Light Bearers

If I Were the Devil

by Anneliese Wahlman

I had a couple of big fears as a kid: 1) boa constrictors and 2) quicksand. As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve happily realized that neither quicksand nor boa constrictors are the everyday struggles of adulthood that I…

By the Grace of God, I Can, Part 2

by Alyssa Johnston

Ishmael was a Pioneer Bible Worker for Riverside Farm Institute in Zambia. Justin (Ishmael’s brother-in-law) and Steven (a seasonal worker from Tanzania) were studying Truth Link together with Ishmael. Using the…

Experiments of Mercy

by Ty Gibson

“Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 5:20). Every human being is, by nature, obsessed with self. This includes you and me. Self-centeredness is…

How Ellen Went from Fearful to Faithful

by Anneliese Wahlman

“This is so dry,” Ellen thought to herself as she looked at her Bible, feeling shame for thinking such a thought about the Bible and the simultaneous urge to let her eyes glaze over the words. Though raised in a loving…

The Unexpected Cure for Loneliness

by Anneliese Wahlman

“You can do this. You have a good reason to be here,” I assured myself as I walked over to our new neighbor’s house. My family was new in town and my brother Nick, who has the social anxiety of Spongebob, had already…

ARISE Discipleship Program Transforms Lives

by Ty Gibson

In May, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary of running the ARISE discipleship program in Australia. The impact has been nothing short of astounding. Much of that impact is measurable. …

By the Grace of God, I Can, Part 1

by Alyssa Johnston

“Do you really think you can do this work?” His brother-in-law began peppering him—the venom in his words was nearly visible as he spoke. “Do you think you are some kind of pastor? Are you really able to do…

Now You’re Speaking My Language

by Anneliese Wahlman

There’s a joke that says if you speak two languages, you’re bilingual. If you speak three, you’re trilingual. If you speak one, you’re American. During a recent…

From Verbal to Visible: Sharing God’s Love

by Shawn Brace

We used to have a neighbor, Richard, whom we adopted as our “grandfather.” We’d have him over for dinner, bake him cookies, take him to dialysis, and help him maneuver around his house when he was bed-ridden. He joined…

Bridging the Gap: Reconnecting Youth with the Gospel

by Anneliese Wahlman

“Ty, your presentation made me angry,” the young woman said, her brow furrowed. The large beams of the auditorium towered over them as they talked, like a mini cathedral. …

Preaching the Gospel to Those in Power

by Alyssa Johnston

If you had the opportunity to share the gospel with the president or prime minister of your country, would you have something to say? What about a governor or mayor? Most Christians are aware that Jesus wants us to share the…

From Skeptic to Believer: My Instantaneous Conversion Story

by Ty Gibson

When I was 18 years old, my mom and my girlfriend conspired against me on my behalf. They sent this goofy looking pastor dude, in a suit and tie, with a big smile to knock on my bedroom door and witness to me. …

How to Succeed in Ministry

by Ty Gibson

“Hi, Ty! My name is Rob. I know you’re busy, but I’ve seen the goodness of God through your preaching in a way I’ve never seen before and I was wondering if I could get your perspective on something.” …

Love in a Time of War

by Angelo Grasso

"Mykolaiv...Mykolaiv...There, I found it." One year ago, I was zooming in on Google Maps to locate the city where Karina last told us she lived. It was in southeastern Ukraine. A port city. My shoulders sank. This was an…

The Key to Passing on Your Faith

by Angelo Grasso

“But why?” If you’ve raised children, you’re familiar with this innocent, yet sometimes dreadful, question. Before becoming a parent, I thought I would always have…

How Jared Found His Deep Gladness

by Anneliese Wahlman

Most people are thrilled when they’re told that they’ve been accepted into medical school. Jared was disappointed. He tried to be excited as he shared the news with friends and family, but he felt like…

The Best Way to Answer for Your Faith

by Anneliese Wahlman

Normally, if you’re just meeting someone, it’s awkward if they cry in front of you. Maybe extra awkward if they’re crying over a Zoom call and you can’t hand them a tissue and mumble, “Sorry.” But when I spoke…

There Is Hope in Your Dark Night

by David Asscherick

If there were Olympic Games for the person with the saddest story in all the Bible, obviously Job would take the gold medal, but do you know who I think would take silver? Jacob. His story has always fascinated and attracted…

No More Holy Water

by Alyssa Johnston

In the eastern province of Zambia, in the Chadiza district, Thomas Mule was riding his bicycle. His smooth, dark skin was glistening from the heat of the sun. You would not know it by his looks, but he had been pedaling for…

Don’t Look Where You Want to Go

by Anneliese Wahlman

A few months ago, my boyfriend told me he hated me. Well, actually, he said we should go hiking, but it’s the same thing. After work, we drove to the Manitou Incline in…

Crisis After Crisis: What Can We Hold Onto?

by Ty Gibson

Anxiety levels are rising worldwide. Surely you have noticed, while, no doubt, trying not to notice. Jesus described the final chapters of human history as involving “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the…

We Are Them

by David Asscherick

“Father Steve” was a fixture of my childhood. He was the longtime minister of the local Episcopalian church my parents attended. I remember him being kind and funny. I remember the strange robes he would wear on Sunday.…

The Most Un-Boring Thing Ever

by Ty Gibson

I want to tell you about a 17-year-old girl named Alycia whose life you’ve changed. She sent me the following text: “I’ve been to countless retreats, revivals, and conferences, but never before have I experienced such…

No, You Don’t Study God’s Love Enough

by Anneliese Wahlman

My mom is one of those off-the-grid, homesteading types. She has a garden, a root cellar, and even a composting toilet that utilizes sawdust, which actually isn’t as weird as you’d think. Unless, of course, you get…

God Didn’t Show Up, You Did

by Anneliese Wahlman

It was a hot, muggy day in the Kenge territory of the southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when Yanvu Joseph saw a tent flapping in the breeze. Maybe he overheard people talking about the tent in one of the six…

The Language of Love

by David Asscherick

What if I said this to you? “You should dead drift an olive wooly bugger, with just a touch of swing, right through the gut and watch for a flashy, butter-colored…

John’s Communion

by Nathan McKee

Can you think of a friend who seems to stand out from the rest? Perhaps it’s because he or she does things a little bit differently from others, or has experienced life uniquely, and because of this, offers unique…

John 14:15—Command or Prediction?

by Nathan McKee

“If you love me, keep my commands” (NIV). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (ESV). Above…

Freedom From Uncontrolled Chaos

by Anneliese Wahlman

“I’d been drinking and I was involved in an accident where a life was lost,” Edgar’s voice is somber but clear. It’s hard to picture Edgar and his wife, Nicole,…

Words

by Ty Gibson

Words are the building blocks with which we construct sentences in order to convey ideas, form perceptions, ascribe meaning, and tell stories. We are linguistic creatures because we are creatures made in the divine image.…

Be A Spring

by Nathan McKee

Have you ever seen something almost every day of your life, hardly noticing it until you see it in a new light and start appreciating it more? This seems to happen to me more now that I have kids—they have a way of…

A Battle for Jesus

by Alyssa Johnston

“Tuli pa Nkondo ya Yesu. Pioneer, tigwile nchito. Yesu commander watu, Bible chipolopolo.” Translated from Zambian Chichewa: “We are in a battle for Jesus. Pioneers,…

Why Your Struggle Is a Good Sign

by Anneliese Wahlman

“When I first arrived, I thought, ‘This is the worst decision I’ve ever made!’” At 23, my oldest sister, Becky, enlisted in the army and soon found herself in hot, sticky Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for basic…

Of Perils and Tyrants

by David Asscherick

In his excellent book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson writes, “All the wisdom and strength of the ancient world were in Mesopotamia and Egypt…Mesopotamian power and Egyptian wisdom were…

You Were Made for Freedom

by Anneliese Wahlman

“My addictions are my comfort zones and, if I leave them, well, I'm scared I won't know how to handle myself.” You might not do cocaine or meth, but, on some level, we…

The Request God Never Made

by Anneliese Wahlman

“I. Want. To. Go. Home,” the pastor exclaimed to the auditorium. He wasn’t talking about returning to his bungalow in the suburbs. He was preaching about Jesus taking us to heaven. He used his pauses dramatically,…

Get in the Word for Yourself

by David Asscherick

Get in the Word for yourself. Get in the Word for yourself. Get in the Word for yourself. Get in the Word… That’s really all I want to say in this…

Saved From a Deep Hole

by Ty Gibson

“I was in a really deep hole and Jared pulled me out.” Those are the words of an 18-year-old young man named Noah, a current ARISE student, who testified to me and his…

The Secret to a Happy Life

by Anneliese Wahlman

You probably don’t know many four-year-old children with depression, but when my grandma was that age, she was depressed—so depressed, in fact, she stopped eating, laid in bed, and only spoke when necessary. She should…

The Exodus

by Ty Gibson

Exodus is a book for people in trouble. People who are controlled by external forces, and by internal forces too. …

Patrick, the Patron Saint of Dreamers

by Anneliese Wahlman

When you think of Saint Patrick’s Day, you likely think of shamrocks or sporting green, but Patrick’s life was full of drama and adventure rather than luck and leprechauns. …

How Molly Saw God

by Ty Gibson

Molly Bwalya is a student at the University of Lusaka, Zambia. We all know why people go to universities: to get an education, in order to get a job, in order to get money, in order to provide one’s material…

Two Key Words

by Ty Gibson

Words carry meaning. I say “cat” and immediately an image pops into your head. I say “dog” and the image changes. Some words mean little some mean a lot. And some words mean so much that reality itself would implode…

Think Different.

by Anneliese Wahlman

Back in 1992, IBM launched an ad campaign with a single word: think. It was brilliant because who doesn't want to be regarded as a thinker? But then, in 1997, along came Steve Jobs and Apple who launched what is regarded as…

A Political Christmas

by Ty Gibson

The prophet Isaiah foretold the first advent of Christ with the words, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). …

When a Movie Teaches You About the Bible

by Anneliese Wahlman

As a species, we’re kind of obsessed with love stories. They’re in everything we read, write, watch, and talk about. We can’t help but root for the guy to get the girl or for the girl to finally be noticed and for them…

Grief and Gratitude

by Frank M. Hasel, PhD

“Gratitude exclaims, very properly, ‘How good of God to give me this.’” —C.S. Lewis Twelve years ago, I lost my wife to breast cancer. It was by far the most…

Double-time Distribution in Zambia

by Anneliese Wahlman

Mimi ni mwanadamu aliyechanganyikiwa. Je suis un humain confus. Esmu apmulsis…

Notes Left Behind

by Elise Harboldt

“Look! I drew you something!” If you’re friends with any little kids, you know how special it is when they draw you something. Whether it’s a lopsided heart,…

Am I a Bad Christian if I Don’t Feel Like Praising God?

