"The angel answered: ‘I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent
. . . to tell you the good news.’" --Luke 1:19  Printer-Friendly Version
As my Father’s official representative to Pope John Paul II’s funeral, I was seated on the third row. From that honored position, I looked out on a vast sea of people jammed into St. Peter’s Square, their upturned faces blurred by distance. Across the broad platform on which I was seated were over 100 world leaders, including President Bush, President Chirac of France, President Assayd of Syria, King Abdullah of Jordan, Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain and H.R.H. Prince Charles of the United Kingdom, Kofi Anan of the United Nations, and others too numerous to mention--many of whom are leaders of nations hostile to one another. To their right, I could see the colorful garb of men and women representing various world religions--Buddhists, Hindus, and others not as recognizable--religions that at times seek to persecute and stifle the faith represented by some seated on the same platform. Behind me, perched on the top of the building adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica, were members of the world press--hundreds of them--all with telephoto lenses pointed towards the activities on the steps of St. Peter’s. Surrounding me were leaders of almost every major Christian religious group, including my own brother-in-law, Dr. Denton Lotz, the General Secretary for the Baptist World Alliance, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church, Egyptian Coptic priests--Christian groups that often compete with, criticize, and at times, condemn the other religious organizations. To my left were row upon row of Catholic bishops, dressed in their raspberry colored robes and caps. Beyond them and seated on the steps of the Basilica were the 115 Cardinals who would be responsible for electing the next pope--a pope who will lead a church shaken by scandal and threatened by a minefield of contemporary issues. The focus of everyone--ordinary people jammed into the square who watched on large screens, the TV audience, the world leaders, the religious and Christian leaders, and the priests of every conceivable rank-- was centered immediately in front of me on a crucifix--and the simple wooden casket that held the body of Pope John Paul II. |
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Rome – Besides having the honor of representing my father at Pope John Paul’s funeral, I was blessed to share the Gospel multiple times through media opportunities. God’s encouragement to the Apostle Paul came to mind: “Be of good cheer, Anne. As you have testified for me in other places, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
| The most impressive aspect of the entire, almost surreal scene was the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of unmistakable, respectful reverence. How could so many people be so still? How could so many warring factions and sects come together in such harmony? As I pondered what I was seeing and experiencing, I silently prayed, asking the Lord to give me |
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| insight. With millions of people crowding the city of Rome to mourn the death of a beloved Pope, and an estimated one billion people watching his funeral on live television around the world, surely God had a message He wanted to convey. What was it? And then I knew… The message was so simple. So obvious. So clear. So true! Just as the death of one man, Pope John Paul II, brought together people from virtually every nation and religion in a momentary atmosphere of peace and harmony, so the death of one Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, can bring the world together in permanent peace--peace with each other and peace with God. The answer to personal conflicts and problems, to world wars and hostilities, to ethnic prejudice and hatred, is Jesus! The elusive key to peace within and without is Jesus! Just Jesus! I stared at the crucifix on that chilly, windswept platform and wondered--was God once again offering “peace on earth, good will to all men?” Was He calling the people of the world to put their focus, and their faith, in the Man on the Cross--Jesus? I believe He was. And I also believe that He has sent this AnGeL, who stands in the presence of God on her knees, to tell the Good News… There is a Holy Father Who loves you.
There is a Man Who has died to take God's judgment in your place.
There is atonement for guilt and cleansing for sin.
There is hope for the future.
There is peace in the midst of uncertainty and war. There is . . .
joy for the depressed,
freedom for the captives,
strength for the weak,
comfort for the hurting,
acceptance for the rejected,
love for the despised . . . through faith alone in the Man--Jesus Christ. Sitting that day on a wooden chair in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, as I experienced firsthand a moment of enormous historical and eternal significance, I bowed my head and thanked God over and over for the opportunity to just give them Jesus . . . |
In Paraguay. . . Sometimes called the “least” of South America’s countries, Paraguay has a history laced with political corruption and economic instability. But on March 19th, Just Give Me Jesus Asunción made history as the largest women’s event ever held in the country. It was as if we saw this little nation gain strength and stature right before our eyes in the form of genuine revival. One | 
AGL with Duartes –“The evening before I presented the Gospel to 800 of the First Lady’s specially invited friends, the President and Mrs. Duarte hosted me in the Presidential Palace. As Fernando Ortega stood up at the dinner table and sang “King of Angels” a cappella as a blessing on the First Family and their home (which will soon have a seventh child!), I prayed God’s peace and protection for these two courageous Christians who are seeking to move their nation to a godly standard.”
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| memorable moment was the invitation for the thousands of women present in the arena to personally accept Jesus’ sacrificial gift of salvation and eternal life. With tears in their eyes, nearly every woman in the arena stood to her feet, marking her decision. At the final “Amen” of the sinner’s prayer, a spontaneous, thundering applause erupted as the women made it clear they fully understood the magnitude of their decision – sins forgiven, forever. Please join us in prayer that the Paraguayan women who experienced a fresh encounter with Jesus will go and tell of the amazing things they have seen and that they will continue pouring into the dozens of follow-up Bible studies underway across the country. Pray that the wave of revival will roll forward until this small nation rises to be a powerful instrument the Lord uses to proclaim the Gospel through all of South America. And in Fresno. . . In this culturally conservative Central Valley of California, many of God’s people seemed to be experiencing a spiritual drought. On April 15th and 16th, the Living Water - Jesus - was poured out abundantly in Fresno’s Save Mart Center. Thousands of women gathered and experienced a fresh encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ as we lifted Jesus up as our Redeemer, Risen Lord, and Reigning King. Hundreds responded to the free gift of salvation. Thousands repented of sin. It seemed the entire arena surrendered to the lordship of Christ and committed to serve the Lord. As one woman shared, “I was a failure, like Peter, who just could not comprehend the love Jesus had for me . . . In my brokenness, (you) brought Jesus and His love for me, straight into my heart . . . I have recommitted my life to Jesus and I am eager to give him all I have - my soul, time, money, energy.” To God Be the Glory,
 
“The Save Mart Center in Fresno was filled to the
brim with women who sought a fresh encounter with
Jesus – and who found Him! On Saturday,
thousands of women in the arena signed up for
follow-up Bible studies. To God be the glory!” To print a copy of the newsletter to share, click here |
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