My History With The Gospel Advocate
Is the Gospel Advocate influential in the churches of Christ? It all started with an article about mentioning in the church. I always read the Gospel Advocate, and considered it the most loved journal in the church. It has a long history of reporting the news as well as providing articles for the people of God. The publication has a historical background of influencing the church. So it was always my dream to have an article published by them. This was the “big time” for me. Only the best preachers in the church had this honor. So I wrote this article on mentoring and mentioned it to my personal mentor Burnice Wesbrooks from the Hartsville Pike church of Christ. He was well connected in the church and I believe he called Neil Anderson about me. This opened the door for me. The article was published. When I first saw this article in print, I went home and celebrated with my wife Charity. After this article, the Advocate published another article titled “More Than Sound–Healthy”. After this article was in print, a certain elder named Dale Darby called me for permission to print it within their bulletin. I said yes. A year late, he called me again and asked if I could come out and speak for the congregation on this topic. I had to decline because it was the month that Charity was due. But another year passed, and the Advocate published an article on “Non-Denominational” nature of the churches of Christ. After this article, a congregation in the Washington, DC area connected me to ask if I would be interested in trying out for the preaching position at the congregation. I went to the congregation and loved it, but ultimately turned it down because of another certain elder named Dale Darby. He connected me again after seeing this latest article. He asked if I would be interested in trying out for the position of preacher, but I told him I was super happy in Waynesboro. He said “good” and asked if I would come out anyway. Of course I said “yes” because I wanted to see the Rocky Mountains. This lead to me ultimately accepting the position in Castle Rock. I still remember the call I received from Phil Sanders. I ate lunch with Phil a couple of times, and as far as I was concerned he was “one of the biggest and best thinkers and preachers in the church.” I must admit I was super nervous talking to him. It was like “wow, Phil Sanders is calling me.” He asked me to write an article for a special section in the Advocate on the “Emergent Church.” This publication was the highest selling publication in a long while, if not ever. It was sold out. I wrote on the missional movement, which ended up causing me to think about this even further because I am writing my dissertation on this topic. Some of the missional stuff is bad but some of it is really helpful in reaching out to the community. It is like a fish, some meal and bones. This month I was published again with an article on “Tradition” and because of this article I was invited to speak at the Cold Harbor Lectureship. My mother-in-law called me recently and noted I was going to be at this lectureship. I said “yes” and she stated “The Gospel Advocate has been good to you.” I said, “You got that right.” The Gospel Advocate has opened numerous doors for this young man from Canada who had no church family and really no church connections. Thank you for helping a young man do ministry.
Related posts:
- Article in the Gospel Advocate
- Published in Gospel Advocate
- Featured in the Gospel Advocate
- Published in May’s 2007 Gospel Advocate
- Teaching Restoration History
About The Author
Exposure can be a tremendous friend. May God continue to bless you and your family and may God bless all who share the gospel with others
STRAITGATE PREACHING SCHOOL. Church Of Christ. Regd. Society No. 985 / Dt.01-08-1994. Jayanthinagar, Ambajipeta, E. G. Dt, A.P. Pin 533214, INDIA. Bro. V. R. Raju Chinta, Preacher, e-mail: vrrajuchinta@gmail.com
To 1-7-2012.
Dear Sirs, Salutes to you in Christ, We are TELUGU speaking people. It is a great privilege and honor to serve with you in this labor of love.
I was a retired secondary school Headmaster. I was trained in 1973 as an Evangelist and in WBS. My Father had worked with Bro. J. C. Bailey of Canada. We preach Jesus Christ in the countryside. I have invested Rs. 333,000/- in the In Ambajipeta Post Office, in the Monthly Income Scheme A/C No.7288. Dt.08-07-2011. With my retirement financial benefits for the Preaching School. I get Rupees. 2,220/- interest every month for the deposit. It is not sufficient for maintaining the School With that I conduct Classes on all Saturdays. I am paying the trainees conveyance allowances. We have no other financial resources. The people are very poor daily laborers (Coolies) and the most are homeless and belongs to Un-touchable communities, separated by the high handed Cast- Hindus in our country. There are orphan children, old helpless widows beg for food in the streets. The most People worship Idols. Our streets are filled with Idols Gods. The Harvest of the Kingdom of God is to be reaped.
Five huts of living families were burned to ashes accidentally. Their life is very miserable now. I gave them some food as immediate help. The victims are sleeping under the trees with their little children. The victims are coming repeatedly for food to us for they have no alternative. Please provide something needed as relief to the victims. Fire Accident
The victims need immediate temporary tarpaulin tents (huts) laid over this rainy season. Yesterday there was a heavy rain and the families with their little children 18 People suffered wet under the trees in the rain.
To lay a hut for the structure and for tarpaulin cover a total of Rs. 5,000/- rupees needed. Condition is very miserable. Even a little rain is disturbing the life of the homeless. We are waiting for your arrival or help on time. We need Gospel literature and equipment for the Training School. We are praying for your sincere help. Please see open the attached files if you are moved in the Spirit and God’s calling to serve Him the Most high!
Yours least and loving servant in Christ, Bro. V. R. Raju Chinta,
Praying for your loving kindness.