Find out how a blind woman 00:00:01.36\00:00:02.70 and the most introverted member of the church 00:00:02.73\00:00:04.60 are both using their cell phones 00:00:04.63\00:00:06.87 to share the gospel with others. 00:00:06.90\00:00:09.04 This is AWR360A°. 00:00:09.07\00:00:11.71 AWR is here in Pretoria, 00:00:24.95\00:00:27.12 the capital city of South Africa. 00:00:27.16\00:00:30.53 Located at the southern tip of Africa, 00:00:30.56\00:00:32.93 this multi-ethnic society boasts its variety 00:00:32.96\00:00:35.76 of cultures, languages, and religions. 00:00:35.80\00:00:38.60 This is evident by the constitution's recognition 00:00:38.63\00:00:41.10 of 11 official languages, 00:00:41.14\00:00:43.17 the highest of any country in the world. 00:00:43.20\00:00:45.87 It is here that Cell Phone Evangelism 00:00:45.91\00:00:48.18 is spreading like wildfire. 00:00:48.21\00:00:51.01 Yay! 00:00:51.05\00:00:55.58 Cell Phone Evangelism 00:00:55.62\00:00:57.05 was founded by a small team in Namibia, 00:00:57.09\00:00:59.95 who were seeking to share Jesus with everyone. 00:00:59.99\00:01:03.73 The Holy Spirit inspired them to use their cell phones 00:01:03.76\00:01:07.40 as a way to send a prophecy series 00:01:07.43\00:01:09.83 to their contacts. 00:01:09.86\00:01:11.20 Rapidly, the people began responding 00:01:11.23\00:01:13.50 and surprisingly, forwarded these Bible lessons 00:01:13.54\00:01:16.77 to their own friends and family. 00:01:16.81\00:01:19.21 Many of these cell phone evangelists 00:01:19.24\00:01:21.51 have quite a story to tell. 00:01:21.54\00:01:24.75 Our AWR team has arrived 00:01:24.78\00:01:26.95 in the quaint city of Stilfontein 00:01:26.98\00:01:29.62 to meet Anna-Marie, a wonderful lady 00:01:29.65\00:01:32.85 who is using her cell phone for evangelism. 00:01:32.89\00:01:38.23 As we arrived, she greeted us with a sweet smile. 00:01:38.26\00:01:42.40 She immediately drew me in 00:01:42.43\00:01:44.37 as she began to share her life's story. 00:01:44.40\00:01:49.17 Over 16 years ago, I went into kidney failure 00:01:49.20\00:01:52.11 and I lost my kidneys. 00:01:52.14\00:01:55.84 For Anna-Marie to survive, 00:01:55.88\00:01:57.85 her sister decided to donate one of her kidneys. 00:01:57.88\00:02:01.62 For the next year and a half, she was on dialysis. 00:02:01.65\00:02:05.82 But the worst was yet to come. 00:02:05.85\00:02:08.82 I started getting blind also, 00:02:08.86\00:02:11.03 and I was really scared getting blind. 00:02:11.06\00:02:15.40 She wondered 00:02:15.43\00:02:16.77 how would she accomplish her life goals 00:02:16.80\00:02:19.20 and cope with being blind. 00:02:19.23\00:02:21.47 But God gave her the courage. 00:02:21.50\00:02:24.97 Her challenges of kidney failure and blindness 00:02:25.01\00:02:28.24 was just a prelude to what happened next. 00:02:28.28\00:02:32.15 These circumstances resulted 00:02:32.18\00:02:34.08 in the amputation of her right leg. 00:02:34.12\00:02:37.35 It was also very difficult 00:02:37.39\00:02:39.12 because I didn't want to sit in a wheelchair, 00:02:39.15\00:02:41.69 but I got a prosthetic leg 00:02:41.72\00:02:44.16 and I'm walking with it perfectly now. 00:02:44.19\00:02:48.73 These trials and afflictions would be enough 00:02:48.76\00:02:50.83 to greatly discourage anyone, 00:02:50.87\00:02:53.50 but she never lost her faith in God. 00:02:53.54\00:02:56.54 It was during this time 00:02:56.57\00:02:58.14 that one of her friends sent her something interesting. 00:02:58.17\00:03:03.04 And it was Loucha, one of my friends, 00:03:03.08\00:03:07.08 sent me a WhatsApp voice note 00:03:07.12\00:03:09.15 and asked me if I'm interested in the audios. 00:03:09.18\00:03:12.65 And I said, "Yes." 00:03:12.69\00:03:14.39 I would like it because it's always a struggle 00:03:14.42\00:03:16.36 to go to church, 00:03:16.39\00:03:17.96 so if I can listen to that on my phone, 00:03:17.99\00:03:20.46 it's much easier. 00:03:20.50\00:03:22.23 And I must say, 00:03:22.26\00:03:24.03 I think it's a best choice that I make in my life. 00:03:24.07\00:03:28.27 After hearing the messages of truth, 00:03:28.30\00:03:30.67 she had a deep desire to share it with her friends. 00:03:30.71\00:03:34.51 I'm also sending that audio recordings 00:03:34.54\00:03:38.31 to a lot of my friends in Afrikaans and to an English. 