Talking with patients like Carlos (talking to nurse) provides Harvey with ideas he passes on in "Strategems for Spiritual Care," his column in Fireseeds, the Medical Strategic Network newsletter.

Dr. Harvey Elder, a physician active with Campus Crusade's Medical Strategic Network, first saw John Shepard* for an HIV infection. John had begun using drugs during his preteen years and depended on drugs to cope with everyday life. He served prison time for illegal drug use. He learned he was HIV positive in prison and started antiviral therapy.

After his release, he visited Harvey. Harvey suggested John needed a sufficiently powerful Higher Power to help overcome his habit. The gray-haired physician advised John to go to a Christian treatment program. Harvey watched with a heavy heart as John, convinced that he could make it on his own, walked out of the clinic.

After two weeks free of illegal drugs, John realized he couldn't cope. He returned to the clinic, ready to hear about Harvey's Higher Power.

As Harvey explained the evangelistic booklet, "Would You Like to Know God Personally?", John understood and agreed with each point. He prayed and received Christ. After discussing the next steps, John left to enter a Christ-centered treatment program.

The Medical Strategic Network trains doctors to help their patients spiritually as well as medically, and to evangelize and disciple their coworkers.—Lisa Master

*The patients' names have been changed to protect confidentiality. For more information on the Medical Strategic Network, call (909) 795-8738 or visit www.gomets.org.

The Russian prison director shook his head. He would not allow Victor Dudin to speak with the inmates in the Komi prison (a northwestern Russian republic). The Azjerbajani Muslim definitely did not want this Christian to come and preach to his prisoners.

Then he noticed Victor holding a wrestling film produced by Athletes in Action and featuring Olympic gold-medalist John Peterson. He offered to buy it, but Victor suggested they watch "Unfading Glory" in the director's office together. When the film ended, the director asked Victor if he was with AIA. Victor said yes, and the director promptly opened his prison, allowing Victor to address all the prisoners at a large hall gathering.

"The athlete has a limelight, and people listen," says Steve Temmer, marketing director for AIA, Campus Crusade's sports ministry. Where doors have closed to the gospel, athletes and the media can still get in. That's the secret behind AIA's new strategy to help reach a half billion people with the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ before the end of the year 2000.

"In the past," Steve explains, "we just tried to use sports as a platform, but now we are also trying to emphasize the popularity of sports in the media." One major example—an arsenal of videos produced by AIA about the NFL, the NBA, NASCAR and Olympic wrestling, with more planned. Each video clearly explains the gospel using testimonies of superstars within the sport.

"We're finding God doing things with [the videos] that go beyond any visions we had originally," said Ron Touby, operations director of AIA's resource-and-marketing division. The evangelistic sports videos have been broadcast on national television in countries like Ghana, Zimbabwe and Suriname. Through a satellite agency working with AIA staff members, one video was broadcast in all 23 Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa. Plans are in process to open even more airwaves.

Sports born in America now claim a worldwide following, thanks to media coverage. For example, the NBA finals were broadcast in 192 countries this year, while the Super Bowl was broadcast in 170. AIA's basketball video "Give Me the Rock" features NBA stars like David Robinson who speak of their relationship with Jesus Christ. Since its 1997 release, this video has been translated into 12 languages, with 10 more planned.

Another international sports audience huddles around screens to watch the Super Bowl—last year it reached nearly 800 million people. These numbers catch more than the attention of advertisers; AIA leaders see the Super Bowl as an important component in reaching half a billion people with Christ's life-changing message. So, in addition to the NFL video, "Spirit of the Game," AIA also produced a specific video for the big day, designed to turn Super Bowl parties into evangelistic outreaches. AIA also hosts an annual Super Bowl Breakfast and award show, broadcast in the past by ESPN.

The videos open doors of media credibility for any of the 30 sports teams sent out by AIA to compete overseas or stateside. "With these videos," says Steve, "our touring teams and staff members have something to give news stations as well as individuals."

The videos get plenty of play, both internationally and within the United States. Recently AIA struck a partnership with VisionQuest Communica-tions Group and Gospel Communications to offer the films as part of a free video-loan program for public and private high schools. According to AIA's Web site, more than 330,000 students watched one of the videos last year.