by Anneliese Wahlman

“You’re obsessed!” My friend Elise laughed at me as she sat down on my bed. The month before, my mom, step-dad, and I went to watch a movie called JoJo Rabbit for my twenty-eighth birthday, and I fell in love…

How Literature And a Prayer Changed the Future of a Prostitute

by Anneliese Wahlman

There were no child services to take care of Margret and her brother when they lost their parents. Two of the hundreds of thousands of orphans in Tanzania, they grew up along the shores of Lake Victoria. Margret managed to…

Growing Up

by WayAnne Watson

One Thursday evening this past February, I gathered up a can of tomato paste, old newspaper, dry coconut husk, sewing scissors, and a grocery bag of bright-colored envelopes. Squatting on the ground, I wrapped the can of…

TikTok, the Gospel, and the Future of Light Bearers

by Anneliese Wahlman

YouTube was founded in 2005. Today, 16 years later, 82 years worth of video content is uploaded to YouTube every day (or 500 hours every minute). To put that in perspective, you could grow up, go to school, get married,…

Inside Information

by Elise Harboldt

“You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” –Psalm 51:6 Would you rather have the ability to fly or to…

She Found Her Voice

by Anneliese Wahlman

“So, what do you think is going to happen in the future?” The guy sitting next to Maria in one of her classes at the University of California in San Diego turned to her abruptly and asked. “I feel like an apocalypse is…

How to Win People

by David Sherwood

I work at a school for special needs children. Historically, there’s been very little effort expended to help people with mental illnesses, and when there was more help, only the wealthy could afford it. Eventually, with…

The Worst Publishers Ever

by Light Bearers

Play. Pause. Translate. Play. Pause. Translate. It’s the early 1980s in China. A small group is listening to a cassette tape recording of a Bible study. They…

This One Question Will Help You Trust God More

by Angela McPherson

In the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. –Romans 4:17, ESV How…

Unbelievable

by Ty Gibson

The gospel is good news, not good advice. It doesn’t tell us what we must do but rather what God has already done for us. And what He’s done for us is so monumental and complete that we literally can’t add anything to…

God Is Like a Mom

by Anneliese Wahlman

When it comes to metaphors of God’s love, Fathers often get the spotlight. They no doubt communicate God’s love in an irreplaceably unique way. But Scripture tells us that it takes both genders to understand the fullness…

The Power of Dolphijn’s Hand

by Light Bearers

Ghana’s Adventist history is said to have started with literature. In 1863 Adventism found its way into West Africa through literature. It wasn’t an official church…

Faith That Thinks

by Elise Harboldt

“I wish I could believe in God, but I’ve never heard Him explained in a way that made intellectual sense. He might as well be the Easter Bunny.” These are…

Go and Sin No More: Winnie

by Meiring Pretorius

Winnie is a changed woman. Her life was on the path of destruction, which, in turn, was destroying many others’ lives. But Jesus has changed the trajectory of her life completely and forever. …

Grace Supersedes Sin

by Ty Gibson

It’s astounding how much enlightenment can be packed into a single sentence: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20, KJV). …

The Great Commission in Magomeni Church

by Light Bearers

As told by Pastor Protus Makimu The Magomeni Church in Tanzania has been richly blessed by the continued donations of literature from Light Bearers. We’ve…

Coming for His Bride

by Ty Gibson

Once I began a sermon by asking the congregation to shout out the first thing that came to mind when they thought of the Second Coming. One guy yelled, “It won't be a…

A Little Bit More

by David Asscherick

Do you love snow? I’ve always loved it, but today I love it a little bit more. You see, I’ve lived in sub-tropical Australia for the last six years. “Cold” there is 50° Fahrenheit. So, as you might’ve guessed, it…

Sharing the Water of Life

by Stephanie Van Koten Hinger

Each year Light Bearers is privileged to provide more than 20 million pieces of gospel literature in local languages to developing countries—all printed, packaged, and shipped free of charge to regions in need of resources…

The Red Rope

by Light Bearers

As told by Bible worker Emmanuel Kadima Christian Lema was born into a Roman Catholic family in Mbanza-ngungu, a small town west of Kinshasa, the capital…

Love Matters Most, Part 12

by Anneliese Wahlman

Love Brings Us Face to Face with Ourselves “This is true weed whacking!” my roommate said as she attacked the two forests that were my eyebrows with a pair of…

Minds Differ, So Assume The Best

by Ty Gibson

Probably the most important and yet challenging discipline to which the Christian is called is to love with a kind of love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians…

An Answer to a Prayer and a Provision to Fulfill a Vision

by Light Bearers

The following report was sent to us by Pastor Thomas Ongasa: In 2012, God called me to step down as president of a local mission/conference faith-based ministry.…

Love Matters Most, Part 11

by Elise Harboldt

Love Never Fails Murphy’s Law states that everything that can go wrong will. I don’t think it’s true, but the law seems to describe 2020 quite well. As if a global…

Politics and Religion: The Diabolical Union Almost Nobody Sees Coming

by Ty Gibson

I'm not a Republican and I'm not a Democrat. I'm not a conservative and I'm not a liberal. I’m a follower of Jesus,…

How to Communicate During Election Season (and Other Situations Where You’re Tempted to Be a Jerk)

by Anneliese Wahlman

“What is that? It smells like something died in here,” my friend bellowed after we got in my car. I’d definitely noticed an odor coming from my car’s…

Love Matters Most, Part 10

by Ty Gibson

Love Does Not Rejoice in the Failures of Others. My best friend and I were trying to master a challenging skateboard maneuver. The goal was to dip down from the shallow end…

Go and Sin No More, Part 3

by Meiring Pretorius

Catherine was raised in a loving Christian family of four in Morogoro, Tanzania. She was the only child in the family who had the opportunity to receive higher education at the University of Dar es Salaam. It may be painful…

On the Nature of Forgiveness and When to End a Relationship

by Ty Gibson

There are traits and talents latent within you that can only be brought to active expression when you are in healthy, honest relationships. By remaining in destructive relationships, you are suppressing your unborn…

Love Matters Most, Part 9

by Anneliese Wahlman

Love Believes the Best of Others When you see _ _ NNER, what’s the first word your brain makes? BANNER? TANNER? Heaven…

Go and Sin No More, Part 2

by Meiring Pretorius

Amina grew up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania under the care of her loving parents. In university, she pursued computer science. Upon completion, Amina was hired at Tanzania’s Ministry of Labor headquarters in Dar es Salaam.…

Love Matters Most, Part 8

by Elise Harboldt

Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs Did you know that God practices a voluntary form of amnesia? It’s true. The only One who knows everything about everything chooses to block…

Escaping the Big One

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Growing up in earthquake territory, I was keenly aware that while no one knew when, everyone anticipated “the big one.” Earthquake drills in school, tremors, and even actual midnight earthquakes kept the apprehension…

Go and Sin No More, Part 1

by Meiring Pretorius

Nelly is an Australian lady who worked as a prostitute around the world. However, today she is a faithful missionary of the Word of God in Australia and beyond. This is her story. …

Love Matters Most, Part 7

by Ty Gibson

Love is Not Provoked I have a problem in the kitchen. Every time I attempt to boil water, it boils over. This, of course, creates a terrible mess. But this is a small…

The Straight Truth

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

An antagonist is typically someone who is against us. Defined as an opposing, limiting, nullifying force, the antagonist does not carry a positive connotation. In the world of physiology though, a healthy balance of life…

A Desire to Share

by Meiring Pretorius

Stories from Tanzania: Richard and Jackson One thing stands out in all my interviews with people when listening to their conversion stories: there is a fresh desire to share…

God’s Muslim Children

by Meiring Pretorius

When I arrived in Tanzania, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church was in the middle of a satellite evangelism program. I wanted to visit one of the sites, so a local church elder picked me up from the hotel. …

Metabolic Syndrome

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Various studies show that somewhere between about 25-35 percent of adults in America and 50 percent of those 60 years of age or older are estimated to have metabolic syndrome. These are staggering statistics. Potentially 3…

Love Matters Most, Part 6

by Anneliese Wahlman

Love is Not Self-Seeking I have a friend who wears a t-shirt that says, “I have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, please keep me here.” …

Signs of the Second Coming

by Ty Gibson

Dear Friend of Light Bearers, With this worldwide pandemic, it feels like we're on the precipice of a great disaster. …

Balanced Defense

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

For a while now we’ve been in the throes of the coronavirus. Most of us have never experienced empty grocery store shelves, social distancing, and unemployment due to a virus. Because COVID-19 is novel, one we’ve never…

Love Matters Most, Part 5

by Elise Harboldt

Love is Not Rude My heart sank as I checked my Facebook notifications. I had commented about emotions I was feeling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While I’m confident of…

Love Matters Most, Part 4

by Elise Harboldt

Love Does not Parade Itself It’s easy to criticize the Pharisees, but I think we have more in common with them than we realize. …

GLV

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

During the telegraph era, humans started to formulate abbreviations to communicate. Today, abbreviated texting lingo abounds. It is referred to as SMS language or textspeak. I am admittedly slow with cultural change, but I…

Where Ministers Can’t Be Heard

by Meiring Pretorius

As a publishing correspondent for Light Bearers Ministry in Africa, I have the privilege of listening to literally hundreds of people tell me their conversion stories. I see lives who are touched by God’s powerful Word…

Scarier Than Coronavirus

by Ty Gibson

In Matthew 24, Jesus warned that as the end of human history approaches a number of signs will increase in frequency and intensity. The spread of contagious diseases is in His list. The coronavirus it's pretty scary for a…

Whose Business Is It?

by Meiring Pretorius

As told to Meiring Pretorius by Ilunga Kazembe, Northern Zambia: It was a Sunday. I was going home from visiting some students who were enrolled to study the Discover…

Black-eyed Peas: The Unfailing Friend

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Black-eyed peas are not pizza or hamburgers. That’s for sure. Black-eyed peas are associated with soul comfort food. However, I don't think the amount of black-eyed peas consumed in the United States can even be compared…

Love Matters Most, Part 3

by Anneliese Wahlman

Love Does Not Envy Kids believe weird stuff. For example, I have a friend who, when he was young, didn’t think girls pooped. I guess, for him, femininity and bodily…

What to Do When You’re Accused of Stealing Organs: A Literature Report from Zambia

by Anneliese Wahlman

“They don’t want to teach you about the God of the Bible. They just want to harvest your organs and use them for witchcraft.” When you’re holding an evangelistic…

Wonder Berry

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Zingy, zesty, and bright. That's how some describe the taste of gooseberries. Others say they're like sour grapes. Scientific circles refer to them as Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinal. In Sanskrit…

Love Matters Most, Part 2

by Elise Harboldt

Love Suffers Long I ran my first marathon at 23. The first half was a breeze. By mile 18, I felt sore. At mile 23, a young man ran up beside me and asked:…

