Paul Chappell's Blog

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, it was not for one country alone. He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

One of the great joys of ministry is seeing that command carried out and watching the gospel advance around the world. Last week’s Spiritual Leadership Conference Latin America offered a front-row view of that very work.

We hosted this conference in El Salvador with the goal of encouraging and equipping pastors, missionaries, and church workers from across Central and South America. Our prayer was that these Christian servants would be strengthened through biblical preaching, practical ministry training, and Christ-centered fellowship.

And the Lord answered those prayers. Leaders from fifteen countries gathered for training and fellowship. Throughout the week, we saw people saved, men and women surrendering to God’s call, renewed commitments to the Lord’s work, and a sweet unity around the gospel.

Evening services centered on the core themes of prayer, the gospel, and missions, while daytime breakout sessions equipped leaders in areas such as remaining strong in the work, shepherding God’s people, studying and teaching Scripture, mentoring others, effective administration, and more.

One of the great blessings for me personally was seeing how God is using West Coast Baptist College alumni throughout the region. Adam and Esther Fridenstine did an excellent job co-hosting the conference, and it was encouraging to partner with several other WCBC graduates who are planting churches, discipling converts, and faithfully reaching people for Christ in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Their ministries are living examples of 2 Timothy 2:2—passing truth from one generation of faithful servants to the next.

It was also a joy to have nearly two dozen members of Lancaster Baptist Church travel with us. Their desire to serve, their encouragement to missionaries, and their heart for the gospel were a blessing to this pastor.

Additionally, about twenty-five West Coast Baptist College students joined the team. They arrived a few days before the conference began and had the opportunity to minister in six different churches, lead a children’s outreach and teen rally, and go soulwinning throughout local neighborhoods. Several preached in Spanish for the first time, and many shared testimonies of salvation and God’s call upon their lives. They also provided music in local churches and throughout the conference services. A special highlight for many of our students was singing and sharing their testimonies live on a radio and TV station, reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners. Through these opportunities, they saw many souls trust Christ as Savior.

Throughout the week, I was encouraged to hear from many of the missionaries supported by our church family, as well as Latin American pastors and church planters, about how God is blessing their churches and raising up young leaders. The Lord has truly blessed Latin America with dedicated, godly servants who are faithfully multiplying the gospel.

As I returned home, my heart was full—grateful for what God allowed us to experience and encouraged by the growing work of the gospel in Latin America. But the need remains great. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38). Would you join me in praying that God will continue to send workers into this fruitful field?

Every growing Christian desires to share their faith effectively. 

This desire is natural because if you know the Lord, you want others to know Him too.

Jesus Himself commanded us to share the gospel: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This Great Commission is not just for pastors or missionaries; it is for every Christian. 

The Great Commission is not just for pastors and missionaries; it is for every Christian.
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Even so, many believers feel uncertain about how to begin. A Lifeway Research poll revealed that while nine in ten (92 percent) Christians want to share their faith, fewer than one in five (18 percent) feel prepared to do so.

As a Christian, my own desire is to share the gospel personally throughout the week. And as a pastor, my prayer is to help God’s people grow confident and effective in sharing their faith.

Here are seven ways to strengthen your testimony and share Christ with others.

1. Be Caring 

Every person you meet has an eternal soul that will spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell. Acts 4:12 reminds us there is only one way to Heaven: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

This is a message we must give to people.

One of the great obstacles to our witness, however, is busyness. Sometimes we just get so preoccupied in our needs and schedules that we forget the great need of people around us. When Jesus saw people, He didn’t feel annoyed with or inconvenienced by them. He was “moved with compassion” toward them (Matthew 9:36). 

The best way I know to sustain a heartfelt burden for souls is to daily pray for God to help me see lost people with His compassion. I find as I pray for this, God opens doors of opportunity and opens my heart to the needs of others. 

2. Be Intentional

A lack of witnessing is not always the result of a calloused attitude toward souls. Sometimes it’s just fifth or sixth on a list we never get around to finishing. A good way to combat this tendency is to schedule times of purposeful outreach. 

Purposeful witness requires purposeful planning. Gospel-focused churches provide an organized program for evangelism with a goal of saturating their communities with the gospel. And gospel-focused Christians can engage in this great endeavor by putting it on their calendars. 

3. Be Relational 

There are no doubt people God has already placed in your life—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers—who do not know Christ. Steward those relationships. Be careful to maintain a godly testimony and to show the love of Christ. And then pray and look for opportunities to share the gospel, perhaps at times by inviting them to special outreach events at church. 

Another way to be relational is to maintain a prospect list. This is simply a list of people who you have made contact with in relation to the gospel. It may be someone you met in organized church outreach or a guest you met at church. It may be a friend who has responded positively to your invitation to come to church. Keep those names and contact information together in one place so you have it to pray through and to keep reaching out. 

4. Be Clear

Sometimes people think of “sharing the gospel” in vague terms. First Corinthians 15:1–4 tells us that the gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. This is the message we must share. 

Sharing the gospel requires more than a casual mention of church or a quick invitation to a service. We must lovingly but clearly explain the problem of sin, the payment Christ made on the cross, and the response of faith that God requires. Take time to guide people through Scripture and point them to Christ’s finished work for salvation. Many Christians have found “the Romans Road” (Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13) a helpful way to share a concise gospel message.

5. Be Prepared 

Carry gospel tracts or outreach cards, and purpose to pass at least one out daily. I find that when I have tracts in my pocket or car, I am more prepared to seize moments to bring up a gospel conversation with someone I may meet only in passing. Even brief conversations can lead to an opportunity to share the gospel. Either way, I have left the person with the printed message of salvation through Christ.

6. Be Prayerful

In John 15:7, Christ promised, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Ask the Lord to give you both opportunity and boldness to share the gospel. And ask Him to use your witness as you share His Word to convict listeners of their need for a Savior. 

Pray, too, for the people you know who don’t yet know Christ that they would be open to the message of the gospel. George Müller, the nineteenth-century evangelist who cared for ten thousand orphans in England, famously prayed for two of his unsaved friends from his youth for over fifty years. Both eventually trusted Christ—one shortly before Müller’s death, the other shortly after.

