For the past few years the women of Truth for the World - called secretaries for want of a better description - have been sending out a newsletter 4 times a year to those who support our salary fund.  I act as editor for this letter and end up filling whatever space is left after the other ladies do their thing.  I don't usually post my article here - afterall, I am rehashing the same news - but today I think I will.


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These past few months have reminded me of an old Clint Eastwood spaghetti western – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. That theme song seems to be stuck in my head.

A huge chunk of my day is spent on the computer so when I boot up:

• The Good – New computers that actually compute rather than entertaining me with little circles of spinning color every time I give it a command.

• The Bad – Converting endless files from Mac to PC . . . still not done.

• The Ugly – Creating almost all of the new databases, then learning that MS has a built-in limitation on text field size that I can’t alter. This dramatically affects some of the information transferred and creates a massive headache. Aaugh!

I’m also hearing that famous whistle when I consider our Truth for the World staff:

• The Good – Kara McAfee has been a sparkling beam of sunshine!

• The Bad – Loosing William & Katrece Howard. Both are sorely missed.

• The Ugly – Learning that our small staff is soon to be smaller still. Jimmie Hill is leaving March 31st, and Benjamin Richardson will be gone by the end of May. 

As Jimmie’s wife I will also be leaving eventually, but probably not for another year. His exciting new mission work will be more efficient if we relocate to Tennessee, but many things have to happen before we do that.


Please keep the staff of Truth for the World – past, present, and departing – in your prayers.


- Linda

March 2010 Report

Dear Christian Friend,

Good news or bad news? It’s a mixed bag this month, so the good news first:

• We got a second opinion from the post office on our Update dilemma and the stapling we do with wire is classed as saddle stitching. We can keep our current format without an envelope.

• Kara McAfee joined the staff on February 1st as our new part-time secretary. Kara has put in numerous volunteer hours with our work, plus traveled to both Malawi and Australia on Truth for the World campaigns. So she is already a seasoned missionary and just turned 19!

• Our first Missions Saturday on February 6th went very well with approximately 40 in attendance. There were discussions on future campaigns to Africa, Australia, Iceland and Malaysia.

Now the bad news – we are losing more of the most precious resource we have in this mission work, our staff.

• Benjamin Richardson has been our Director of Broadcasting since 2006, but on February 23rd he was dismissed by the Duluth eldership and given 90 days to find a new work. Benjamin is an excellent speaker. He, his wife, Elisha, and their five children – Abigail, Mary Esther, Hannah, Levi, and a new arrival due August 2010 – are a joy to know and would be an asset to any congregation. If you know of one presently seeking an evangelist please contact him at this office or directly at benjaminrichardson@yahoo.com

• Jimmie Hill, Director of Publications and Coordinator of the Bible Correspondence Course Program, resigned on March 1st. Jimmie has been an indispensable part of Truth for the World since 1998. His talents, expertise and dedication will be difficult to replace. But Jimmie will remain in worldwide missions with his new work beginning April 1st. You can read about the work he will be doing with the International Bible Teaching Ministry and the International College of the Bible at his website: http://www.hillmission.blogspot.com

Please keep the staff of Truth for the World – past, present and departing – in your prayers.

Staff of Truth of the World

March 2010 Hill Mission Report

Dear brethren,

I began work with Truth for the World in September of 1998. It has been a good work and a work that, I believe, has been very profitable for our Lord. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Bible correspondence course teachers and students from around the world and sharing with you, through the printed page, what Truth for the World has done in the past and planned to do in the future in our work together for the Lord. Our God has been very good to me in this work and I certainly give all the glory to Him.

However, in this twelfth year of the work, another opportunity has come to me, an opportunity that will allow me to spend more time in the mission field and make personal contact with the students which I have communicated with so often through the years. I have been invited by brother Ronald D. Gilbert, Director of International Bible Teaching Ministries to take part in this work. I will also teach in the International College of the Bible.

