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Two unconventional missionaries document their experiences in Travel the Road

Kicking off its third season on Trinity Broadcasting Network this month, the reality-TV adventure Travel the Road picks up where season two left off in Afghanistan and moves south, into Africa, among the most dangerous war zones on earth. Led by extreme missionaries Tim Scott and Will Decker, the half-hour Saturday night show features the footage of their gospel-spreading expeditions across the globe, from the leech-infested jungles of Southeast Asia to the frozen steppes of Siberia.

Since it first aired in 2003, Travel the Road has been through 55 nations. Capturing their experiences on a small handheld camera, Scott and Decker believe the gospel message should know no bounds. Scott, 29, speculates the show has inspired tens of thousands of viewers to take a missions trip.

“We’re in a generation where younger people are so willing [to do anything], even willing to give their lives,” Scott told Charisma. “You see them doing extreme sports and all of these [wild] things. How much more could be [accomplished] if we can get this generation to live that abandoned for the Lord?”

Scott’s missionary partner, 33-year-old Decker, believes the success of the show is due not only to its high adventure but also to the impact of the supernatural. “I have literally witnessed with my own eyes the power of God,” Decker says. “I have seen the sick healed, demonic possessions released, and above all the power of salvation filling the hearts of many.”

Before becoming an award-winning TV series, Travel the Road had its roots in Scott’s own journey. As a 19-year-old, the Colorado native had ambitions of moving to New York and becoming a stockbroker. But he says a missions trip to the Czech Republic in 1998 changed those plans. “I kind of had one of those moments [and saw] two ways that I could go in life.”

Scott says he struggled with the raw realities of surrendering his own plans for what he knew in his heart was God’s calling—preaching the gospel, even if it meant death. “I [decided I would] rather live 30 years full out for God on this earth, than 80 years of thinking what could have been.”

For Decker, who became a Christian during their initial expedition in 1998 that was not filmed for TV, the radical call to lay down one’s life for Christ is answered through action. “You only get one chance to live this life, so don’t waste it on regret,” he says. “Don’t sit around and think if you should or shouldn’t be a person of action. Take faith and be bold.”
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

The PBS program Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly will be airing a series of special reports this month on the homosexual ordination controversy. With a showdown looming between the U.S. Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion over theological issues, including homosexuality and scriptural interpretation, Religion & Ethics will be on location in New Orleans as Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams meets with U.S. Episcopal bishops to discuss whether a church schism can be averted.

Sky Angel plans to dramatically change the way it delivers multichanneled television. During the next year, the TV delivery system will phase out dishes in order to send its 30-plus channels into homes via broadband Internet. The process, which is called Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), requires high-speed Internet and a small set-top box. With both accessories, transitioning subscribers will be able to access Sky Angel programming by way of a traditional TV set, personal computer or handheld instrument.

Billed as a faith-based version of MTV, Daystar television’s new program Soundcheck airs live performances from bands such as Skillet, BarlowGirl, Pillar, Ayiesha Woods and The Afters. Co-hosted by Jonathan, Rachel and Rebecca Lamb, the children of Daystar founders Marcus and Joni Lamb, Soundcheck also features candid one-on-one interviews with some of Christian music’s most popular artists.

FeedBack

My Turn

Thank you for such an encouraging article about women in ministry (“Make Way for the Women” by Maureen D. Eha, June). Many times I felt called to ministry and ran into so many obstacles that I pretty much gave up.

When I was in my early 20s, I was asked to share my testimony at a church. When I showed up, the pastor said God told him to give me the service. Well, I had already written a Bible study on the fear of God and I started preaching on that.

The response was overwhelming, with people running up to the front of the church for prayer. It freaked me out. God moved powerfully, but the next day when I shared this with my pastor, he said I shouldn’t have preached! He made me feel as if I had done something dreadfully wrong.

Thankfully today I’m attending a church where the senior pastor, Steve Gray, believes in empowering women. His wife, Kathy, is a dynamic example of a female minister. They mentored me for several years when I was on staff and totally turned my view of ministry around. Now I serve in several volunteer positions and I’m empowered to be all God wants me to be.