7. Be Faithful

Sometimes we share the gospel but never see that person trust Christ. Sometimes we share the gospel and get to see an immediate response because someone else has been praying and sharing before us. Paul told the church at Corinth, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Whether we are planting or watering, we can trust God to bring the increase. So be faithful, and keep sharing the gospel. 

(For a practical “how-to guide” on sharing the gospel, see Take it Personally: A Practical Guide to Owning and Obeying the Great Commission.)

Some events are so significant, so shaping of history, that their dates deserve to be remembered. The Protestant Reformation was such an event, and when its five hundredth anniversary arrived, the Christian world buzzed with reflections on its significance. (I contributed an article of my own to that discussion.)

There is something about acknowledging a milestone anniversary that makes the people and events of that moment seem more real. Their choices, their sacrifices, their courage are not just remembered; they become more connected to our own lives.

That’s what happened for me earlier this year as I read The Anabaptist Story by William Estep and realized that 2025 marks five centuries since the birth of the Anabaptist movement.

If you are a student of Baptist history, you know the story. On January 21, 1525, a small group gathered in Felix Manz’s home in Zürich, Switzerland, to submit themselves to believers’ baptism. Their leaders—Felix Manz, Conrad Grebel, and George Blaurock—set the example. Grebel baptized Blaurock, who then baptized the others present. It was an act of conscience, obedience, and courage—a moment so much larger than they could have imagined. And it cost them more than most of us can easily comprehend.

Although groups that believed and practiced the New Testament doctrines that the Anabaptists stood for predated and succeeded the sixteenth-century Anabaptists, their courage, conviction, and martyrdom is a powerful chapter in Baptist history.

But why has this five hundred year anniversary gone overlooked? And what significance does it have to Bible-believing Baptists today?

Why Should We Remember the Anabaptists?

The story of the sixteenth-century Anabaptists is a story written in blood. For their belief in and practice of believers’ baptism, they were persecuted, tortured, and put to death.

Unlike the Reformers, however, the Anabaptists were not persecuted only by hostile governments. They often suffered at the hands of the Reformers themselves.

For instance, Felix Manz was the first Anabaptist martyr to be executed by the Reformers—at the order of Zwingli’s council in Zürich. Conrad Grebel died of illness after years of hardship brought on by persecution. George Blaurock was whipped out of Zürich (literally chased out with a whip), made his way across Europe preaching the gospel, and in 1529 was burned at the stake in Tyrol. And that’s just three out of thousands.

This plaque in Vienna marks Conrad Grebel’s years of study in Austria (1515–1518), where his education prepared the mind God would later use to study Scripture and ignite the Anabaptist movement.

Why? What was so threatening about believers’ baptism that both political and religious leaders would persecute those who practiced it?

The answer lies in the union of church and state that began with Constantine in the fourth century and, even during the Reformation, defined sixteenth-century Europe. In the state churches (including the Lutheran and Reformed churches, and later the Anglican Church in England), baptism was applied to infants as both a civic and religious rite, making every newborn a member of the church and a subject of the state. Churches themselves were under the headship of the state and, based on infant baptism, were filled with unregenerate members who never made a personal decision of faith in Christ.

In reading Scripture, however, the Anabaptists discovered not only the absence of infant baptism, but the unmistakable presence of believers’ baptism. (See Acts 2:41, 8:36–38.) They insisted that baptism must follow personal faith in Christ. For that, they were branded “Anabaptists,” or “re-baptizers.” Their enemies meant it as a slur, but the name stuck.

As important as believers’ baptism is, the Anabaptists were standing for more than baptism alone. The larger doctrines impacted by this conviction related to the authority of Scripture (not tradition) as the final rule of faith and practice, Christ (not the state) as the head of the church, and the New Testament pattern of local churches comprised of saved, baptized believers. (See 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Colossians 1:18, Acts 2:41–42, 1 Corinthians 1:2, and Titus 1:5.)

To be sure, the Reformation was not without its spiritual help and historical significance. God undoubtedly used the Reformation to bring the Word of God and the gospel itself to the forefront. One author has even described it as “rescuing the gospel.” But if the Reformers rescued the gospel to make it accessible once again, the Anabaptists rescued the New Testament church.

The Anabaptists’ convictions were not innovations of the sixteenth century. In fact, the Anabaptists themselves believed they were simply practicing the New Testament doctrine of the apostles. A simple reading of their written works repeatedly emphasizes this.

The apostles, according to the command of the Lord, through the preaching of the gospel, in faith and truth and by proper Christian baptism, and the power and unity of the Holy Spirit, gathered a church out of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20, Mark 16:15–16).—Dirk Philips (Dutch Anabaptist)

From the first century onward, God has preserved His truth through Bible-believing Christians and faithful local churches. Many of their names are unknown to us, hidden by time and persecution. Others, like the Anabaptists, left a clearer record. Throughout the centuries, there have always been believers who, though sometimes differing in individual doctrines, held firmly to the authority of Scripture, the headship of Christ, and the necessity of a regenerate church. And like the Anabaptists, many sealed those convictions with their own blood.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting many of the historic sites related to the Anabaptists and contemplating the sacrifices they made for fidelity to Christ and His Word. Their courage and conviction continue to challenge us to stand. With that in mind, I introduce you to a few of these leaders:

Felix Manz (1498–1527)

Felix Manz was one of the earliest leaders of the Swiss Brethren and was the first Anabaptist to be martyred at the hands of the Reformers. Originally a supporter of Ulrich Zwingli in Zürich, Manz wanted to take the principle of sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) to its biblical conclusions. Specifically, he called for the Mass to be abolished and for believers’ baptism to be practiced.

Set into a wall beside the Limmat River in Zürich, this marker reads: “Here in the middle of the Limmat, Felix Manz and five other Anabaptists were drowned during the Reformation period between 1527 and 1532. The last Anabaptist to be drowned was Hans Landis, executed in 1614.”

On January 21, 1525, Manz opened his home for the meeting in which those first baptisms mentioned above took place. Manz became a bold preacher of the gospel and an outspoken advocate of believers’ baptism as he preached and baptized believers across Switzerland.

