Dear Readers, I'm happy to hear that the Word for You Today continues to grow in Canada. Eight years ago we printed our first 3,000 copies in Britain. Only God knew how it would grow. This quarter we published approximately 1.5 million copies in 25 different languages. To God be the Glory! You couldn't have better leaders than my friends Gary and Pam. These gifted people not only have great experience in Christian Radio, they also have the vision and the stick-to-it-iveness to get the job done. You are truly blessed to have them. Everything great starts with something small - and one other thing - people committed to its success. God never calls a man by himself, he always calls others to stand with him. That's how visions are fulfilled. Paul wrote to a very special group and told them "You have become my partners in spreading the good news." (Phillippians 4:3 NLT) What a thrill it was to learn that UCB Canada is about to break through with it's first Christian Radio Station. Isn't God good? Every national network begins with one station. Every station begins with a group of partners, committed to spreading the news, praying for its success, and supporting it with its finances. I pray that the Lord will lay it on your heart to become a partner with Gary and Pam in giving birth to this great Christian Radio Station. David wrote, "The Lord gave the Word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it." (Psalm 68:11) Canada desperately needs God. We have the answer, "The Word." Today I encourage you to join the company of those who proclaim it and let's build this station to the Glory of God. Your friend, Bob Gass

ABOUT BOB GASS

Bob Gass was born in Ireland and emmigrated to America at age 17. Bob Gass Ministries is international in scope and purpose. This former pastor is well known on Christian television and around the world as a dynamic preacher. Bob currently serves as a director of United Christian Broadcasters in Great Britain. His quarterly devotional The Word For You Today is loved and read by over one million readers. Debby Gass was born in Ireland too, and grew up in the same church where Bob received his call to the ministry. Besides project managing and editing The Word For You Today, Debby is also a contributing author.

Bob and his wife Debby, reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THIS DEVOTIONAL

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
A popular daily devotional written by an Irishman living in the United States, has touched millions of lives around the world.

"The Word for Today" - "The Word For You Today" in the United States - is penned by Bob Gass, who come from Northern Ireland and now lives in Roswell, Georgia, Gass began writing :The Word For Today: in 1990 and now millions of free copies are distributed each year.

Bob Gass explained, "We want to introduce people to Jesus and make Him real in their lives, and also to offer practical solutions to everyday living."

EUROPE

UCB Europe, Britains's first national Christian radio station, is getting the "The Word for Today" into the hands of nearly 500,000 people in Western Europe.

Ian Mackie, Managing Director of UCB Europe, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent in the UK, says that it believes the distribution of the devotional will "sow seeds of faith" and help "change the lives of people."

"There is such a spiritual hunger within these European nations.

We need to show the people that God is interested in their lives and wants to help them cope with the daily pressures we all encounter."

Ian Mackie added, "This is exactly what this devotional does. It scratches where people are itching and it gives them a simple story point into understanding the Bible and how they can apply these Biblical truths."

He went on to say that "on a global basis, the devotional is now read in hard copy and on the Internet by over one million people with ever increasing quantities being distributed in Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Romania, just to name a few."

CHINA

Even China has been blessed with this devotional as many of Chinese massive Christian population that might be as high as 60-80 million, now have access, via the Internet, to "The Word for Today." This Bible teaching Internet project for Mainland China is a joint development between UCB International based in Auckland, New Zealand, and Asian Outreach International, which is based in Hong Kong.

NEW ZEALAND

In New Zealand, through the Rhema Broadcasting Group, the devotional has been a great help to many people. Don McLean from Tauranga wrote to the radio station saying, "I wish to thank you for what stations Rhema, Southern Star and "The Word For Today" has meant to us, especially to my wife Ruth who recently went to be with her Lord. My wife, after a brain operation, was for 36 years left totally blind and was not able to see light. Many times she would say, 'The Lord is a light unto me'. "The Word for Today" has on several times had a personal word of encouragement such as the day I was to have open heart surgery on and also the day my dear wife departed this life."

AUSTRALIA

Stewart Pearce of Dalby, Queensland, Australia, wrote that he uses "The Word for Today" as part of his daily devotions. "At the beginning of 1998, I was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, but had some relief treatment at Queensland Radium Institute, Brisbane. God in his love and mercy, at the prayer requested and the support of my church, has taken it all away and the doctors have declared me free," he said.

"For some weeks before my doctor's appointment was due, I was becoming worried that some of the symptoms may have been returning and a spirit of fear was growing. There was a lot of negativity around me, which was discouraging. On the morning of June 2 (1998) I read what was a 'word for me." Guess what happened? My fear fell off and my confidence returned as I took hold of the 'beautiful promise of God.' I had to race out and find someone to share my good news. Thank you so much as I cannot find words to explain what your message has meant to me. May "The Word for Today" remain until Jesus comes."

THAILAND

The devotional has even reached into a Karen refugee camp in North West Thailand on the Burmese border at the side of the Salween River.

Wayne Curham, New Zealand director for Open Doors and his wife Mary tell the story of visiting a Spirit filled Baptist minister, Pastor Gaucho, who in 1995 had to flee his village at night as the Burmese came across one night and set alight the homes with people sleeping inside them. Pastor Gaucho escaped with only the sarong he was wearing. He told Wayne and Mary with sadness, "I even lost my Bible and all my study notes."

He then showed Wayne the only means of personal devotional help he has other than a new copy of the Bible. It was a very worn copy of "The Word For You Today" by Bob Gass that a woman from Tauranga had given to him.

Source:
"Challenge Weekly"
New Zealand
October 25, 2001

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