My heart goes out to the millions of women who have a passionate desire to minister but have no support. Your article shows it can be done and leaves us without any excuses.
Leilani Haywood
Kansas City, Missouri

Defining True Worship

In your recent article about the David Crowder Band (“It’s a Worship Revolution” by Chad Bonham, July), the writer made an important point that needs to be emphasized. Please don’t call all church music “worship”—it is “worship music.”
Music certainly is one element of worship. But just because there is music does not mean there is true worship. I recall my surprise some time ago when I went to a worship conference and found that it actually was a conference for musicians.
Dick Parvin
Clearwater, Florida

The Gender Factor

I was saddened that those who do not hold to the egalitarian view of women’s roles in the church were slandered as chauvinistic in your recent cover story (“Make Way for the Women” by Maureen D. Eha, June). This is loaded language that does not help the debate. It dismisses those with a different view as having a wrong motivation.

Some Christians believe men and women have role distinctions. I know the women portrayed in the article. They are great women of God. However, to portray one’s opponents as chauvinistic is a bold power assertion that has no place in the argument.
Daniel Juster, director
Tikkun International
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Take a look at the seven women on the cover of Charisma in June. You are praising them as teachers and preachers. Do you really believe the Bible is true? If you do, you do not follow its teaching. The Bible says women should remain in silence and be keepers of the home.
Herman C. Quillin
Fort Blackmore, Virginia

As women who study the Bible and attend weekly Sabbath services, we question the validity of the ministries these women say God called them to. This is diametrically opposed to the scriptural directives Paul wrote to Timothy.

We would like to encourage women everywhere who seek the truth of God’s Word to accept what it says to them. For then and only then can they truly belong to Him.
Annette Scott and Rosa Lathon
Flint, Michigan

There is a subject I want to get on my soapbox about. Too many Christian women are wearing low-cut necklines. Even those in ministry are modeling them.

I love style and well-dressed women, but a plunging neckline is not what I believe Paul had in mind when he said women should dress modestly.

It makes me sick how these women are just copying the world. It grieves me to see Christian women who are leaders yet are poor examples in this area.
Tilly Walz
Huron, South Dakota

Ten and even 20 years ago there were not a lot of men coming to church. Mostly women with small children would come and go to the altar for prayer. Therefore, God raised up women in the church. Then the Promise Keepers movement came along encouraging men to get into the Word and become godly men.

Today, we are struggling in churches with controlling male chauvinists who want more control instead of asking what God wants. The Father does not look at gender. He is releasing more women to rise up and pray and prophesy in church.
Bonnie Olson
via e-mail

Randy and Paula White

It’s interesting that people seem to be overlooking the fact that Paula and Randy White are “media moguls” (“Trouble in Tampa Bay,” Charisma Online, June). They have television shows, tapes and books. Their wealth does not come only from inside the church.

If they didn’t have a church, they would still be extraordinarily wealthy! There are simply some people in this world who will be wealthy.
name withheld

Regarding wealthy church leaders, doesn’t the Bible say we are to live modestly? This is very confusing. God does bless, but it seems a lot of emphasis is placed these days only on financial blessings. I don’t know what to think because there is conflicting teaching using the Scriptures for each viewpoint.
Robyn Mulkins
Duluth, Georgia

Down on Israel

I was disappointed with the June issue of Charisma, which contained a section about travel to Israel. I thought your focus was the Great Commission. Are Christians supposed to supply the tourists that Israel needs to bolster its economy?

Jews, Muslims and all people need the gospel, and it is our responsibility to see that they receive it. You seem concerned that Christ will reject unbelieving Israel, yet you forget the Palestinian believers who are brethren in Christ.

It is time to get off this prophetic kick. Our first responsibility is to fellow believers (both Jewish and gentile) and not to unbelieving Israel.
W. Herbert Woolley
Cantonment, Florida

Is Israel the “Holy Land,” or is it just plain dirt that Jesus told His disciples to shake off their sandals? If Jesus were ministering on the earth today, He would turn over the tables of Christian leaders who are making so much money hawking the very thing He said to leave behind. So much is spent for the welfare of the Jews, but almost nothing is spent to spread the gospel of salvation.