If You Feel Like Giving up on Your Resolutions…

by Anneliese Wahlman

“Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I just sit down until it goes away.” I found this snarky saying printed on a little plaque, stored in a box of my junk from high…

Sharing Hope and Healing

by Light Bearers

Report from the Northern Conference, South Africa By Pastor Corrie Venter Sharing Hope and Healing is…

Love Matters Most, Part 1

by Ty Gibson

When Martyrdom Doesn't Matter Shortly after I became a follower of Jesus, somebody in a group Bible study said something that was kind of like theological shock therapy for…

We typically think change has to take a long time, but you can actually accomplish quite a lot in just a few days. Like traveling to the moon if you’re Neil…

How Can I Share Jesus and Not Make It Weird?

by Anneliese Wahlman

A while ago, some friends and I who were raised going to church were discussing an important question: How can you share Jesus with secular people and not make it—for lack of a better word—weird? …

The Accuser and the Advocate

by Ty Gibson

There's a lot going on inside your head. What shall I have for lunch? Is my anniversary coming…

Bible Lessons Behind Bars

by Meiring Pretorius

Kateregga Kyembe served seven years in Luzira Upper Prison for a crime he did not commit and was released on March 19, 2018. He was found innocent and suffered unnecessarily because of Uganda's poor legal system. A survey…

Insulin Resistance, Part 2

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

As a freshman college student, Martin Luther King Jr., became “fascinated by the idea of refusing to cooperate with an evil system” and fighting against it while holding to his Christian value of love.1 Jesus…

The Revelation of Relational Integrity

by James Rafferty

God, the Minor Prophets and You

by Light Bearers

When You Need to Know God’s Will but You’re Scared of Making the Wrong Choice

by Anneliese Wahlman

For my eighteenth birthday, my mom gave me a card that read, “I used to live each day as though it were my last. But people got tired of hearing me scream, ‘I’M GONNA DIE!!! I’M GONNA DIE!!!’ Hope your birthday’s a scream.” Funnily…

East-Central Africa Division report

by James Rafferty

Each year Light Bearers Ministry sends containers of literature to developing countries all over the world. Each container holds about 2 million tracts and often includes Bibles and other inspired books like The Great Controversy and The…

The Purifier, Part 4

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

I was 19, ignorant, and trusting. A woman who lived near the college I was attending convinced me that I needed to go on a "seawater cleanse." It lasted about 10 days. I don’t remember the particulars of the program, except that I fasted for many…

To Be His

by David Asscherick

“David, I’m so judgmental. I’m just so judgmental of others. I need Jesus. I love Jesus. He can change my heart, because I’m very judgmental of those who are not like me.” And there were tears that ran down the cheeks into a beautiful…

My Battle Standard

by Karl Lindsay

If you were to walk into my office, one of the first things you would see as you enter is the large flag that hangs on my wall. My flag travels with me when I move to a new place or achieve something significant. I have a photo somewhere of me…

Enmity in the Air

by Ty Gibson

One time when I was in the fifth grade a fight broke out during recess. All the kids were gathered around yelling as two boys were punching and kicking one another. What I remember most is feeling nervous and sick to my stomach. That’s what the…

The Purifier, Part 3

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

In 1984, Michael Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and an Olympic gold medal. It was a good year. He wore a pair of pinkish Converse tennis shoes at some point that year, supposedly even in the Los Angeles Olympic games. Decades…

Prone to Forget

by Fred Bischoff

Peter’s last recorded words (2 Peter 3) highlight the importance of memory and the danger of ignorance. A person can’t remember something he is ignorant of. But when a culture is “willingly… ignorant” (3:5), its new generations…

What A.A. Taught Me About Church

by Anneliese Wahlman

Note: some names and minor details in this post have been changed to protect privacy. Lots of people complain about millennials: we’re shallow, entitled, lazy, we don’t know how to do anything useful. We’re pretty much the equivalent…

Three More Keys to a Great Marriage

by Ty Gibson

Just yesterday a friend in his 30s said, “I went to a wedding last week and was blown away to find out that nearly all of my friends from college are already married and divorced.” Divorce has become so common, we basically expect it…

The Purifier, Part 2

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Air and water purifiers operate off the concept that invisible contaminants are lurking in the atmosphere around us, in our aquifers and watersheds. Transforming and removing these contaminants is how we purify indoor air and drinking water. Last…

Majoring in the Minors

by James Rafferty

They are called the Minor Prophets because of their size, not their spiritual depth. Hidden in these little books of the Old Testament are found sublime pictures of God’s unrelenting love. That’s why this year we plumbed their depths to mine…

3,500 Light Years Away

by Light Bearers

On June 15 of this year, Cambridge University scientist Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was buried between Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. A physicist and cosmologist of the highest rank, Hawking is believed to be the greatest scientist of his…

The Purifier, Part 1

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

The dictionary definition to purify is: 1. to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates. 2. to free from foreign, extraneous, or objectionable elements. Detoxification is a modern word that represents this…

Every Piece a Bullet

by Meiring Pretorius

Rwanda is still busy healing from its deep and sensitive scar. The horror of the satanic killings that began on the morning of April 7, 1994 is still fresh in the minds of the survivors. More than one million victims, the survivors’ family and…

Honest Gabe

by Anneliese Wahlman

The best policy I’m not a parent, but from watching my sister Catie and her kids, it seems to me that it is a truth universally acknowledged that a mother trying to maintain a semblance of control is in want of a child who will keep…

Three Keys to a Great Marriage

by Ty Gibson

Someone has said, “Marriage is like flies on a windowsill. Those on the outside want in, and those on the inside want out.” Well, I've got better news. It's possible to be on the inside of marriage and want to be there. I've been on…

AGE-less

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

As I turn 50 this month, I have to admit, the concept of being ageless is rather appealing. I would love to know how to age less. One way of minimizing the impact of aging is by decreasing AGEs. Rather than referring to the lapse of time, AGEs are…

ARISE and the Youth Revival of Our Church

by David Asscherick

There is a genuine revival taking place among the youth and young adults of my local church. Read that first sentence again, please. And again. This is not a hyperbole or exaggeration; it’s the wonderful, God-glorifying truth. Let me tell you…

News Flash: Burkina Faso

by Meiring Pretorius

“At least 35 people have died and 90 more were injured after a series of attacks in Burkina Faso, believed to have been conducted by Islamic extremists. Seven soldiers were killed in the country’s capital Ouagadougou after gunmen open fired on…

Sour Wine

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

In the year following her CHIP attendance, Angie lost over 100 pounds. Recently, Angie shared her story with the current CHIP class. Gasps were heard around the room as she told of her weight loss journey. She was flooded with questions like,…

Climbing and Hiding

by David Asscherick

Lately, I’ve been taking my teenage sons, Landon and Jabel, to the climbing gym. I was introduced to rock climbing by two close friends, a young couple named Tim and Tanya, when I was a teenager. On my first day, I had to be essentially rescued by…

A Feast In July

by Ty Gibson

Light Bearers Convocation is right around the corner, July 3-7. If you’ve never attended, you’re missing out. "Convocation" is a big, old word. We don’t necessarily like big words, but we do like old words with big meaning. This word basically…

The CHIP Highway

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Carl had the typical cardio metabolic syndrome profile: diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. He approached me after a week into the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) that I was leading at the…

Rescued in Christ—Part 2

by James Rafferty

Has Jesus given eternal life to every person? What we can say with biblical clarity is that the life and death of Jesus purchased temporal life for everyone. This is Paul's argument to the Athenians in…

A Channel of Light

by James Rafferty

As I moved through our publishing house today, checking the inventory, I felt a sense of urgency to get literature out the door. Things are changing. The world is changing. The ability to send gospel-filled containers around the world is…

Detoxing the Lifestyle

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

A 24-year-old male teacher began to have deviant thoughts of doing harm to his students. He sought professional help and complained of depression, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and anxiety along with the thoughts of inflicting harm. The…

The Foolishness of the Cross

by Fred Bischoff

Jesus’ words, “The flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63), explain the mess the world is in. Except for the human Jesus, we each are born “of the will of the flesh” (John 1:13). This is human nature left to its sinful condition. It gives to us…

Land of Fire and Warm Hearts

by Ty Gibson

One of the best experiences I’ve ever had as an evangelist was in Malawi. I preached from a wooden platform constructed of an odd mixture of wood, sheet metal, bricks, and colorful cloth. Speakers were hung in trees. There were a few chairs, but…

Rescued in Christ

by James Rafferty

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Paul tells us that when the…

From Here, We Can Go Anywhere

by Anneliese Wahlman

We all have a moral compass that guides us. It keeps us from punching the people who upset us and lets us know we need to apologize for telling our sister she’s fat. But we also experience a sort of silly guilt for things that aren’t really…

When the Wedding Is Over

by Anneliese Wahlman

To some of us, they were Aunty Carol and Uncle Dave. She was small like a bird and sweet as honey. He was tall, practical, and kept a hundred stories tucked away in his pockets to share with the students assigned to him during the work period. They…

Invisible Possibilities

by Meiring Pretorius

The Eastern and Western Tanzania Conferences organized a series of public evangelistic meetings for June 2017. With 300 Seventh-day Adventist churches in the city of Dar es Salaam and every church hosting three separate sites, the effort was huge…

Energy

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Found within all human cells (with the exception of red blood cells) is the ability to produce energy—energy that enables action, maintenance, movement—and life in general. Microscopic structures called mitochondria are the key players in these…

Unbelievably Diabolical

by Ty Gibson

It's no secret that Christianity is dying in Western countries. There are a number of factors contributing to this trend, but maybe the biggest is the fact that mainstream Christianity is asking the world to believe two doctrines that together…

It’s the Oats

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Holidays are over. The time to excuse our excess is behind us. Now, with a few extra pounds and a sense of guilt, we are on to making enthusiastic compensatory resolutions. It's reported that the majority of resolutions pertain to weight and health.…

When Jesus Makes Everything New

by Elise Harboldt

Cracker crumbs stuck to his tie and broccoli to his teeth as Dr. Taylor told me his story. “She grew up in Texas, so she’d never seen snow.” He grinned. “The first time she saw it, she started twirling and dancing and laughing like a…

Looking Back to the Future

by Ty Gibson

“Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another” (Galatians 6:4, NKJV). There’s a reason why so many treadmills end up at the thrift store. New Year's Resolutions are a popular…

Doors Open in India

by Ty Gibson

It was November of 2001—November 5 to be exact. Sixteen years ago! That was the last time and the only other time that Light Bearers managed to get a container of gospel literature into India. Now God has again prevailed, this time through a…

Trumping Fear

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Grasping in the dark for my phone, my terrified mind sought to force my trembling fingers to dial 911. It took hours to calm my nerves even after the police arrived. Fear is not a foreign emotion. I have often felt fear in the form of butterflies…