For his convictions, the Zürich council condemned Manz to death. On January 5, 1527, Manz was led to the River Limmat, tied hand and foot, and drowned. As he was brought to the water, he praised God and sang psalms. His martyrdom, tragically ordered by the Reformer Zwingli, sealed with blood the Anabaptist conviction that Christ—not the state—rules His church.

Balthasar Hubmaier (1480?–1528)

Trained as a Catholic theologian, Balthasar Hubmaier became one of the most articulate voices of the Anabaptist movement. A gifted writer and preacher, he spread the Anabaptist message throughout Switzerland, Germany, and Moravia. His written works include Concerning Heretics and Those Who Burn Them, in which he argued that faith cannot be coerced (by the state or anyone else) and that heretics must be won through Scripture, patience, prayer, and witness.

Hubmaier insisted that baptism was a public confession of personal faith, declaring, “You must ask the Scriptures, not the church.” Hubmaier’s evangelistic preaching was fruitful, and it is said that in one city alone six thousand people were baptized through his ministry. His wife, Elisabeth, stood faithfully beside him through persecution.

Near Vienna’s Stubentor stands a memorial at the site where Dr. Balthasar Hubmaier was burned as an Anabaptist on March 10, 1528. It reads: “Christ did not come that I should kill, burn, and murder.”—from On Heretics and Those Who Burn Them

I’ve used his oft-repeated line, “Truth is immortal,” as the title for this article. It captures the heart of his convictions as well as his hope in God that even when he was gone, the truth would live on.

In March 1528, Hubmaier was burned at the stake in Vienna, crying out, “O Jesus, Jesus!” as the flames consumed him. Three days later, his wife was drowned in the Danube. Their testimony lives on as a reminder that truth cannot be silenced by fire or water.

Michael Sattler (1490–1527)

Michael Sattler had been a prior in a Catholic monastery before coming to faith in Christ and joining the Anabaptists. He quickly emerged as a wise and steady leader during the movement’s earliest years. His greatest written contribution was the Schleitheim Confession of 1527, which outlined seven key articles of Anabaptist belief. Among them was a clear description of the church as a community of baptized believers and a sober reminder that pastors would serve “under the cross,” expecting persecution for their faith.

Sattler’s convictions soon brought him before a tribunal in Rottenburg, Germany. Despite brutal torture, he refused to recant. His final words echoed those of earlier martyrs: “If I had not been sent by God, I would not be here.” He was burned at the stake on May 21, 1527. His wife, Margaretha, was executed by drowning days later. Their testimony gave strength to countless Anabaptists who would follow them on the martyr’s path.

Menno Simons (1496–1561)

Menno Simons was a Catholic priest in the Netherlands when doubts about transubstantiation (the Catholic teaching that the bread and wine of communion become the literal body and blood of Christ) led him to the Scriptures. Through reading the Bible, he discovered that salvation is by grace through faith, not through the sacraments of the church. In his own words, “I renounced all my worldly reputation, name and fame, my unchristian abominations, my masses, infant baptism, and my easy life, and I willingly submitted to distress and poverty under the heavy cross of Christ.”

After leaving the priesthood in 1536, Menno devoted his life to shepherding scattered and persecuted Anabaptist congregations across northern Europe. While many early leaders were martyred within a few short years, Menno’s comparatively long ministry brought stability, organization, and a pastoral spirit to the movement. His writings emphasized discipleship and faithfulness to Christ.

Pilgram Marpeck (1495–1556)

Pilgram Marpeck was a civil engineer in Austria who gave up a successful career to follow Christ. After embracing Anabaptist convictions, he spent the rest of his life as a traveling pastor and writer, leading congregations while often living in exile.

Marpeck’s writings reflect a balance of conviction and charity. He emphasized both the necessity of believers’ baptism and the importance of a loving community in the church. In the Bekentnisse, a written confession of faith to which Marpeck contributed, immersion was described as the preferred form of baptism. Marpeck’s pastoral approach made him a unifying influence among diverse Anabaptist groups.

Though less known than some of his contemporaries, Marpeck’s life and writings remind us that truth and love must go hand in hand in the church of Jesus Christ.

These five leaders are only representative of dozens of other Anabaptist pastors and teachers. There is not space here to describe the lives of George Blaurock, Conrad Grebel, Dirk Philips, Hans Denck, Peter Riedemann, or the many others who faithfully preached Christ and led His church under threat of death.

And beyond these names, there are names we will never know—countless thousands of ordinary believers who followed Christ in hidden gatherings, in flight across Europe, and to places of execution. Tens of thousands were imprisoned, exiled, or killed. At least four thousand of these are named in the Martyrs’ Mirror.

What Is the Truth Worth?

In the foreground is the Limmat River in Zürich, Switzerland where Felix Manz was drowned. The church where Ulrich Zwingli pastored can be seen in the background.

If we could go back five hundred years and interview those early Anabaptists gathered in Felix Manz’s home for the first believers’ baptism of anyone they personally knew, tell them the suffering that would come, and ask them, “Is it worth it?” I’m confident their answer would be “yes.”

In the century that followed, Anabaptists knew little other than suffering. Today, we enjoy the blessings of their sacrifices. For instance, the biblical framework the Anabaptists articulated of individual soul liberty had a profound influence on the development of religious liberty we enjoy in America today.

But the primary objective of these Anabaptists was not to change governments or set policies. Their commitment was simply fidelity to Christ and obedience to His Word, regardless of the cost. When we look back at their example, our response should be twofold: to treasure the truths of God’s Word and to be willing to stand for them.

The specific issues may look different today. In sixteenth-century Europe, the dividing line of Scripture as the sole rule of faith and practice was often believers’ baptism. For us, the points of social pressure may be issues such as the biblical definition of marriage, God’s creation of male and female, and the sufficiency of Scripture to speak to every part of life. Yet at the core, the question is the same: Will we take God at His Word and follow Christ, whatever it costs?

There have been well-intentioned leaders who took rigid stands on issues of preference and tradition, sometimes confusing cultural or generational practices with biblical conviction. But today, I fear a different danger—that many leaders are unwilling to stand at all. Too often, godliness is equated with niceness, and conviction is swallowed up by a desire to avoid offense.

