Monthly Letter

Dear Partner in ministry,

Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). Jesus then expressed His desire to see more laborers go forth into the harvest.

Sixteen years ago, It Is Written, in partnership with Southern Adventist University, began SALT, an evangelism training program designed to teach people to know and share their faith. Since then, hundreds of people have been prepared for ministry and have furthered the sharing of the gospel. SALT graduates have gone on to become pastors, Bible workers, university professors, and church leaders.

Two years ago, Sharon attended our SALT training in Baltimore, Maryland. Eager to put into practice what she had learned, Sharon began studying the Bible with two women, both of whom accepted her invitation to attend the meetings I presented along with Dr. Alex Bryant in the Baltimore area.

Both Bible students loved what they were learning, and they loved Sharon, their patient, warm-hearted Bible instructor. Towards the close of the evangelistic series both women sensed God’s call to be baptized and were praying about their decisions when, tragically, Sharon died suddenly. There was no indication that Sharon was ill. She had been a greeter at the meetings every night. Hearts were heavy when Sharon passed. And two hearts—recognizing how precious life is—were now determined that nothing should prevent them from surrendering their lives to Jesus.

I watched as one of them—a woman I’ll call Loretta—eased into the swimming pool where the baptism took place. She was the first into the water, a big smile on her face. Loretta was lowered beneath the water and was raised up beaming with joy. It was then that I learned something that shocked me. Loretta was absolutely terrified of water! She had explained to others that there was no way she could be baptized due to her aqua phobia. But in that moment God removed her fear, and Loretta came forth from the baptism pool a child of God.

I’ve tried to imagine the reunion when Sharon, a graduate of It Is Written evangelism training, meets Loretta and hears her story of faith and victory.

Four months ago, a team of SALT graduates traveled to a small island in the Pacific Ocean. Ulawa is one of the hundreds of islands that comprise the Solomon Islands, and our SALT graduates were participating in a nation-wide evangelism emphasis. This was an excellent experience for young people who had received extensive training and had already held at least one evangelistic series. One of the SALT students described preaching in a small village on Ulawa.

“We would start each night with only a few people in attendance. But when I made appeals, people came out of the shadows to accept Jesus!” Listening from behind trees surrounding the meeting site, the hearts of the people were strongly impacted by the message of God’s grace, delivered by young people who had been equipped for ministry by SALT. The same group of students then traveled from the Solomon Islands to Adelaide, Australia, to proclaim the gospel message in a secular, developed nation.

This is outstanding training, excellent preparation for a life of ministry, made available due to SALT. “Last year’s SALT class was the largest we have ever had,” said Pastor Douglas Na’a, director of SALT on the campus of Southern Adventist University. “We have another wonderful class this year, learning, sharing, growing and preparing for a life of service for God.”

Four months ago I met someone who helped me understand that SALT students are not only young people. Although SALT students are young adults, we have older students every year. While at a camp meeting, a lady approached me and told me how happy she was to be attending the upcoming SALT class. “I’ll be the oldest student you’ve ever had,” she told me. “I don’t think so,” I replied. “Last year we had an 80-year-old graduate from SALT.” “Well,” she said with a sparkle in her eye. “During SALT this year, I’ll turn 84!” Clearly, while SALT is an investment in many young people, the leaders of tomorrow, SALT is for everyone.

Two months ago, in a very exciting development, our second SALT program began on the campus of Union Adventist University. Witnessing the success of ALT on the campus of Southern, a church administrator was eager to see the SALT experience offered in the midwest. Our new SALT class, led by Pastor Alex Rodriguez, SALT Union program director, has started well. “We’re excited to see what God is doing here,” Pastor Rodriguez told me. “Not only are we training some amazing people, but we’ve already begun to have an effect on the mission of the church in this area.” SALT is having a major impact on the work of God, while also impacting the lives of countless SALT students.

Since the inception of SALT, It Is Written has invested close to $2 million in this transformational ministry. SALT classes are literally taking place as I write. I know that your gift this month to support SALT will make an enormous difference. SALT is a growing work and is enlarging the kingdom of God. Young people are often referred to disparagingly, but I can tell you that we are blessed by outstanding young people—young people of all ages! They are influencing God’s work right now, and they are going on to do great things for God.

Your gift this month advances evangelism, by empowering an army of people to use their God-given talents to lead people to Christ. Students from both SALT classes will work on evangelistic series this year, and then conduct their own evangelistic meetings on a mission trip during the Thanksgiving break.

Your investment in SALT training, a life-changing initiative, will enable It Is Written to continue to prepare soul winners for earth’s last days, people who will not only win souls themselves, but will also prepare others to do so.

May God bless you for your vision for a finished gospel work and your commitment to preparing others to effectively share Jesus in preparation for His return.

Yours in the blessed hope,
Pastor John Bradshaw
President, It Is Written

P.S. Jesus gave us the charge to send more laborers into the field, and we’re taking it seriously. Our evangelism training continues all over the world, preparing Bible workers to minister to others. This month, I am asking for your support for our SALT program. Now held on two campuses, SALT prepares people of all ages to know and share their faith. Your gift this month will help this vital program continue. Thank you!

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