Infinite Empathy

by Ty Gibson

Emotions are a mysterious phenomenon. Think about it. A person’s smile has the power to make you feel something pleasant inside. A person’s tears can throw you into tears with them even before you know why they’re crying. The mere fact that…

Silly Me, I Thought I Was Good

by Anneliese Wahlman

Besides things like rolling my brother down a hill in a cardboard barrel and convincing my sister to ride our pet goat like a horse, a lot of my childhood memories are framed around stories. Some of my earliest memories are of my dad reading to me…

The Secret of Success

by James Rafferty

I was a baby Christian, just a few weeks old, when asked why I still listened to rock 'n' roll music. My response was quick and defensive. I've given my heart to Jesus, I go to church instead of bars, so it really doesn't matter what music I listen…

Skinny Fat: The Dangerous Oxymoron

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Pretty ugly, deafeningly quiet, make haste slowly, and vegetarian meatballs are great examples of oxymorons that make you smile when you think about what the words by themselves mean in contrast to what is conveyed by the phrase. There is one…

God’s Own Grapes

by David Asscherick

Every ARISE class is a miracle. And not just a miracle, but miracles upon miracles. Like a cluster of delicious grapes, each one is amazing in itself and the cluster magnifies the miracle all the more. The 2017 class was no exception! One of…

Why Is Adventism So Weird?

by Marcos Torres

Adventism is Protestant. And yet there is something about us that makes us weird. Hardly anything Adventism believes…

A Day in the Life of Light Bearers

by Ty Gibson

It's 6 AM and already 17 new emails have appeared in my inbox. No, wait, four more just arrived, so make that 21. By 9 o'clock there will be 40 or more. Here’s one from Stephanie, who coordinates literature shipments from Light Bearers. She is…

Salt in Circulation

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

From dead seas to living ones, embedded in white veins in the depths of the earth to its surface, salt is one of the world’s most precious commodities. At one time, salt was traded ounce for ounce with gold. Salt coins were used as money. Salt was…

Surprise Victory

by Fred Bischoff

Do you like winning? And do you like surprises? Have you heard that the only way you can win in life’s ultimate contest is through the unselfish giving of genuine love? The meek and lowly win, and the braggarts and proud lose! Surprise! The…

The Continuing Reformation

by Ty Gibson

“The Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century religious, political, intellectual and cultural upheaval that splintered Catholic Europe.” That’s how the History Channel website defines the Protestant Reformation—as an historical event…

An Effort of Nature

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Throughout much of the 20th century, atherosclerosis was thought of as a disease of the inside space of arteries, the lumen. Most of us considered this hardening and thickening of the arteries to be the result of excess lipids in the…

The Great Big Power of Teeny Tiny Things

by Anneliese Wahlman

In 2005, a fresh-out-of-prison graffiti artist was asked to paint some murals in the office of a small startup in Palo Alto, California. As payment, the artist was offered thousands of dollars in cash or company stock. Eight and half minutes of…

A Brutal Wakeup Call

by Ty Gibson

It’s 2017. Not 1526.1 Not 1863.2 Not…

Convocation Report

by Anneliese Wahlman

There are certain times in life when it’s important to be committed, to not stop halfway. Like when you’re getting married or shaving your beard. Then there are other times when it’s important to have the freedom to change your mind, like when…

Why We Do What We Do

by James Rafferty

When it comes to spiritual things, do you know why we do what we do? The reason is this: “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do…

95 Theses for the Continuing Reformation

by Ty Gibson

Martin Luther and John Calvin changed the world by the power of their good theology in spite of their bad theology. The Dark Ages from which they were emerging were very dark, indeed, and some of that darkness clung to the great Protestant Reformers…

Interconnected

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Suffering from pain, debility, loss of quality of life, destruction and/or malfunction of bodily processes and tissue characterizes disease. Medical science has devoted itself to the study of disease and in so doing has specialized in categorizing…

Go Ye

by James Rafferty

ARISE Australia is five years old and each year has been a wonderful experience. The dedicated staff of the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference and the workers directing the program make the impact of this 15-week Bible school…

There Is No Greater Power Than the Power of Testimony

by Ernest Chazya

At Riverside Farm Institute we feel that God has been working in many amazing ways, so we just must share some of them with you! Our Education Department now runs two classes of students each year. Towards the end of each program, before the…

Sweet Sleep

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Time is central to planet Earth. Every facet of this globe is regulated to some degree or other with time. Creation was based on time segments. Separate and unique accomplishments were designed in each sequential day. Heavenly bodies were assigned…

Super Knowledge

by Ty Gibson

We are creatures of “knowledge.” Our entire existence is shaped by what we know and how we know. According to the Bible, there is a regular, run-of-the-mill knowledge, and then there is a kind of knowledge that operates at a deeper, wider,…

My Prodigal Paradigm Shift

by Ethan Bird

My parents thought I was going to Ecuador to be a student missionary. I was really going so I could run away from God as I knew Him. I was drawn to the Latin surf scene, the gorgeous women, and the freedom to pursue my new pornography…

I Wish I Could Tell Her "Happy Mother’s Day”

by Ty Gibson

My mom was a force of nature. As poet Barbara Kingsolver once said, “Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” That was my mom. Fiercely independent, she left home at 15 and got a job as a waitress. The popular, cool…

Running Back and Forth

by Ty Gibson

Hello friends of Light Bearers! There are so many exciting things going on here at the ministry, I can hardly keep up. But I'd rather be busy than bored. I'm sure you feel the same. I recently read in Ezekiel the mind-blowing fact that we’re…

To Strengthen Man’s Heart

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Reportedly there are 195,000 species of plants which produce edible parts that could be consumed by humans. How many of those 195,000 species do we consume? Approximately 17 plant species provide 90 percent of our food supply. Grains constitute the…

Draft Away, Part 2

by David Asscherick

I recently did the Rainbow Ride, a local 102.5-mile (165 km) race. It was my first large group ride, and it was awesome! The ride starts with a steep and winding climb, followed by a fast descent, and about 30 miles (50 km) of relatively flat…

5 Types of Adventist Extremists and How to Avoid Being One

by Nelson Fernandez

I've been an Adventist all my life. While others adopted into it, I was born in it and molded by its culture (cue Batman-Bane meme reference). Because of this, I've seen all kinds of people literally come and go in our church. One of the hardest…

The Power of Vulnerability

by Jenny Gruzensky

That Thing We All Struggle With In her song If We’re Honest, singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli clearly articulates one of the biggest struggles of our culture: Truth is harder than a…

God, Weed, and Greg: An ARISE Story

by Anneliese Wahlman

It’s the middle of August, 2015. Greg Fisher steps onto a Greyhound bus, takes a big whiff of recycled oxygen, and quickly scopes out his seating options. The plastic armrests feel like they’ve been painted with popsicle juice and the air is…

When Jesus Put Shame to Shame

by Ty Gibson

If you know me at all, then you know that I am decidedly anti-coercion. And yet, if I could make every person on the planet listen to this audio message by my friend, Elise Harboldt, I would. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating for effect, but I'm hoping…

Fear Not

by Fred Bischoff

Fear is a tricky thing. In the biblical worldview it originated—of all places—in a garden named pleasure. It is the child of insecurity, the product of removing one's heart focus from the all-powerful, benevolent, pleasure-giving Creator…

The Migrating Motor Complex

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

The term migration, in the animal kingdom, refers to a phenomenon that portrays rhythmic cadence, routine, and structure. Whether of butterfly, bird, or fish, the intent of migration is typically to ansure healthy survival in response to…

Literature Reports from the World Field

by Meiring Pretorius

The Seventh-day Adventist Church membership in Zambia has doubled in the past 10 years, growing from 500,000 members to more than a million. With a population of 15 million people, Zambia has the highest Adventist Church growth rate in Africa, and…

Daughters of Eve

by Ty Gibson

Today is International Women’s Day. As for me, I’m a “ladies man,” but not in the way you are familiar with the term. My happiest childhood memories are of one summer with my grandmother, Eleanor, fishing, trapping critters, hiking up…

A Banker Sees an Opportunity

by Meiring Pretorius

“Many whom God has qualified to do excellent work accomplish very little, because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no definite object for which to live, no standard to reach. Such will obtain a reward proportionate…

Spinach

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Spinach is an extremely nutrient-packed vegetable. Its tender leaves and mild flavor have made it a versatile food. Interestingly, the cooler the temperatures and the more stress the spinach experiences while growing, the denser the vitamins and…

Going Counterculture

by James Rafferty

My 19-year-old daughter recently shared for our family worship some insights from a book she is reading for her university Bible class. When she finished, my mind went to the following scripture: "As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had…

The Lost Art of Evangelism

by Anneliese Wahlman

What I Take from the Compost Bucket I’m one of those people who can eat whatever is on my plate even if it looks like it was scraped from the bottom of the compost bucket, and I’ll still enjoy it—as long as it tastes good. I figure…

How I Can Love the Gospel and the Investigative Judgment at the Same Time

by Marcos Torres

I have two theological confessions to make. The first is that I am madly in love with the gospel. Seriously, I am. As an Adventist, a father and a pastor, the gospel is my everything. Jesus-only is my motto, my passion and my standard. After…

A Reality Check for Valentine’s Day

by Anneliese Wahlman

His eyes were blue, like an October sky. His hair was the color of sand off the beach, the kind you put in a bottle and take home for memories. I won’t mention his name, but it rhymes with schmichael. When he and I talked, I literally felt…

Changed and Inspired by Literature

by Meiring Pretorius

As I drove into the country of Lesotho, I typed into my GPS the address of the Lesotho Conference headquarters and followed the directions into the central part of Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho. With the GPS it should not be too difficult…

The Improbabilities of Probiotics

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

If we readily saw the microscopic organisms swimming in lake water the way Antonie van Leeuwenhoek did, we would probably never venture in again. If we could see what lives on our teeth as Leeuwenhoek observed, we might not be able to stomach a kiss…

What the War’s About

by Ty Gibson

“War broke out in heaven…” (Revelation 12:7). Satan launched his revolt against God not with bullets and bombs but with subtly spun lies. The Greek word for “war” in the above text is…

Authority

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

“Who of you respect authority?” questioned the professor to those of us sitting in her classroom. I immediately raised my hand. Awkwardly, I realized that mine was the only hand raised. I was surprised but unshaken in my response. I respect…

Draft Away, Part 1

by David Asscherick

Have you ever heard of drafting? Sure you have, but perhaps not the kind of drafting I’m thinking of. Drafting can refer to: Refining several preliminary versions of a piece of writing. Governmental enlistment of young men…

Rethinking Resolutions

by Elise Harboldt

Do you have a New Years resolution? I have a track record of failed resolutions. In 2013, I vowed to learn Spanish. In 2014, I promised to stop interrupting people. 2017 has arrived, and I’m embarrassed to say that no hablo español,…