The reality is that truth is worth something. In fact, truth is worth everything. “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).

To borrow the words of Balthasar Hubmaier, “Truth is immortal.” Long after our own lives are gone, God’s truth will remain. So let us hold it fast, live it boldly, and stand on it with courage.

There are many unfolding tragedies around the world—wars in Israel and Ukraine, brutal conflicts in Sudan and India, and terrorism against conservatives here in the States. The sheer weight of so much human suffering can make us numb, even calloused.

But while the world’s attention shifts from crisis to crisis, something of staggering proportions is happening with little notice: a genocide against Christians in Nigeria, carried out by Islamic militants.

In 2014, the world’s eyes briefly turned to Nigeria when 276 Christian schoolgirls were abducted from Chibok. The global #BringBackOurGirls campaign filled news cycles and social media feeds. Yet today, while an even greater tragedy unfolds—thousands of Christians being killed, displaced, and terrorized—the same mainstream voices are largely silent.

The violence is escalating. In just the first 220 days of 2025, an estimated 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria—an average of thirty-five deaths every single day, according to the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law.1 

These attacks are carried out by radical groups and Fulani militants, often aligned with Islamist extremist ideologies.2 Since 2009, Boko Haram and ISWAP (the Islamic State—West Africa Province) have waged jihad campaigns. In that time, more than 50,000 Christians have been killed, and thousands of churches burned.3

The term “Christian” in Nigeria is broad and covers Catholics, Protestants, non-denominational, and Baptists. But it surely includes thousands of born again Christians. They are not statistics. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ

These people are experiencing both terror and tragedy. Fear grips entire regions, and families and churches are left shattered by brutal loss.

There are marches and protests every day in America for many victims of war, but I don’t know of any marches or protests for these perishing Christians in Nigeria.

Although much of the world and certainly the mainstream media has largely ignored the plight of these in Nigeria, and although most Christians in the States are unaware of it, I want to ask you to consider their needs in the spirit of Hebrews 13:3: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.”

What can we do?

Pray. Our primary response should be to pray for these believers. Pray for comfort for the grieving, courage for pastors, and steadfast faith for believers worshiping under threat. Pray for God to restrain evil and to turn even persecutors to the gospel they seek to crush.

Speak. Beware of being drawn into the selective outrage of a world that picks its causes for convenience. Don’t just speak up on that which is popular. Be as ready to share their needs as you are any other global crisis—in prayer meetings, on social media, and in discussion with friends.

Renew. The great need in Nigeria right now should cause us to renew our call to missions. Nigeria is not only a land of persecution; it is also a land of spiritual harvest. Missionaries and national pastors labor there at great risk. More laborers are needed, and we should pray to “the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

Perhaps God is nudging your heart to serve in Nigeria. The courage of the pastors, Christians, and missionaries who are there must be matched by our prayers, giving, and sending.

Stand. If Nigerian believers can sing hymns while militants circle their villages, how can we be silent in our safe neighborhoods? If they can follow Christ at the cost of their lives, how can we shrink back at the cost of our convenience?

Jesus promised, “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Though the world may offer selective outrage and costly silence, Christ is building His church—even through persecution. And He calls us to remember the persecuted, to pray for them, and to fully commit ourselves to the spread of the gospel in Nigeria and to the ends of the earth.

 

“7,000 Christians Killed in Nigeria in 2025, Report Says,” Newsweek, August 13, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/christians-k... Extremists Kill 15 Christians in Nigeria,” International Christian Concern, August 25, 2025, https://persecution.org/2025/08/25/fu... Cruz Calls for Action on Christian Persecution in Nigeria,” Newsweek, September 10, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-nig....

Whether or not you previously knew of Charlie Kirk, it would be impossible not to know of him today. Rarely—if ever—has the death of someone who was neither an elected official nor a decorated soldier ignited such a wave of public response. My social media feed has been flooded with tributes, news reports, and reflections. Clearly, Charlie’s voice and courage were making a difference.

But Charlie Kirk was more than a bold voice in a cultural moment. He was a young husband and father who knew Christ, loved his country, and stood unashamedly for truth.

On Wednesday, Charlie was martyred for his faith and his courageous stand. There is no other way to put it. He was assassinated because of what he believed—and for refusing to be silent about those beliefs.

Charlie’s life was marked by qualities worth appreciating and remembering. He gave a clear testimony of salvation—publicly affirming his faith in Jesus Christ alone and urging others to trust Him as well. If you’ve watched Charlie’s videos over the years, it’s evident that he was growing in the Word. In a video I’ve seen posted many times this week, he was asked how he would want to be remembered. His response: “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important.” 

The one time I heard Charlie speak in person, I was astounded at his grasp of history as well as his ability to connect that history with the biblical truths that undergird liberty. 

Charlie also took an unashamed stand on moral issues. He saw the world more clearly than the shallow categories of partisan politics. Rather, he recognized the spiritual realities of good and evil, truth and error, right and wrong. 

In a day when Christian convictions (if they can be called that) are often held privately and Christians are urged to accept the growing tide of secularism and paganism in our country with an attitude of resignation, Charlie spoke plainly and publicly. He called sin what it was. He called out pastors leaning to woke philosophies and urged them to confront the sins of our day with the Word of God.

Charlie’s faith motivated him to make a difference. To that end, Charlie poured his astounding energy into reaching young people. He held hundreds of Turning Point USA events on college campuses. These events included an open-mic format where he engaged students’ intellects and challenged the moral assumptions of students who held views opposite his own. Although these events were primarily developed around patriotism, he often shared his faith and his wish for those students to know Christ. 

It was at one of these events this week that Charlie was martyred. He stood strong and gave his young life for God and country.

Charlie’s legacy must not end with admiration. It must continue through action. 

Charlie Kirk’s legacy must not end with admiration. It must continue through action.
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What can Christians do in response to this remarkable life and tragic loss? 

