THE ONGOING NEED

This is also an ongoing need, as computers and software are always needing to be upgraded, and as the ministry grows, more computers will be needed. But it is harder to get funding for equipment than for translation projects. These are the primary tools we use to create the tools or resources for the ministry. The harvest is great and the laborers are few, but with good tools, the laborers can get a lot more work done.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 900001: The Equipment Fund).

Congo - a brief overview

• The Congo has a land mass four times the size of France.
• The population is 71 million (France is 66 million).
• French is the trade and education language, giving it a natural connection to other Francophone countries, many of which are Muslim.
• The Congo is the second poorest country in the world by standard of living, but probably the wealthiest in natural resources.
• It has been shattered by years of war (beginning in1998), sometimes called the African World War. Seven foreign countries were fighting on its soil.

Three-Point Agenda for Congo Survey:

1. Approvals:

For GoodSeed, our first hurdle was winning the approval of the church leaders. Africa is a culture led by "chiefs." We did not need the leaders "clapping loudly" at our involvement in their churches, but we did need them "clapping."

We met with the top leaders representing 25 million evangelical Protestants. To explain the work of GoodSeed, we presented our work, giving a 1 1/2 hour Creation to Christ gospel message using visual aids. After another 30 minutes of Q and A, the "Chief of the chiefs" for these churches extended us an open invitation to work within their churches teaching and equipping them. This was a significant answer to prayer. The doors to the churches could have been closed. As it is, the doors are wide, wide open.

2. Tools:

We needed to know if our tools could be brought into the country. Watch the video below to see how God provided a solution to the following needs:

1. We needed both willing a qualified translators.
2. We needed a local print house that could produce quality books.
3. We needed a place to warehouse the products once printed.
4. We needed a distribution network to get the products into the hands of the people.

All these needs were met.

The leadership approval represents 25 million people. If we were to get a book into the hands of just a fraction of these people, the cost would be a million dollars. That is our desire, and If you wish to participate in this project, a donation can be made here.

3. Training:

Evangelism and Discipleship Training is never simple. As a result of the survey, we were able to narrow down our options as to how we can help in this area. GoodSeed has a French division with qualified teachers. Please pray for us as we make plans to return and proceed with further efforts in bringing the Gospel to the Congolese.

How You Can Help

Financially. If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 011: Africa - An Open Door in the Congo).

What Our Operation Costs Include

• Facility: We are currently renting a great facility at significantly less than the local going rate. Generous leasing terms are being given that would allow flexibility until we can build our own office.
• Internet Service: The building is based in Olds, Alberta, the first town in Canada to have full access to the Supernet.
• Space: This building has almost doubled our space, increasing the room for warehousing.
• Studio: The increase in space has given us room for video and audio recording studios.
• Staff: The extra space allows us to bring on more needed staff and volunteers.
• Travel: The teaching and training aspect of our ministry requires our teaching staff to travel. This constitutes a small percentage of our operation costs.

As the GoodSeed committee has prayed about our present situation and this future opportunity, they believe the Lord would have us move ahead by faith. In financial terms, we need $5,000 per month to cover expenses. We have presented this in the form of 200 committed Bible believers giving $25 monthly for no less than one year. To date we have 68 partners committed. We need 132 more to cover the remaining $3,300.

Will you please pray about partnering with us? If you would like more information, contact Gary at 1-800-442-7333 (within Canada) or 1-403-556-9955. If in the USA, please contact Faith at 1-888-654-7333.

"This is a ministry that has touched my life. I am getting behind it to make this happen. I know GoodSeed has touched many other lives and I pray that they will do the same thing." - Robert Rudd, CEO, Alter Air

How You Can Help

Financially. If you'd like to give to the GoodSeed International Operations Fund, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 002: International Office Operations (200 x 25)).

The Challenge We Face

Facing hurdles that have never been encountered, Christians are finding that the traditional worldviews of Catholicism and Protestantism are undergoing dramatic changes. At the same time, the influx of new cultures with unfamiliar belief systems signifies that God is bringing new mission fields to our doorstep.

So, how do we respond? How do we communicate the unchanging truth of God’s Word in a changing world? How do we get our world to rethink their worldview from a biblical perspective?

How this Tool Can Help You

The WVRT training DVDs begin by helping us identify and understand the needs of these new spiritual realities. This is so very necessary if we, as believers, are going to be effective in bridging the gap of understanding.

These DVDs then go on to introduce a unique curriculum designed for the needs of today’s world. Emphasizing that the power of the Gospel is directly related to having a clear understanding of the Gospel, believers from diverse walks of life share how they have utilized this curriculum to reach their communities with the Good News of Christ.

These WVRT training DVDs include much of what one would normally get in a TERM Seminar. In addition, raw video footage, shot over the past several months, is currently being edited in order to give a firsthand perspective from those who are actually “doing it.”

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 005: Worldview Rethink Training DVDs).

