Curt's Story Full

Early in 1993, I attended a series of Bible prophecy meetings that completely changed my life. I’ll never forget how it felt to sit in the Crystal Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada, night after night. Most evenings I rushed downtown after my last class at the University of Victoria, barely making it in time for the presentation.
 
I hardly remember anything I learned in my classes that semester, but the truths I learned at that seminar profoundly shaped the rest of my life. In fact, that seminar is the reason I’m sitting at my desk writing to you today.
 
I learned about the prophecy seminar from my friend, Kevin, who received a brochure in the mail. I was living with my parents at the time, so it’s unlikely I would have known about the meetings unless someone told me about them. When Kevin (who later became my brother-in-law) told Shawn and me about the brochure he received, we were both intrigued. Intrigued enough to attend and listen.
 
The Holy Spirit spoke to us, and at the end of the meetings, Shawn and I were baptized. “Double-dipped” I like to call it, because our pastor baptized us at the same moment, lowering us into the water together. Yes, he’s a strong guy!
 
This past March, as I sat in the Revelation Speaks Peace meetings we held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the memories of my first series washed over me. Looking around the crowded auditorium, I imagined the life journeys of each person. Individuals from all age groups and walks of life were prompted by the Holy Spirit to attend and draw closer to Jesus—there was an electricity in the air.
 
A Tale of Two Stories
Curt was one of the guests who attended the Revelation Speaks Peace meetings each night in Minneapolis. Like Shawn and me, he learned about the meetings from a friend who received a brochure in the mail. Their conversation went virtually the same way as the one we’d had with Kevin 22 years earlier: “You study your Bible and are interested in Bible prophecy. Would you like to come to these meetings with me?” Curt was intrigued—just as we were—and his answer was an emphatic “Yes!”
 
Already a student of the Bible, Curt hungered to know more about the book of Revelation and Christ’s soon return. His earnest, soul-searching question was, “Will I be ready for that moment?” As Shawn explained Revelation and Daniel, Curt says, “I could feel the importance of being ready for those [end] times.”
 
Curt was a Christian, but he also had lots of questions when he walked into our Revelation Speaks Peace meetings. He was puzzled because what he read in his Bible often differed from what he heard and read from mainstream churches.
 
“Shawn did a really nice job,” he said, “of answering the questions that I had. [Questions like] why certain things are ignored or why certain things are commonplace among so many different religions. [Shawn] did a masterful job teaching us where to find the answers in the Bible, and answering the questions that are so hard to find answers to in today’s religions.”
 
A Rich Harvest of Ripe Berries
For Curt and thousands more like him, our Revelation Speaks Peace series arrived exactly when he was searching for answers. The timing was not accidental because God always arrives first. When we begin work in a city, we believe God has placed us there for that precise time and season, and that He has prepared specific “ripe berries.” These “ripe berries” are individuals who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and are eager for answers.
 
Our mission is to reach those individuals who are eagerly seeking Him. That is why evangelism has always been—and will continue to be—at the heart of all we do.
 
Every year, we host a large-scale Bible prophecy series in a major urban center. This year, it was Minneapolis. While they’re a labor of love, these events require a huge time and financial investment.
 
We could not have done this without the faithful support of people like you. So how, exactly, did we use the money you entrusted to us? Was it really worth all the time and expense? Were lives truly changed?
 
Here’s What We Did
Months before the event, we were hard at work preparing the ground for the harvest. We sent out thousands of cards to people in Minneapolis inviting them to sign up for our Discover Bible School lessons. We also trained local church members to follow up and give Bible studies to the more than 1,500 people who responded.
 
Your gifts also allowed us to purchase prominent TV, radio and print advertising; mail personal invitations to the entire city; and provide Bibles, Bible study guides and other resources to the thousands of registrants from the community. Not only that, but our film crew recorded each evening’s presentation. These have now been packaged into a fresh, just-released Revelation Speaks Peace DVD resource, for countless more people to enjoy.
 
In Minneapolis, more than 2,500 registered guests were introduced to the life-saving truths from God’s Word. And just like Shawn and I did 22 years ago, many individuals and families decided to be baptized at the end of the series.
 
Ongoing Outreach
Just a few weeks ago, we returned to Minneapolis for a reunion rally where we reconnected with Curt and our other new friends from the series. It was exciting to see how God is still working in the hearts and lives of people in Minneapolis. Follow-up efforts and baptisms have continued since Revelation Speaks Peace concluded, and we are beginning to see the incredible ripple effects of this series.
 
Thank you for making a difference. Without you, thousands of people like Curt would still be searching for answers to life’s most troubling questions.
 
People everywhere are desperately searching for answers, and they seem to be more responsive to the good news of the Gospel now than at any other time in the recent past. The investment needed to acquaint one person with the Good News is just $160—which includes all the free resources they receive. That is just $13 a month to introduce someone to Jesus this year! I believe it is a very good investment! If faithful believers hadn’t supported the series in my home city, it is quite likely I’d be living a vastly different life right now.
 
We are committed to replicating the Minneapolis experience in other urban centers. In fact, plans for the next few years include major citywide campaigns in Seattle, Denver and Indianapolis, and a unique partnership with pastors in more than 65 churches in Maryland and Delaware during 2016.
 
After his baptism earlier this year, Curt had a special message for you! “I thank the Voice of Prophecy ministry and all the people who had a hand in putting this together. It was just an incredible, incredible time.”
 
Thank you for your prayers and support. Because of you, Curt’s life will never be the same. Please prayerfully consider making a gift today to support our Bible prophecy programs. Your support ensures that thousands more people like Curt will have the opportunity to learn about Jesus and be ready to meet Him when He returns.
 
I’m living proof that your gift has the power to change lives. A gift of just $13 per month will provide the opportunity to introduce one more person to Jesus. Thank you for making a difference.
 
As I look at future plans, I’m especially excited about our 2017 series in Seattle, Washington. Right across the Puget Sound is where Shawn and I first attended meetings! It’s a privilege to witness God bringing our life journey full circle and allowing us to host meetings in the Pacific Northwest—the birthplace of our own faith conversions.
 
What an awesome God we serve!
 
Your sister in Christ,
 
Jean Boonstra
Associate Speaker

P.S. To listen to Curt tell his story just click here.