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St. Patrick and the Celtic Connection — a distinctive faith

March 4, 2022

“Few figures in history have so impressed their personalities upon a nation as did Patrick on Ireland.”

So says David Marshall, author of the booklet The Celtic Connection. What was it about Patrick that enabled him to make such a strong impression? More importantly, what was that original impression and is it still the same today as it was in his time? The author, as an historian, is not interested in legends. He is concerned with the truths and evidences that reveal a particular story of faith. 

How The Great Controversy book changed my life

December 8, 2021

– John Bradshaw, speaker/director of It Is Written

I began my career in radio, and it really was quite successful, but I had to do what all young New Zealanders seemed to do – I left my home, following in the footsteps of my older sister, and travelled to London, England. All the while I’m looking for meaning in my faith.

I went to Midnight Mass at the Stoke Newington church near where I was living. Nothing! It was flat, and I actually saw the priest smack one of the altar boys for doing something wrong, and I thought: Never! I’m done with these guys!

Three days and three nights?

September 24, 2021

“As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40) On which day did Jesus die to be resurrected on a Sunday? 

[This question arose during a follow-up discussion in a breakout room after the presentation on the Resurrection of Jesus, lesson #24 of the Light of the World Bible Seminar.]

Is it worth praying for the world?

July 13, 2021

I suppose when we ask such a question as ‘is it worth praying for something?’ we are really saying, ‘if I pray for a particular thing, will my prayer make a difference?’ That’s the real crux of the matter, right? Will the fact that I pray for the world, the environment, those involved in politics, and social issues, really make a difference? Will God listen to my prayer, hear my prayer, and act in some way, because of my prayer? 

Report and Appeal

June 22, 2021

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

 

A Great Commission

Jesus gave this Great Commission to all His disciples. At Discover Truth Ministry, we’ve been inspired to follow in the footsteps of Christ’s first disciples, aligning our efforts with the guidelines of the current missionary approach of the General Conference of SDA entitled “I Will Go”. (https://iwillgo2020.org/about/)

Pastor Ted Wilson and other world-wide church leaders emphasize that

“The best mission field is right where you are, right now.”

Our best mission field was chosen to be worked by members of the Dublin church about five years ago. Discover Truth was formally organised in 2020 and is supported by the Irish Mission. It has since grown to include volunteers from other counties within the Mission.

We aim to engage Seventh-day Adventist members in spreading the Gospel and the Three Angels Message in Ireland and Northern Ireland. These Adventist missionaries – adults, youth, and children alike – are finding joy in distributing literature and engaging in conversation with people.

In return, these people, who are hungering for truth and hope, discover a better way to live. Our volunteers report to us on a weekly basis about literature distributed in their hundreds, prayers with and for people, and of passers-by who ask to join our Zoom Bible studies or later enrol in the online Bible studies.

We now take this opportunity to inform you of our progress and to ask for your assistance and support in developing this ministry further so its reach can be expanded.

 

Discover Truth areas of ministry

1. Website

A modern and user-friendly website created to reach people online. It offers free resources such as Bibles, books, video series and podcasts. It is also a one-stop, go-to place for Adventist television and radio stations. Additionally, it has a Q&A section and provides a Prayer Request service. Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/discovertruth.ie refers people to our latest resources and events.

 

2. Online Bible studies / Adventist Discovery Centre (Irish branch)

Creating a branch Discovery Centre Bible School, offering Voice of Prophecy lessons, was an invaluable addition. We currently have 3 teachers and 28 students. We offer the following courses: “Discover” (Bible teachings), “Focus on Prophecy” (Daniel and Revelation), and “The Light of the World” (Life of Jesus). One student’s testimony:

“An excellent interpretation of the last days on earth simplified in easy understandable text. A must for anyone wishing to understand Bible prophecies.” (Camillus Nolan, Focus on Prophecy course graduate, March 2021)

 

3. Zoom Bible Class & YouTube Videos

In March 2021 we started the “Light of the World” series on Zoom. This series of 25 lessons is presented live (later uploaded on YouTube) every Thursday night by two of the Dublin pastors. The presentations are followed by small group discussions which deepen the value of the lesson’s message. Participants are non-Adventists, Discover Truth team members, and regular church members.

 

4. Street Evangelism (Groups)

Book stands are professionally set up with banners and tables, and volunteers wearing hi-vis branded vests. Seven locations are currently covered, each set up with team leaders and regular volunteers: Dublin, Cork, Tralee, Galway, Killarney, Dingle, and Monaghan.

Books distributed to date: 26,754. This includes 5,000+ Great Controversy, 1,400+ Desire of Ages, 1,200+ Steps to Christ, 10,000+ The Great Hope.

 

5. Free Bible Project

Requests for Free Bibles are received on a weekly basis, making the Scripture our most requested book. People of all ages and walks of life are wanting to own a Bible, from 14-year-olds to 80-year-olds.

The Bibles, along with free gifts like “Steps to Christ” or “Desire of Ages”, are delivered in person by the Discover Truth team members whenever possible. This facilitates discussion and creates a personal contact.