History Behind the Project

In 2004, James Janzen, then Director for the Prairie Bible College music department, approached John Cross and suggested that thought be given to creating a musical based on The Lamb children’s book. In July of 2009, James and John met with musicians Allan Ellingsgaard and Stephen Walter to rough in the details of such a musical. Definite plans are now underway. We hope to build a template, using the English production, whereby people with other languages can follow with similar performances in their own cultures.

The Lamb Musical is to be based on the 80-page book titled, What are Christmas and Easter all about?. This is a book written in EasyEnglish and can be used for adults as well as children. The content of the book is somewhat broader than “The Lamb” children’s book. The thought is that the musical could be performed during either season, and the booklet could be passed out as an outreach tool to all the attendees.

It is our goal to produce the following final package with the end result being that all are web-based and fully downloadable.

For performers:

1. Book: music book/sheets
2. CD: accompaniment track to sing along with
3. CD: rehearsal track with each of the four vocal parts broken out and full performance

To Use as Outreach:

1. CD: top quality mix, to be listened to for enjoyment or as a gift, perhaps bundled with the book What are Christmas and Easter all about?
2. DVD: top quality mix with a video of a live performance (music, narration, drama, PowerPoint), perhaps bundled with the book What are Christmas and Easter all about?

Besides the expertise mentioned in the first paragraph, we have at our disposal an experienced 20-voice choir to help in the production. We feel we have all the initial major talent in place.

This project is going to be quite expensive to produce. Our initial estimate comes in at $39,600.00. A more thorough cost analysis is being undertaken. We have given a lot of thought to this need and feel it is a worthwhile investment with huge potential. Nothing speaks to the heart like music, and when it is blended with meaningful narration, we feel the gospel message can shine through in all its clarity.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 008: The Lamb Musical).

By this Name

• French -Now available!
• Burmese - Printed
• Thai - Printed
• Tamil - almost ready to print

The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus

• Norwegian - translation in the works
• Dutch - Printed!

All that the Prophets have Spoken

• Bengali (Bangla) - Printed!
• Indonesian - nearly completed
• Portuguese -Printed!

What are Christmas and Easter all about?

• Russian - translation in the works
• German - translation in the works
• Luxembourgish - translation in the works
• Melawi - translation in the works

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to the translations fund, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 009: Translations Fund).

A note from Israel

Over the past several months, GoodSeed has been discussing the possibility of a Hebrew translation of By this Name. Here is a letter from the Director of the Bible Society in Israel:

Well, we can say now that we are working with Victor and a translation team in Israel to bring this Hebrew translation to fruition. But, we cannot accomplish this goal without the help of you, the body of Christ.

How You Can Help

In order to complete the translation and get the first run of books printed, it will require an initial investment of $24,000 USD. Though it is a hurdle, we trust that the Lord will accomplish His purposes through His followers. If you sense the Lord's leading to give to this Hebrew translation, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 010: Hebrew Translation of By this Name).

An overview of the need

From the rice fields of Vietnam and Laos, to the crowds of Bangkok, Thailand, to the beautiful coastal villages of Cambodia, South East Asia is a region of the world which is going through massive social and economic change. But in the midst of these challenges, Christians have stepped up to make an eternal difference.

60,000 Asian Believers have put their names on a list stating that, together, they would like to reach 1 million of their own friends, family and neighbors with the Gospel of Jesus Christ - all within the next three years! This is not a "GoodSeed" list, but we none-the-less can have an active role in equipping them. We have every reason to believe that with the Lord's enabling they will reach their goal!

How we can help them

• With TOOLS: By This Name, a GoodSeed tool for evangelism and discipleship, is designed specifically to communicate the message of the Bible to people with an Eastern worldview. So it is perfect for this region of Southeast Asia. We already have qualified translation teams in place working diligently to finish the Thai version of By This Name, and we have personnel ready to begin the Vietnamese translation. Interest in these translations is very high by national Believers, missionaries, churches, and schools. We have found that the clarity of the Gospel in By This Name helps sort out the problems of Biblical illiteracy and syncretism which are all-too-common in this region. With funding for this project, we will be able to complete the translation, artwork, and distribution for Vietnamese within the next 6 to 9 months. The Thai translation is in print and is in the process of being distributed.

• With TRAINING: Good tools are far more effective in the hands of passionate Christians who are well trained in their use. That's why we are committed to conducting training seminars and workshops on location in SE Asia. Though we are not scheduled to train all 60,000 believers, none-the-less we can and will provide tools and training for interested people throughout this region as we are enabled. Christian leaders and lay people will learn how to use GoodSeed tools and resources to lead studies in their own towns and villages. We believe that as Christians are equipped in this manner, each one will be able to teach the Bible's message clearly in a culturally relevant way, while at the same time being strengthened in their own understanding of the Bible.

Details of this 2-for-1 giving opportunity:

Recently a group of donors became excited about the SE Asia project and they want to invite many more Christians to get involved. So they stepped forward with this 2-for-1 matching offer:

Between now and May 30th, 2012, every $1 you give towards the SE Asia Evangelism & Discipleship Project will be matched with an additional $2 up to $50,000. So it is possible for the combined gifts to become $75,000!