Reclaiming Mindfulness

by Elise Harboldt

Hey, you. Yeah, the person staring at the screen. I’d like to invite you to think about your feet. They’ve done a lot for you, so take a few minutes to acknowledge your ten-toed reality. How far have your feet travelled today? Have you ever…

God in the Hood

by Anneliese Wahlman

Have you ever had one of those Christmases where your entire pajama-clad family is gathered together, the tree is wrapped in lights that shine à la star of Bethlehem, and mugs are filled with hot chocolate and freckled with…

Traditional Adventism or Adventist Traditionalism?

by Light Bearers

“Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.… It is traditionalism that gives tradition such a bad name.” – Jaroslav Pelikan True “Tradition”…

Protestants—An Endangered Species

by James Rafferty

On October 31, 1517, a young Catholic monk named Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This single bold act set off a religious reformation that shook Europe and the world. Luther was later excommunicated by…

Lessons From the Book of Job: Elihu—Friend or Foe?

by James Rafferty

Elihu exemplifies one of the major reasons why we might not listen to what someone has to say about God. Young and obscure, Elihu presents a testimony that carries little weight among many intellectual greats. This may be one reason why God has…

What God Has Wrought!

by James Rafferty

This year flew by, but not without heaven making a notable impact on our world through your generous support of Light Bearers Ministry. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!” (Psalm 126:3). Here are a few joyful…

Turmeric—One Who Is Victorious Over Disease

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Did you know that an estimated 80% of the world’s inhabitants rely on traditional therapies that have been used for thousands of years? Anciently, turmeric was used in places like China and India to aid digestion, improve liver function, treat…

Job’s Marriage

by James Rafferty

Job’s wife usually gets a bad rap. As we read through the story of suffering, we’re tempted to view her as an evil character, undermining the faith of her husband. Augustine even named her “the devil’s accomplice.” I wonder if this is a…

God in His Underwear

by Anneliese Wahlman

When I tell people how many siblings I have, their eyes usually grow to unflattering proportions and they say something like, “Wow. That’s a lot of kids.” You don’t say. None of us is adopted and no, we’re not catholic. My mom…

Unity: His strength in Our Weakness

by Rachelle Drury

I am the weakest link. Yep, I’ve long since known that I’m the first man down, or woman to be precise. I’ve felt rejection so often that I’m more surprised when…

How Far into Africa?

by Meiring Pretorius

Have you ever wondered how the gospel message will reach every person on the globe? Well, this is God’s promise in His Word according to Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the…

The Plantrician

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

You will not find this word in Webster’s dictionary, in a telephone book, or a listing of careers. The word plantrician was created to identify health care practitioners, such as physicians or clinicians, who are empowered with knowledge…

Sink or Swim

by James Rafferty

The first crisis I can remember experiencing came when I was four years old and fell backward into a swimming pool. I couldn't swim and my mom was in another country… it seemed. I was going down for sure, but after a heroic effort and what seemed…

Surprised by Gentleness

by Anneliese Wahlman

I find it quite paradoxical how, on a given day, I can clean my kitchen so well you’d think I was Cinderella, but then the next day it looks like the shared apartment of a couple phlegmatic bachelors. Something tells me this shouldn’t happen,…

Share the Wealth: A Mission Update from Madagascar

by Anneliese Wahlman

The United Nations Development Programme’s most recent data ranked Madagascar 154 out of 188 countries on the Human Development Index.1 That’s basically a sterile way of saying that, as a country, Madagascar doesn’t seem to have…

Butyrate and the Bowel, Part 3

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Crosstalk is a term that can pertain to telecommunications, when distinguishable signals leak from one connection to another. In electronics, crosstalk is a phenomenon by which a signal on one circuit or channel of a transmission system creates an…

Love Because… (Part 2)

by Fred Bischoff

God loves because He is love. Unselfish love describes the essence of His character and the relational joy of His existence. He asks us to love because He has designed us to enter into this joy. Even after sin’s removal of love…

With the Flip of a Switch

by Anneliese Wahlman

As a kid, I suffered from the quintessential childhood fear: I was scared of the dark. I could be in a room that I knew like the back of my hand, and if the lights turned off, my fear turned on. It didn’t help that my older brother would come into…

Literature Evangelism in Tanzania

by Meiring Pretorius

Magomeni Seventh-day Adventist Church believes that the most rapid and cost-effective way of placing the gospel in the hands of humanity’s hungering masses is through spreading truth-filled literature and publications. It is because of this…

Butyrate and the Bowel, Part 2

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Last month we began understanding one of the ways the community of microbes residing within impacts the health of its host organ, the colon, as well as other facets of human health. This community is composed of many members in various…

Love Because… (Part 1)

by Fred Bischoff

Why does God love us? Simply put, because that is what and who He is (1 John 4:8, 16), just as what you are directs your actions. What He does in loving us can be measured by its "breadth, and length, and depth, and height" (Ephesians…

Great Expectations

by Elise Harboldt

“This quote is exploding my mind.” That’s the text I received this morning from my friend Janessa, whose birthday just happens to be today. Jesus sent Janessa a beautiful birthday sunrise and a quote so epic it’s exploding my mind…

The Parable of the True (Un)Believer

by Ty Gibson

The kingdom of heaven is like unto two men, one who believed in God and one who did not. The first man engaged in prejudice and hatred and various other forms of ugliness…

It Takes Time

by David Asscherick

Discipleship is a bit of a buzzword right now, and that’s a good thing. As the church, and as followers of Jesus, we should be talking about discipleship. More than this, we should be doing discipleship. But right there is the…

Butyrate and the Bowel, Part 1

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Modern man has a problem with his colon, the large intestine, one’s bowels, the gut, the last processing plant in the digestive tract. Yep, whether it's diverticulosis, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel…

Redemption from Deception

by James Rafferty

Revelation 12, the centerpiece of the book, uncovers a central issue for Planet Earth—redemption from deception. Deception began in heaven, not earth, with the dragon who hoodwinked the third part of the angels from heaven with his tail or…

A Wall Against Sexual Assault

by Anneliese Wahlman

If righteous indignation were a tub of gasoline, then the recent Stanford sexual assault case has been the match. There’s nothing more infuriating than seeing someone suffer unfairly and justice go unserved, and this particular story has caused…

Overloaded

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Skeletal muscle has this amazing ability to adapt to being overloaded. When weight bearing loads are repeatedly placed upon them, muscle responds by increasing in size and strength. Exercise is the most powerful stimuli for inducing reorganization…

Something to Say at Princeton University

by Ty Gibson

Ministry needs to happen everywhere—even among the educated elite. Evangelists recognize that the highly educated are the most difficult class to reach with the gospel, generally speaking. Recently, feeling the weight of this fact, I delivered six…

Prostate Cancer—Caught in the Headlights

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

It’s nighttime. You are driving a country road when a deer leaps onto the pavement in front of you, stops in the middle of the road, seemingly looks straight at you and freezes. If the deer kept his eyes focused on the direction he was originally…

Go and Speed No More

by David Asscherick

Let me tell you about one of my least favorite Australian realities: speed cameras. Ugh, just saying those two words makes me feel ill. You see, in the US, where I’m from, you receive a speeding ticket by being pulled over by an actual officer and…

The Theological Identity of the Remnant

by Ty Gibson

When the “remnant” is brought to view in Revelation, our attention is directed to God’s intent that the movement be defined by a specific theological construct: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the…

The Solidarity Project

by Esther Hardy

The Solidarity Project took place on the University of Oregon’s campus from April 18th - 22nd, 2016. From the beginning of the ARISE internship, we intentionally set the goal to plan an event that would minister to the U of O…

Remember Your Mom

by James Rafferty

My wife was often asked what she did while mothering our two children. “I am a mother,” was her natural response. “Yes,” was the reply, “but what do you do for work; what are you”? (As if being a mother were not a full-time…

In Contact with Others

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

We are a society that admires independence. The methodology of our educational system is established on this premise Parenting is conducted in such a way as to develop independence in our children. We even construct our theology around ‘me,…

How Long?

by Fred Bischoff

"How long?" is the ultimate time query in the great controversy between good and evil—how long will it last? From eternity past to eternity future the principle of selfless, self-giving love has been the law of life for the universe. It flows…

Abraham—A Friend of God

by James Rafferty

Dear Abraham, Kill your only son. God. Let's face it—that's a tough Bible story to swallow. At face value, it assaults the very idea that God is love. Or does it? New Testament scripture offers insight into this Old Testament…

What If the Good News Is Better Than You Think?

by Ty Gibson

After explaining that Christ is “the Word” and “the Light” to every person in the world (John 1:1-9), John makes an enormous, encompassing, extravagant claim: “Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John…

Metabolic Syndrome

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Nearly 35% of adults in America and 50% of those 60 years of age or older are estimated to have metabolic syndrome, also called syndrome X and insulin resistance syndrome. These are staggering statistics. Potentially 3 of 10 adults in America are…

Twelve

by David Asscherick

On February 8, ARISE Australia’s fourth three-month session began enthusiastically here in Kingscliff, Australia with students from all around the world. Norway, Germany, Finland, the United States, Canada, and South Africa, in addition to…

Too Dark for Me

by Elise Harboldt

“Do you cut yourself?” I ask. “No,” she whispers. “I burn myself.” She pulls up her sleeves to show me dark red lines all the way up her arms. “I use a curling iron.” “I took the whole bottle of…

Precious Seed

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

One of my favorite flowers possesses delicate blue petals that drop off before evening, only to open a new bouquet every morning. The flower is delicate, yet tenacious, resilient, and beautiful. Science has found that of even greater significance in…

Ellen White and Religious Bigotry

by Light Bearers

A Hard Time to Be A Catholic If there was ever a bad time to be a Catholic in America, it was during the nineteenth century. A massive wave of European immigration flooded the United States with over 3.5 million newcomers, many of whom were…

Light Bearers’ Materials Lead to Booming Bible Schools in Malawi

by Meiring Pretorius

My recent trip to Malawi was very fruitful. The Voice of Prophecy Bible School Director, Pastor Moffat Botolo, went out of his way to make my visit meaningful. His department of the Malawi Union Conference is very active in using Light Bearers’…

What Oil Should I Use?