00:03:38.35\00:03:42.28 And yes, if I can do it, 00:03:42.32\00:03:44.82 I hope many, many other people can send the Word of God 00:03:44.85\00:03:48.56 also via WhatsApp and audio recordings. 00:03:48.59\00:03:52.83 When we discovered 00:03:52.86\00:03:54.20 she became a cell phone evangelist, 00:03:54.23\00:03:56.40 though blind, we had to know how she did it. 00:03:56.43\00:04:00.60 Okay, because I'm a blind person, 00:04:00.64\00:04:02.40 I'm using a smartphone that talks to me 00:04:02.44\00:04:06.04 so I can do everything on my phone like this. 00:04:06.07\00:04:11.11 Anna-Marie is forwarding these Bible lessons 00:04:38.77\00:04:41.48 to 10 of her contacts. 00:04:41.51\00:04:43.61 She is determined 00:04:43.65\00:04:44.98 to continue the work of the Lord. 00:04:45.01\00:04:47.25 The devotion of those who do Cell Phone Evangelism 00:04:47.28\00:04:50.09 knows no bounds. 00:04:50.12\00:04:53.25 But how did it reach South Africa? 00:04:53.29\00:04:56.12 Gideon was one of the founding members 00:04:56.16\00:04:58.46 of Cell Phone Evangelism. 00:04:58.49\00:05:00.63 He was determined to spread it across his country. 00:05:00.66\00:05:03.60 Right now friend, he is securing pardon 00:05:03.63\00:05:06.57 for you and for me before all the angels. 00:05:06.60\00:05:09.60 He lifts His hands and He says... 00:05:09.64\00:05:11.74 I was invited to preach in Namibia 00:05:11.77\00:05:15.34 in 2013, I think it was. 00:05:15.38\00:05:18.21 And then we started... 00:05:18.25\00:05:19.58 Neville and I started the group on WhatsApp 00:05:19.61\00:05:23.35 because the people were so far and a few in between 00:05:23.39\00:05:26.96 that we started a WhatsApp group 00:05:26.99\00:05:28.69 to keep connected. 00:05:28.72\00:05:30.73 We then realized that this was a powerful tool. 00:05:30.76\00:05:35.23 And then often Neville finished the Afrikaans version 00:05:35.26\00:05:38.40 of Revelation of Hope. 00:05:38.43\00:05:40.70 We decided that I should start that in South Africa 00:05:40.74\00:05:43.54 in the English version. 00:05:43.57\00:05:45.41 And that became a great success. 00:05:45.44\00:05:48.71 In fact, we have around 3,000 people 00:05:48.74\00:05:51.65 that receive the Revelation of Hope in South Africa, 00:05:51.68\00:05:54.65 and may more up in Africa 00:05:54.68\00:05:56.18 and it's being broadcast all over the world 00:05:56.22\00:05:59.45 at this moment. 00:05:59.49\00:06:01.82 When Neville and I started the WhatsApp groups in Namibia, 00:06:01.86\00:06:05.09 our groups were very, very small. 00:06:05.13\00:06:07.26 And we were very excited 00:06:07.30\00:06:08.63 when a lady by the name of Barbie 00:06:08.66\00:06:10.00 joined our group. 00:06:10.03\00:06:12.03 She lives in Divundu, a town in northern Namibia 00:06:12.07\00:06:15.60 with a population of only 5,000 people. 00:06:15.64\00:06:20.18 As we arrived on Barbie's farm, we were greeted 00:06:20.21\00:06:23.11 with the most precious sound of children singing. 00:06:23.14\00:06:26.88 Our team was honored 00:06:26.92\00:06:28.48 as they performed their welcome concert. 00:06:28.52\00:06:30.09 We are happy to see you 00:06:30.12\00:06:33.92 God bless you 00:06:33.96\00:06:36.02 God bless you 00:06:36.06\00:06:38.13 God bless you 00:06:38.16\00:06:40.16 God bless you 00:06:40.20\00:06:42.86 As I talked with them, 00:06:42.90\00:06:44.43 I was surprised to hear 00:06:44.47\00:06:45.90 that each and every one of them 00:06:45.93\00:06:47.74 joined the church, thanks to Barbie. 00:06:47.77\00:06:52.57 Barbie is a sweet Afrikaans' lady. 00:06:52.61\00:06:55.38 She makes a living by creating cement sculptures. 00:06:55.41\00:07:01.12 My friend Elise told us about a man, 00:07:01.15\00:07:03.42 who was doing Cell Phone Evangelism 00:07:03.45\00:07:05.25 on his phone and invited us to join in. 00:07:05.29\00:07:08.56 Because there are no churches around here, 00:07:08.59\00:07:10.56 I immediately liked this idea. 00:07:10.59\00:07:14.43 As I listened, I felt closer to God. 00:07:14.46\00:07:18.60 While hearing these recordings, 00:07:18.63\00:07:20.34 the Holy Spirit was reaching her heart. 00:07:20.37\00:07:23.30 She felt the need to share these lessons 00:07:23.34\00:07:25.27 with her friend. 00:07:25.31\00:07:26.74 They studied every day together, 00:07:26.78\00:07:28.98 loving what they heard, 00:07:29.01\00:07:30.68 always comparing it to their Bibles, 00:07:30.71\00:07:33.55 then came the Sabbath truth. 