No, it’s not a misprint. With so much talk in the political arena about the Economic Stimulus Package, the word “evangelistic” above might appear to be a mistake. On February 13, 2008, President Bush signed into law HR 5140, the Economic Stimulus Acts of 2008. The objective of the law, as the name implies, is to stimulate the economy. One way this will be done is to send tax rebate checks—approximately $120 billion, directly to individuals, in hopes they will spend it. You may visit www.whitehouse.gov for specific details, but the package will pay $600 to most individual taxpayers (with adjusted gross income of less than $75,000). Married taxpayers (filing jointly, with adjusted gross income of less than $150,000) will receive $1200. In addition, there is a $300 per child tax credit. Thus, a married couple earning $100,000 per year with three children will receive a check for $2100. Check-mailing will begin in May and continue through late spring and summer.

What has this to do with evangelism? The President hopes this unexpected money will be spent and stimulate the economy. We have a higher hope! We hope members of the Lord’s church will use it to stimulate evangelism. There’s nothing wrong with buying a flat panel TV with the money, but I suggest a greater option: use at least some of your rebate to reach souls with the gospel.

GBN now is reaching into over thirty million homes every day with the Good News Today program. This is an amazing stride toward doing what the Lord commanded in the Great Commission. This coverage also comes at an amazingly reasonable cost. Our hope and prayer are not only to maintain this good work, but also to expand it.

Who knows if this economic stimulus package might be an evangelistic stimulus provided by God? Millions of members of the Lord’s church will receive a rebate check in May and June. What will you do with yours?

Thank you.

04/24/08