1. Pray for the Kirk family. Pray for Charlie’s wife Erika, their two children, and the entire family. Ask the Lord to surround them with His comfort and sustaining grace in this time of grief (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

2. Pray for our country. I’ve said for years that America is either headed for anarchy or revival. The growing lawlessness and vitriol reveal how far we have drifted from the fear of God. Our nation needs divine intervention. Pray that God would send revival, for He has promised, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

3. Share the gospel. Politics and politicians come and go. Political moments rise and fall. But only Christ can change a life from the inside out. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Charlie knew and proclaimed this truth. If we would honor his testimony, we must share the gospel with boldness and compassion.

4. Reach young people for Christ. One of the remarkable aspects of Charlie’s life was his ability to engage Gen Z and Generation Alpha. And by every objective measure, he was reaching them. His life is proof that the next generation is not closed to truth or reason. But they must be engaged with courage and clarity. Share the gospel in Bible clubs, on college campuses, and in everyday conversations. We must, “Go, stand and speak…to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20).

5. Encourage conservative legislators and leaders. Charlie’s assassination is a startling reminder of the hatred that those who stand for truth and biblical values often face. If you are served by a conservative, Bible-believing official, encourage them. And for all leaders—whether you agree with them or not—pray for them. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

Charlie’s testimony leaves us with a sobering reminder and a pressing challenge: Too many Christians today seem to be operating from the unspoken question: “Is it safe?” Before taking a strong, biblical stand in a public way, they consider the risks. They wonder if it is safe to speak truth, to live boldly, to stand on biblical principles.

Charlie’s martyrdom gives us a sobering answer. No, it’s not safe. But asking if it is safe is the wrong question. The real question is this: “Is it important?” And the answer to that question is yes. Eternally, unshakably, yes. 

The life and testimony of Charlie Kirk remind us that what matters most is not safety, but truth. May his example stir us to live unashamed of Christ and His gospel and to boldly stand on the unchanging truths of God’s Word.

There is much to admire about the Apostle Paul—his tireless dedication, his bold preaching, his endurance through suffering. But one of the most striking statements he ever made is found in Philippians 3:13: “This one thing I do…”

One thing.

One.

That’s startling when you really think about it. Paul didn’t say, “These many things I dabble in.” He said, “This one thing I do.”

I’ve discovered that one of my worst assets is that I’m actually a good multitasker. After a service, I can greet a member, notice a wandering child, see a flickering light, catch a guest leaving unwelcomed, and spot a piece of trash near the door—all in two minutes. 

But being able to multitask isn’t always a strength. In fact, the longer I live, the more I’ve come to see that multitasking is often done to the detriment of God-given priorities.

If the goal is to check items off a to-do list, multitasking may work. But if the goal is to set our whole heart, mind, and soul on loving God and making an eternal difference through our service to Him, multitasking becomes a distraction.

The reality is that most Christians live distracted lives. We live in an age of constant noise and endless demands. One moment we’re at a ball game, the next scrolling through social media, then answering late-night emails. Notifications ping, responsibilities pile up, and our attention is pulled in a dozen directions. The result? Our focus is fractured, our souls weary, and our vision blurred.

In contrast, the Bible points us to “one thing” believers—men and women whose singular focus on the Lord changed everything:

David: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).Mary of Bethany: “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).Paul: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do…” (Philippians 3:13–14).

The very singularity of their focus fueled their passion for knowing God and resulted in lives of real service to Him.

I want to be one of those “one thing” believers. I want every moment of my life, every muscle of my energy to be bent toward knowing Christ and making Him known. 

But like you, I face the daily struggle for focus. There are a thousand distractions that vibrate my phone, cross my desk, enter my inbox, or insert themselves into my thoughts. Like you, I’ve had days when I got to the end and wondered where the time had gone and if I had used the day wisely. I’ve had seasons when I got distracted or found myself reacting to the urgent at the expense of making progress on priorities.

But if I’ve learned one thing in the battle for focus, it’s the importance of continually resetting my gaze on Christ.

One of the clearest passages on spiritual focus is Hebrews 12:1–2, where God calls us to run life’s race “looking unto Jesus.”

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This passage shapes the structure of a book I have been writing the past several months. It’s titled Focus: Living with Clarity, Purpose, and Eternal Vision, and I’m grateful to share that it releases today. My prayer is that it will encourage believers to set aside the distractions that blur their vision and to run with endurance by keeping their eyes on Christ.

The book is divided into three sections that follow the flow of Hebrews 12:

Part 1—Out of Focus: Before we can run with endurance, we must first lay aside the weights and sins that hold us back. These chapters confront the distractions, compromises, and gradual drift that blur our spiritual vision and call us to refocus our hearts on Christ.Part 2—In Focus: With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we press forward with renewed passion, purpose, and discipline. This section walks through the internal habits and outward priorities that define a life of Christ-centered focus.Part 3—Eternal Focus: Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). We, too, run with eternity in view. These final chapters point to the fruit God produces through faithful focus and

Throughout the book, I’ve also included “Snapshots of a Focused Life”—short biographical sketches of Christians like D. L. Moody, Gladys Aylward, and Adoniram Judson whose lives illustrate what God can do through a “one thing” Christian.

But here’s the reality: becoming a “one thing” Christian doesn’t happen just by wishing for it. It requires intentionally turning our attention to Christ. If we don’t choose our focus, the distractions around us will choose it for us.

So, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by distractions or simply longing to live with greater purpose, this book is written to help you:

Identify the weights and distractions holding you back.Realign your priorities with God’s eternal mission. Cultivate Christ-centered habits that sharpen your focus. Press forward with joy—even through difficulty. 

My prayer is that God will raise up a generation of “one thing people”—believers whose singular focus on Christ fuels their service, sustains their joy, and directs their energy.

You can learn more about this book or order your copy at Amazon.com or StrivingTogether.com (bulk discounts also available).

It is with great sadness that I share our friend and co-laborer, Dr. Toby Weaver, has been called Home to be with the Lord.

If you had the honor of knowing Dr. Toby Weaver, even for a day, you knew the honor of his friendship. He genuinely loved people and delighted to pour into their lives—encouragement, friendship, instruction, mentoring, prayer. I don’t know of a more loyal friend, compassionate soul winner, or dedicated servant of the Lord.

