Articles & News

Tell Me Your Story

By Dave Dunmore, Executive Director TTB-Canada

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. -Fanny Crosby

The truth of this hymn is proclaimed every day around the world and in hundreds of languages by way of THRU the BIBLE’s teaching ministry. When the truth of God’s Word is written on a listener’s heart, a beautiful story can then be told. We are privileged to hear how the story of Jesus results in countless people’s salvation. Words can often not express the emotions of sadness, pain, hope, and rejoicing that spring up inside us as we listen to a beloved brother or sister share their precious testimony.

Recently, I and others from TTB’s global team gathered in Kazakhstan with several dozen members of partner organizations who do the work of the gospel across Central Asia. While for safety reasons we can’t disclose the faces and names of these valued partners, we were all blessed by hearing of the fruits from their creative and committed efforts to share THRU the BIBLE. 

In this difficult region, pastors distribute media players and workers engage directly with people on social media. The story of Jesus is bravely shared. A leader told us of the wide-ranging effectiveness of THRU the BIBLE’s teaching, saying, “TTB not only works for discipleship, but it’s also evangelism.” And those evangelism activities achieve real impact. Hearers respond with text messages like “I am a Muslim lady who listens to the TTB broadcast. I like that it is chronological teaching and very understandable.” And “Why is the mosque not teaching us like the programs we hear on the radio?” Pray that these dear listeners will accept God’s Word in their hearts.

Other amazing stories of new Christians followed. One concluded with, “They all believed, because it was such a testimony!” This is the account of an injured military veteran living in a remote Central Asian village. His background and threatening personality caused his family and community to live in fear of him. The man was given a media player with THRU the BIBLE in his language, and he began to listen. Soon he received Christ and started to tell others about how to have a new life in Christ. But he was evangelizing in his same frightening and threatening manner. As he listened and understood more of the Bible’s teaching and message he realized, “Christianity is not threatening; I need to tell people about the gospel with love!” God changed his life and personality completely through the Bible study programs. Pray for this man as he stands for the truth and continues to face real and trying persecution in his home country.

Another story told of a pastor who visited an isolated village on the border with China. As he began to preach to the gathered family they told him, “We already believe in Isa (Jesus).” The pastor asked, “And how do you know about Jesus?” They responded, “We listened to the radio message and then we believed.” God’s Word cuts through the darkest outposts to reveal the precious story of Jesus to ready hearts. Pray for this family to grow in their faith and love for Christ.

As our time together ended, one of the local ministry leaders emotionally expressed, “When we hear these wonderful stories from our countries, God empowers us to minister more. We want to reach the ends of the world!”  

We sat there quietly reflecting on the powerful stories we had heard. Hard hearts were now filled with the love of Jesus. My heart was filled with praise from the precious testimonies of changed lives. Together, THRU the BIBLE will continue to tell the story of Jesus. 

Media players are pre-loaded with THRU the BIBLE programs and distributed throughout Central Asia.

  A Kazakh brother led us in a time of worship.

    Images from the street market in Almaty, Kazakhstan.