Many people are led to believe that they can be blessed only if they make a trip to the Holy Land. The poor and the rest of us who are left behind have only Jesus.
Curt Vieselmeyer
Boise, Idaho

There is no way that I as a Christian could support President Bush’s Roadmap to Peace. He was lying when he said giving Gaza to the Palestinians would make them more peaceful. It has only placed more Israelis in danger.

Bush is dangerously naive, and Condoleezza Rice should refuse to be his secretary of state. I applaud Colin Powell for refusing to be part of his war or diplomacy.
Evelyn Harrington
Kokomo, Indiana

Condoleezza’s Problem

How does one explain the “quiet faith” of Condoleezza Rice and her longtime membership in the Council on Foreign Relations (“The Faith of Condoleezza Rice” by Leslie Montgomery, June). The goal of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an atheistic, one-world government.

You cannot serve two masters. Either Rice is a deceived Christian or she knows exactly what her membership in the CFR requires of her.
Bob Nesbit
Owatonna, Minnesota

Where Does Obama Stand?

In response to Final Word by Stephen Strang, April, I agree we can’t say Barack Obama is Muslim just because his father was. But we do need to be careful not to assume someone is a Christian just because they say they are. We can’t judge their souls, but we can check their fruit. Where do our prospective leaders stand on abortion, gay marriage and other issues? Being a Christian isn’t just a title; it’s a lifestyle choice.
Becky King
Ashland, Illinois

Hurricane Warning

Fire in My Bones (J. Lee Grady, July) was very timely. He mentioned that he loves the new worship bands on the scene but that he had been having some unusual times of intimacy with God while singing from an old Baptist hymnal he has owned since childhood. I can relate because of the lyrics in my memory bank from years of singing from the hymnal.
Myra Buffkin
Merritt Island, Florida

Study: Young People Find Happiness in God

A recent study found that young people who said they were spiritual or religious were happier than those who said they were not spiritual or religious.

A recent study found that young people between ages 13 and 24 who said they were spiritual or religious were happier than those who said they were not spiritual or religious. Sponsored by the Associated Press (AP) and MTV, the report showed that 80 percent of those who said they were religious said they were happy compared to only 60 percent of those who said their faith was not important to them. “If you believe God is helping you, then everything else isn't as important and you can trust that there's somebody there for you no matter what,” Molly Luksik, a 21-year-old from Chicago, told the AP. “Just going to church and everything … it's very calming, and everyone is nice.” About 75 percent of the young people said that God affected their happiness while 90 percent surveyed said their happiness was partially controlled by them. “I think you do have control over how you are going to feel on a particular day,” said David Mueller of Lockport, N.Y., a 20-year-old college student who attends an evangelical Christian megachurch called The Chapel. “When it comes to events in your whole life, it's already somewhat laid out for you. You can stray off to another path. But where God wants you to go, you are going to get there,” he said.

Pastor Speaks at the United Nations

Ukraine-based pastor recently spoke at the United Nations, discussing how churches can become part of the solution for global problems such as poverty, health and conflict.

Ukraine-based pastor Sunday Adelaja spoke at the United Nations Aug. 23, discussing how churches can become part of the solution for global problems such as poverty, health and conflict. Speaking twice, including during an open meeting attended by ministers in New York, Adelaja told delegates that Christians have the potential to transform society. “The values that Jesus brought should not be limited to the four walls of the church,” Adelaja told Charisma. “These values actually could be used to help in transforming the society in the area of poverty alleviation, even up to the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East. The values of Jesus are not merely the values of churches. Values are something general; everyone can relate to values of love, peace, patience, kindness, meeting the needs and resolving poverty issues.” Pastor of Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations in Kiev, Ukraine, Adelaja is well known throughout Europe for his church’s work to meet social needs and influence culture. Members of his 25,000-strong church, commonly known as God’s Embassy, were involved in the Orange Revolution, a series of protests in 2004 that resulted in the election of West-leaning Viktor Yushchenko as president. Adelaja said he hopes to encourage churches to play a more visible role in addressing global challenges. “We have something to bring on board,” he said, “and we would like to partner to bring relief to the crises of our world.”

New Life Church Elects New Pastor

On Monday Brady Boyd was elected senior pastor of New Life Church, receiving 95 percent of the votes. This ended the church's 10-month search to replace Ted Haggard.