If you’ve heard Toby’s testimony, you know he had a rough start in life. He and his brother, Leroy, were born into a tumultuous home filled with all the instability and chaos of addictions, unaddressed PTSD, and infidelity. They moved often and settled rarely.

But one day, while the boys were in the yard playing baseball, Dr. Jerry Falwell drove by. He stopped, got out, played with them, and asked if they’d come to church if he picked them up. Long story short, Dr. Falwell led them to Christ—and it completely changed the trajectory of their lives. Over the next several years, Dr. Falwell discipled and mentored them.

After graduating from high school, Toby attended Tennessee Temple University and sat under the teaching of Dr. Lee Roberson. Later, he would serve with Dr. Jack Hyles in the 1980s and then for several years with Dr. Clarence Sexton before pastoring in Michigan. Dr. Weaver became a friend to me when he traveled through Lancaster in 1991.

It was at Tennessee Temple, however, that Toby met Rita, who he married two years later. Last month, they celebrated fifty-five years of marriage. For their entire marriage, they have served the Lord side by side—in college ministry, the pastorate, and Christian education.

In 2002, during the first decade of West Coast Baptist College, the Lord laid it on my heart to invite Toby and Rita to serve as Deans of Students at WCBC. They came from a thriving pastorate and have been nothing but a blessing since—to me as their pastor, to our students, to graduates, and to pastors around the country. Over the years, their roles have adjusted, and most recently they served as college faculty while also traveling to represent WCBC in other local churches.

For nearly twenty-five years, Toby and Rita have poured their lives into West Coast Baptist College students. Hundreds of graduates around the world remember not only Dr. Weaver’s classroom instruction but also key moments when he encouraged, challenged, and mentored them personally, as well as through chapel messages.

One of Toby’s favorite areas of ministry was traveling on college tour because he loved encouraging pastors and recruiting new students to train for local church ministry. Once those students arrived at WCBC, he continued to seek them out with a good word of encouragement or admonition. He loved people—young and old alike. Over the past week, hundreds of messages from pastors and WCBC graduates around the world have poured in—people whose lives Dr. Weaver personally touched.

As many of our friends have already heard, eight days ago (in fact, the day after returning from a college ministry trip), Dr. Weaver was rushed to the hospital with what appeared to be stroke symptoms. Tests revealed aggressive brain tumors. In the days that followed, I was grateful for the opportunity to visit him and Rita in the hospital. Each time we talked and prayed together, his spirit was strong, and his heart remained fixed on serving the Lord for as many more years as God would give him.

He wrote me dozens of kind notes through the years. I have over fifty of them in my files. Here are a few:

We got home from winter tour early Monday morning. Thanking the Lord to report we saw souls saved, students sign up, and we got home safely.

___

[During Covid] I really believe God has a special role and plan for your needed spiritual leadership in the near future. I’m fasting and praying for you. God help you. I’ve got your back.

___

We love the college. The kids are always special, but never more than this year. Chapel has been an unusual blessing more than ever. The weekend tour time has been very special and profitable. The Lord has given Rita and me several souls—everyone is a prospect. So, we will not be weary in well doing. We shall reap.

This evening, the Lord called Dr. Weaver Home, leaving an immense loss for me as his pastor and one that will be deeply felt as students return for college next week. I love all of our staff, but Dr. Weaver was intentional to support and encourage me. I will miss him. Yet, even as we grieve the loss of his presence here, we rejoice that he is now in Heaven, serving the Savior he loved so deeply.

Please join me in praying for Rita, their sons Todd and Joey, their daughters-in-law, their grandchildren, and their extended family in this tremendous loss. We are grateful for the eternal investment he made in so many of us.

I will be sure to update below when we have details for Dr. Weaver’s Homegoing service.

Parental rights are not a government grant. They are a God-given responsibility. From the beginning, God entrusted children to their parents—not to schools, not to the state, and not to social services. Parents are called to nurture, protect, and raise their children in truth (Deuteronomy 6:6–7, Proverbs 22:6). That calling is sacred.

When the government begins to redefine who can make decisions for your child—or worse, bypass you altogether—it’s not just an overstep. It’s an attack on the very foundation of the family.

But that’s exactly what California’s AB 495 threatens to do. And it’s why every parent—whether in California or not—should pay attention.

What AB 495 Is

AB 495, misleadingly titled the “Family Unity and Preparedness Act,” is a bill making its way through the California legislature. It’s being framed as a compassionate measure to help children of detained or deported migrant parents. But a closer look reveals something different.

The truth is, AB 495 opens the door for adults—who are not the child’s legal guardian, and may not even be related—to gain temporary custody with little more than a signature.

Here’s what the bill actually does:

Allows any adult, including a non-relative with no legal connection to the family, to assume broad authority over a child by signing a caregiver affidavit—no court hearing, no background check, no oversight.Requires schools and licensed childcare providers to implement policies that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement, even when the safety or identity of a child is in question.Blocks schools and childcare staff from gathering or reporting information related to a child’s immigration status or the legitimacy of custody arrangements.

And the scope of that assumed authority is staggering. Once the affidavit is accepted, the caregiver may be able to enroll the child in school, access medical care on their behalf, and even consent to gender-related interventions or other serious procedures—all without a parent’s knowledge or consent.

Attorney Erin Friday, president of Our Duty-USA, described it plainly: “This is a child trafficker’s and kidnapper’s dream bill. … We’re talking about a legal pathway for predators to operate in plain sight.”

It’s impossible to receive this bill as a good-faith attempt to help children of migrant parents for two reasons:

It removes protections that already exist. California law already allows parents to make plans for temporary guardianship during emergencies. What AB 495 does is bypass those legal processes—removing the checks and balances that exist for a reason. In the name of speed and convenience, it eliminates the very safeguards that protect children from being placed with the wrong people.It applies to everyone. Even if this bill only applied to migrant families, it would be a serious threat to child safety. But it goes further. The text of the bill makes no such limitation. Its provisions would apply to any child, anywhere in California. That reveals what this bill really is: not a narrow solution for a specific situation, but a broad expansion of state power over families.

This is government overreach of the most dangerous kind—empowering unrelated, unvetted adults with sweeping authority over children, while silencing the very people God has called to protect them: their parents.