Staff members with AIA recognize that the media have helped turn athletes into heroes. With this new global strategy, they're using the media to turn hearts toward God. —Erik Segalini

To order a video, call 1-800-729-4351. For information on how you can use the videos strategically, call (937) 352-1000 or visit http://www.athletesinaction.org.

A former dolphin trainer, Nancy Wilson shares her real-life adventures with youth involved with Student Venture.

During a mission trip to England, Nancy Wilson received an invitation to the House of Commons for an experience she'd never forget.

Nancy was shocked when she entered the royal gates and discovered women engaged in a heated discussion on equal rights. She soon realized she'd been summoned to a meeting of the English Women's Liberation, and they wanted her "American" opinion on the issue.

True to her bold and passionate nature—she'd never been accused of being shy or indifferent—Nancy stood up and addressed the older female audience.

She told them that she had experienced unconditional love, not based on her status or sex, but through a personal relationship with God.

The cultured, refined group of ladies listened closely and even clapped after her speech. Many lined up afterwards to talk to her.

Nancy has not lost any of her youthful enthusiasm or incentive for evangelism over the years. Witnessing is one of her greatest passions in life.

Well, that and a few others.

"There's a saying that some people are five-ring circuses, some are three, and some are two," says Nancy, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed bundle of energy. "I tend to always have a few too many rings, since I have a lot of areas that I feel passionate about."

But it was Nancy's desire to reach lost youth that led her in 1975 to join Student Venture, Campus Crusade's high-school ministry. For seven years she worked at high schools in the Indianapolis area, traveled and spoke for Student Venture, and trained other staff women. She became the associate national director for Student Venture in 1982.

Pam Mutz has known Nancy for 24 years, since Pam joined Student Venture in 1976. Nancy was her trainer and roommate. She calls Nancy "very vivacious" and says, "She shares [Christ] with everything that moves."

Pam and her husband, Bill, who are now staff members with FamilyLife, were eating out one night with Nancy in Florida. When Pam went to the restroom and returned without Nancy, Bill asked where she was.

"I told him, 'She's sharing [Christ] with the woman who hands you the towels,'" Pam says, laughing. "That's the thing about Nancy—she's always aware of those around her."

So aware is she, in fact, that even a vacation in Hawaii led to an opportunity to proclaim the name of Christ. One day, Nancy decided to swim out into the ocean as far as she could. Stopping to catch her breath, she noticed a young man named Max sitting on a surfboard and staring at her. As she began treading water, he asked, "Who are you, anyway?"

"I happen to be an ambassador," she answered. "I go all over the world and tell people that God loves them."

Max's response was astonishing. The previous night he had asked God to show him if He were real. Nancy proceeded to tell Max—all the while still treading water—that God is real, and that He wanted to have a real relationship with him. Nancy invited Max to church with her the following Sunday, when he asked Christ into his life.

"The one thing I've learned over the years is that people love when you show an interest in them," Nancy says. "Being friendly just opens doors. And taking steps of faith builds faith muscles. So as you take a faith risk and He honors it, it strengthens your willingness to take another one." —Darcy Larson

Pray! World 2000 | During the 40 days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday (March 8) to Palm Sunday (April 16), Christians of all nations are being called to fast and pray for fulfillment of the Great Commission. "This effort may become the largest Christian prayer formation in history," says Ben Jennings, staff member with Campus Crusade, one of more than 1,200 groups participating.

Mexico | Two months ago, Campus Crusade staff member Lupita Gardu–o spoke on inner beauty to Avon cosmetics representatives in Cuernavaca. About 40 indicated decisions to receive Christ. Afterward, several women invited Lupita, leader of Campus Crusade's women's ministry in Mexico, to address larger gatherings of Avon people.

Justice LINC | In Operation Starting Line, Campus Crusade's JusticeLINC ministry will cooperate with Prison Fellowship and others to reach all 1.9 million inmates in the United States with the gospel in the next five years. The first outreach is scheduled for Easter Sunday.

Prayer | The Intercessors for China 2000 prayer calendar features detailed prayer requests and background information. To purchase, call 1-888-462-5481.