00:07:33.58\00:07:36.65 When we heard about this Sabbath, 00:07:36.69\00:07:38.09 it was a shock 00:07:38.12\00:07:39.45 because we always thought Sunday was the Sabbath, 00:07:39.49\00:07:42.09 but seeing the evidence 00:07:42.12\00:07:43.46 presented straight from my own Bible 00:07:43.49\00:07:46.70 was so compelling and so truthful, 00:07:46.73\00:07:49.30 we knew right away 00:07:49.33\00:07:50.77 that we had to keep the seventh-day holy. 00:07:50.80\00:07:54.64 So they went hut to hut, house to house, 00:07:54.67\00:07:58.27 sharing the biblical seventh-day Sabbath. 00:07:58.31\00:08:01.91 To our surprise, when we presented them 00:08:01.94\00:08:04.25 with the Sabbath truth, they agreed. 00:08:04.28\00:08:07.52 We were delighted as they kept coming back 00:08:07.55\00:08:10.39 with so many questions. 00:08:10.42\00:08:13.05 The Lord impressed us to hold the service 00:08:13.09\00:08:15.32 that very Saturday. 00:08:15.36\00:08:17.59 At first, no one came. 00:08:17.63\00:08:20.40 We started to have our doubts. 00:08:20.43\00:08:23.30 But then Barbie's eyes 00:08:23.33\00:08:24.77 saw the first child running towards her 00:08:24.80\00:08:27.60 and more smiling faces followed. 00:08:27.64\00:08:32.04 The joy in their hearts 00:08:32.07\00:08:33.41 at seeing these children knows no words. 00:08:33.44\00:08:39.58 Next, the adults walked through her gate. 00:08:39.61\00:08:43.02 Dozens of families made their decision 00:08:43.05\00:08:44.85 to join the church. 00:08:44.89\00:08:46.82 All it took was 10 days of listening 00:08:46.86\00:08:50.73 to Cell Phone Evangelism 00:08:50.76\00:08:52.59 for them to hold their first church service 00:08:52.63\00:08:54.86 for the community. 00:08:54.90\00:08:56.46 They were evangelists before they were even baptized. 00:08:56.50\00:09:00.84 There was no one in our area to baptize us right away, 00:09:00.87\00:09:04.91 but that did not stop us from sharing our belief. 00:09:04.94\00:09:08.34 We just wished someone had shared this truth 00:09:08.38\00:09:11.01 with us sooner. 00:09:11.05\00:09:12.88 From listening to now witnessing, 00:09:12.91\00:09:16.25 Barbie's group is reaching out to other communities 00:09:16.28\00:09:19.35 with the truth of the Lord 00:09:19.39\00:09:21.32 combined with the biblical health message. 00:09:21.36\00:09:23.46 Barbie has even planted a community garden. 00:09:23.49\00:09:25.96 So I started this farm 00:09:29.56\00:09:31.37 to teach people how to eat healthy. 00:09:31.40\00:09:34.54 I have all kinds of vegetables here 00:09:34.57\00:09:37.04 that the villagers are unfamiliar with. 00:09:37.07\00:09:40.28 There's radishes, soya beans, 00:09:40.31\00:09:44.75 peppers, egg plant. 00:09:44.78\00:09:49.08 I teach them to cook these vegetables 00:09:49.12\00:09:51.69 and how to get the most nutrients out of it. 00:09:51.72\00:09:55.32 I also gave them the vegetables 00:09:55.36\00:09:57.39 and taught them to take the seeds 00:09:57.43\00:10:00.33 so that they can plant it themselves 00:10:00.36\00:10:03.67 and that's what they're doing. 00:10:03.70\00:10:06.10 They are now starting small gardens of their own. 00:10:06.13\00:10:11.77 While we were there, 00:10:11.81\00:10:13.14 she came up with a beautiful idea 00:10:13.17\00:10:15.68 to provide Bibles for the local people 00:10:15.71\00:10:17.75 in their own language, 00:10:17.78\00:10:19.58 allowing them to see the truth for themselves. 00:10:19.61\00:10:22.78 She is now organizing community events 00:10:22.82\00:10:24.85 to be a witness to the surrounding villages. 00:10:24.89\00:10:27.82 Because of her, the children wear t-shirts 00:10:27.86\00:10:30.33 that say "Seventh-Day Adventists." 00:10:30.36\00:10:33.23 The community is taking notice 00:10:33.26\00:10:35.30 as the kids volunteer their time. 00:10:35.33\00:10:38.97 The cell phone is a powerful tool. 00:10:39.00\00:10:41.77 It can literally reach to the ends of the earth. 00:10:41.80\00:10:44.67 These people have been using it 00:10:44.71\00:10:46.71 for the Lord's advantage 00:10:46.74\00:10:48.48 and it's incredible to see these results. 00:10:48.51\00:10:51.11 It would've seemed to be the worst moment 00:11:22.48\00:11:24.25 for all the followers of Christ. 00:11:24.28\00:11:26.21 Jesus had died on the cross, ridiculed and tortured. 