One evening Josiah and I were discussing the idea of expanding Testify to other states besides Iowa.
As I thought about it, I told him, “If Testify is going to expand, I think it will be because God’s miraculous hand puts the pieces together.” (That’s what happened ten years ago when the Testify ministry began.)
Shortly after that comment, we received an email from our friend Jon: “Would you consider running a Testify at the Kansas State Fair this year?”
Hmm … is this the first piece coming together? we wondered.
“Yes we would,” Josiah wrote back. We had already been praying about expanding Testify to new areas.
The following day, Josiah and I were chatting in our kitchen, and an idea came into Josiah’s mind. “Where is Kansas Bible Camp?” he asked me.
“I don’t know,” I replied.
This is a camp we are both familiar with that is affiliated with our church circles. We knew it was in Kansas, but we didn’t know where. Josiah looked it up.
“It’s in Hutchinson! 13 minutes from the Kansas State Fairgrounds!” Josiah said in surprise.
We were amazed. If we could use that camp, we could replicate the original Iowa Testify which is held at a small camp 10 minutes from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Is a second piece falling into place? If you’ve been to Testify, you know the logistical hurdles and how significant it is to have a camp for lodging close to the fairgrounds!
We called our friends who run the camp and, not only was the camp available on those dates, but they were excited about this evangelism training opportunity and enthusiastically on board.
Wow, the pieces really seemed to be coming together!
At the same time, we were making contacts in Minnesota. That’s a different story, but we have seen the Lord work in bringing details together for four Testify camps this summer! We’ll have two in Iowa, one in Kansas, and one in Minnesota.
We don’t know what the Lord is going to do, but seeing His answers to prayer and His provision reminds us that He is “up to something”! He has plans. We are excited to see how it all unfolds.
I have seen over and over that believers desire to share their faith with neighbors, coworkers, and strangers, but they often struggle to get those conversations started. Testify equips people to initiate natural conversations about eternal matters and then communicate the gospel with clarity.
It is a great joy to see people leave Testify infused with new courage and enthusiasm about witnessing. This courage is created not simply from classroom teaching but from getting real-life practice at the fair and seeing God work! Nothing is more exciting.
You can find more information about the camps here. Please keep this ministry in your prayers and share about the camps with anyone you know who may be interested!
