Joseph's Story....

I could not do what I do effectively without the support of Give the Word and their provision of Bibles. I have so many things to share with you about how God has been using His Word through my willingness to share it with people. I'll start with this...

I know that God has called me to share the Gospel. I get those small voices, those nudges from the Holy Spirit promting me to approach people. Poeple who need Jesus are everywhere. Their are swarms of people everyday walking to work, shopping, taking a walk.. the opportunties seem endless. Sure, I have my share of those who swear at me, who mock me, who tell me to get lost....but then their are those who take it all in, who ask questions, who receive Jesus into their hearts for the very first time. Wether the end result was positive or negative, I know that I have stood up for Jesus and there is always joy in that.

Calvary Temple has been my home church since I moved here from Africa. They are the ones who started me off with Bibles to give away. They get their Bibles from Give the Word too and Pastor Bruce was more than happy to provide me with some. I would tell him all about what I was doing with them. I wasn't just giving them to anyone with a handout, I would only give Bibles away when I would either have a meaningful conversation with someone, when the person I was talking to showed real interest or when there was a sincere commitment made for Christ. After I went through all the Bibles I was given, I was wondering how I was going to get more. I have a family to feed, I don't make a lot of money and can't afford to go and purchase Bibles all the time. That is when I heard an add on CHVN 95.1fm for Give the Word. It was talking about how they provide free Bibles for people involved in outreach. I thought, could this be real? I called their number and talked to Ryan, the director and told him about my ministry and asked if he would be able to provide me with some Bibles. He said “Sure, come in and tell me more about what you are doing and we'd love to help you out”. I was so happy!! I met Ryan at his office and saw a warehouse full of Bibles. So you just GIVE these all away? I asked. I was in tears, what a blessing to be able to freely give away the greatest gift we have. I walked away with a whole box of Bibles and all I had to do in return was let him know how they were being used. This is amazing!!

Here's just one story of how I've used the Bibles you have given me... 

..It was Sunday morning before church. I was walking along Notre Dame and Sherbrook and saw a few people standing infront of a store that was about to open. I got the nudge, that little voice, the Holy Spirit telling me to go and talk to those people. I listened and walked over to them. I introduced myself and talked to the first person in line...he told me to stop talking, so I respected him and listened. The other two started to swear at me and told me to go away. I started walking away and saw that the store clerk was staring at me. The Holy Spirit told me to walk back and talk to the clerk...so I did. It was just me and the clerk so I opened up a converation with him. I started telling him about Jesus and he was all ears. He was behind glass and asked me to talk louder so he could hear me better. I knew the Holy Spirit was present and working. We talked for quite awhile and I asked him if he would like to accept Christ. He said YES and we prayed together. He was so happy!! After receiving the best gift ever given, Salvation, I was able to give him the second best gift, The Bible and invited him to come to our church one Sunday. I walked away with tears of joy. What a mightly God we serve!!

I want to thank Give the Word for all they do for me. I have come back for Bibles many times and they are always so happy to give them to me. I can't beleive that a ministry like this is available. Thank you to everyone who provides funding for these Bibles. What a gift to be able to make the Bible so free and accesible for people like me.