When Stephanie Seay and “Christine” met more than 20 years ago on the job at an Atlanta nursing home, they were young, single, and relatively carefree. They became fast friends. Seay, the facility’s bookkeeper, was a practicing Christian, and Christine, the social activities assistant, was not.

Marriage, children, and age rolled in and Christine began wondering about Christ, shared Seay. That’s when Seay sent her Message magazine, and though she has maintained the subscription for her dear friend all these years, she never heard another word about it, not until a couple of months ago, that is.

Witnessing Opportunity

As a witnessing opportunity Message is built for the current crisis. As the coronavirus disease shuts our systems down, our friends, family, and neighbors have questions. We all have time to think about eternity now, and now is the time to ensure we provide Christ and His teachings, applied in the context of these troublesome headlines.

Known for being the oldest, continuously published black Christian magazine in North America, Message injects hope and wholeness in Jesus Christ for the community. The legacy publication, initiated by James Edson White in 1898, was elevated by an impactful lineage of editors who always balanced biblical presentation and everyday application. Now a niche multi-media platform, with online and social media presence, Bible studies and tracts, Message acts as a tool in the personal outreach portfolio of those who wish to reach souls for Christ. As a key missionary journal published by the North American Division (NAD), your financial support and specially-designated offering will bolster the ministry of Message.

The Message Difference

Fortunately, before this crisis hit, Seay was already on the job, sending Message to Christine, and her friends and family. The friends connected a couple of months ago, just to catch up. Christine, now a “very devout Christian” who attends a Baptist church, mentioned that she was headed out to teach the Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible class at her church. She said she used Message to teach the class, and that occasionally her brother takes the magazine to use to teach the class at his church.

“You do?” Seay was incredulous, and overcome with joy to hear that.

Seay later shared, “You never really hear back if it’s making a difference.”

“Mrs. Seay demonstrates, beyond imagination, the possibilities I've shared with church members for years,” said Carl McRoy, the NAD’s director for Literature Ministries. “Message is indeed a full-message magazine, brimming over with hope and ministering to the whole person. How can one magazine be more relevant when it provides professional relationship counsel, proven health tips and healthy recipes that actually taste good, Bible studies, prophetic insights, socioeconomic commentary from a Christian perspective?”

McRoy said that this experience does not have to be unique. “Mrs. Seay has shown us a simple formula: 1) Subscribe to Message for yourself and a friend; 2) Read and apply its principles; and 3) Pray and watch what God does.”

Go to messagemagazine.com to subscribe, donate to this ministry, and shop for valuable resources for your community. Follow Message on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter — Messagemagazine, @Message1898.

— Carmela Monk Crawford is the editor of Message magazine.