Why It Matters

If you live in California, this bill threatens your parental rights. It tells institutions to trust paperwork over parents, and it tells the state to trust strangers over families.

It empowers adults to walk into a school and take a child—no court order, no hearing, no legal vetting required.

If you live outside California, you’re not off the hook. History shows us that what happens in California rarely stays there. Bad policy spreads—especially when it goes unchallenged. If this bill becomes law, it sets a precedent that other states can follow.

We must shut this down before it becomes the new national norm.

What You Can Do 1. Pray. 

Ask the Lord to intervene in stopping this bill. James 5:16 promises, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” May we as His people diligently bring effectual, fervent prayers regarding this bill.

2. Contact your state senator and say NO to AB 495.

This bill is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 18, 2025. Make your voice heard now.

If you live in California, call your senator today and ask him or her to oppose AB 495. Let them know that you oppose allowing unrelated, self-appointed caregivers to assume custody without background checks, court review, or parental consent. (You can find your representatives in the legislature here: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.)

Additionally, because this bill was assigned to the California Senate Appropriations Committee for review, please call the seven members of this committee and also ask them to oppose the bill. (Their names and phone numbers are listed here: https://sapro.senate.ca.gov/members) 

3. Consider attending an opposition rally.  

At this point, I’m aware of at least one organized rally in which concerned parents and citizens are planning to gather at the State Capitol on Tuesday, August 19. (Click here for more information.) Others may develop over the coming days. 

4. Spread the word.

The greatest threat to parental rights is silence. Spread the word to your church, your school or homeschool group, your family, your neighbors. Families need to know what’s happening before it’s too late.

Now Is the Time to Speak Up

We often hear, “That would never happen here.” But it is happening. Right now. In California.

And if parents don’t rise up to stop it, there’s no telling how far it will go. As Edmund Burke famously said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” 

Let’s not be the generation that stood by while the government quietly pulls away parental protections for children.

Stand now. Speak up. Say no to AB 495.

I’m a strong proponent of setting goals. But goals without habits don’t make progress.

Perhaps you began this summer with goals for your spiritual growth—plans to spend more time in God’s Word, to pray more consistently, or to deepen your walk with Christ. But if you’re like most of us, you’ve probably discovered that good intentions aren’t enough. Without daily, intentional habits, even the best goals fade with time.

I’d like to encourage you: it’s not too late to grow. In fact, building spiritual habits that last isn’t about having the perfect start; it’s about taking the next right step. 

Building spiritual habits that last isn’t about having the perfect start; it’s about taking the next right step.
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Whether you’re just beginning on a goal you have set to develop a spiritual habit or need a fresh restart, here are four simple ways that will help you grow consistently and deeply in your walk with God.

1. Start Where You Are

Spiritual growth doesn’t begin with grand declarations; it begins with honest assessment and simple steps. If you’ve struggled to stay consistent in your Bible reading or prayer life, don’t be discouraged. Just start where you are.

You don’t need to commit to memorizing the book of Revelation or reading half the Bible in a week. If you’ve been inconsistent, try reading one chapter a day. If you’ve already established a rhythm, consider reading four chapters a day to complete the Bible in a year. The goal is not to impress God with spiritual ambition; it’s to walk with Him faithfully and consistently.

Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Growth begins with faithfulness in the small things. Start simply, and let steady, daily steps shape habits that last.

2. Schedule It

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. If it doesn’t get scheduled, it likely won’t get done.

We schedule what matters—vacations, hobbies, appointments, projects. Our walk with God deserves the same intentionality. 

Set a specific time to read your Bible. Choose a consistent time to pray. Plan to be in church. When spiritual priorities take a place on your calendar, they begin to take root in your life.

When spiritual priorities take a place on your calendar, they begin to take root in your life.
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Ephesians 5:16 reminds us, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Time is limited and easily lost. That’s why we must use it purposefully—especially when it comes to the things that matter most.

For devotional and prayer habits, I suggest that you make it a point to meet with God before you meet with the world. For many people, mornings work best. The psalmist said, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord” (Psalm 5:3). If your clearest thinking and quietest moments happen in the morning, give that time to God. Schedule it—and guard it.

3. Use Helpful Tools

Whether it’s books, websites, or your own pen and paper, tools can help strengthen your daily walk with the Lord. Here are a few suggestions:

Bible reading plans: Whether you use a printed schedule, an app like Olive Tree, or the McCheyne Plan, find a plan that works for you and stick with it. A plan provides structure and keeps you moving forward, even on the busy days.Journal: Writing down what God is teaching you can help solidify truth in your heart. Whether you record answered prayers, meaningful verses, or spiritual questions, a journal helps you slow down, reflect, and trace God’s hand at work in your life over time.Scripture memory cards: Choose verses that speak to your current needs—spiritual warfare, witnessing, encouragement—and write them out. Keep them on your desk, in your pocket, or by your bedside. Repetition builds retention, and memorized Scripture becomes a powerful weapon in spiritual battles.Devotional resources: A Christ-centered devotional can offer added encouragement and insight alongside your Bible reading. (Daily in the Word email devotions include a daily reading plus a Bible schedule to follow.)

Proverbs 21:5 says, “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness.” In other words, intentional effort leads to spiritual abundance. Thoughtful planning is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay consistent in your walk with God.

4. Stay Accountable

We all need encouragement—and one of the best ways to stay spiritually strong is to stay connected. God never intended for us to grow in isolation.

Share your spiritual goals with a Christian friend, your small group leader, or someone who has discipled you. Ask them to check in with you and pray for you along the way. Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.”

Accountability isn’t about pressure; it’s about support. It’s about walking together in grace and truth, helping one another stay faithful and focused. When someone else knows your intentions, they can encourage you, celebrate progress with you, and gently remind you when you lose momentum.

Spiritual growth doesn’t require a perfect plan or flawless execution. It simply requires a willing heart and daily faithfulness. Start small, stay consistent, use the tools God has given you, and walk with others who will encourage you along the way. You’ll be amazed at how God works in your life when you commit to growing with Him, one step at a time.