Dallas pastor Brady Boyd has been elected senior pastor of New Life Church. The congregation's 95 percent vote for Boyd Monday, Aug. 27, ended a 10-month search that began last November after founding pastor Ted Haggard stepped down amid allegations he solicited a male escort and purchased illegal drugs. “This is a great day for New Life Church,” said Boyd, 40, who was an associate senior pastor at Gateway Church in suburban Southlake, Texas. “All of us are excited about writing the next chapter together. God has great plans for New Life and for Colorado Springs, and my family and I are humbled that we get to be a part of this great team.” As a pastoral candidate Boyd spoke at a series of services through-out August answering questions and assuring the congregation of his character. “I don't have any moral failures in my past, no bones in my closet,” Boyd said during his first sermon Aug. 12, the Rocky Mountain News reported. “I have sinned, but I am not a failure.” Boyd said he was willing to rebuild the reputation of the church whose membership has fallen from 14,000 to 10,000 since Haggard resigned. Rob Brendle, New Life associate pastor, said Boyd was a man of character and the church was looking forward to new beginnings. “We're grateful to Brady for his willingness to serve our church family, and we're grateful to God for sustaining us over the last 10 months,” the Associated Press reported. “We look forward to a bright future serving our community and loving one another.”

Pro-Lifers Oppose New Abortion Clinic With 40-Day Prayer Vigil

As part of a 40-day prayer vigil, a pro-life group scheduled a public protest for Aug. 25 to oppose the opening of one of the nation's largest Planned Parenthood facilities.

Pro-Lifers Oppose Abortion Clinic With Prayer Vigil

A pro-life group scheduled a public protest for Saturday, Aug. 25, at a brand-new abortion clinic in Aurora, Ill., as part of an around-the-clock, 40-day prayer vigil the group has maintained since Aug. 9. Led by Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, the prayer vigil and protest are attempts by the group to stop the opening of what would be one of the nation's largest Planned Parenthood facilities. “Churches of all denominations from throughout the Chicago area are taking part in the 40-Day vigil, which is already bringing forth miracles of conversion in the community,” said Eric Scheidler, communication director for the Pro-Life Action League. The vigil has drawn Christian groups together to pray, fast and participate in sidewalk counseling. Organizers said their efforts would continue through the clinic’s scheduled opening on Sept 18. Scheidler noted the “Gemini Medical Office Building”—which some call the “Abortion Fortress” due to its high brick walls, bulletproof glass and numerous security cameras—was a name Planned Parenthood used to intentionally veil Aurora’s residents from the construction of the clinic. “Planned Parenthood snuck into our town—neither the city of Aurora nor many of the contractors working on the building knew what it really was,” said Scheidler, an Aurora resident. “Now they're going to try to sneak into our schools, drive a wedge between parents and children, and begin killing unborn babies here,” he said. “Not without a fight.” Hundreds of people have shown up at the abortion clinic to pray and Scheidler said he is optimistic to see the prayer effort expand. “This is the most powerful grass-roots pro-life effort I've ever seen,” he said. “We can scarcely keep track of the prayer pledges coming in.” The prayer vigil is also being promoted by local and national pro-life groups including the Illinois chapter of Concerned Women of America, Illinois Citizens for Life, Illinois Right to Life, Priests for Life and Operation Rescue. The National Organization for Women (NOW) has promised to counter-protest.

Photo By: Eric Scheidler

More than 7,000 Students Answer Missionary Call

At the U.S. Assembly of God youth conference, 7,000 young people answered the call to become missionaries on their middle and high school campuses.

This year at the U.S. Assembly of God (AG) annual youth conference “Indy07—Experience the Dream,” more than 7,000 young people answered the call to become missionaries on their middle and high school campuses. AG National Youth Director Jay Mooney said students were challenged to join the AG vision to reach 1 million American teenagers and graft them into a local church by the end of 2015. “These students are the on-campus pastors and evangelists to America’s most strategic mission field—the middle and secondary school campuses,” Mooney said. “Leaders, we no longer can do youth ministry as normal. We need to be challenging and equipping our students to become youth in ministry.” Sessions were held throughout the week to help students develop their ministry gifts and equip them to be effective missionaries on their campuses. Thomas E. Trask, the former AG general superintendent, appeared via satellite and charged the students who had committed to becoming on-campus missionaries and AG local and foreign missionaries with a commission to evangelize the world. The students were also given Bibles that included tips for on-campus missions. “Our students aren’t just the future church—they are the church. If Christianity is to come alive in America, it will take students reaching students!” said Rick Lorimer, the AG’s student missions director. Some of the students said they not only learned how to be on-campus missionaries but gained hands-on experience during their week in Indianapolis by participating in projects such as rebuilding homes, working with children through block parties and sports camps, and helping to feed the poor. “This is helping me to serve other people and share with other people about God,” said Jade Roberts, a student from Thornton, Colo. “It’s teaching me how I can go home and [serve there], too.”

