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Summer 2012

Dear Jesus... 20 different ‘Dear Jesus…’ prayers) has been on the transit systems without comment for at least 3 years.

Simultaneously with the spotlight on Bus Stop Bible Studies, a Muslim organization placed posters beside the escalators in a number of subway stations. This brought the whole issue of religious advertising in to public the fore once again. Thankfully this matter has already been settled by the Supreme Court.

We have to make a conscious effort not to get distracted by negativity from a small but vocal segment of the public. Sometimes it does create unique opportunities for our office manager, Teri Owen, praying on the phone with people who have contacted us directly.

But, the best part of being involved in this ministry is when we get notes of encouragement like this, “Friday, April 20th… In travelling the TTC every day, I hadn’t seen a Bus Stop Bible Study in ages [note – we had about a 3-month hiatus between campaigns], until today. Making my usual weekend pilgrimage after my work week in

Toronto, on the subway from Downsview Station all the way south to Union Station, 1 Peter 5:7 was facing me. The LORD new I needed that reminder and encouragement for the weekend’s challenges. THANKS to JFJ Hope Center [adoption agency] for sponsoring that Bible study. In the perfect place and

David Harrison, President

It seems that once each year Bus Stop Bible Studies ends up getting significant exposure in the mainstream media. We’re not sure if the media coverage brings any direct benefit to the ministry but we are thankful that it gets people talking about faith issues. We simply trust that God uses these conversations to bring people to consider the person of Jesus Christ as their Savior.

In this era of instant messaging it only took one person to ‘tweet’ a critical message with a photo of one of our studies to start the ball rolling. Ultimately the story was picked up by the Toronto Star, the Toronto Sun, and then CFRB 1010 and CBC Radio At Noon had call-ins, etc.

If one does a Google search on the topic almost 9,000 results pop up. In a nutshell, all the criticism came from people who do not believe in the power of prayer. Someone even started an on-line petition to the TTC!

Oddly, the wording for this particular ‘study’ (one of a series of approximately

Spreading the Word

Pray for us at Bus Stop Bible Studies:

That God will provide both church and individual sponsors to place a ‘Study’ on each bus, subway car in the coming months.

For Christian Business owners to support Bus Stop Bible Studies by placing promotional study panels which highlight them as ‘Kingdom Companies’.

1 Timothy 4:13 Devote yourself to the

public reading of Scripture..

ON PUBLIC TRANSIT AND HELPING CHANGE LIVES—ONE BUS RIDE AT A TIME

Bus Stop Bible Studies is incorporated in the Province of Ontario as a Corporation Without Share Capital and is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency and qualifies for tax-exempt status as a registered charity under paragraph 149(1)(f) of the Income Tax Act. Official receipts will be issued under Regulation 3501 of the Income Tax Regulations. Bus Stop Bible Studies Charitable Business Number is 80383 3342 RR0001. Tax deductible receipts will be issued at year end for all donations of $20 or more. In accordance with Board policy, spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each contribution designated towards a Board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or projects has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the Board, the remaining contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

PLEASE SHARE WITH OR PASS ALONG TO YOUR MISSIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH BOARD

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John 19:34 “One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. “

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timing (as always!), God was reminding me of his loving care for me and all that concerns me.

Wednesday, May 2nd…Postscript… After an extra-long and stressful workday, I was refreshed by not just one, but 15 different Bus Stop Bible Studies inside one bus! I’ve never seen that before! All the advertising space in that one vehicle was ‘wallpapered’ with Scriptures. As I looked up and around, I noticed other tired travelers also checking out the ads, and the LORD prompted me to pray for them and their eternal destiny.

It’s good to know that BSBS is alive and well (just like the LORD). While we may not always see the Son shining, we know He’s at work!! Amen!”

What a joyful reminder that we do not toil in vain! It’s hard to fathom but 35%-40% of the population of Toronto see a Bus Stop Bible Study on a semi-regular basis. By the end of June, this year, we will have posted 670 studies on three different transit systems; this includes five TTC ‘dominations’ in which we take all the advertising panel space inside each bus.

On a personal note, two-and-a-half years ago I had to re-involve myself in my AV company and divest myself of majority ownership. It has not been an easy time. My current employment contract with the new owner expires September 30th of this year and I now have to make some significant ‘faith decisions’. My desire is that I should again be working for Bus Stop Bible Studies fulltime; the difference now is that I will be dependent on the ministry and it supporters for my income. Any decision I make will, of course, have a significant impact on my family.

As I have prayed over this decision one verse comes specifically to mind, “...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” I am also reminded of the ‘arrangement’ I made with God when the ministry was launched, “God, if this is truly of you then you will have to provide all the necessary finances.” This was said with the notion that I would not be using personal/company finances in any way to drive the ministry. How faithful He has been! Now that this possibility has been taken away our dependence on God’s hand of provision should become total. Please pray for Wendy and me as we seek God’s clear direction.

How odd that one (me) who used to so vehemently profane the Name of God should be called to this kind of work! Now to Him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Dear Jesus—Continued from Page 1. Bus Stop Bible Studies Comes to the Nation’s Capital.

Commencing June 18, 2012, through to the end of the year, Bus Stop Bible Studies will adorn 100 of OC Transpo’s (Ottawa Transit) buses.

OC Transpo has 482 buses serving the City (plus additional buses serving Napean and Kanata) so there is lots of potential for growth. We are seeking churches,

ministries and individuals in the Ottawa area to help us expand our efforts in the region.

Not only will many Ottawa residents get to read the Word of God, hundreds-of-thousands of tourists will also be reading these studies (and maybe a few MP’s as well). Please pray that God’s Word will go out with great power.

