02 Aug 2023
What can we apply from Paul's words about how we can finish our current season or this year strongly? If we are to finish strong, we must remember with thankfulness the small and great things God has done in our lives.
June 2023
The World Outreach International Director Update is updated every six weeks.
Last Words of a Preacher aboard the Titanic
The Tragic Event that Changed History
At 11.40 p.m. on the 14th of April 1912, the ocean liner Titanic struck an iceberg, which ripped open six watertight compartments on the starboard side, showered the decks with ice, and caused the frigid ocean to pour in.
The book, The Titanic’s Last Hero, by Moody Adams, documents how there was a Scottish Baptist Pastor named John Harper on board that fateful night. He’d been invited to preach for three months at Moody’s Memorial Church in Chicago. John Harper was accompanied by his much beloved 6-year-old daughter, Nanna.
His courage and passion in the final moments of his life are a testament to what missions is all about – that is, telling lost people about Jesus, no matter what the personal cost.
Harper's Heroic Efforts Leading People to Jesus
According to the documented reports, as soon as it was apparent that the ship would sink, John Harper immediately took his daughter to the lifeboat. It is reasonable to assume that this man, as the sole accompanying parent, could easily have gotten on board the lifeboat to safety. However, it never seems to have crossed his mind. He bent down and kissed his precious little girl. Looking into her eyes, he told her that she would see him again someday. The flares going off in the dark sky above reflected the tears on his face.
He turned and headed towards the crowd of desperate humanity on that sinking ocean liner. He was heard shouting, “Let the women, children and the unsaved get into the lifeboats.”
It was only minutes later that the Titanic started rumbling from deep within. Most people thought it was an explosion; however, it was literally breaking in half. John Harper was one of over 1520 people swept into the frigid ocean waters. He was seen frantically swimming to people leading them to Jesus.
Before hypothermia became fatal, John Harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris. John Harper asked him between breaths, “Are you saved?” The young man replied that he was not. Harper shouted the words from the Bible, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (KJV). But before he could respond, the young man drifted into the darkness, losing sight of John Harper.
Mission in the Midst of Chaos
Later, they came close to each other again because of the current. Once more, the dying Harper shouted the question, “Are you saved?” The young man, who was also near death, said “no”! Harper repeated the words of Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Moments later, John Harper died.
Of the 1528 people that went into the water that night, the lifeboats rescued only six, which included the young man John Harper had led to the Lord. He was transported to safety on the Carpathia.
Four years later, at a survivor’s meeting, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, this young man stood up and recounted in tears how John Harper had led him to Christ. He was John Harper’s last convert, saved by his last words, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.”
Like John Harper, our World Outreach missionaries have a selfless passion for lost people, and a deep desire to reach them with the good news of Jesus, no matter what the personal cost.
Please pray for them.
God bless,
Bruce Hills
World Outreach International Director
World Outreach International Director
Bruce has served as International Director of World Outreach since January 2017. He joined the World Outreach team in July 2010 as Leadership Development Director, a role he served in up to his appointment as International Director.
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