November 2024

Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation.” I pray that our nation returns to righteousness, goodness, and greatness. For decades, I have told you that America can only be great if she is good. I’ve also shared my concerns about our nation, as her halo has been slipping, tarnished, and her goodness has waned too far.

I often quote the words of the great French historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, who wrote in 1835: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there… in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there… in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there… in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

That’s why God tells us in His Holy Word, 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people (not the world, not the sinners, but His people) who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will heal their land.” Our Republic certainly and desperately needs healing. We need a touch from Heaven. We need to do exactly what God said and return to being good.

We have taken holy things and made them profane. We have made them a politician’s battle cry, thinking we can do as we please, that we have a vote and an opinion, instead of realizing that His Word is sacred, holy, sacrosanct, immutable, and incapable of change. People have thought we could take the Bible, the Constitution, and the words of the founding fathers—who built this nation for the ability to worship God and pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, pledging to one another “my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor” at the cost of blood—and alter or discard them. That phrase meant something to them; it was a concept of virtue and the sincere effort to live according to it.

Many Christians today truly believe they can live like a pig and be blessed like a sheep. Now that we have had the election and chosen Mr. Trump and a new administration, let us focus on praying for him, his family, and his administration, that they would hear from God and be protected and blessed with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to move forward and lead this nation. It’s up to the church, of course, to make America good again so she can be great again! Pastors, our pulpits must be aflame again!

We recently returned from a wonderful missions conference in Eaton, Ohio, where we speak almost every year and have for decades. Pastor Kenneth and Angel Harbaum host the event at their church, Covenant of Peace International (COPI), with a great heart to reach the world and support missionaries. Over 60 missionaries from around the globe were there, sharing their names, works, and current needs or projects, and then the people were given the opportunity to give—and give, they did. We raised
over $300,000 without reading a scripture about giving, asking people to give, or preaching a 30-minute sermon on giving. Nothing wrong with those things; we just didn’t do it, and the people had a heart to give.

Renee and I always look forward to this meeting, focused on Kingdom business and the harvest. Like the people, we are cheerful, hilarious givers. Among the attendees were two single missionary ladies from Sweden and Finland who went to Kenya years ago. Neither is a doctor, nurse, or medic. One went to do praise and worship, and the other to teach school. But as is often the case in the mission field, they saw a need and met it. They built a hospital that takes in HIV/AIDS patients and pregnant women. They work in a very dangerous area with a Muslim population. They shared a story about being on a road trip late at night in Dar es Salaam. They hit every pothole, and their 17-year-old car broke down and died. These two blonde women were stranded at night, miles from civilization, in a Muslim nation. I could feel every bump and pothole as they told the story, having been in similar situations myself.

Renee and I had already given substantial offerings to other missionaries, but I wanted to help them get a new car, which they needed—$40,000. I have a passion for helping missionaries with cars, as they desperately need them. I told Renee I wanted to give, but we had spent much of our funds. She reminded me that we had a bank account where we were saving money for a much-needed vehicle for us. So, we gave $20,000 to the ladies from our car fund, and we were so happy to do it. Others quickly donated the remaining $20,000, and praise the Lord, they got their car! Many of you have given to us for our vehicle, and I trust you won’t mind that we took your gifts to help these worthy missionaries. Ours will come in time—please continue to believe with us.

Two other things: The situation in Israel is causing us to postpone our Israel pastors’ conference. They are expecting a full-blown war, and many pastors are being called back into the IDF. We are now planning for spring. Secondly, it’s time to start working on our annual Jackie Mize International Children’s Foundation Christmas Orphan Project. Last Christmas, in 2023, we gave to 40 orphanages in 34 countries! Many of you look forward to being part of this great Christmas project each year. Thank you!

We love you and pray for you daily. Remember to watch our “More Than Conquerors” program, new each Thursday. If you haven’t received your brochure with the report from last Christmas, please contact us.

Missions: the only cause that counts.
Terry L. Mize