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“For God so loved the world…”

Sometimes a picture really does replace a thousand words. It is difficult for us to convey the reach this ministry has. The highest daily ridership in 2010 on the Toronto Transit system (latest statistics available) occurred on Wednesday, October 27th, with 1,677,000 individual trips being made. These images [next page] help convey the enormity of the crowds that see our studies—but take a moment to look at each individual and the stories become personal.

We recently received this testimony from the [North York] Pregnancy Care Centre. It was printed in their latest newsletter under the heading A Bus Ad that Helped Save a Life—Recently we had a young teenage couple come in to the Pregnancy Care Centre. We ran a

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pregnancy test and it was, indeed, positive. When the young high school students were about to leave, the girl said that she had seen a bus ad of ours last year and had put the number into her cell phone then. When she thought she might be pregnant, she found our number in her phone and called us up. We have had the pleasure of arranging an ultrasound appointment for them, and following up with them in subsequent visits. They have decided to embrace the life of their child!

Because of the generosity of you, our donors, we were able to repost the Pregnancy Care Centre’s panels after their original campaign expired. So, in as much as you have partnered with us through your donations, God has used you to help spare this young life; a story that could otherwise have ended in tragedy. One can only imagine what God might say.

JFJ Hope Centre [formally Jewels for Jesus] launched a major publicity campaign in April of this year with the posting of 60 PromoPanels (see below) on the TTC subway. They have already received four ‘crisis calls’ and are “thrilled with the response.”

Teri’s Corner

We are truly blessed to live in such a

beautiful country, filled with the majesty of

His creation all around us. The first day of

summer brings thoughts of warmth, growth

and abundance. Most of us will enjoy our

summer with time away at the cottage,

vacation and traveling with family and friends. And many will

travel and visit this beautiful area on our city buses and

subways. What an awesome opportunity to introduce them to

our ‘Best Friend’, Jesus!

I, for one, am looking forward to a beautiful summer and am

anxious and excited to see what my God has planned, not only

for me, but for Bus Stop Bible Studies, and all of you who so

faithfully support us with your prayers and donations;

keeping HIS word on public transit for all to see!

The last six months have been quite difficult for me, after

being in a head on collision in January; but I must proclaim

how faithful a God we serve. As hard as this time has been, I

have grown closer to my Lord through it. I have seen His

hand in so many things that before may have gone un-

noticed. It seems that sometimes He uses these times to slow

us down, to get our attention back to where it should be.

He never leaves us or forsakes us. He will never let go of our

hand but often picks us up and carries us when we are just

too weak or weary to walk on our own. He is the great

provider, never allowing His children to do without the

things that that they need. We can trust Him completely. He

knows what is best for His kids, even when we cannot see it,

or even agree with Him.

I found that I was constantly rushing around and not sitting

quietly before Him. May I encourage you to slow down this

summer and listen for His voice. He longs for that one-on-

one time with His children.

The Word tells us in John 10:27 “My sheep know my voice

and I know them, and they follow me.” Be a Mary and sit at

His feet for awhile. Listen to His plans, and then follow them.

Friendships require time, commitment and intimacy. How

can we introduce our ‘best friend’ to others if we don’t take

the time to remain best friends with HIM?

John 15:15 “I no longer call you slaves, because a master

doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I

have told you everything the Father told me.”

In His Grip, Terri Owen - Administrator

Tel: (416) 234-0555 ext. 102

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Address:

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Mail to: Bus Stop Bible Studies, 364-1920 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1H 3G1 Signature:

Please make cheques payable to Bus Stop Bible Studies. Credit card donations are processed and receipted through CanadaHelps.org Bus Stop Bible Studies is a not-for-profit corporation that has been granted charitable status by Canada Revenue Agency. Tax deductible receipts are issued for all donations of $20 or more.

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The ability of Bus Stop Bible Studies to post Scripture on public transit is directly proportional to the level of individual or church sponsorships and donations received. God has removed all the obstacles and opened the way for us to display these ‘studies’ on every public transit company in Canada. Please think about

the life transforming impact the Word of God has had in your life and give prayerful consideration and to how you might respond and bring ‘life’ to others. If you have any questions or would like to discuss giving opportunities further please don’t hesitate to call. Tel: (888) 428-7786

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Domination Campaigns

As touched on in the introduction, Bus Stop Bible Studies recently launched its first series of ‘domination campaigns’ (five TTC buses). A domination campaign is where we purchase ALL the advertising space inside a bus or streetcar. Imagine, if you will, getting on a bus and seeing no other advertising—just panels displaying the Word of God!

Buses come in different sizes and configurations but display an average of 16-17 panels per bus. Streetcars can accommodate 24-panels.

Domination campaigns start at $2,495 (varies by transit company). This covers production costs and advertising space for a period of approximately 5-1/2 months (16-weeks paid + 8-weeks bonus, subject to space availability).

Domination campaigns are an ideal means for churches and Christian businesses to promote themselves. No competing advertising to distract the reader.

Watch out for TTC buses T1777, T1778, T8361, T8362 and T8372. Please send us photos if you have the opportunity.

Recent designs

Individual studies can be sponsored for a tax-deductible donation starting at only $69. Please go to the website for details.

We love our volunteers!

Sheryl Schultz, an operator with Calgary Transit, rented a booth at the Multicultural Christian Trade Show in North East Calgary in May to promote Bus Stop Bible Studies. We are so grateful to Sheryl (left) and the other volunteers, Andrea (right) and Rick. Sheryl read about the ministry in our anniversary newsletter in Faith Today magazine. They are excitedly looking forward to signing up their first sponsors!