00:11:26.25\00:11:30.09 Many of them who thought 00:11:30.12\00:11:31.45 He'll be sitting on Israel's throne 00:11:31.49\00:11:33.49 now were in hiding and in mourning, 00:11:33.52\00:11:36.16 but this was not defeat. 00:11:36.19\00:11:37.83 This was the moment of victory, for the tomb is empty, 00:11:37.86\00:11:41.86 we serve a risen savior. 00:11:41.90\00:11:43.87 Death has no power over Him. 00:11:43.90\00:11:46.10 Still, people of the world 00:11:46.13\00:11:47.94 have yet to hear their redeemer. 00:11:47.97\00:11:50.24 Many have not heard about Jesus 00:11:50.27\00:11:51.84 because they are waiting for someone to tell them. 00:11:51.87\00:11:54.84 This is why I love Adventist World Radio. 00:11:54.88\00:11:57.91 We can go wherever air goes 00:11:57.95\00:11:59.95 and this message must be broadcast 00:11:59.98\00:12:02.18 to all over the world. 00:12:02.22\00:12:03.99 You too can take part in this final work 00:12:04.02\00:12:07.16 of our risen savior. 00:12:07.19\00:12:09.49 If you would like to partner with AWR 00:12:09.52\00:12:11.79 in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ 00:12:11.83\00:12:14.30 around the world, 00:12:14.33\00:12:15.83 then visit us at awr.org. 00:12:15.86\00:12:18.87 Here you will find training videos, 00:12:18.90\00:12:20.74 podcasts, and much more. 00:12:20.77\00:12:22.84 You can easily donate online and support this great cause. 00:12:22.87\00:12:26.94 Be sure to visit us on Facebook and YouTube 00:12:26.98\00:12:30.05 by searching for Adventist World Radio. 00:12:30.08\00:12:32.98 The Lord has commissioned us to join together 00:12:33.01\00:12:35.65 and spread His truth because He is coming soon. 00:12:35.68\00:12:42.02 Back in South Africa, in the city of Pretoria, 00:12:42.06\00:12:45.53 a man named Marius had been an elder 00:12:45.56\00:12:48.13 in the church for 33 years. 00:12:48.16\00:12:51.03 Yet, he felt that he was doing nothing. 00:12:51.07\00:12:53.30 That is, until, Gideon started 00:12:53.34\00:12:55.74 sending him the Bible prophecy series. 00:12:55.77\00:12:58.87 When Gideon introduced the Cell Phone Ministry to me, 00:12:58.91\00:13:01.94 I listened to it and I really knew 00:13:01.98\00:13:04.85 this is what I would like to hear 00:13:04.88\00:13:07.48 because I really love the Lord. 00:13:07.52\00:13:10.12 He eagerly listened to all 28 lessons. 00:13:10.15\00:13:14.12 Listening to these messages on cell phone, 00:13:14.16\00:13:18.76 and being an elder for 32 years and in the 32 years, 00:13:18.79\00:13:24.07 I've been doing nothing for the Lord. 00:13:24.10\00:13:26.03 I've got nothing to share. 00:13:26.07\00:13:28.10 So the Lord has given me everything 00:13:28.14\00:13:30.54 and I've given nothing. 00:13:30.57\00:13:32.77 That is when his thoughts became consumed 00:13:32.81\00:13:35.34 with the Revelation of Hope series. 00:13:35.38\00:13:38.71 I thought about it. 00:13:38.75\00:13:41.65 I've got everything on my phone. 00:13:41.68\00:13:44.29 And I can do it myself. 00:13:44.32\00:13:46.89 He started with a group of nine that doubled to 18 in one week. 00:13:46.92\00:13:51.56 He invited his Sabbath school class 00:13:51.59\00:13:53.13 to start their own WhatsApp group as well. 00:13:53.16\00:13:55.96 Nine young people joined in, but he was surprised 00:13:56.00\00:13:59.40 by one of the hands that went up. 00:13:59.43\00:14:01.44 It was not who he expected. 00:14:01.47\00:14:04.27 So when I asked this question, in the class, at church 00:14:04.31\00:14:08.61 "Who would like to participate in this, with a cell phone?" 00:14:08.64\00:14:13.48 I was quite shocked, 00:14:13.52\00:14:15.25 because Schalk raised his hand. 00:14:15.28\00:14:21.02 Marius was surprised 00:14:21.06\00:14:22.39 because Schalk is a quiet person. 00:14:22.42\00:14:24.69 For two years, 00:14:24.73\00:14:26.06 Schalk have been attending the church, 00:14:26.09\00:14:27.83 yet said nothing even when the pastor asks 00:14:27.86\00:14:30.47 for an amen during the sermon. 00:14:30.50\00:14:33.23 He was the quietest person in the whole congregation. 00:14:33.27\00:14:37.51 And I repeated my question. 00:14:37.54\00:14:38.91 I said, "Schalk, this is the Revelation seminar. 00:14:38.94\00:14:45.65 Who wants to do that?" 00:14:45.68\00:14:47.85 And to his surprise, 00:14:47.88\00:14:49.22 Schalk raised his hand even higher. 00:14:49.25\00:14:52.45 I seriously doubted that Schalk can do this. 00:14:52.49\00:14:56.96 It's not Schalk. 