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Do you remember what goals and aspirations you had for yourself when you were a senior in high school? Do you remember how challenging it was to answer the question on everyone’s lips, “So, what are you going to do with your life?”…

Just Do It

by James Rafferty

Coined in an advertising agency meeting for Nike, the "Just Do It" campaign launched in 1988. It was highly successful, as one of the top two taglines of the 20th century, being both "universal and intensely personal." Nike presented this…

The Ellen White You Thought You Knew

by Light Bearers

“Ellen White said…” Those are three apparently innocent words that have been used and abused with much zest and confidence. They have been known to strike dread and incite rebellion in the hearts of some. But why? Is it in reaction to Ellen…

Detox

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

It is estimated that the average American woman is exposed to some 200 chemicals before she even leaves her home in the morning. While men do not use the lotions and potions that women do, they are still exposed to potentially thousands of other…

Three Reasons to be a Relational Risk Taker

by Ty Gibson

There are definitely moments in which you ought to be careful, calculated, and cautious. And there are moments in which you ought to cast caution to the wind and be a big-time risk taker. Yeah, be cautious as a driver. Relax—please. Being late…

The Latter Rain in Practical Terms

by Ty Gibson

The Bible is filled with agricultural symbolism as a means of depicting God’s grand and glorious purpose for humanity (Matthew 13). God is in the business of growing things—a new crop of humans, to be exact (1 Corinthians 3:6-8). Human…

May Your Soul Feel Its Worth

by Elise Harboldt

I sink down in my pew, cringing to the core. “It’s coming,” I think. "There’s no way she’s gonna make it.” “Oh night divine. Oh night when Christ was born." My palms are sweating. My face is turning red. "Why am I embarrassed?…

The Apocalypse of Human Sexuality

by Ty Gibson

Sex is in the news. Big time! Bruce Jenner’s transgender process has prompted nearly everyone on the planet to ponder the nature of human sexuality. To the delight of some and to the horror of others, Caitlyn, formerly Bruce, was named…

Ben Carson, the Media, and the Mocking of Adventism

by Light Bearers

Clearly, these are very interesting times for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. At a rally in Florida, Donald Trump assured his audience of his mainstream religious affiliations with the Presbyterian denomination. Alluding to Ben Carson, he added,…

The Joy in Anna

by David Sherwood

Expecting our second child, Luke, Jeannie and I ignorantly prayed that God would manipulate our circumstances to give us an easier child than our first. Life with a healthy, rambunctious two-year-old seemed so challenging to us, and we…

Fight

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Breaking news from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization (WHO), reports that processed meats are carcinogenic to humans. Processed meats such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, beef…

Light for a Dark Area

by Barry Mosier

Oh, how sweet it was when the barge finally arrived bearing the precious Bible lessons from Light Bearers Ministry! It had been a long journey! Several months before, the container packed with Bible studies in French, Lingala and Swahili had left…

We’re all Special Needs

by David Asscherick

In 2014, Michael and Lisa Gungor, who together form the band Gungor, had a child with Down Syndrome. They named her Lucette, meaning “light." Also in 2014 a woman tweeted…

The Little We Know

by Ty Gibson

A rational appeal to the atheist: Intending no disrespect at all to the scientific achievements of mankind, I want to call our attention to the fact that the human data bank of knowledge is minuscule compared to all there is to know.…

Captives Set Free in Kenya

by Meiring Pretorius

Prison Ministry What message does one give to a prison full of inmates who committed capital offences? Most are sentenced 20 years or more. Others are on death row. As we approached the high-walled Naivasha maximum security prison, my eye…

Insulin Insufficiency in the Brain

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

In Toronto, Canada, 1922, Leonard, a 14-year-old young man, weighing a mere 65 pounds, lay dying of type 1 diabetes in a hospital ward. At that time hospitals had dedicated wards where 50 children could be congregated, suffering the trauma and…

Entering the Glorious Land

by James Rafferty

"He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown…"(Daniel 11:41). James White believed this power, spoken of in the final verses of Daniel 11, to be the papacy supported by the United States.…

Obedience vs Legalism

by Ty Gibson

A man once came to me and said, “My marriage is falling apart. My wife says she doesn’t have feelings for me anymore, and my feelings for her are pretty much dead too. I guess it’s over, huh?” He was startled by my immediate…

Enlargement vs. Shrinkage

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Before the age of GPS or iPhone Maps, London taxi drivers relied on their memories. They developed what was coined “the knowledge.” Developed over centuries, the winding, crooked streets of London resemble a maze more than neat perpendicular…

Global Impact

by Ty Gibson

In 1985, a few of us new converts—James Rafferty, Sue Gibson, and myself—received what we knew to be specific direction from the God of the universe. We were young and on fire for the Lord (now we're older but still on fire for the Lord). James…

So What About the Pope?

by Ty Gibson

Pope Francis definitely has our attention. Bible prophecy said that would be the case (Revelation 13:3). But why? What is the significance of his influence and why does he have such massive influence in the first place? Even avowed…

Freedom of Conscience Threatened

by Nathan Egbert

Written by Nathan Egbert 9/5/15 in response to current news events. In the arena of social contention, two topics reign supreme: religion and politics. While subject matters do change over time, fodder for controversy is never lacking.…

The Golden Tracts

by Wendy Harris

The calls started coming in as fast as I could keep up. “I heard about your Bible study guides, I’m a district pastor in Mindoro, I have 13 churches with small groups in each. May I have four boxes? I’ll be there tomorrow.” “I’m…

Diverticulosis

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Dr. Denis Burkitt, a well-known Irish missionary surgeon made an interesting observation of America. His comment was this: “America is a constipated nation…. If you pass small stools, you have to have large hospitals.”1…

Join the Witness

by Fred Bischoff

During that secret interview at Jesus' place of retirement on the Mount of Olives, when the city was hushed in slumber, it wasn't the flickering lamp or torchlight, or the pale light of the moon, that shown into the heart of Nicodemus, that "master…

Nate

by David Asscherick

Here’s a miracle story. Fifteen years ago, I was preaching an evangelistic series in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The series was a joint venture with Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries…

Splenda

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Splenda is the most popular sugar substitute on the market. It is easily identifiable in the large yellow box or little yellow packets filled with sweet white crystals. The key ingredient in Splenda is sucralose, a non-nutritive artificial…

This Is the Life

by Charis Huenergardt

I’ve made a habit of listening when children speak. Charis is a little friend of mine who happens to be an aspiring writer. She’s nine years old and she’s a thinker. When she shared her first writing project with me, she wondered if anyone…

A New Hermeneutic?

by Steven Grabiner

In just two days, the gathered delegates for the Seventh-day Adventist church will be making a decision regarding ordaining women to the pastoral ministry. I doubt that…

Light Bearers Literature Supports Ted Wilson’s Meetings

by Meiring Pretorius

"Hope for the Cities," a mission to reach the cities of the world for Christ, launched by the General Conference of the Seventh-day…

Vanishing Perplexities

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

In the hospital it is not uncommon to see doctor’s orders for C. diff testing in patient charts. C. diff is an abbreviation for Clostridium difficile. If C. diff + is charted it means the patient has Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). C.…

Um Olhar Atento Sobre A Ordenação de Mulheres

by Ty Gibson

english | …

Women’s Ordination: Is the Church Free To Act?

by Ty Gibson

The God of the Bible is a delegator, not a micromanager. He entrusts His children with decision-making power. God is not a control freak, but rather a freedom lover. Adam and Eve were given “dominion” over the world God had made for them…

ЕСЛИ ВЗГЛЯНУТЬ НА ОРДИНАЦИЮ ЖЕНЩИН ПОБЛИЖЕ

by Ty Gibson

english | español | русский | …

Una Mirada Más Profunda a la Ordenación de la Mujer

by Ty Gibson

english | español | русский | …

Gender: From Creation Through Ordination

by Fred Bischoff

Background In September of 2012, I was asked to serve on the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) "Theology of Ordination Study Committee." This group met four times during 2013 and 2014, and considered voluminous amounts of…

Women’s Ordination: Shall Angels or Demons Guide Us?

by Ty Gibson

Adventism is heating up as we approach the GC Session in Texas, during which a vote will be taken on women’s ordination. In all my years as a member of this church I…

A Closer Look At Women’s Ordination

by Ty Gibson

english | …

Bouncing Students

by David Asscherick

A pastor. A physical therapist. A builder. An investment banker. Since its inception, ARISE has attracted diverse groups of people, and this year’s class was no different.…

Obstinate Prayer

by James Rafferty

The word obstinate has a bad rap. The dictionary definition is: Refusing to give up or let go; persevering obstinately Refusing to give up or let go. Persevering. Insistently repetitive or…

Adaptability

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change,” said Albert Einstein. Others of comparable IQ have defined intelligence similarly, as the ability to adapt to change. I find this an interesting way of looking at something we try so hard…

Conservative or Liberal?

by Ty Gibson

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). Apparently, God sees in us an inclination to veer off course to the…

The Nicodemus Society

by David Kim

I was heart-converted in November 2008 after 36 years growing up “in the church.” With this heart-conversion came a deep longing to share Christ, yet I felt powerless and tongue-tied when it came to speaking up among my peers in the corporate…

Resurrection Remix

by Ty Gibson

The resurrection of Jesus was not an arbitrary act of God. Rather, it was the definitive conquest of other-centered love over the death-dealing principle of self-centeredness inherent in all sin. According to Paul, “the law of the Spirit of…

The Love Factor

by James Rafferty

When I first came to Christ I knew very little about the Bible. I said a simple sinner’s prayer, experienced God’s boundless forgiveness and fell madly in love with Jesus. When I was confronted with the Bible evidence for the seventh-day…

Moldy Mary

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Mary Hunt worked for the Department of Agriculture’s Northern Regional Research Laboratory (NRRL) in Peoria, Illinois in the early 1940s. She had been assigned the task of grocery shopping for the lab with a shopping list that probably surprised…

Who Am I?

by Fred Bischoff

It's a loaded question, one that probes my very existence. Jesus faced it (John 8:24-25, 28). When I face it, I usually answer with the name from my earthly family. But we each have an identity from a larger family that draws its identity from the…

Stressed-out Kinds

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

It takes all kinds, or so the saying goes. While the it in this statement has the potential of referring to options too numerous to count, according to Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, the all kinds is limited to…

Setting Prisoners Free

by James Rafferty

In 2014 God blessed Light Bearers Ministry in a number of ways, one of which was the ability to send out an extra container of literature above our budgeted 11. Each container is filled with millions of tracts that make a huge impact in the world…

Evange-Baggage

by Elise Harboldt

“I hate evangelism!” my friend Edward said as he wrinkled his nose in disgust. “No you don’t,” I said. “You just don’t know what it is yet.” To be honest, I used to think I hated evangelism. To be extra honest, I have a…

Anti-Nutrients

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

If you are like me, you like to get the most bang for your buck, the best results from your effort, the greatest number of items on the to-do list accomplished for the time invested. When it comes to supplying the body with nutrition, we often hear…

Hand in Hand

by Fred Bischoff

"And they walked hand in hand off into the sunset…." There's something about an ending like that which intrigues the imaginative soul. All's well that ends well. Together… into the future… Could God's ending in the great…

The Philosophy of Fear

by James Rafferty

My granny was very protective of spiders. Whenever she found one in our house she would gently pick it up, give it a kiss, and toss it out the nearest open window. As a little boy I was afraid of creepy, crawly spiders along with other things like…