 

6. Flyer Distribution

A series of 4 flyers has been designed and printed to date. More than 20,000 copies of the first 3 flyers have been distributed thus far at the book stands and via post boxes:

We have just recently printed 10,000 copies of the Daniel 2 flyers for distribution:

 

Projects

Current projects

  • Publishing of an extract of the final 14 chapters of the Great Controversy (a book other countries have successfully used before). It will be entitled “The Final Countdown” and will be just under 200 pages.
  • Podcast of the Daniel 2 article The Final Countdown
  • Sanctuary video series by “Europe4Jesus”
  • Additional Zoom Bible study series: “Focus on Prophecy”
  • Promotional gifts: bookmarks, pens and T-shirts advertising the ministry’s website

Future projects (2022)

Revised edition of “The Celtic Connection” in collaboration with Stanborough Press. Our aim is to distribute it to every home in Ireland. (see St Patrick and the Celtic Connection)

 

We need you!

The work is being blessed by the Lord and is growing in leaps and bounds. Volunteers are needed to assist with the work. If you feel that you are being called to work in one of its many areas of ministry then contact us and begin working in the best mission field: right where you are, right now!

Know also that our budgeted funds for 2021 have just been exhausted. We praise God for that, for abundant blessings beyond our little faith expectations.

There is a great window of opportunity to work within the Irish Mission. We are still living in a time of freedom and of spiritual hunger. It’s a unique and golden moment to invest yourself in God’s mission field in your area.

We are now calling on you to please help us continue this important work on this island. More Bibles, more books, more flyers, along with banners, vests, and promotional materials are needed. Please prayerfully consider donating so that other people can also Discover Truth. The truth that brought you and us to this knowledge of God. Donate now

(If you need this article in PDF /printable version, please click here.)

 

Thanking you, in Christ’s name,
The Discover Truth Team

The Final Countdown

May 6, 2021

An Explanation of the World Empires Prophecy in the Biblical book of Daniel, the Prophet

 

Christian Salcianu and Diane Lewis 

 

A terrible night

The alarm startled all the king’s noblemen that night. The mighty counsellors of the empire were being rounded up for execution. All because of a mysterious dream…

Come back in time with us to the 6th century BC. The king of the great Babylonian empire, Nebuchadnezzar, has had a dream (see Daniel, chapter 2). Perceived as a token from the gods, the message was surely one of life and death.

Does the Bible force a woman to marry her rapist?

March 28, 2021

In 2012, a 16-year-old girl killed herself by swallowing rat poison after being severely beaten during a forced marriage to her rapist. According to the Moroccan judicial system “the penal code allows the “kidnapper” of a minor to marry her to escape jail”.[1] This tragic event has caused some people to compare this law with the laws given to ancient Israel 3500 years ago. According to some of them, this Moroccan law is not much different from the ones that we find in Scripture.[2]

Story of Daniel, the prophet

March 23, 2021

Daniel 1

By a remarkable turn of events, Daniel the hostage became Daniel the Prime Minister of Babylon, and the king’s most trusted adviser. In fact he prospered under the reign of four kings. How did he do it? How did he survive 70 years of captivity? His secret of inner spiritual strength will provide us with the key to surviving the challenges of life, and more importantly the end-time. Find out more in the program entitled The Captive, produced by The Incredible Journey (Australia).

Daniel 2

The world around us is still suffering from Covid–19 and all its implications. The program, Daniel – The Hand that Guides the Future, offers us a spirit of peace in place of fear, and a spirit of hope in place of worry. Gary Kent looks at an ancient king’s amazing dream that gives startling evidence for the existence of God, and proves that not only does He notice us; but His hand is still steering history towards one incredible final event.

Daniel 3

We’re going to go back in time to a remarkable scene on the plains of Dura right near ancient Babylon. An enormous statue of King Nebuchadnezzar had been set up, and thousands of representatives from his empire were invited to pay homage to it in a splendid ceremony. But when the vast assembly on the plain bowed to the ground toward the image, three young men defied the king and remained standing. Their decision angered a king and shook an empire. It’s also encouraged people everywhere. This is their story.

Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king on earth. He had every reason to be proud of his achievements. He ruled over the biggest empire the world had ever seen, from his palaces in the most beautiful city in the world: Babylon. And he had built it himself. This is the story of his struggle to accept that he wasn’t the centre of the universe and that the true God was in control. It climaxes with the king in a field eating grass like a cow, completely mad. But it has a good ending. This story helps us reflect on how God has worked throughout our lives to reveal himself to us, and helps us reflect where we are on this very special journey called life.

Daniel 5

King Belshazzar of Babylon organized a big party. Amid all the revelry, an event occurred that brought all festivities to an immediate halt. A mysterious hand appeared, and in fiery letters, wrote a chilling message on the king’s palace wall. Suddenly the party crowd goes silent. They are stunned. But nobody can read the message, and so nobody knows what it means. And then Daniel reads and interprets the writing on the wall. Empires do fall!..

Daniel 6

There are many heroes in the Bible. Some are great warriors. But others are men of quiet faith – men who display their courage, not on the battlefield, but simply by their faithfulness to God. Daniel is such a man. In this program we’re going to consider his experience in the lions’ den. This is an inspiring story about courage and bravery, but most of all, about true faithfulness, about faith in God through all things, about faith that stood the test of time during a crisis.