Shocking pictures and video clips of the recent rioting in Los Angeles have highlighted the failed policies of Democratic lawmakers in California for the nation to see. Indeed, there are significant issues in our state resulting from misguided policies and poor leadership:

Homelessness has surged across major cities, with tent encampments overtaking public sidewalks and parks.The education system is increasingly shaped by radical ideologies, with public schools undermining parental authority and pushing content that confuses and harms children.

Bible-believing Californians sometimes feel weary of the governance and policies of this state. Friends across the country shake their heads in disbelief. 

Yet when we look at the spiritual need around us, we’re reminded of the words of Christ to His disciples: 

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37–38)

I’ve spent forty years preaching in California, and Lancaster Baptist Church is a testimony to the grace of God in this state. Other cities await their opportunity for revival—but the need for laborers is real.

California is not beyond hope. It is a harvest field—vast, ready, and waiting for laborers. Before you write it off as an impossible place to live or see revival, consider these points: 

1. California is the most populated state.

California is a massive and influential mission field. Consider these facts:

Population: Nearly forty million people—1 out of every 8 Americans—live in California.Largest Cities: This state is home to 3 of the 10 largest cities in the U.S.—Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose. All of these cities need more churches.Many Cities: California has 75 cities with populations over 100,000, many of which do not have a soulwinning, Bible-preaching Baptist church. Languages: Over 200 languages are spoken in California homes—offering global gospel reach without crossing borders.Influence: Social trends, legislation, and media that begin in California often shape the rest of the nation.

The mission field here is immense—and strategic. What happens in California often sets the tone for the rest of the nation, culturally, politically, and spiritually.

2. People in California need the Lord, and many are receptive to the gospel. 

The spiritual need in California is undeniable, but so is the openness of many hearts. Just this past week, on an average summer Sunday at our church, fifteen people walked the aisle to be saved, and fifteen others followed the Lord in baptism.

Contrary to what some might assume, many Californians are not hardened to the gospel. In fact, most people are kind and open to receiving a gospel tract. Many are not entrenched in generational cultural Christianity. They are hearing the gospel clearly—often for the first time—and responding with sincerity.

3. There are still millions of conservatives and Bible-believing Christians here.

Yes, it’s disheartening to see the headlines with our governor and LA mayor defending rioting and vandalism. 

But what most of our friends across the country are not seeing are the everyday lives of most Californians—people who go to work, take their kids to school, mow their lawns, and want to live in safe communities. They’re not shouting in the streets or showing up on viral videos. In fact, much of California looks more like your neighborhood than what you see on the news.

For perspective: in the last presidential election, over 6 million Californians voted for Donald Trump. That’s more people than voted for him in Michigan, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Delaware combined.

This is not a lost cause. This is a state with a remnant of believers and a large population still open to truth.

4. We are called to bring the gospel to those who need the Lord.

Firemen don’t run from fires—they run to them. Likewise, soulwinners don’t retreat from lost people—they move toward them with the gospel.

The idea of leaving California simply because of the political climate, while ignoring the spiritual need, would be inconsistent with the very heart of missions. If we applied that logic globally, we’d have to apologize to every missionary who has ever left the safety of America to preach the gospel in places like Thailand or Indonesia.

Real Christianity doesn’t run from difficulty—it runs to the need. And right now, California needs gospel laborers who are willing to stay, serve, and shine the light of Christ.

5. Great churches are being built here by the grace of God.

I can think right now of over a dozen churches in this state that have grown both spiritually and numerically over the past twelve months. Three or four of these are pastored by graduates of West Coast Baptist College and have seen their congregations grow by over two hundred people in the past year alone.

Additionally, I’m thrilled to see the growing involvement of fearless church planters who are standing in the gap and starting new churches across this great state.

Yes, there are challenges. But this state is a fruitful field—and God is still building His church in California.

6. Leaders and politicians with law and order or family values appreciate the spiritual leadership of sound pastors and churches.

In a state where biblical convictions are often under fire, many local leaders and some state leaders still respect and welcome the influence of pastors who stand for truth. These leaders need pastors and churches who support them.

We have seen multiple elected officials come to Christ—and we continue to witness to many more.

7. This is a beautiful and needy state.

From the coastline to the mountains to the deserts, the natural beauty of California is unparalleled. But beneath the beauty lies great spiritual need—and great opportunity.

Faith grows here. The gospel still changes lives here. And the harvest is ready.

You Are Invited to Make a Difference…

To our friends across the country, please know this: God is at work in California. You can sit around the table at Cracker Barrel and crack sarcastic jokes about this state. But I implore you instead to push away from the table and join us in a revival of soulwinning and church planting. 

How can you help? 

1. Pray for us. Pray for the pastors, church planters, and Christians here who are faithfully laboring for the Lord and for souls.

2. Move to California and start a church. If God is stirring your heart for church planting, California is wide open with major metro areas that still lack gospel-preaching, soulwinning, Baptist churches. Additionally, there is a growing network of pastors actively setting aside financial support and ready to provide on-the-ground help to assist new church planters. Visit CA4Christ.org to learn more or to contact us with questions. 

3. Take a missions trip here. Plan a visit to California and spend a few days serving alongside a church planter. You’ll be encouraged by the opportunities and challenged by the need. The Spanish-speaking population alone in the Los Angeles area numbers in the millions. California is home to people from all around the world, making it a place where local outreach has global impact. 

4. Enroll in West Coast Baptist College, and be involved on weekends helping a church planter. If God has placed church planting on your heart, WCBC offers a front-row seat to real-time ministry in the harvest fields of California. During your training, you’ll have the opportunity to serve alongside church planters—gaining hands-on experience as you help establish and grow new works. It’s a distinctive opportunity to learn ministry while actively participating in it. 

5. Join us at Spiritual Leadership Conference this fall. Come to Lancaster, California this September 21–24, and catch a fresh vision for reaching the West with the gospel. You’ll be encouraged by what God is doing, equipped for greater ministry where you serve, and connected with others who are burdened to make a difference in California and beyond. Visit slconference.com for more details and to register.

This is the time to pray, to go, to give, and to believe that God is still working in this great state. The need is real, the field is ready, and the gospel still works.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth… (Romans 1:16)