Our Founder Writes

Interest in the ministry of Christian books and Bibles has changed. In fact, my observation is that it has changed significantly. When I was a student in the late 1950's and 60's there were few Christian bookstores in the States. All of us Western Christians pretty much understood what it was like not to have easy access to a good Christian book. However, we also knew that with effort we could get any Christian book we wanted, perhaps by mail order or by a 50 mile drive to the nearest Christian bookstore.

We understood that apart from literature, the Iron Curtain was difficult to penetrate with the Good News of Jesus Christ. And we knew that the Communists were pouring their high quality literature into the West and into the developing countries. We were fighting for the minds and spirits of mankind and we vigorously used literature to do it.

But something wonderful was happening. Radio was penetrating the Curtain. It became missions' communications media of choice. Little by little literature, except for Bible distribution, slipped into the background.

Today Christian bookstores are numerous in Western English-speaking nations making it more difficult for us to relate to lands where books are not available. The Wall has been torn down; the Curtain no longer exists; and radio is covering the globe with the Good News. These are wonderful things, but they may have blinded us to the need.

In lands of poverty where English is spoken, many Pastors have no books other than a Bible and a hymnbook. Even the Pastor's single Bible is not a study Bible. Children have no Bible story books. Indigenous missionaries have nothing to leave with new converts so they can read and grow. Even seminarians, the upcoming Christian leaders of emerging nations, have no books. They study from photocopied notes. Their seminary or Bible school may not even have a library!

These are not imaginary situations; they are the reality of the twenty-first century. How can a church that is exploding remain true to the teachings of Jesus if it cannot study what He taught? How can Pastors understand and teach the depths of the Word without being able to read what the Church Fathers learned through struggle and prayer? How can the Church avoid becoming cultist without books? How can their culture gain the salt of Christianity if the salt shaker is empty?

We Westerners need to step up to the plate. We need to partner with the Church in lands where life is very difficult and Bibles and Christian books are financially out of reach. That's the mission of Oasis International. Why not join us!

Edward Elliott, Chair