What is Speed the Light?
The concept is simple: we give so others can speed the light of the gospel to a world in darkness. This is accomplished by providing the “essential transportation and creative communication” equipment for missionary evangelism. Through modern transportation, radio, television, the printed word, and equipment for mass evangelism, our missionaries can better fulfill the Great Commission.
Speed the Light (STL) is the student-initiated, volunteer, charitable program that provides much-needed equipment to missionaries across the nation and in over 180 countries around the world. Since its beginning, STL has raised over $220 million for missionary equipment around the world. Speed the Light began in 1944 after Ralph Harris, then head of the National Youth Ministries department, prayed for a way to give A/G students the opportunity to help missionaries in their work. Now, by providing ministry equipment to our missionaries, STL is training the young people of America to develop individual ownership of the Great Commission as they help our missionaries spread the gospel message to the lost.
Today, Speed the Light is one of the most effective youth missions ministries in the church world. Assemblies of God students have accepted a great responsibility to voluntarily sacrifice and raise funds to purchase the equipment. STL operates with one guiding principle: All assistance must go to purchase equipment directly related to evangelism (“evangelism” is defined as propagating the gospel and instructing converts). STL equipment has not been nor is presently given for promotion, solicitation, or normal administrative functions.
If our missionaries are going to get to where the lost live, it will be because of Speed the Light. Every missionary in the Assemblies of God will at some point fly, drive, or float to their destination in transportation that has been provided to them by our churches and students through Speed the Light. Airplanes, cars, vans, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, buses, boats, horses, camels, donkeys, wheel barrows, etc., if it has wheels or hooves and can carry a missionary to a country, city, town, village, or under a card board box where someone is waiting to hear about Jesus, Speed the Light has provided it. We give so our missionaries can travel faster, preach clearer, and be heard louder, in order that that Heaven might be a bigger place…filled with people from every nationality, color, and tribe who have accepted Him as their Savior.
A Note from Chet Caudill
The official 2009-10 theme for Speed the Light is “This Changes Everything.” The cross of Jesus Christ is perhaps the single most recognizable Christian symbol. It reminds us of sacrifice; it reminds us of suffering; it reminds us of selflessness; it reminds us of love…the love of God to give His Son and the love of the Son to be willing to die. But the message of the cross doesn’t end in death, for though Jesus came to earth to die, He also came to live. In death and in resurrection, He gave us life…and this changes everything.
His story is the one we are called to tell. His cause is the reason we pursue our responsibility to provide our missionaries with the “essential transportation and creative communication” tools they need for effective evangelism. Take some time to explore this website, checking out all the resources available to assist you in taking Speed the Light giving to new levels in your church. The Digisource tab will be of particular interest. This powerful interface was previously only available for purchase, but is now offered online for free! It includes STL strategies, fund-raising ideas, discipleship tools, STL pics, service plans, and media resources. Watch the new theme video here!
“9ine” is a day of giving that will make STL history. If 90,000 students (just 1 in every 4) gave an extra $100 to STL on 09.09.09, there would be an additional $9 million to help meet our missionaries’ needs. Check out the 9ine link to download the promotional video and other resources, and to join the cause!
Set aside a special service to feature the ministry of Speed the Light and highlight those who are giving their lives to serve in mission fields both overseas and here in the U.S. STL Day is officially the 3rd Sunday of October, but you can choose any day for your missions service. Challenge the adults of your church to partner with students so that our missionaries can be well equipped to carry the gospel message to the lost. Hundreds of these missionaries have shared testimonies about how STL has impacted their ministry.
Join us as we passionately pursue the mission of Speed the Light, “souls saved and lives changed.”
Chet Caudill, Director
Speed the Light & Ambassadors In Missions
Student Missions
