USA (MNN) — Christian Resources International is on the road again–or at least they will be, with a little help from you.
Starting this month, CRI is embarking on a series of three road trips across the United States to collect Christian books, devotionals, theological text books, Bibles and shipping fees to respond to the needs of pastors all over the globe.
Throughout the year, supporters can send books to CRI's headquarters in Fowlerville, Michigan so CRI can respond to the hundreds of letters they receive from struggling pastors in need of supplies. Now, CRI may be coming to you.
"In June, I will be heading all the way west, cross country up to Washington State to do the Pacific side of the country. Then in October, we'll be heading out east and going all the way out to Maine and coming back; actually we'll be coordinating a container shipment out of north-central Pennsylvania. The most immediate one that we'd like folks to be aware of is that we will be at several locations across North Carolina later this month," says Director of Missions and Road Trips John Lowrey.
The trip to North Carolina is ready to begin, but you can still get involved. Do a collection for books at your church, or find a "pit stop" where CRI will be near you. CRI still needs churches and groups to host "pit stops" for the other trips. If hosting won't work, your church can get involved by simply hosting a collection of books beforehand and dropping them off when CRI is in your area.
Needs for Bibles and resources are great all the time. But especially in the midst of current turmoil, Lowrey says people are especially receptive to the Gospel. From chaos in the Middle East to natural disaster in Japan, people are desperate for Truth. Pastors and missionaries have many opportunities but are often without the resources they need to more fully explain biblical truths.
"It is always the case that our greatest need would be what we call our seminary books," notes Lowrey. Commentaries, Greek and Hebrew study books, handbooks, concordances and other resources are useful to pastors crafting sermons in troubled times and in pleasant ones.
As books are collected through CRI road trips, they will be sent all over the globe. CRI is sending a shipment this week to India, and they hope to respond with resources for Japan soon as well.
CRI president Jason Woolford says the last time the ministry asked for help from MNN supporters, needs were met in no time. The warehouse is fully stocked with books now, and CRI is grateful. As soon as they arrive, though, the books are shipped off to individuals or to help build pastor's libraries. Participating in road trips is a fun way to meet needs and build up the unity of a church while collecting books, as well as meet CRI staff face-to-face.
CRI has all the information you need to get involved in any one of these road trips at their brand-new Web site. Promote the road trips with CRI's new video, or learn more about the ministry on their Facebook page.