Ron and Carolyn Gilbert

I have worked with brother Gilbert many times since he started mission work in 1992 and truly appreciate him and his determination to advance the cause of Christ and preach the "Great Commission." Just last year, we worked together in Zambia, Central Africa. We taught classes in the Zambia School of Biblical Studies, in the International College of the Bible, held Gospel meetings in the Siamafumba and Misika regions where we preached to over three thousand people and 50 were baptized into Christ and 276 were restored to the body of Christ, purchased 30 bicycles for faithful preaching brethren, distributed over 100,000 Gospel tracts, and over 200 Tonga Bibles. International Bible Teaching Ministries is a work that does much good for the body of Christ and our preaching brethren overseas. In this work, I will take 2-4 missions trips per year and be able to encourage our faithful preaching brethren in Africa, and other nations, on a face-to-face basis and personally oversee the distribution of the materials they need to carry on the work of our Lord in their areas.

International Bible Teaching Ministries is a ministry that teaches and helps establish schools of preaching. It helps in purchasing bicycles for schools of preaching and faithful Gospel preachers so that these men can go and preach and teach the Gospel of Christ throughout their areas. It also helps in purchasing Bibles in the peoples’ native tongue for those who cannot read English. It prints and distributes Gospel tracts for teaching and study, assists preaching students by purchasing their food and supplies while they attend school, supplies books for libraries that the preaching students need for their schooling, and also supplies benevolence for those who are in need. And, of course, it teaches the Gospel of Christ. It teaches those who have never heard the Good News before and those who want to learn more.

Working with International Bible Teaching Ministries, and the International College of the Bible will allow me to help these students to go beyond the basic lessons they have learned with Truth for the World and gain a deeper understanding of the Bible. I will have opportunities to teach in schools of preaching overseas and also be able to teach our brethren abroad biblical, college level courses to take them beyond the fundamental teachings of the Bible (Hebrews 6:1,2).

Teaching in this way has long been a desire of mine. I thank the Lord for this opportunity to do so. Therefore, I have tendered my resignation with the Duluth Church of Christ and Truth for the World effective March 31, 2010. Please do not misinterpret my intention in affirming the basics of New Testament Christianity. My future actions will confirm my continuing dedication and faithfulness to our Lord and His cause (Luke 19:10) just as my past actions have done.

Truth for the World is a good work and I am thankful to have been a part of it for so long. I pray that Truth for the World and the Duluth Church of Christ will do well in their work of spreading the Gospel and that according to God’s good will. But I believe that I can do more for the Lord in International Bible Teaching Ministries and that is my first priority.

I have prayed about it many times, long, hard, and earnestly. If you wish to support me in this new endeavor please note that my new sponsoring congregation will be the New Hope Road Church of Christ. Please start sending your contributions now to:

Hill Mission Fund
New Hope Road Church of Christ
Post Office Box 1334
Dacula, Georgia 30019

I need your prayers in these tough economic times.

It is my prayer that our God continue His richest blessings on you and grant you peace, success, and happiness in all of your Gospel endeavors according to His good will. It is also my prayer that I can count on you.

In Christ Who Saves,
Jimmie B. Hill

Greetings from Georgia!

2010 has already become a year of many changes at Truth for the World. William & Katrece Howard resigned in January. Benjamin Richardson, Director of Broadcasting, was notified by the Duluth eldership on February 23rd that he is being dismissed, and now Jimmie’s announcement that he is leaving his dual-positions as Director of Publications and Coordinator of Bible Correspondence Courses. That last was a tough decision, but I believe it was the correct choice. However, since we will be remaining in this area for the present I plan to continue my job as office manager with TFTW.

Jimmie and I have both put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this mission work during the past 12 years. We want it to continue “taking souls from hearing to heaven”. We want it to bring glory to God. Sadly, the work here has been hampered in various ways the past few years. Now with the departure of so many of the staff it will be even more difficult. But this is still a worldwide mission work with materials that are leading lost souls to Christ, so I will continue to do what I can to get those materials to them.

Please pray for the staff of Truth for the World and for Jimmie’s new work with International Bible Teaching Ministries.

