It has been forty-eight hours since Karon and I returned from teaching at the 2013 European Leadership Forum in Wisla, Poland. The jet-lag continues but the brain is relatively un-fogged — at least enough to write a final journal entry.
On the first night of the conference a short promotional video of The Purity War preceded the host inviting me to share briefly about why I wrote the book. Because of a generous donation, a free copy was distributed to each of the 750 ministers and Christian educators from forty-three countries. A copy was also given to Forum leaders, teachers and volunteers — representing every continent!
As I stood on stage, I was immediately struck with the reality that I was in the presence of greatness. I was NOT talking about that large auditorium, filled with some of Europe’s most highly educated authors, theologians, teachers, ministers and scientists. Nor was I talking about my fellow Forum leaders and teachers. We had gathered in that room as one body of grateful disciples — humbling ourselves in the presence of Our Great God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. We were amazed by His grace and mercy. It was truly a taste of heaven.
However, in the presence of HIS greatness also came the reality of OUR sinfulness. Besides the responses to the many other subjects that were taught in plenary sessions, network meetings and workshops, we were especially reminded of the global reality that we will never see a lasting revival among unbelievers unless we see a substantial revival among God’s people. Our specific concern, of course, is that this world-wide revival would include a revival of purity. I reminded the crowd of the well-written words of Randy Alcorn, “An unholy world will never be won to Christ by an unholy Church.” The personal testimonies from many at the Forum reminded us that the need is still great:
- I recall the whispers of the pastor from a particular Muslim country who attended my workshop and privately shared the challenges of preaching the gospel to a people who risk their lives to convert from Islam. Because of the rampant immorality in this part of the world, he asked permission to immediately translate The Purity War.
“Please! This is greatly needed among the Arabic-speaking people!”
- Karon still weeps as she remembers the women who came to her, disclosing their deepest struggles, even in sexual matters.
“Thank you for listening. I have no one I can talk to about this. So many think this is just a men’s issue!”
- We are both struck with emotion as we rehearse the testimonies of a number of ministers who wept as they were handed a free copy of the book.
“Really? There is no charge? Oh, thank you! Thank you!”
- I am blessed by the honesty of the Forum leaders and volunteers who also received a copy of the book and expressed their gratefulness,
“Purity is such a crucial issue in our country, as well!”
- We are still overwhelmed with the number of invitations to help equip people to become Ambassadors of Purity in their homes, churches and communities.
“Pornography and immorality is destroying us. How can we get thousands of copies of this purity book to our people — especially those who cannot afford it?”
“When can you come train us in Bulgaria? Greece? Egypt? Switzerland? Moldova? Albania?
“When will you return to the Czech Republic? Italy? Romania? Germany? England? Scotland? Hungary? Belarus? Norway? Ukraine?
“What do we do with the materials that are already translated into Russian? Czech? Polish? Spanish?”
- The day after the Forum we traveled to the Katowice. After an eight-hour purity seminar in English and Polish, one pastor stood and expressed what was on the hearts of all the men there.
“Thank you for teaching us these very important matters. We need this.”
Now that we have had two days to reflect, our response to all these comments has driven us to our knees — more than ever before:
“In the presence of Your greatness and faced with the global need for a revival of purity, we humble ourselves before Your mighty hand and wait for Your leading and provision. Apart from You we can do nothing substantial. Lead on, O King Eternal.”
Thank you for joining us in praying. We praise God for those He raises up to partner with us in equipping people to win the purity war around the world.
• To watch the two-minute promo video “Purity War — It’s Winnable” that was shown at the 2013 Forum, click on the Home page of this website www.puritywar.com
• For more specific ways to help, go to The Purity War website page designated as The Battle Plan. Click on https://www.puritywar.com/battleplan-how-to-use-the-purity-war-website/
• Contact us, if you have any questions as to how WE might help YOU help OTHERS. And please, pass this on to others who you think might be interested.
To God be the glory
Jim and Karon
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