00:14:56.99\00:14:59.59 Could the quietest person be successful 00:14:59.63\00:15:02.10 in this kind of evangelism? 00:15:02.13\00:15:04.30 Yes, I regard myself as a introvert. 00:15:04.33\00:15:07.70 I don't see myself as an evangelist. 00:15:07.74\00:15:12.27 You see, Schalk is the only Seventh-day Adventist 00:15:12.31\00:15:15.14 in his family and he had a desire 00:15:15.18\00:15:17.51 to let them know about the truth. 00:15:17.55\00:15:19.81 So when he heard Marius talk 00:15:19.85\00:15:21.68 about Cell Phone Evangelism, he thought 00:15:21.72\00:15:24.72 "That's how I can reach my family." 00:15:24.75\00:15:27.66 So despite the elders warning, 00:15:27.69\00:15:29.66 Schalk started sharing the series on his phone, 00:15:29.69\00:15:32.73 hoping his friends and family would listen 00:15:32.76\00:15:35.26 and to his surprise, his small group grew. 00:15:35.30\00:15:38.80 The quietest person in the church 00:15:38.83\00:15:41.17 soon had 18 people listening. 00:15:41.20\00:15:44.24 Not one of them an Adventist. 00:15:44.27\00:15:47.74 When I sent out the WhatsApp request 00:15:47.78\00:15:50.71 to my friends and family, 00:15:50.75\00:15:52.08 I was surprised how many responded then, 00:15:52.11\00:15:54.58 said they want to participate 00:15:54.62\00:15:56.65 as all of them were not Seventh-day Adventist. 00:15:56.69\00:16:00.49 He was also surprised when many of them asked 00:16:00.52\00:16:02.96 if they too could share it with their friends and family. 00:16:02.99\00:16:05.99 And he happily said, "Yes." 00:16:06.03\00:16:08.50 It's amazing how the Cell Phone Ministry 00:16:08.53\00:16:11.33 has given you, Schalk, a loud voice. 00:16:11.37\00:16:15.64 Maybe next time in church you can give us a loud amen. 00:16:15.67\00:16:20.88 Maybe not yet. 00:16:20.91\00:16:24.35 Marius' group was gaining listeners fast, 00:16:24.38\00:16:27.15 thanks to the dedication of his team. 00:16:27.18\00:16:29.85 Then he began training the surrounding churches 00:16:29.88\00:16:32.82 to do the same. 00:16:32.85\00:16:34.69 Lives were being touched, including Annelie's. 00:16:34.72\00:16:40.93 I met Annelie at an Adventist bookstore 00:16:40.96\00:16:43.53 where she sells Christian literature 00:16:43.57\00:16:45.17 and a variety of health foods. 00:16:45.20\00:16:47.27 She enjoys telling people about God, 00:16:47.30\00:16:50.04 but her life wasn't always like this. 00:16:50.07\00:16:54.78 I was divorced after my first wedding, 00:16:54.81\00:16:58.61 my first marriage. 00:16:58.65\00:17:00.42 A worldly life followed of drinking, 00:17:00.45\00:17:03.05 smoking and dancing at clubs. 00:17:03.08\00:17:05.92 But then, she started dating a new guy. 00:17:05.95\00:17:08.89 And he introduced her to Cell Phone Evangelism, 00:17:08.92\00:17:12.16 sermons on the phone. 00:17:12.19\00:17:14.30 She enjoyed what she heard. 00:17:14.33\00:17:17.50 And, after receiving the first WhatsApp, 00:17:17.53\00:17:22.04 I decided to, well, why can't I share it as well? 00:17:22.07\00:17:25.34 Impressed by the series, 00:17:25.37\00:17:26.98 she immediately created two WhatsApp groups, 00:17:27.01\00:17:29.81 filled with many of her friends 00:17:29.84\00:17:31.51 that she could share the sermons with. 00:17:31.55\00:17:34.38 And I think this brought about between 480 and 500. 00:17:34.42\00:17:38.72 So 500 people are listening to Revelation 00:17:38.75\00:17:41.92 because you are passing it on. 00:17:41.96\00:17:43.53 I hope so. 00:17:43.56\00:17:44.89 Beautiful. 00:17:44.93\00:17:46.26 That's incredible how God's using you. 00:17:46.29\00:17:48.46 Because she was sending the messages out, 00:17:48.50\00:17:50.20 it had the unexpected blessing 00:17:50.23\00:17:51.90 of bringing her boyfriend and her 00:17:51.93\00:17:53.64 closer to each other, and most importantly to God. 00:17:53.67\00:17:58.17 In a short period of time, 00:17:58.21\00:17:59.54 Marius' group expanded to over 1,200 people. 00:17:59.57\00:18:03.51 Within two months, 00:18:03.55\00:18:04.88 non-Adventist listeners from the group 00:18:04.91\00:18:07.18 started coming to church. 00:18:07.22\00:18:09.25 Then baptisms followed. 00:18:09.28\00:18:11.25 But above all else, 00:18:11.29\00:18:12.65 there was one contact on his list 00:18:12.69\00:18:14.99 he wished would listen. 00:18:15.02\00:18:18.46 Looking at the list of people 00:18:18.49\00:18:20.03 I'm seeing in Revelation seminar two. 00:18:20.06\00:18:23.16 I realized there's one person I haven't invited. 