In Christian Love,
Linda Hill

February 2010 Report

Dear Christian Friend,


The start of a new year is always an exciting time as we look back over what we accomplished in 2009:

• The Gospel was sent around the world via radio, television, Internet and printed materials

• We received contacts from 6 new nations bringing our total to 224

• 2,194 baptisms were reported to us

• 51 new congregations were established

• Staff members conducted campaigns in Iceland, Malaysia, Singapore, Zambia, and Taiwan

• Staff members preached in Gospel meetings and workshops around the USA

Yes, 2009 was a very busy year, but now it is time to wipe the statistical slate clean and begin again.

Unfortunately, 2010 had a rocky start. The post office notified us that our UPDATE can no longer be mailed in its tabbed version – hence the January issue is arriving late and in an envelope. And William Howard, Director of Internet Evangelism, and his wife Katrece, our Mass Mailing secretary, resigned from the staff.

William has worn many hats in addition to the Internet work that he began here in 1999, becoming our Broadcast Engineer and Printer both when needed. He created our websites in Indonesian and Chinese, plus conducted numerous foreign campaigns. Katrece volunteered countless hours in addition to her secretarial work and joined her husband in foreign fields. Now they have decided to concentrate their multi-talented efforts in a new direction. William will continue his Four Corners of the Earth campaigns under the oversight of the New Hope Road Church of Christ eldership, and preach for this small congregation in Dacula, Georgia. William and Katrece have been a vital part of Truth for the World for the past 11 years and they will be sorely missed. You can learn more of their work at their personal website – http://www.fourcornersoftheearth.org/

But exciting things are always just around the corner for our ever-changing work. We are thankful that you are a part of it.

Staff of Truth of the World

Brag Time

It occurs to me that I haven't posted any pictures of our amazing grandson, Cole, in quite a while.  That simply must be rectified immediately! 

The holidays were filled with lots of fun - including a Silly String battle.  

I'd say Jimmie got the worst of it!

We took him bowling . . .

. . . where he developed his own unique style.

All dressed up in his new suit.

When Julie told him that we were going to a wedding Cole promptly asked her, "Am I getting married?"

February Hill Mission Report

Dear brethren,

It is February and things are shaping up for 2010. I am planning my mission trips for this year and it looks like I will finally make it to Australia. Brother Gary Young has invited me to Hobart, Tasmania to speak on the Eastern Shore Lectureship which will take place from Thursday, April 29 to May 2. My topic for this lectureship is His Last Day and I will be discussing the events surrounding The Last Supper and the Agony and Arrest of Jesus Christ. I will also be doing a presentation of my work and be involved in Questions and Answers.

I am thankful to be asked once again to speak on this great lectureship. I have been asked before but have had to turndown previous opportunities. This will be my first time in Australia.

In July this year, I plan a two-part trip to Africa. Brother Yaw Boateng and I will be traveling together to Ghana, West Africa. We plan on arriving in Ghana on July 21.

On our way to Ghana, we plan to take time in London, England to visit with some Ghanaian brethren and set up some Bible studies and future mission trips. These brethren have a difficult time in England and we would like to work them with and encourage them in the Lord.

In Ghana, we plan to hold five 2-day Gospel meetings in five different congregations and make short visits during the day to area congregations for Bible studies and Question and Answer sessions.

We will arrive in Accra on July 21 and the next day take a bus to Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region where we will be met by the brethren. Then we will proceed to Nkoranza which will our base of operations for this evangelistic effort.

Brother Boateng and I will then part company. His vacation being over, he will have to come back to the States and back to his job. You have to truly appreciate men like brother Boateng and the sacrifices they make for the Lord and His Cause.

I will travel on to Livingstone, Zambia and arrive there on August 4 and meet with brother Ronald D. Gilbert and some other brethren. In Zambia, we will teach courses in the Zambia School of Biblical Studies, the International College of the Bible, hold Gospel meetings Siamafumba and Misika, hold Bible studies, and Question and Answer sessions.

