Seed-Time Ministries Provides Bible Studies On Radio, Tapes

Sat., Dec. 30, 2000

Compiled By Jeannie E. Nordstrom

Seed-Time Ministries is an outreach of Coeur d’Alene Bible Church and makes conservative, verse-by-verse Bible studies available for anyone who wants it. The organization seeks to help people understand “what the Bible says” and not “what the preacher says.” Weekly radio programs and cassette tapes are produced and designed to open the Word of God to those who seek a closer relationship with the Lord, according to the church’s Web site www.cdabible.org.

The ministry is headed by a board of nine members. With the exception of one part-time secretary, all work is done by volunteers who produce programs, copy tapes and assist with the monthly mailings. The Bible studies are edited versions of messages preached in the Coeur d’Alene Bible Church between 1980 and 1999.

Seed-Time Ministries began in 1970, when a local grocer sponsored some Bible study programs on a small radio station in Tillamook, Ore. Other stations soon became aware of the programs and requested permission to air them in their own areas. The outreach was incorporated in 1973 and received its tax-exempt status the same year.

Seed-Time’s teacher, Pastor Ashley Day, became chaplain in 1973 at Stonecroft, the headquarters of the mission in Kansas City, Mo. The radio ministry was operated there, and its first overseas broadcast began from HCJB in Quito, Ecuador, according to the Web site.

In 1975, Pastor Day and his wife, Edna, were called back to England, to minister at the Brookdale Evangelical Church in Ilfracombe, Devon. During those years, Seed-Time was transferred to Bakersfield, Calif., and voluntarily operated by John and Lillian Penner. Bible studies were recorded in England and mailed to Bakersfield, where they were duplicated and distributed widely by the Penners.

In October 1980, Pastor and Mrs Day returned to the United States to pastor the Coeur d’Alene Bible Church. Seed-Time Ministries was returned to the Days and became an official ministry of the church, supported by the congregation as a missions outreach. Pastor Day served as senior pastor until December 1998, when, upon his retirement from the full-time ministry, he became pastor emeritus.

Now the Bible studies are broadcast with digital equipment in the United States and over much of the African continent, including Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire and Tanzania and Kenya.

In addition to the radio broadcasts, cassette tapes are distributed on every continent and in some areas provide the only Bible teaching available. Tapes are sent to listeners in predominantly Catholic countries, such as Italy, where evangelical Bible study is difficult to find.

Any missionary serving overseas may receive free tapes. Missionaries who would like to receive regular tapes may be put on the mailing list. Send their name and address to Pastor Emeritus Ashley Day e-mail: mail@seed-time.org.

Seed-Time Ministries is totally dependent on tax-deductible donations for its operating expenses.

Since Pastor Ashley’s retirement, he has remained an active member of the CBC. Currently he is on the board of elders, leads a Sunday morning adult fellowship and occasionally presents the Sunday morning message. He continues to support his worldwide radio ministry.

In other church news

Coeur d’Alene Bible Church will start an adult fellowship class for the deaf on Jan. 7. Dan Christy will lead the study which includes witnessing, making a difference, setting an example, staying on course, valuing human life, responding to the Gospel and trusting God’s promises.

Camp Lutherhaven is sponsoring a quilting retreat, “Stitched Into God’s Heart!” Feb. 2-4.

The retreat is open to all Christian faiths and participants need to bring their sewing machines and personal projects to work on. Registration is limited to 35 women. The $80 cost covers two nights stay and five meals. Sewing, singing, devotions and prayer time will be daily events. To register, call (208)-667-3459.

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