls of men, the Word of God, and the local New Testament church. That is what BEST Missions is all about—doing what brings honor and glory to our great God.
Thank you so much for allowing us to invest in that which is eternal. “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)
I was able to attend the annual Missions Conference at First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. The Lord allowed me to preach Tuesday night on the importance of providing the Word of God to every creature. I want to thank my church so much for taking care of all my needs and the wonderful love offering that was taken for the work of God. I love my home church, and I love my pastor, John Wilkerson. What a blessing they have been to my wife and me.
I started increasing the number of events since my recent back surgery in February. I started traveling again and preaching at Missions Conferences. The preaching of the Word of God was once again the most important thing that I could be doing and raising funds for the publishing of Bibles.
The greatest event of my life took place on April 17, 1966. Yes, it has been 56 years ago this month that I received Christ as my personal Saviour as an 18-year-old senior in high school. That truly was the greatest day of my life. “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30-31) Just like the Philippian jailer, all I had to do was BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! I’m sure glad that was all I had to do, because He had done everything else that needed to be done.
The second greatest event was when I decided that I would do something for Him that would last. Many told me that I would have to give up too much in order to be saved and serve God. What does a man have to give up in order to be saved and serve the very God of Heaven? As a six-day-old baby that was given away and raised in the back of a whorehouse and tavern, let me give you a list of things I had to give up:
• Sins for Salvation
• Satan for the Saviour
• Hell for Heaven
• Darkness for Light
• Lake of Fire for the River of Life
• Eternal Death for Everlasting Life
• Ungodliness for Holiness
• Foolishness for Wisdom
• Wasted Life for a Life Worth Living
• Sadness for Joy
• Gloom for Glory
After 56 years of serving God, I can truly say that He knows best what is for me and for you. Please encourage your young people to put God first in everything they do. It is the only life worth living.
Thank you so much for helping us to help others who need the Word of God. As they look forward to a great event in their lives, let us all make our lives count to eternity.
Into all the world,
Brother Bowen
Philippians 4:13