The Power of the Printed Page

by Ty Gibson

Plain and simple: words of truth on paper are extremely powerful. Allow me to break this down for us. First, are need to understand that the words of God are a creative, life-giving force: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they…

When You Don’t Have All the Facts

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Baby Sara was born into the Glick family in the summer of 1999. Having seven older brothers, she was the cherished little girl the family had hoped for. Samuel and Elizabeth Glick were Amish dairy farmers in rural Pennsylvania. Four months later…

Telos Love

by James Rafferty

From year to year certain Bible verses speak to me, becoming favorites. This year it’s John 13:1: “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved…

The Deeper Meaning of Christmas

by Ty Gibson

When we speak of the birth of Christ, we are speaking of the most sublime and astounding event in all of eternal history. God literally became a human being. “Without controversy,” Paul exclaims with wonder, “great is the mystery of godliness:…

My Experience as an ARISE Student

by Nicole Stalligs

Being home has made me realize what a privilege attending ARISE was for my life. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was undoubtedly there! I did not know much about the instructors, but before I came I prayed that they would speak the truth of the…

First Law

by Fred Bischoff

It was crucifixion week. Matthew and Mark recorded the story (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34). A Pharisee (lawyer and scribe) asked Jesus a profound question that could be referred to as the first law. "Which is the greatest commandment in the law?…

Foie Gras

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Foie gras is French for fatty liver. Though considered a delicacy of French cuisine, its production dates back to ancient Egypt. The Egyptians discovered that migratory geese overfed themselves in preparation for their long flights, which produced…

The Old Covenant Brood

by Ty Gibson

The current tensions and polemics within the Seventh-day Adventist Church are not occurring in a vacuum. We have history behind us that has created the trajectory within which we are now living. To a significant degree the spirit and content of our…

Sometimes I Forget

by James Rafferty

Sometimes I forget the words of Christ in Matthew 25:40. I judge, I disdain, and I criticize my brethren in my heart (and with my actions). When I do this to the least of these my brethren I do it unto Him. During such times of stark spiritual…

All in your Head? Impossible! Part 1

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

When symptoms of disease and sickness are said to be all in one’s head, there is an implication made that questions the legitimacy of physical ailment. When we hear this description we understand that something is thought of as reality, but is…

Truth, Love, and Lance

by David Asscherick

“What Lance couldn’t handle was the truth.” So said Betsy Andreu at the close of Alex Holmes’s difficult-to-watch documentary on the rise and fall of Lance Armstrong, Stop at Nothing: The Lance Armstrong Story. Lance is not…

My Thoughts on the Present Conversation Regarding the Ordination of Women

by David Asscherick

I am admittedly surprised to hear over and over again that the current conversation and study the Seventh-day Adventist Church is having regarding the theology of ordination, generally, and of the ordination of women to pastoral ministry,…

The Bowels, Part 2

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Linguistically, the term bowel has been used to express the inner workings, the depths of man emotionally as well as physically. It is where input is broken down, digested, absorbed, sorted, reacted to, and transformed into us. Interestingly…

Cosmic Atonement

by Ty Gibson

God is up to something bigger than our eternal salvation. Certainly, from our individual standpoint it is hard to imagine anything bigger. To be saved from sin and given the assurance of eternal life is a truly marvelous thing. But notice the…

Faith to Faith

by James Rafferty

This year marked the 30th Annual Light Bearers Convocation. Our theme was “Faith to Faith,” based on Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to…

The Bowels, Part 1

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Physiologically, the bowel is synonymous with the gut, the gastrointestinal tract, including stomach and the intestines. In this context, the association made between the bowel and the brain in the following statements is quite intriguing. “The…

Jesus, the Timeless Truth Teller

by Light Bearers

Some historians and philosophers have pointed out that much of our scientific and medical literature is updated often because new discoveries and new knowledge render previously accepted knowledge obsolete. No one in their right mind would ever be…

Five Pennies

by Light Bearers

It only takes five pennies for Light Bearers to print, ship and distribute one piece of gospel-filled literature. By the grace of God and with your help, we can put millions of gospel literature into circulation. …

Worlds Apart (Not Anymore)

by Ty Gibson

Sutherlin, Oregon and Papua New Guinea are worlds apart. Separated by 6,518 miles and the vast Pacific Ocean. Sutherlin is in the Northern Hemisphere and Papua New Guinea is in the Southern. But the two places and their people are separated by more…

It’s In The Blood

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

At the age of 45, the lifetime risk of heart disease is 60.3 percent for men and 55.6 percent for women. In other words, three out of five men without heart disease at age 45 will develop the condition at some point in their lives. Being a woman,…

Leaving the Best Behind

by David Asscherick

Recently we had our car broken into. Between the damage to the car and the stolen goods, it set us back several thousand dollars. Not the nicest “Welcome to Australia” moment one could imagine. I can still recall the almost nauseating feeling in…

Bestseller | The Clifford Goldstein Story

by Light Bearers

Clifford Goldstein didn’t believe in much, but one thing he did believe in was Truth. He just didn't know what it was or where to find it. As the fiery writer traveled Europe and Israel in search of his novel's soul, his quest for the meaning of…

I Can See with New Eyes

by Elaine Thompson

There I was two years ago, praying, “God I want to know truth. Can you please reveal Yourself to me? I don’t want to learn culture or traditions. I just want to know YOU.” So starting with the Bible, I set out to challenge the beliefs, culture…

The Weapons of Our Warfare

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

It would be overly simplistic to say that one food or food component is capable of causing, preventing, or curing cancer. However, it would be completely ignorant to intimate that food and food components are not factors in the development of many…

Faith Sight

by Fred Bischoff

When you read words that are effective in describing something, you can picture it in your imagination. “See ye the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 2:31). This “seeing” is not simply letters on a page. God is asking us to see the story—His…

Bestseller | Official Trailer

by Light Bearers

As a secular American Jew, Clifford Goldstein was driven by one consuming obsession: to write a bestselling novel. God was nowhere on his radar. And yet, Cliff was on God’s radar. Here is the trailer for the video, Bestseller, to be…

Redeeming Shame

by Jennifer Jill Schwirzer

By far the most traumatic event of my adolescence was Sue Cook’s house fire. I recall the suburban home ringed with a crowd of people, spewing fire and black smoke out of its windows. I stood there watching solemnly with Sue, who whispered,…

The End of Protestantism?

by Alan J. Reinach

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, under intense public pressure, vetoed Senate Bill 1062, a religious freedom bill that had been “egregiously misrepresented,” according to a coalition of law professors who wrote in defense of the bill. The bill…

God Groans

by James Rafferty

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). The word “groaning” in this…

A Place at the Table—the Poverty-Obesity Paradox

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

When I think of hunger, I picture an emaciated man with defined ribs, and perhaps a slightly protruding, enlarged abdomen, signaling malnutrition. Associating the enlarged abdomen of an overweight person with hunger has never seriously entered my…

Twelve

by David Asscherick

Yeehaw! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Amen! Yes, I know I’m geographically Down Under, but, wow, am I flying high right now! It’s the Monday after the final weekend of the ARISE Australia…

Protestant America

by James Rafferty

Where is the United States in the End-Time Scenario? “When I look at Bible prophecy, one thing that is of great interest to me, and of great concern, is the absence of the United States. It is interesting to note that a number of nations are…

How to Be Free from Guilt

by Ty Gibson

The Bible knows what’s going on inside of you. It understands the complexity of the human being and penetrates into the deep mental, emotional and moral issues we all deal with. Notice, for example, this insightful passage from King…

The Semmelweis Reflex

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician who lived in the mid-1800s before the germ theory was born. Years after his death he was referred to as the “savior of mothers.” His new-fangled notion of washing hands between touching cadavers and…

Liberty of Conscience: The Core Principle of Protestantism

by James Rafferty

The Origin of Protestantism “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me…

Heavenly Minded Or Earthly Good?

by Light Bearers

It’s been said that Christians are “so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.” That’s a tragic indictment. It infers that with all the injustices and pressing needs of this world, what good is it to be fixated on a future,…

Hidden, Part 2

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

The heart has always been thought to be responsible for pumping some eight thousand liters of blood per day at rest and much more during activity. This has been compared to the lifting of approximately 100 pounds one mile high! Blood is five times…

Water for Life International in Guatemala

by James Rafferty

In February of 2012, I traveled to Guatemala to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings in connection with a shipment of over 1.3 million pieces of literature. When I arrived, the container that had…

Revelation 13: An Annotated Reading

by Ty Gibson

The book of Revelation is highly symbolic. Its prophecies are written in a kind of code language that must be interpreted to make sense. A casual reading will blur the eyes and befuddle the mind. One must take the time to define each symbol by…

The Romanism Within

by Ty Gibson

The new Pope, Mr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has caused quite a stir recently. So much so, in fact, that an ardent Protestant friend said to me the other day, “Wow, this new pope seems like a really good guy and he’s saying some good things. Maybe…

A Nameless Mass?

by Ty Gibson

Six million people. It’s a big number. When I hear it, I don’t see faces. But God does. To me, it’s a number that represents a nameless mass. But not for God. He sees faces, behind which are personal histories and heartaches,…

Hidden, Part 1

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

It was March 1, 1945, during his fourth term, that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt [FDR] delivered a speech to inform Congress and the American people via national radio of the decisions made at the recent Yalta Conference with British Prime…

Happy Digging

by David Asscherick

Paul the Apostle said some strange things, things hard to understand. Even Peter agreed (2 Peter 3:15). And if some of his writings were admittedly puzzling back then, how much more so would that be the case today, nearly two millennia later? I…

Harnessing the Brain: Nutritional Neuroscience, Part 2

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

The dental student examined her inflamed, bleeding gums and loose teeth. From all appearances it looked as though her teeth would have to be pulled. A supervising dentist with an experienced eye asked the woman what she ate. Her diet consisted…

The Identity-Shaping Power of Fatherhood

by Ty Gibson

“The Father Himself loves you” (John 16:27). Fatherhood is an identity-shaping vocation. Whether he does so consciously or not, a dad tells his child who and what to become. The child is significantly defined by the father’s manner of…

China Light: Leprosy Ministry

by Light Bearers

As a student of the ARISE program, I was blessed with a rich experience of meaningful Bible studies, priceless interactions with classmates, staff, and community, and most importantly, a clearer…

The Richard Sherman In All of Us

by Shawn Brace

First, let’s make something clear: Richard Sherman is not a thug (ie., “a cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer”). By now, even if you’re a nominal sports fan,…

Seven Habits Worth Cultivating

by Ty Gibson

Every time you perform an action it contributes to shaping your fundamental identity. When life is done, you are the sum total of your repeated actions. Here are seven actions worth repeating over and over again this year until they become habits…

