October is EHC’s anniversary month. The ministry was launched in 1946 by Jack McAlister, a then 23-year-old pastor in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
He was deeply moved by the mandate given by Jesus to the church and felt the need to act on those words. He began by offering gospel literature to Canadians as an effective way to share the gospel message. This simple method quickly spread beyond Canada to other nations.
As he began to travel overseas, he saw the enormous populations to be reached compared to Canada. Convinced that the gospel message is for everyone everywhere, an every-home strategy grounded in prayer was launched in Japan in 1953. By then the organization was headquartered in the USA with the Canadian ministry operation serving as part of the international outreach.
This October marks 78 years of ministry, the extraordinary fruit of which can only be attributed to God’s grace at work through faithful partners.
We are humbled to have a part in what God is doing to gather people to himself from every tribe and every nation. Our hearts overflow with gratitude especially in this month of Thanksgiving. We say with Paul the Apostle, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)
From the beginning until today, EHC and its family of labourers have lived with challenges of all kinds, limited resources, political and economic upheaval, severe restriction in many nations, intense persecution of Christians, adversity and threats. Still, by God’s grace the word “acceleration” aptly describes what is taking place. An incredible volume of homes have been reached, positive responses have been followed up and Christ Groups have been established for the discipleship of new believers.
I invite you to join me in giving thanks to Lord for a great harvest. To him be all the glory!
- For ministry operations presently active in 165 nations, of which many endure extreme pressure, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the more than 2.6 billion homes reached with the gospel message, plus tens of millions more messages shared beyond homes, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the more than 300 million positive responses followed up, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the more than 470,000 Christ Groups established for the discipleship of new believers, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the present year’s monthly average of 457,000 participants in prayer and evangelism, largely volunteers, including Canada’s Messengers of Hope, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the immeasurable privilege of being participants in God’s work around the world, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For dedicated labourers, many of whom face down extreme circumstances without turning back, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For those who have served faithfully over the years and kept EHC moving forward in their generation, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For workers past and present, labouring diligently in EHC offices worldwide, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the countless partners who have supported EHC with financial gifts and fervent prayer since 1946, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For all that God will do and provide in the days ahead to meet the extraordinary needs of this growing work, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For the power of the gospel at work year after year, in life after life, in nation after nation, we give thanks to the Lord.
- For so great a salvation, we give thanks to the Lord.
Indeed, he has done “infinitely more” than we could have ever imagined.