Campus | Stacy James just finished what she calls "the biggest challenge of her life." A tetraplegic, the Campus Crusade staff member at Miami University in Ohio completed the New York City Marathon in 11 hours, 35 minutes, with a sign on the back of her wheelchair saying, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13, NIV).



Campus Ministry
Orlando, FL

After fasting for 40 days last February, Brent Jordan found that his fast motivated ministry partners, friends and the students in Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Central Florida to do the same.

"I had been praying through Psalm 84," says the UCF campus director. "I was thinking, Do I really faint and yearn for the courts of the Lord? "

During his fast, Brent prayed for three things: his focus on God, spiritual revival at UCF, and a fully funded campus movement.

After his fast, the students raised $3,000 in campus support.

"The students were amazed at the message God had laid on my heart," Brent says. So student leaders organized a 40-day consecutive fast, with each student fasting at least one day. Thirty-eight students participated.

Brent's friends heard about the students' fast, and wanted to fast for the UCF ministry as well. So Brent and his wife, Carol, organized another 40-day consecutive fast for their ministry partners, church friends and family members.

Says Brent, "I'm just excited that God's using me to be a part of getting more people involved in prayer and fasting." —Darcy Larson


Student Venture
Florida

Studies show that more than 80 percent of those who accept Christ do so before age 18, yet 88 percent of young people do not attend church.

Sixty denominations and youth organizations have formed the Challenge 2000 alliance to reach these students. Their goal: Give every student a chance to say "Yes" to Jesus by December 31.

"Every ministry has different philosophies," says Mark Sanders of Student Venture, Campus Crusade's outreach to teens, "but our common thread is Jesus."

Challenge 2000 created a coaching center at Student Venture's headquarters in Orlando, Fla. Students, teachers and parents can call or e-mail to request training or resources for evangelism.

When Laurie, a student in California, heard a radio ad about Challenge 2000, she called the toll-free number.

"We taught her how [to share her faith] over the phone," says Mark. "We usually follow up in a week or so to see how the student is doing, but she called us three days later and said she [helped lead] her friend to Christ." For more information on Challenge 2000, visit www.everyschool.com or call 1-877-GO-CAMPUS. —Jennifer Abegg


JESUS Video
New Zealand

Peter Hall didn't expect to see Jim, a co-worker, turn to Christ. But after members of a cult began talking to Jim (not his real name), Peter gave him a copy of the JESUS videocassette. "That was one hard bloke I never dreamt would change," Peter admits.

Jim watched the video and received Christ. Peter watched as Jim began to change. "I couldn't believe the pace at which he began to nail all his problems and sins to the Cross," says Peter, a member of Mana Baptist Church in New Zealand.

Jim's live-in girlfriend watched the video along with their children, and she eventually trusted Christ too. They married, and Jim now helps with the youth program at his church. He also passed the video on to many of his friends.

Peter and fellow Christians in New Zealand are uniting to offer this hope for change in Christ through a campaign called JESUS: Gift to the Nation. So far nearly 250 churches have joined in distributing more than 40,000 "gift packs" containing the JESUS video, a Gospel of Luke, and an evangelistic magazine and comic book. —Paul Schwarz


Campus Ministry
Flagstaff, AZ

Danielle Tschirky's journey with four other Campus Crusade for Christ alumni was similar, she said, to an episode of MTV's Road Rules, where six people travel the country seeking adventure. Except in this case, God rules, and Danielle and her crew just went along for the ride.

The recent college graduates spent four months driving the "Pledge Wagon"—a 1999 Chevy Suburban—to campuses and churches in California and Arizona, then flew to Hawaii. At each stop they challenged college students to sign the Millennial Pledge, a promise to invest at least one year of their lives in serving Christ. They told how God had compelled each of them to sign the pledge. Because of the group's encouragement, 120 students took the plunge.

"This is about students calling students to be involved in the world," says Danielle. "The concept of giving a year of your life to full-time service is something that you don't always hear from college students or recent graduates," elaborates Northern Arizona University staff member Dan Barton, who welcomed the Pledge Wagon in October. "For them to hear it from one of their peers is awesome." —Darcy Larson