Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - April 2009 Prayer Update

Dear Friend,

It was a restless crowd of teenagers I was speaking to - not exactly a first. The sports arena we were in last fall was jammed. It was the kind of venue where teenagers are used to being rowdy and mobile. My privilege - and my challenge - was bringing a chatty, cell-phone texting audience to a point where they would consider giving their life to Jesus.

Many were listening as I started, but there was still a low buzz around the edges. Then, suddenly, a holy hush fell across that crowd. Minutes later, hundreds flooded the aisles coming to Christ. What happened?

The Cross.

I've seen it happen more times than I can remember. When I start to describe what Jesus did on the Cross for us, there is suddenly almost total silence. And when the opportunity is extended to come to that Cross, the response will be instantaneous and dramatic. No matter what the age. No matter where it is in the world.

That's not the power of a speaker. That's the power of the Cross of Christ.

That Cross we focus on this Easter season is, what Charles Spurgeon called, "that magnificent magnet." And that Cross is the focal point of everything this ministry does. It is the reason we exist. It is the passion for which we live. It is the message to which every gift you give is dedicated. Like the Apostle Paul, our mission is to "know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2 ).

The powerful new Internet Website strategy we launch this month, TheDougAndJonShow.com, is as cutting edge as the lost young people it's designed to reach. It pulsates with excitement and creativity. But make no mistake about it - all the "roads" on this Website lead to the same destination - that old rugged Cross.

It's always about that Cross. When we're going to rescue "heard it all" teenagers. When we're reaching out to heavily-stressed community leaders. When our "On Eagles' Wings" team goes to hurt-hardened reservation young people this summer. When we train thousands of believers like you to be a spiritual rescuer in their world. We will, again the words of Spurgeon, "beat a straight pathway to the Cross."

Speaking of that Cross, Jesus said, "I, when I am lifted up ... will draw all men to Myself" (John 12:32 ). And He does. I've seen many leaders in many communities open their hearts to the One who died for them. I've seen countless young people streaming to Him, across the country and around the world. And I've seen that Cross break through where nothing else has - on scores of reservations as Native young people step out in front of their village to respond to His life-giving love.

As these rescue initiatives accelerate on all levels this Spring, I cannot tell you what your partnership - your prayer and your gift - means. Especially when so many who care are unable to give right now. Every gift - of any size - is an answer to prayer. And you can be sure what your giving will do - it will go to give more lost ones a chance to hear about the Savior who died an awful death for our sin - so we don't have to.

We cannot rest as long as some He died for don't know He did. And because you care, we will lift up that Cross "by all possible means" (1 Corinthians 9:22 ). Because there is a magnet in that old hunk of wood - for every lost heart. Someone told us. Now we have to tell them.

Overwhelmed by that Cross, living to tell about it,

Ron Hutchcraft