October 2009 News in Brief
TELEVISION OUTREACH
Watch televised broadcasts of evangelist Bill Smith on the Jesus Broadcasting Network” and check the schedule for broadcasting times.
WWC’s “Outreach” program appears to be growing in popularity and outreach. While in Honduras, Smith heard from many people that they watched the program regularly. With a Sunday airing slot, a few people told him that it was just like having a second church service. For many Hondurans, their only church service iS during Sunday evening.
“People are getting familiar with the time and the program,” says Smith. “They are looking for something good to watch.”
The program is aired over the Jesus Broadcasting Network which broadcasts out of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, but also has bought TV stations and cable networks throughout South America.
“Outreach’ is now shown on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, and although it is not yet broadcast in the United States, it can be seen via Internet at www.jbntv.org. The network’s website is produced both in English and Spanish, and a TV listing can be found in either of the languages.
Although uncertain just how far the program is reaching, Smith was given a glimpse recently in a conversation with Mennonite Pastor Al Burke. Burke, a long-time friend of Smith, was working on a short-term mission project in the Dominican Republic.
“He said he was sitting in the hotel and came downstairs for breakfast,” Smith related. “He heard an old familiar voice coming out of the dining room. When he went in there, he saw me preaching from the TV.”
Burke told Smith that the incident blessed him beyond measure.
“We didn’t know it was being shown that far into the islands,” said Smith. “We really don’t know how big of a draw we really have.”
AFRICA
Nearly a year and a half have passed since Smith has traveled to Africa, and it has been a year since anyone from WWC headquarters has ministered in Africa. But that is likely to change soon.
Plans are underway for two crusades in Africa this December. Teams in Kenya and Uganda are preparing for a major outreach in areas surrounding Mombassa and Kampala, respectively.
“I’m always excited about going and preaching,” said Smith. “Africa is probably the most needy area in the world. But they are also the most open to the outdoor type of evangelism we do. They really like it.”
Smith still stands by a statement he made more than a year ago.
“If you’re an up and coming evangelist, go to Africa. They are open to the message of the gospel.”
Although some big-name evangelist have made attempts to reach out to parts of the African continent, Smith says he would like to see more go out into the bush country rather than just staying in the more westernized capital cities.
“The need is great there. It is one of the most difficult places to work, but it is the most needy.”
The trip to Africa will have Smith and his team leaving home about two weeks prior to Christmas and returning the week following the holiday.
“Jesus said to go into all the world. He didn’t put limitations on that,” Smith says. “Sure I’d like to be home with my family for Christmas, but we must go preach the gospel.”
Part of the journey Smith is really looking forward is seeing all the children in the orphanages in Uganda. Of the three orphanages supported by WWC in the area surrounding the capital city of Kampala, two of them receive their sole support from WWC.
“We need to check up on those kids and make sure they are doing well,” said Smith.
WWC continues to look for sponsors to send school supplies to the children in the orphanages. Twelve boxes of paper, pencils, and other school supplies have already been shipped to the orphanages. Another dozen boxes remain to be sent at a cost of about $100 each.
Sales of the children’s album “Children of Africa” have been slow, but WWC has received encouraging words from the internet’s digital outlet CD Baby. Profits from the album’s sale go directly toward support of the orphanages.
LATIN AMERICA
Evangelism and church facility construction are both in the works for Latin America.
Probably in February, Smith will meet up with interpreter Hernan “Ernie” Mendez, and they will head off to one of the area of Honduras where the gospel has not yet been preached. Mendez will have the crusade organized for Smith’s arrival and they are expecting to see a great move of God in the lives of the people.
After Honduras, the team will head off for Panama for another crusade, this time in a country WWC has never before had the opportunity to preach the gospel. Mendez has long sought to hold a crusade there, so he is eagerly looking forward to the opportunity.
Not long after the crusades, another building team should be headed off to Honduras for another round of building and ministering. Despite the current unrest in Honduras, Smith remains confident that one way or another, the team will be taken care of.
“I know the team is a little apprehensive, but we were promised a police escort to and from the work by that sergeant I met in the hotel,” Smith said. “It is going to be a busy time these next six months.”