UPDATE: Thankfully, all $25,000 was raised, that put the matching 2-for-1 grant into effect.

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 012: Southeast Asia Tools & Training). All financial contributions will go towards providing tools and training in SE Asia.

What the Package Includes

The WVRT Curriculum is a comprehensive package made up of several resources that allows for considerable latitude as to how the course can be taught.

1. Interactive Edition of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus: Incorporates 110 video clips and is used as the primary Bible study guide.
2. Leader’s Guide: Explains how this guide, as well as other key elements of the curriculum, will enable the leader to tailor the course’s resources to take into account both his and the student’s needs and interests, thus maximizing the study’s effectiveness.
3. Visual Aids "Toolbox": The Leader’s Guide gives a thorough explanation of how these visual aids are utilized as an integral component of the course, reinforcing the learning experience.
4. Supplementary Notes: Provide teaching tips, comments for purpose of clarification, emphasis or illustration, and additional Scripture references.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 006: Worldview Rethink Leader's Guide).

About the Visual Aids "ToolBox"

Inherent in GoodSeed’s approach to Bible teaching is the use of visual aids to help enhance the student’s learning experience. We all know from firsthand experience how visuals improve our memory retention—acting as a type of “Velcro on the brain.” Equally important is the reinforcement that visual aids provide the learner in clarifying the meaning of what is being taught and personalizing the application.

Drawing inspiration from Jesus, the Master Teacher himself, the WVRT Curriculum package includes a “toolbox” of basic visual aids to help launch the would-be teacher on the road to more effective communication.

This basic visual aid kit will include some 35 “punch-out” forms that would then be assembled by the teacher. The box will be approximately the size of a typical board game.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 007: Worldview Rethink Visual Aids).

About the WorkBook

If a point in the book is not clear after studying the book, you will find out through the use of the WorkBook. Each chapter corresponds with the chapters in By this Name, asking questions aimed at solidifying the key points as well as providing extra assignments to get the student into the Bible itself. Question formats include multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blank (answers provided in the back of the book). This is an ideal resource for a home Bible study, Sunday School class, or Bible Camp.

Creating a good WorkBook is not easy. We have been field-testing this product in Canada, USA, Guyana, Singapore, and India. Julie Lundy and John Cook wrote the first editions. Along the way it collected the input of others. Lately, David Cross and Paul Beazley have been fine-tuning the manuscript. As we complete the final stages of editing, it will be passed off to Rachel Bader for formatting.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to give to this project, you may donate in a number of ways. Find out how on our Make a Donation page (reference Project 001: By this Name WorkBook).

History Behind the Project

In January of 2006, John and Janice Cross were visiting a ministry supporter who was in his 93rd year of life. Still active, this man had a real heart for those living in his community. On his own initiative, he purchased a quantity of small children’s books that described the gospel message. Going door to door, he passed out over 100 booklets. He explained that this booklet would help one understand “what Christmas and Easter were all about.” The books were well received; none were refused.

John left this man’s home with the vision to create a booklet tailor-made for such an outreach. Taking the children’s book, The Lamb, John adapted it to a broader audience using material from By this Name. Then Beth Wiens translated it into EasyEnglish, using the criteria and software provided by Wycliffe Associates UK. The final product was formatted by Rachel Bader. The product has been handed off to John Krajec to secure print quotes.

Project Complete

We now have completed an 80-page book, written in EasyEnglish, that can be used with adults as well as children. Fully illustrated, the content of the book is somewhat broader than The Lamb children’s book. The book is designed so it can be easily translated into other languages.

We feel this is a powerful tool that can be used during two seasons to reach people in their homes. One could insert this in a plastic bag along with information from the local church and hang it on doors. Whole neighbourhoods can be canvassed. We feel the applications are many.

About the Project

Millions of people worldwide suffer vision loss. That’s precisely why GoodSeed has adapted the popular book, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, into a Large Print Edition.

If you or someone you know has some level of visual impairment, reading most things can be quite difficult. To make matters worse, your local library may only have a few quality resources available in large print. We believe that everyone should be able to see, hear, and understand the message of the Bible for themselves. And that’s precisely why GoodSeed created The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus Large Print Edition. It’s ideal for anyone who finds it a challenge to read standard text. The larger type size, the clear illustrations, and the spacious layout combine to make its reading quite comfortable. Almost anyone will enjoy reading this popular book and, in the process, they will see, hear and understand the message of the Bible for themselves.

This fully illustrated, 576-page, large print edition of The Stranger is written for adults and teens who know little or nothing about the Bible. It explains in a straightforward way the greatest theme of the Bible, step by step creating an understanding of sin, substitution and atonement.

Title: The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus
Medium: Large Print
Edition: 5
Dimensions: 7" x 9" (18cm x 23 cm)
Page Count: 576 (including endnotes, etc.)
Font Size: 16 point

Project Complete

We have now completed the Large Print edition and are happy to offer it for the same price as the other edition of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus. Click here to buy it.