Present Stage: A New Year Prayer

by Ty Gibson

Listen for the Beauty

by David Asscherick

Just the other day, while on my morning run, I had a rather sublime revelation. I get these “running revelations” quite a bit actually. Maybe it’s the increased blood flow, or the quiet time, or the aloneness of it all, I really don’t know.…

The Hal

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

As a young college student I became quite attracted to the concept of health. Something clicked internally and I was into it. In class, I learned that the vast majority of what an individual might encounter in the hospital was lifestyle related. My…

I Saw Jesus—ARISE Australia Class Tribute

by Sandra Entermenn

I saw Jesus Wednesday morning, the week before last. He was sitting quietly at the same breakfast table with a few others, little Riley, and myself. When Riley indicated that he wanted more avocado (of which there was a limited supply), He,…

Jesus Only.

by Light Bearers

From July 2-6 several hundred people will arrive on the Light Bearers campus for our 2013 Convocation to study through the book of Acts, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, story by story. And this will be the theme of our study: Jesus…

The Snowball Effect

by Andy Hausted

It was a crisp winter day, and snow blanketed the quaint landscape surrounding me. Bright rays of light sparkled off the fresh snow that had fallen the previous night. Tall evergreens could be seen just about wherever one looked, and the rich smell…

Just Like the Cross

by David Asscherick

I get admittedly nervous when I hear these words: “Pastor Asscherick, you changed my life.” You see, I’m not in the life-changing business; I’m just a messenger, a mail carrier. The biblical term is evangelist, one who carries a…

Overcooked and Rawed Out

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

In politics, are you Republican or Democrat? In terms of religion, are you liberal or conservative? When it comes to your personality, are you sanguine or melancholy? In diet, are you vegan or vegetarian? Are you for or against…, in or out,…

Why a New Pope is Good News

by James Rafferty

In 1929, the Italian Parliament ratified the Lateran Treaty settling the Roman Question and setting the stage for what some have since described as the healing of the deadly wound. Somewhere between that time and today, an idea developed that…

Not Letter, But Spirit

by Ty Gibson

As I took my seat on the plane, an energetic little boy came up the aisle with his dad. In my mind I thought, “I sure hope he’s not gonna be in the seat behind me.” As a frequent flyer, I know short legs tend to kick seatbacks. As he walked…

Enzymes in the Raw

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

I despise sloths. The continuous ritardando of their existence is not to my liking. They sleep for 20 hours a day. When they are awake they barely move. They are so slow and sluggish that algae will actually grow on their fur! Can you imagine if…

A Double Work

by James Rafferty

Traveling all over the world from place to place to share the gospel as part of the Light Bearers Ministry team is especially rewarding when hearts are healed and lives transformed by the power of God. Many of you are reading these words because you…

Setting the Captives Free

by Ty Gibson

A powerful ministry to prison inmates is under way in Kenya. A group called the King’s Messengers, sponsored by the East- Central Africa Division, recently paid a series of visits to a prison in Nairobi housing 3,500 men. Rather than merely…

Creatures of Habit

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

Benjamin Franklin said, “Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” The implication is that habits control much of what life is made up of. We’ve heard the…

2013 Publishing Projects

by Light Bearers

This year we plan to print, package, ship and distribute over 22.5 million pieces of paper gold—the gospel of Christ in printed form. That's twelve 20 foot containers packed with truth-filled literature that will make their way to Kenya, Zambia,…

God’s Masterpiece

by Ty Gibson

The human mind is creativity in motion. Each moment of each day we see things, take in a plethora of sensory data, intersect with people, and experience life—and all the while, with every encounter, we are incrementally changing, becoming…

Swimming Blind

by Risë Rafferty, RDN

For Michael Phelps, the morning was like many others. Though a race-day, he fell into a routine that had become automatic. He ate the same breakfast he always ate, did the same stretching routine he always did. He swam his typical sequence of…

The Valley of the Shadow

by Doug Mielke

The sign read: DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially May to September. But that was for normal people. The Hermit Trail spanned only nine miles from the canyon's rim down to the…

Ten

by David Asscherick

Family My youngest son, Jabel, just turned ten. In the absence of a miraculous intervention, I will never again have the joy and privilege of parenting a less-than-double-digit aged child. Life moves on. Time does its thing. “The past…

Looking Back Over 2012

by Light Bearers

As 2012 ends, we here at Light Bearers are rejoicing at how God has led. Here’s a recap of the year: ARISE Internship Program In January we launched the ARISE…

Alone Together

by Doug Mielke

Danny Fitzgerald was the king of our neighborhood. It wasn't because he was an admirable person, nor was it because he was a great athlete, or one of the more popular guys at our school. He was the neighborhood king because we feared him. Danny…

Finding Jesus in Christmas

by James Rafferty

A group of people was sitting in the waiting area of a popular restaurant. They were hungry, eager for a table, and silently stealing glances at each other. Then in came yet another family with a small child. As the man went to register his name,…

When Evil Strikes

by Ty Gibson

On Friday as I walked into my wife’s office to say hi, smiling and eager to interrupt her work with a flirtatious moment or two, she swiveled around toward me in her chair and said, “Have you heard about what happened in Connecticut?” There…

This Is Ministry: Victor and Lindsay’s Story

by Light Bearers

There’s a white door. There’s a ‘5’ on it. Two ARISE students, Victor Carreiro and Lindsay White, stand beside the apartment door and knock. There’s a post beside Victor that he leans upon, his hand plays with a…

Territory: Light Bearers 2012 Yearend Report

by Light Bearers

Here's the Light Bearers 2012 Yearend Report. We are proud of this report, not in a carnal way, but because of the work and ministry it represents. The report is filled with frontline reports and theological insights that are sure to inspire you as…

Leaves of Hope, Healing, and Home

by David Asscherick

Emily Bronte, in her poem Fall, Leaves, Fall, writes: Every leaf speaks bliss to meFluttering from the autumn tree. Here in Oregon, as I write this, autumn has come and (nearly) gone. Leaves are aground wherever one…

This Is Ministry: Andy and Karla’s Story

by Light Bearers

No one is answering. Andy Hausted and Karla Martinez stand before a door refusing to open up. As Andy looks around, he notices two people in the backyard sitting on couches in a sort of outside porch area. The current ARISE…

How Thanksgiving Can Change the World

by Justin Kim

At the core of the Old Testament is what theologians call the biblical covenant. In other words, it’s a relationship, fellowship time, or… chill-time, or hanging out. It’s in the foundation of every sanctuary offering, every patriarch’s…

Dirty Teddy and Me

by Dustin Hall

I ascended the dark stairway at my childhood home to retrieve a toy I knew was in the upstairs closet for one of my children. As the creak of the steps sounded beneath my weight, memories from my childhood came rushing back. I reached the summit of…

Dear Light Bearers Guys…

by Light Bearers

As many of you know, we have a group of ARISE graduates that are part of a yearlong internship program. They are actively engaged in frontline ministry. They are serving in local churches, giving Bible…

Initial Conditions: When Small Isn’t

by Victor Carreiro

[ABOVE: Photo of a fractal riverbed. Fractals are naturally occurring, self-similar patterns that are very complex and incalculably detailed. While they may appear to be random and chaotic at their initial formation, they exhibit an array of…

And In My World…

by Ty Gibson

Wow, I was so blessed by David's “world” that I’d like to expand the vision to the church. In my world, the church would be a place in which Jesus is the one Truth that gives meaning and heart and…

In My World…

by David Asscherick

In my world, there would be no sexual slave trade, because there would be no customers. In my world, there would be no promising politicians, because people would be too informed and intelligent to believe them. In my world, there would be no…

Teetering On The Edge

by Ty Gibson

Here’s some raw data that ought to blow your mind, make you want to cry, and arouse your suspicions all at once: “According to the UN Environment Program, the earth is in the midst of a mass extinction of life. Scientists estimate that…

The Hidden Things, That I Don’t Know

by Paulo Torres

I distinctively remember my General Relativity classes. Every one of them was a joyful experience, and yet I often came home frustrated because I hadn't understood a particular equation, mathematical reasoning or structure that day. Even so, the…

Look Mom! I’m a Televangelist!

by David Asscherick

Quick: what do Jim Bakker, Ted Haggard, and Jimmy Swaggart all have in common? Answer: they’ve all made my life harder. At various times, and in various ways, they all succeeded in sullying my profession, my faith, and, worst of all, my Savior.…

What is ARISE Trying to Accomplish?

by David Asscherick

Someone told me that someone had a friend who was told by someone else that, “ARISE Bible workers don’t get results.” Sure, a rumor is a rumor, but the alleged statement does actually raise an important question, one that I’ve been asking…

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If I Were the Devil

by Anneliese Wahlman

By the Grace of God, I Can, Part 2

by Alyssa Johnston

Experiments of Mercy

by Ty Gibson

How Ellen Went from Fearful to Faithful

by Anneliese Wahlman

The Unexpected Cure for Loneliness

by Anneliese Wahlman

ARISE Discipleship Program Transforms Lives

by Ty Gibson

By the Grace of God, I Can, Part 1

by Alyssa Johnston

Now You’re Speaking My Language

by Anneliese Wahlman

From Verbal to Visible: Sharing God’s Love

by Shawn Brace

Bridging the Gap: Reconnecting Youth with the Gospel

by Anneliese Wahlman

Preaching the Gospel to Those in Power

by Alyssa Johnston

From Skeptic to Believer: My Instantaneous Conversion Story

by Ty Gibson

How to Succeed in Ministry

by Ty Gibson

Love in a Time of War

by Angelo Grasso

The Key to Passing on Your Faith

by Angelo Grasso

How Jared Found His Deep Gladness

by Anneliese Wahlman

The Best Way to Answer for Your Faith

by Anneliese Wahlman

There Is Hope in Your Dark Night

by David Asscherick

No More Holy Water

by Alyssa Johnston

Don’t Look Where You Want to Go

by Anneliese Wahlman

Crisis After Crisis: What Can We Hold Onto?

by Ty Gibson

We Are Them

by David Asscherick

The Most Un-Boring Thing Ever

by Ty Gibson

No, You Don’t Study God’s Love Enough

by Anneliese Wahlman

God Didn’t Show Up, You Did

by Anneliese Wahlman

The Language of Love

by David Asscherick

John’s Communion

by Nathan McKee

John 14:15—Command or Prediction?

by Nathan McKee

Freedom From Uncontrolled Chaos

by Anneliese Wahlman

Words

by Ty Gibson

Be A Spring

by Nathan McKee

A Battle for Jesus

by Alyssa Johnston

Why Your Struggle Is a Good Sign

by Anneliese Wahlman

Of Perils and Tyrants

by David Asscherick

You Were Made for Freedom

by Anneliese Wahlman

The Request God Never Made

by Anneliese Wahlman

Get in the Word for Yourself

by David Asscherick

Saved From a Deep Hole

by Ty Gibson

The Secret to a Happy Life

by Anneliese Wahlman