Billy Graham Admitted To Hospital

Billy Graham is resting in the hospital in fair condition after suffering two episodes of intestinal bleeding. He was admitted Saturday after the initial occurrence.

World-renowned evangelist Billy Graham, 88, is resting in the hospital in fair condition after being admitted this past Saturday for intestinal bleeding. He was stable after undergoing an upper endoscopy and a bleeding scan at the Mission Health & Hospitals in Asheville, N.C., near his home. On Monday he experienced a second episode of intestinal bleeding in which he remained conscious and quickly stabilized. Graham’s doctors said that the intestinal bleeding could be attributed to diverticuli, small pouches that can form in the lower intestine. When irritated they can suddenly begin bleeding. The physicians said the illness was not life-threatening, and Graham’s staff noted that the elderly evangelist was alert and visiting with family members in the hospital. There is currently no date set for his release, as he will remain in the hospital for ongoing care. Graham experienced intestinal bleeding during a 1995 crusade in Toronto, according to The Associated Press, and because he now suffers with Parkinson’s disease and age-related macular degeneration, Graham has been mostly confined to his North Carolina home in the mountains.

Christian Leaders Arrested in Egypt

Unprecedented, high-profile actions of a Muslim-turned-Christian journalist provokes arrests, death threats and widespread anti-Christian sentiment.

Egyptian police recently arrested the leader of a Christian rights group after he made supportive and highly conspicuous contact with a controversial Muslim convert to Christianity, reported watchdog Compass Direct News.

Officials from the State Security Investigation (SSI), Egypt’s security police, reportedly bound and blindfolded Dr. Adel Fawzy Faltas, 61, while ransacking his home in Cairo’s Zamalek neighborhood and confiscating multiple computers along with other items.

Faltas is president of the Egyptian branch of the Middle East Christian Association (MECA), a Canada-based religious liberties and human rights group. Also arrested with Faltas was his co-worker at MECA, Peter Ezzat, while the rest of MECA’s leaders went into hiding, Compass reported.

The arrests were apparently attributable in part to Faltas’ recent advocacy on behalf of Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy, a Muslim-turned-Christian journalist and political activist who days earlier had filed suit in Egypt to legally change his identification card to Christian. Read More

Federal Judge Dismisses Tax-Evasion Indictment Against Evangelist Morris Cerullo

The San Diego Judge said federal prosecutors and Internal Revenue Service agents misled the grand jury.

A California judge has dismissed the tax evasion indictment filed against evangelist Morris Cerullo in July 2005. In his Aug. 8 ruling, San Diego federal Judge Roger T. Benitez said federal prosecutors and Internal Revenue Service agents misled the grand jury on the primary legal issue in the case by not telling them that the donor’s intent determines whether money given to ministers is taxable earned income or a nontaxable gift. “The grand jury asked repeatedly how to distinguish a gift from earnings,” Benitez wrote in his decision. “It was incumbent on the prosecutor to correctly inform the grand jury as to the Supreme Court's approach to this penultimate question. Yet, the prosecutor and the revenue agent witnesses failed to tell the grand jury that the donor's intent is the most critical factor.” Benitez said the case, which was scheduled to go to trial Aug. 21, could not proceed because the misleading information had compromised the grand jury. In July 2005, Cerullo was indicted for allegedly filing false tax returns between 1998 and 2000, and under-reporting his income by $550,000 during that time. Benitez said prosecutors argued that all the money Cerullo received from preaching engagements was earned income. But the givers’ intent was never determined because prosecutors never interviewed any donors.