truth for life - 20 years
TRANSCRIPT
and tablets, and on podcast. Driven by the
desire to share the good news of the Gospel
without cost as a barrier, the ministry made
the entire Truth For Life teaching archive free
for download at its website in 2009.
Since then, over 55 million messages have
been downloaded! Encouraged by this
response, Truth For Life made access to all
of its CDs, DVDs, and books by Alistair Begg
available at cost, with no mark up, in 2011
and now routinely distributes over 10,000
resources each month!
In celebration of this milestone, Truth For Life
extends a grateful heart to the hundreds of
radio stations who broadcast the program
daily, to the thousands of men and women
who have partnered with the ministry
through prayer, letters of encouragement, and
financial support, and to God for His steadfast
faithfulness and providence.
Truth For Life celebrates 20 years of radio ministry.TRUTH FOR LIFE, THE BIBLE-TEACHING MINISTRY OF ALISTAIR BEGG, IS CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS DAILY RADIO BROADCAST.
It was on February 27, 1995 when Truth For
Life began airing its 25-minute daily program
on seven radio stations. Today, Truth For Life
can now be heard in every major radio market
across the U.S., and also in select Canadian
markets, through 1,655 radio outlets.
Throughout the years, Truth For Life has
drawn an ever-growing audience. The unique,
expositional teaching of Alistair Begg is now
internationally known as an inspiring source
for clear, relevant instruction rooted firmly in
the Scripture. Studying God’s Word each day,
verse by verse, is the hallmark of Truth For
Life’s ministry.
Passionate about seeing unbelievers
converted, believers established, and local
churches strengthened, Truth For Life
faithfully looks to God to proclaim His Truth
through the program and to transform the
lives of those who listen through His Spirit.
Today, millions around the world can access
the teaching of Alistair Begg without cost
online at truthforlife.org, through smartphones
Why do we give away teaching free and sell hard copies at cost?One reason really . . . we are passionate about proclaiming the Gospel! We believe that no truth is as dramatic, extraordinary, and profound as the reality that God sent His Son to save sinners. Therefore, it’s our great desire to remove any barrier, particularly cost, so that all can learn more about who Jesus is and why He came!
When we are thanked by listeners for making our archive free however, we really need to redirect this thanks to another group of people – our Truthpartners. Truthpartners are listeners from across the country and around the world who support the ministry financially each month and pray for God’s Word to go out through Truth For Life in a life-changing way. Truthpartners are vital members of our team and as we celebrate 20 years, it’s a privilege to thank and acknowledge them for their sustaining partnership.
Reflections on Twenty Years…Q&A WITH ALISTAIR BEGG AND TRUTH FOR LIFE PROGRAM ANNOUNCER BOB LEPINE. FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW, LISTEN TO TRUTH FOR LIFE FEBRUARY 27TH.
Bob: You go, chapter by chapter—actually verse by verse—through a book of
the Bible as you’re teaching. Do you think that verse by verse approach is still
a relevant approach for listeners today?
Alistair: Yes, I think that the exposition of Scripture and allowing Scripture to
unfold in the way in which it’s given to us in the Bible is very, very important. You
don’t read other books by just jumping around in them, especially where there’s
a sustained argument or a development of thought. The revelation of God has
been set out that way under the jurisdiction of God; therefore, it’s best understood in that
way.
Bob: Do you remember early on when you started to hear back from listeners—
that this was resonating with people and God was using it in their lives?
Alistair: Yes, but I think I realize it far more today than I did back then. In the
early days, we weren’t sure that it would be a sustainable thing, and so we were
grateful for every kind of encouragement that came along. When in a routine
week now, we are on the receiving end of all of these communications from all
over the place, now we can say, “Wow, yes, it really has touched lives and made an impact in
a way that we never, ever anticipated.”
Bob: To think that on any given day, in any given week, there are tens of thousands
of people who are listening to a sermon you may have preached 5 or 10 years
ago. That’s humbling isn’t it?
Alistair: Yes, it’s very humbling. That’s why I think it’s so vital for me that the
radio program comes from my pulpit—that all of the control factors are there
that are built into life in the local church.
Bob: The mission of this ministry is to teach the Bible with clarity and relevance
so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local
churches will be strengthened and built up. Can you unpack that mission a little
bit and why that’s such a priority?
Alistair: We found it helpful to decide what to rule in and rule out and, from the
beginning, to establish a line upon which we are seeking to walk. And it’s no
surprise that we took the line of the Gospel. So we decided to pray and work to
that specific end—that the material will serve each of those things.
Bob: As you look at where the church is today, and where young pastors are
today, are you more encouraged about where the church in America is going or
are you discouraged?
Alistair: I’m encouraged, as I go around, to realize that, in the midst of a culture
that is increasingly disinterested in these things, young men are really fastening
onto the fact that the Bible really does its work. And to encourage them not to
rely on a certain methodology or approach but that the confidence is actually in
the Scripture itself.
Bob: As you think back over the first 20 years, is there a story that stands out of
a listener being impacted by this ministry? Something that has encouraged you
to continue in what you’re doing?
Alistair: I’d have to really think about that long and hard, but I think I would
have to honestly say that what would form up in my mind is a mosaic of things.
Whether it is the widow or the widower or the teenager or whoever else it is, the
reach of the ministry is just this great amalgamation of God’s Truth penetrating
stony hearts.