Brethren, as you know, the cost of things has not been going down but continues to rise. This was one reason to combine the Ghana / Zambia trips. Still, it will cost a great deal and I plead for your prayerful and financial support. This is a breakdown of some of the expected cost.

Airfare and Travel Insurance for

Australia, Ghana, and Zambia ...............$ 8,200.00

Transportation, Gasoline, and Other

Traveling Expenses .................................. 1,200.00

Food and Lodging .................................... 1,500.00

Shots, Visas, Miscellaneous Items ............. 500.00

TOTAL.................................................$11,400.00

Please, if you can, help me to defray these expenses and send your contributions to Truth for the World, Post Office Box 5048, Duluth, Georgia 30096-0064 and mark them Hill Mission Fund - Trips. Please help me by giving generously toward these efforts. Thank you, in advance, for your prayers and contributions. And, as usual, I will send a full report upon my return. To God be the glory!

I will also be collecting funds for the preaching students of the Zambia School of Biblical Studies and the Siamafumba School of Bible Studies. These funds will be used to achieve the target goal of purchasing:

• 30 bicycles for faithful preachers

• 200 Tonga Bibles (native language)

• biblically based books for the libraries

• food for preaching students

• benevolent works

Brethren, this is a great opportunity to help in the salvation of many souls and to help train faithful, Gospel preachers. Thank you for your consideration. If you have questions please add a comment to this blog and I will get in touch with you.

In Christ Who Saves,

Jimmie B. Hill

Greetings from Georgia!

Is it really a whole month into 2010 already? What happened to January? Obviously, I had my eyes glued to the computer screen far too long, but creating a whole slew of new databases in a program I had never seen before mid-December has been a bit of a challenge. I still have a few issues with those, but I believe that I almost have ‘em whipped. Yeah! Next I get to finish reformatting TFTW’s 67 Gospel tracts into MS Word. Switching from Macs to PCs has definitely complicated my waking hours, but I have to admit that on the whole I love the Dells. However, you will NOT hear me singing to them.

I won’t be singing about the next bit of news either. William and Katrece Howard decided it was time to focus on other work for the Lord and resigned from Truth for the World in January. They have been a wonderful asset to this mission and, even though I will still see them frequently, their smiling faces will be sorely missed at the office.

As a result I had to spend some time this month coming up with a plan. I have often said that the women of Truth for the World are only called secretaries for want of a better word. We do whatever is needed to keep the Gospel going to the world. That rings true again as we regrouped to cover more work. Thank you, Kristen and Ellen!

Stay warm this winter.

In Christian Love,

Linda Hill

January 2010 Report

Dear Christian Friend,

 

With the current economic outlook we have had several donors tell us recently to drop their name from our mailing list to save the postage money. Actually, since our Update is sent via the non-standard, non-profit rate the postage is only $0.16 per copy. So we would really prefer to keep in touch with those who want to know about our work and not take this savings step.

 

However, there are a few simple ways that you can help us.

• You can write the name of the specific work you are supporting on your donation.

 If you are supporting one of our staff missionaries, please write the name of his Mission Fund on the Pay To The Order Of line. Banking rules continue to tighten and some of our staff have already experienced difficulty in depositing checks written to Truth for the World. When we rewrite these checks for them there are charges at our bank.

If you want your support to go to a specific work of Truth for the World, please write that on the memo line to make processing easier and always accurate.

Naturally, if you are supporting more than one fund and prefer to only write one check, we will happily continue to disperse the funds.

• You can send us your email address. Each paper receipt costs about $0.50 to produce and mail, but we can send you an electronic receipt cost-free. Just send us an email at office@tftw.org telling us it is okay to switch to our PDF electronic receipt. If you do not have a PDF reader there are several available for free download online.
• You can tell others about us. We will be happy to send you materials to help.
• You can pray for the staff and our work. We face problems with this work daily, many of which seem overwhelming at first glance. We need your prayers.

We pray you are having a wonderful beginning to 2010 and thank you for all that you do for the cause of our Lord.

  

Staff of Truth of the World