How would you start a ministry to drug addicts and AIDS sufferers?
In 'Rescue Shop within a Yard of Hell' we were introduced to the story of 'Betel'. An organisation set up in Spain to minister to drug addicts and AIDS sufferers. Since then the organisation has experienced huge growth with centres set up in other countries around the world.
For Betel staff, hard work, stress, pain, disappointment and heartbreak are the order of the day - but yet there is much fruit. The quality of their efforts and the good success rate of deliverance from drug addiction has drawn admiration from believers, Christian leaders, grateful parents, social workers and many others in public life.I have watched the amazing growth of Betel in the short space of little over a decade from small beginnings, caring for a few drug addicts, to an impressive church planting movement in a country not known for its welcome to evangelicals and then into a mission outreach to many nations. Betel has become more; it has become a model for many others:* in methods of ministry to drug addicts,* in coping with a large number of church members and workers living with HIV and AIDS,* in a simple faith that God's power can transform lives and release the resources needed for the ministry,* in effective discipling and training of former addicts to become pastors and missionaries.I commend this wonderful account to Christians around the world so that by reading, their faith be strengthened, their intercession for this work gained, and their commitment made to the evangelisation of those around the world that are, humanly speaking, too far gone for any expectation of change. This ministry is truly in keeping with WEC's founder, C.T. Studd, whose original words provided the title of this book!
-- Patrick Johnstone - Author of Operation World, The Church is Bigger than you Think - International Director for Research, WEC International (WEC Interational Regional Director for Europe & Author Emeritus, Operation World)