00:18:23.20\00:18:27.27 And that is my son Elmer. 00:18:27.30\00:18:29.70 He left the church. 00:18:29.74\00:18:31.57 And I thought, I'm gonna put him on the list, 00:18:31.61\00:18:34.94 he won't have a choice. 00:18:34.98\00:18:37.38 He will receive it because I love him 00:18:37.41\00:18:41.25 and I love the Lord. 00:18:41.28\00:18:42.92 A father's love for his son to return is 00:18:42.95\00:18:45.65 something our heavenly Father knows all too well. 00:18:45.69\00:18:49.16 There is nothing God wants more 00:18:49.19\00:18:51.59 than for His lost sheep to return to Him. 00:18:51.63\00:18:55.96 At a young age, I started smoking and drinking. 00:18:56.00\00:19:00.50 I hung out with the wrong friends 00:19:00.54\00:19:02.77 and then it got worse. 00:19:02.80\00:19:04.81 I stopped keeping the Sabbath. 00:19:04.84\00:19:07.01 I left the church and started using drugs. 00:19:07.04\00:19:11.28 This was the darkest time of my life. 00:19:11.31\00:19:14.72 But it was then that my dad 00:19:14.75\00:19:16.95 began to send me messages of hope. 00:19:16.99\00:19:20.59 As I listened to this prophecy series, 00:19:20.62\00:19:22.82 I was shocked. 00:19:22.86\00:19:24.76 I once knew all of this, 00:19:24.79\00:19:27.00 but these were the truths 00:19:27.03\00:19:28.36 that I chose to ignore long ago. 00:19:28.40\00:19:31.00 It was a wakeup call, a mirror for my life. 00:19:31.03\00:19:35.37 I knew what I was doing was wrong. 00:19:35.40\00:19:38.64 And as I fought about my father's love, 00:19:38.67\00:19:41.91 I made the decision to come back to church. 00:19:41.94\00:19:46.21 It is amazing to see the Holy Spirit 00:19:46.25\00:19:48.65 working in the lives of these new evangelists. 00:19:48.68\00:19:52.02 It reminds me of the disciples when the Holy Spirit descended 00:19:52.05\00:19:55.56 and their numbers multiplied. 00:19:55.59\00:19:57.66 The Lord is ready to bless. 00:19:57.69\00:19:59.73 He first needs us to take action 00:19:59.76\00:20:01.93 to spread His Holy word, 00:20:01.96\00:20:03.93 but that cannot happen while we remain complacent. 00:20:03.97\00:20:09.44 Marius was an elder in the church complacent 00:20:09.47\00:20:13.04 but when he did the work of the Lord, his son returned. 00:20:13.07\00:20:18.25 After sending this Revelation seminar, 00:20:18.28\00:20:21.92 the blessing I received. 00:20:21.95\00:20:24.75 The phone calls, the people from all over the country, 00:20:24.79\00:20:31.26 I can almost say all over the world 00:20:31.29\00:20:33.76 has come and say, "I want to keep the Sabbath." 00:20:33.80\00:20:39.50 The biggest blessing was, 00:20:39.53\00:20:41.74 when Elmer, my son, came to me and said, 00:20:41.77\00:20:44.41 "Dad, I want to follow the Lord." 00:20:44.44\00:20:50.75 Soon I started dating a wonderful girl 00:20:50.78\00:20:53.72 and she started asking me questions about religion. 00:20:53.75\00:20:57.49 And as we talked, I said, 00:20:57.52\00:20:59.55 "My dad is sending me a Bible series on my phone." 00:20:59.59\00:21:03.53 She was excited to hear that. 00:21:03.56\00:21:06.03 After studying together, we felt impressed 00:21:06.06\00:21:08.76 to share these messages with other people. 00:21:08.80\00:21:11.33 This brought us closer to each other 00:21:11.37\00:21:13.67 and to our heavenly Father. 00:21:13.70\00:21:16.40 Annelie and Elmer are the perfect example 00:21:16.44\00:21:19.31 of what God can do in someone's life. 00:21:19.34\00:21:22.41 Their devotion to winning souls 00:21:22.44\00:21:24.11 has made their own relationship grow stronger. 00:21:24.15\00:21:28.08 In just four months time, 00:21:28.12\00:21:29.78 Marius formed 25 large groups 00:21:29.82\00:21:33.05 that are sending the message out 00:21:33.09\00:21:34.72 to thousands of listeners. 00:21:34.76\00:21:36.79 We're sending out to 1,755 people. 00:21:36.83\00:21:41.20 I get so many people day by day, 00:21:41.23\00:21:45.13 their reaction is, they want to keep the Sabbath. 00:21:45.17\00:21:48.24 They want to be baptized. 00:21:48.27\00:21:50.67 The Cell Phone Ministry is working. 00:21:50.71\00:21:53.34 Leadership support for Cell Phone Evangelism 00:21:53.38\00:21:55.98 is increasing every day. 00:21:56.01\00:21:57.81 The South African Conference President 00:21:57.85\00:21:59.78 gave us these words of encouragement. 