Monday, May 13, 2019

The end?



“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11a

With many things in life, God has a purpose that includes a beginning and an end. The same is true with Dedication Evangelism, the ministry of which this blog has been a part. After over 57 years, we believe that God’s purpose and plan for active outreach has come to a close.

Dedication Evangelism was founded in 1961 by Rev. David M. Virkler with a two-fold goal of Challenging Reapers (stirring the local church to rededication and greater outreach) and Harvesting Souls (reaching the lost through evangelism).

For 50 years, Dave preached in special meetings in churches, Bible camps and conferences throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. In 1964, the radio ministry of The Word And The World was launched. The broadcast, which focused each week on current issues and events in Biblical perspective, aired for 55 years in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The final broadcast of The Word And The World aired on Easter weekend. Print and audio resource materials and Internet outreach, including this blog, have also been long-time facets of the ministry.

The Lord took Dave Home to be with Himself in January of 2012, and the ministry was able to continue for seven years through broadcasting, resources and Internet outreach. However, financial difficulties and other circumstances led to the difficult decision that it was time to bring things to a close.

Our website will remain active for the near future. Articles and commentaries on a number of topics can be read there, and several weeks of broadcasts as well as messages by Dave Virkler can still be heard.

The time for official ministry has come to a conclusion. However, countless people’s lives have been transformed through its outreach. They, in turn, have had an impact on others. The story of Dedication Evangelism is still being written, and we will see the last chapter when we stand before the Lord in eternity.