Intro Video

"Week of Hope Introduction Video"
Eric Elder, President of the Streator Area Ministerial Association

Watch the "Week of Hope Intro Video." Click one of the following links to watch the "Week of Hope Video Intro."

A transcript of the video follows:

The words of our testimony have tremendous power. The Bible says in Revelation 12:11 that we can overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.

I know many of you here in Streator have a testimony of how Jesus Christ has changed your life. I’d like to see those stories told to everyone else in Streator, to give them hope that Christ can change their lives, too.

This fall, the ministerial association is putting together an event to give you an opportunity to share with others what Christ has done in your life. We’re calling it the “Week of Hope.” Each night, from October 9th through the 12th, you’ll be able to hear awesome music, inspiring messages, and most of all, testimonies from people right here in Streator.

We’re starting to gather those testimonies now. We’re looking for people who are willing to stand up and boldly proclaim what Christ has done in their life.

The great evangelist H.A. Ironside was interrupted one time by the shouts of an atheist. The atheist yelled, “There is no God! Jesus is a myth!” and finally, “I challenge you to a debate!”

Ironside responded, “I accept your challenge, sir! But on one condition. When you come, bring with you ten men and women whose lives have been changed for the better by the message of atheism. Bring former prostitutes and criminals whose lives have been changed, who are now moral and responsible individuals. Bring outcasts who had no hope and have them tell us how becoming atheists has lifted them out of the pit!

“And sir,” he concluded, “if you can find ten such men and woman, I will be happy to debate you. And when I come, I will gladly bring with me two hundred men and women from this very city whose lives have been transformed in just those ways by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Ironside knew that atheism doesn’t change lives. Jesus changes lives.

One of our goals for the Week of Hope is to gather 200 testimonies from people right here in Streator. We’d like to use some of them on stage during the event; we’ll use others on the radio to promote the event, and finally, we’ll use as many as we can on this website.

But sharing your testimony is just one of many ways you can be involved.

We also need people to pray. Billy Graham says the three most important things needed for people to respond to the gospel are these: prayer, prayer and prayer. We’d like you to pray for this event personally as well as take part in several prayers gatherings leading up to the event.

Third, we need volunteers to help with music, drama, sound, lights, and publicity. We need ushers, prayer partners and follow-up counselors. This is truly a city-wide effort. We already have the commitment of clergy all over town. Now we’d like your help, too. If you’d like to plug into this event, please fill out the “Week of Hope Volunteer Form.”

In closing, I’d like to repeat that scripture from Revelation 12:11. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”

The blood of Jesus has already been shed. Now it’s up to us to testify to what He’s done in our lives. When we do this, we’ll be able to overcome the power of darkness in our personal lives, as well as in this entire city.