00:21:59.81\00:22:02.88 People are actively using Cell Phone Ministry 00:22:02.92\00:22:05.82 in South Africa and especially people 00:22:05.85\00:22:08.92 which in the past they've not been 00:22:08.96\00:22:11.33 actively involved in ministry. 00:22:11.36\00:22:13.16 People who have been on the sidelines, 00:22:13.19\00:22:15.86 not really felt that they've something 00:22:15.90\00:22:18.20 they can contribute towards the mission. 00:22:18.23\00:22:20.84 Because of the simplicity and the non-invasiveness of it, 00:22:20.87\00:22:24.51 a lot of people 00:22:24.54\00:22:26.07 who weren't involved in the past 00:22:26.11\00:22:28.34 are now involved, 00:22:28.38\00:22:29.71 busy reaching out to people, 00:22:29.74\00:22:31.95 and a lot of our members are excited about this 00:22:31.98\00:22:35.32 that this is a opportunity of life time. 00:22:35.35\00:22:38.42 Maybe an opportunity that has a limited time frame. 00:22:38.45\00:22:41.49 And one that we must use at all costs 00:22:41.52\00:22:44.06 to proclaim the gospel. 00:22:44.09\00:22:46.39 Upon returning to AWR's main office here 00:22:46.43\00:22:49.43 at the General Conference, 00:22:49.46\00:22:50.83 we received an exciting update from Anna-Marie. 00:22:50.87\00:22:54.07 You see, at the time we interviewed her, 00:22:54.10\00:22:56.34 she had yet to visit an Adventist Church. 00:22:56.37\00:22:58.71 Yes, that's right. 00:22:58.74\00:23:00.08 She was so impressed by what she heard 00:23:00.11\00:23:02.38 on her cell phone that she decided to attend 00:23:02.41\00:23:04.81 a Seventh-day Adventist Church for the first time. 00:23:04.85\00:23:07.48 Listen to what she had to say. 00:23:07.52\00:23:10.15 My first time at the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 00:23:10.19\00:23:14.26 What a pleasant experience! 00:23:14.29\00:23:17.43 First of all, everybody was so, so friendly. 00:23:17.46\00:23:22.50 And, the other thing that amazed me was the fact 00:23:22.53\00:23:26.13 that everybody was kneeling down 00:23:26.17\00:23:28.47 when they prayed. 00:23:28.50\00:23:29.94 So it was really, really a nice day at the church. 00:23:29.97\00:23:35.31 So we are definitely going back again. 00:23:35.34\00:23:38.75 Though blind, she now sees. 00:23:38.78\00:23:41.05 Anna-Marie is now leading others 00:23:41.08\00:23:43.08 to the light as a cell phone evangelist. 00:23:43.12\00:23:48.06 Since returning to the church, 00:23:48.09\00:23:49.42 Elmer has made his decision for the Lord. 00:23:49.46\00:23:52.03 A week after we interviewed him, 00:23:52.06\00:23:54.10 he was rebaptized. 00:23:54.13\00:23:55.76 What a blessing! 00:23:55.80\00:23:57.13 He continues to share Bible truths 00:23:57.17\00:23:58.83 through his cell phone 00:23:58.87\00:24:00.20 alongside his girlfriend, Annelie. 00:24:00.24\00:24:03.77 We knew Elmer's testimony was so powerful 00:24:03.81\00:24:06.24 when the devil tried to stop a recording session. 00:24:06.27\00:24:09.21 Frequently, the devil tries to discourage our team 00:24:09.24\00:24:11.58 while on these trips. 00:24:11.61\00:24:13.11 This time, he used birds. 00:24:13.15\00:24:15.38 They look pretty innocent, don't they? 00:24:15.42\00:24:17.62 But what happened next was incredible. 00:24:17.65\00:24:20.19 Every time, Elmer would open his mouth 00:24:20.22\00:24:22.79 to share his testimony, these birds went mad. 00:24:22.82\00:24:26.83 Their piercing sound was terribly distracting 00:24:26.86\00:24:30.03 and we would have to start filming 00:24:30.07\00:24:31.40 all over again. 00:24:31.43\00:24:33.23 The devil did not want Elmer to tell his testimony. 00:24:33.27\00:24:36.34 But God answered our prayers. 00:24:36.37\00:24:38.81 Watch and listen to what happens next. 00:24:38.84\00:24:43.04 I didn't do anything, 00:24:43.08\00:24:44.41 in fact didn't anymore, and then I said, 00:24:44.45\00:24:48.58 I'm coming back to church, and I'm now re-laid, 00:24:48.62\00:24:52.15 I'm coming every Saturday to the church now. 00:24:52.19\00:24:55.02 My dad started sending me the Bible studies 00:24:55.06\00:24:57.96 on the seminar on the WhatsApp group. 00:24:57.99\00:25:01.63 And then you better read. 00:25:01.66\00:25:04.83 And I started listening to them again 00:25:04.87\00:25:07.04 and I don't think any person is going out anymore. 00:25:07.07\00:25:12.04 Let's try three, two, one. 00:25:12.07\00:25:16.08 My dad started sending me the Bible studies 00:25:16.11\00:25:18.25 on WhatsApp group. 