Spread the Word
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’
—Romans 10:13–15
WHAT IS SPREAD THE WORD?
- There are over 7 billion people in this world.
- Over 4 billion people have never discovered a personal relationship with Christ.
- Nearly 3 billion have never even heard the name of Jesus.
- Every week over 1 million people die-the majority of whom have never heard of Jesus’ sacrifice for them.
Goal: Spread the Word is a North American missions avenue to enable youth to spread the Kingdom around the globe through financial giving.
Focus: Spread the Word gives specifically to tools for evangelism. This includes:
Cars–vans–trucks–buses–motorcycles–bicycles–boats–boat motors–trailers–tractors–four wheel drive vehicles–planes–handheld sound systems–portable PA systems–audiocassette duplicators–tape editing equipment–projectors–microphones–videocassette duplicators–mules–oxen and carts–camels–printed evangelistic materials
This could also include special projects with youth emphasis, such as youth centers etc., or other ministries that are having an enormous impact on world evangelism.
SPREAD THE WORD HISTORY AND VISION
Members of the YMT (Youth Ministry Team) of the Church of God wanted to create a lifestyle of tithing and giving within the culture of teenagers in the United States and Canada, and to provide teenagers with opportunities to support the evangelistic efforts and resourcing of Church of God missionaries and missions organizations on the field.
At IYC Denver in 2001, Spread the Word was launched with a record offering of over $100,000. In addition to IYC offerings, state and local youth ministries have continued to give through various projects each year. In the first ten years of STW, over $500,000 was raised, and tools for evangelism were sent to more than 35 countries on 6 continents.
IYC OFFERING TOTALS
2002 $100,000
2004 $90,000
2006 $65,000
2008 $50,776
2010 $53,843
2012 $56,005
2014 $65,829
2016 $39,484
2018 $37,337
STW ANNUAL REPORTS
BASIC INFORMATION
To date, over $840,000 has been given to Spread the Word. Tools for evangelism have been sent to 37 countries, on 6 continents.
THEME SCRIPTURE
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14–15)
UPDATE
IYC2018 STW
offering – $37,337
offering – $37,337
Donations by mail, make check
payable to Spread the Word and
mail to:
Spread the Word
Church of God Ministries
P.O. Box 2420
Anderson, IN 46018
payable to Spread the Word and
mail to:
Church of God Ministries
P.O. Box 2420
Anderson, IN 46018
RESOURCES
VIDEO
Click the title to view introductory video: “Spread the Word: What Is It?”
CURRICULUM
- Spread the Word: Series One Lessons
- Spread the Word: Series Two Lessons
- Spread the Word: Series Three Lessons
- Spread the Word Devotionals
- STW Small Groups
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
- STW Logos for web and print (To download a logo, right-click on the title and select Save Link As…. To view a logo, left-click on one of the JPG file names.)
- STW Logo—Orange & Yellow (JPG, 150 KB)
- STW Logo—Blue & Green(JPG, 155 KB)
HOW CAN YOU INCORPORATE SPREAD THE WORD INTO YOUR YOUTH MINISTRY?
- Take a weekly offering in your youth gathering designated for STW.
- Ask students to give up the cost of a cup of coffee or a meal to give to STW.
- Are your students going shopping for something new? Challenge them to go to a resale store to buy those special items, then give the extra money they would have spent to STW.
- Have your students collect spare change and send it each quarter to STW. Use piggy banks, have “Penny Wars,” or collect a mile of pennies.
- Give students opportunities to make donations to STW in honor or in memory of loved ones.
- Plan a fund raiser for STW—or better yet, let your students be creative in designing a fund raiser of their own.
- Already overwhelmed with various fund raisers for your ministry? Consider tithing 10% of your profits to STW.
