At Every Home for Christ, we operate under three unalterable convictions. The first is this: “The Great Commission must be taken literally, and at present systematic literature distribution, house to house, village to village (with recorded or repeatable messages for those who are illiterate), is still the best means to insure the task is completed. (Read Mark 16:15.)”
Many people ask why we use gospel literature as our primary tool for evangelism in view of a literal fulfillment of the Great Commission. At EHC, we believe in the power of the printed page! Following are a few reasons why.
1) The Printed Page PROCLAIMS!
“These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.” — John 20:31 (MSG)
“And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” — Romans 10:15 (NIV)
2) The Printed Page PROVOKES!
“All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.” — 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NLT)
“When the king [Josiah] heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.” — 2 Kings 22:11 (NLT)
3) The Printed Page PERSUADES!
“I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” — 1 John 5:13 (NLT)
“Half the people in the world attribute their salvation to the printed page.” — Patrick Johnstone (Author, Operation World)
4) The Printed Page PRESCRIBES!
“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. 17Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”— 2 Timothy 3:15b-17 (MSG)
5) The Printed Page PRESERVES!
“Then the LORD instructed Moses, ‘Write this down as a permanent record, and announce it to Joshua: I will blot out every trace of Amalek from under heaven.’” — Exodus 17:14 (NLT)
“When GOD rebuilds Zion, when he shows up in all his glory…17He won’t dismiss their prayer. 18Write this down for the next generation so people not yet born will praise GOD…21Write it so the story can be told in Zion, so GOD’s praise will be sung in Jerusalem’s streets.” — Psalm 102:16-18, 21 (MSG)
6) The Printed Page PREPARES!
“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises.” — Romans 15:4 (NLT)
“Observe the requirements of the LORD your God and follow all his ways. Keep each of the laws, commands, regulations, and stipulations written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.” — 1 Kings 2:3 (NLT)
7) The Printed Page PENETRATES!
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” — Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT)
“If God were to give me miraculous, superhuman strength to go to every family on earth and preach for an hour about Jesus, or if, on the other hand, He permitted me to take a clear, printed message of salvation to every family on earth, there is no question I would choose the latter. If I were to preach an hour to every family, there is no doubt that some days I’d probably not do the best job, and many families might not understand my message the first time through. But anointed literature has no bad days. It can stay for months or years, speaking over and over until the Holy Spirit penetrates the heart of the reader.” — Dr. Bill Bright (Founder, Campus Crusade for Christ)
Dick Eastman is the International President of Every Home for Christ. He also serves as President of America’s National Prayer Committee. He has traveled the around the world over 100 times, and he is the author of several books on prayer and evangelism. Dick and his wife, Dee, make their home in Colorado Springs and have two grown daughters.