00:25:18.28\00:25:20.35 And soon we started doing this. 00:25:20.38\00:25:23.72 Three. 00:25:23.75\00:25:25.09 No way. Okay. 00:25:28.79\00:25:30.13 Where two are more united. Okay. 00:25:30.16\00:25:32.36 All right. Yeah. 00:25:32.39\00:25:33.73 Moreover. 00:25:33.76\00:25:35.10 Dear heavenly Father, we're please we want 00:25:35.13\00:25:36.56 to make this recording to glorify You 00:25:36.60\00:25:39.63 and this powerful testimony of Elmer's. 00:25:39.67\00:25:41.87 Lord, use it for all others 00:25:41.90\00:25:44.24 that have really seems same type of story 00:25:44.27\00:25:47.24 and they can see hope in Elmer's testimony. 00:25:47.28\00:25:50.25 Amen. 00:25:50.28\00:25:51.61 And we're please, Elmer works always, 00:25:51.65\00:25:53.38 we can get a wonderful recording. 00:25:53.42\00:25:55.68 We're gonna give all the glory 00:25:55.72\00:25:57.25 in Jesus' precious, powerful name, amen. 00:25:57.29\00:25:59.49 Amen. 00:25:59.52\00:26:00.86 Okay. Let's go. 00:26:00.89\00:26:02.22 Three, two, one. 00:26:02.26\00:26:04.69 My dad start sending me Bible studies in WhatsApp. 00:26:04.73\00:26:08.46 After I prayed in Jesus' precious powerful name, 00:26:08.50\00:26:12.10 those birds' mouths were shut. 00:26:12.13\00:26:14.67 We are so thankful that camera kept rolling, 00:26:14.70\00:26:17.04 so we could share 00:26:17.07\00:26:18.41 behind the scenes miracle with you. 00:26:18.44\00:26:20.94 The Lord is ready to bless the work of those 00:26:20.98\00:26:23.08 who take a stand for Him. 00:26:23.11\00:26:24.78 Just like Gideon Pelser, 00:26:24.81\00:26:26.72 every Sabbath he trains dozens of new leaders 00:26:26.75\00:26:30.29 in Cell Phone Evangelism. 00:26:30.32\00:26:32.15 He is a true witness for our Lord. 00:26:32.19\00:26:35.06 When you think 00:26:35.09\00:26:36.42 of the Revelation of Hope series 00:26:36.46\00:26:37.83 being broadcast through the WhatsApp app, 00:26:37.86\00:26:40.66 on the broadcast facility specifically. 00:26:40.70\00:26:43.33 The potential is actually unlimited 00:26:43.37\00:26:45.63 because every week, we start a new group. 00:26:45.67\00:26:48.60 And I have the potential 00:26:48.64\00:26:49.97 of approximately 150 new participants per week. 00:26:50.01\00:26:53.41 And I have approximately 150 people 00:26:53.44\00:26:55.71 that join in the new group every week. 00:26:55.74\00:26:58.41 So it's absolutely unlimited. 00:26:58.45\00:27:00.92 You can have a thousand groups. 00:27:00.95\00:27:04.15 And it'll never stop 00:27:04.19\00:27:05.52 because as people are impressed 00:27:05.55\00:27:07.36 with the Revelation of Hope series, 00:27:07.39\00:27:09.19 they talk to friends, and colleagues, 00:27:09.22\00:27:10.63 and acquaintances, 00:27:10.66\00:27:11.99 and we then receives their names 00:27:12.03\00:27:13.86 and their cell numbers to add to the new group, 00:27:13.90\00:27:15.70 so it will never stop. 00:27:15.73\00:27:17.07 The potential is absolutely unbelievable. 00:27:17.10\00:27:19.90 And the beauty of the cell phone 00:27:19.93\00:27:21.74 is it literally has no walls, no borders, no limits. 00:27:21.77\00:27:25.14 It's absolutely unbelievable to know 00:27:25.17\00:27:27.58 that with the technology in place today, 00:27:27.61\00:27:29.48 God can literally finish His work 00:27:29.51\00:27:31.35 in a few years. 00:27:31.38\00:27:33.08 Really this is broadcast to baptism 00:27:33.11\00:27:36.28 in the most effective way possible. 00:27:36.32\00:27:38.92 AWR personally invites you 00:27:38.95\00:27:41.42 to become a cell phone evangelist. 00:27:41.46\00:27:43.46 It really is very simple. 00:27:43.49\00:27:45.23 You can do it from your living room chair. 00:27:45.26\00:27:48.13 We are all commissioned 00:27:48.16\00:27:49.50 to share the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. 00:27:49.53\00:27:52.50 Cell Phone Evangelism is a way 00:27:52.53\00:27:54.44 that we can reach the whole world 00:27:54.47\00:27:56.37 in a very short period of time. 00:27:56.40\00:27:59.04 Go to awr.org for training materials 00:27:59.07\00:28:01.64 and step by step how to videos for Cell Phone Evangelism. 00:28:01.68\00:28:06.38 You too can make a difference, 00:28:06.41\00:28:08.18 an eternal difference in the lives of others. 00:28:08.22\00:28:11.72 From broadcast to baptism, this is AWR360A°. 00:28:11.75\00:28:16.89