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Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Below are various testimonials from those who are using the Story of Redemption (SOR) and Next Gen strategiesk, including former and current college presidents, preacher and ministry training schools, churches, minister, missionaries, Christian ministries, and more--both in the US and around the world!
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Mike E. O’Neal, President Emeritus, Oklahoma Christian University
"It is a genuine honor to encourage Christians everywhere to partner with James Nored and the Next Generation for Christ ministry to bring the Gospel story to God’s children around the world.
Next Gen and its 'Story of Redemption' films is one of the most effective evangelistic ministries I know. James understands the needs of and how to communicate with today’s generations and is helping stem the decline of believers among the younger generations. If you want to invest in a ministry with great result around the world, or you need someone to reach a local or international community, I hope you will review the Next Gen website and call James."
Next Gen and its 'Story of Redemption' films is one of the most effective evangelistic ministries I know. James understands the needs of and how to communicate with today’s generations and is helping stem the decline of believers among the younger generations. If you want to invest in a ministry with great result around the world, or you need someone to reach a local or international community, I hope you will review the Next Gen website and call James."
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Jon Mullican, Hope Network
"No one I know displays a deeper passion for [the next generation] than James Nored. With every fiber of his being, James points himself toward this upcoming generation. He understands them, connects with them, speaks their language, dives into their tech-world and uses their tools like none other. Listen to him and learn!
James Nored has immersed himself in understanding what makes them tick, what gets their attention and how the local church can impact their lives. If you want to reach Millenials near you, listen to James."
James Nored has immersed himself in understanding what makes them tick, what gets their attention and how the local church can impact their lives. If you want to reach Millenials near you, listen to James."
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Fred Cawyer, Missions Chairman, Saturn Road Church of Christ, Garland, TX
On behalf of the Missions Committee at the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland,Texas, we are extremely pleased with the Next Generation’s Bible-based Story of Redemption (SOR) film series produced by Dr. James Nored and his family and all those that assist in creating these very professional and thought provoking films.
We think of the films as a ModernDay replacement of the very effective Jules Miller slide projection format for evangelism from the 1950’s. The SOR films and the followup discussion questions can be used in almost any setting - one on one or in large groups. We at Saturn Road have been sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls in Kenya.
Every Thursday and Saturday for over a year, a few of our members have been coordinating ZOOM Bible studies with “Made in the Streets” students in Nairobi and with a church related student academy in Mombasa . . . I am personally 71 years old, and even I can coordinate these effective Bible studies - with precious souls on the other side of the world ! We have now been with some of our Kenyan students for so long that they eventually advance in their school curriculum studies. We miss them and pray that what little encouragement and knowledge that we shared will stay with them the rest of their adult lives - until we meet again in Heaven.
We think of the films as a ModernDay replacement of the very effective Jules Miller slide projection format for evangelism from the 1950’s. The SOR films and the followup discussion questions can be used in almost any setting - one on one or in large groups. We at Saturn Road have been sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls in Kenya.
Every Thursday and Saturday for over a year, a few of our members have been coordinating ZOOM Bible studies with “Made in the Streets” students in Nairobi and with a church related student academy in Mombasa . . . I am personally 71 years old, and even I can coordinate these effective Bible studies - with precious souls on the other side of the world ! We have now been with some of our Kenyan students for so long that they eventually advance in their school curriculum studies. We miss them and pray that what little encouragement and knowledge that we shared will stay with them the rest of their adult lives - until we meet again in Heaven.
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Paul Reiman, Elder, Fairfax Church of Christ, Fairfax, VA
"The Story of Redemption study series provides an easy and enjoyable way to share the message of Jesus with others. Each lesson in the series focuses on a specific story in the Bible and includes a professionally created video and printed material. The videos were filmed in different places around the world, with moving narration that helps the listener understand God's love for each person. And the printed material includes the actual story, quoted directly from the Bible, and thoughtful questions which promote discussion between all people -- believers, non-believers, young and old.
The SOR series is an excellent tool for sharing the story of God's love for man and His plan to reconcile each person to Himself through faith in Jesus."
The SOR series is an excellent tool for sharing the story of God's love for man and His plan to reconcile each person to Himself through faith in Jesus."
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Mark Bryson, Minister of Missions & Members, McDermott Road Church of Christ
"Of all our ministries with which we serve the Lord, we are greatly pleased to have found and used the Story of Redemption Films. (Next Gen team member) Joel Petty has done two seminars with us to show the value of their use in developing faith, particularly with our parents of teens. In addition, every Wednesday night we use the videos and discussion guides to teach Chinese speakers using the Chinese subtitle series. Our Spanish speakers in the Rio Grande valley are using the Spanish version in about 20 congregations, and our missionary in Estonia uses the Russian version."
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Kent Hartman, Professor at Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City, OK
Thank you James for your good work on the Story of Redemption series. I used the videos and discussion questions in the Discipleship and Evangelism class i teach at Oklahoma Christian University. My students really enjoyed the videos. They loved that many of the videos were filmed at the site of the events that were being talked about in the video. Some of the students had little Biblical knowledge and they learned about Jesus and his life. A number of the students have been in church for many years and they felt challenged to discover how these videos could be used to teach their friends about Jesus. The discussion questions that you provided were helpful in providing an opportunity for the students to go deeper in learning about Jesus.
I believe people who use the Story of Redemption videos have an excellent tool to bring people to faith in Christ or to help young Christians grow in their faith. Thanks again for the years you have put into this good work.
I believe people who use the Story of Redemption videos have an excellent tool to bring people to faith in Christ or to help young Christians grow in their faith. Thanks again for the years you have put into this good work.
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Jon Reed, Senior Minister, Hilltop Church of Christ, El Segundo, CA
"James Nored came and spent the whole day with us, talking about evangelism and outreach. And one of the things that James is doing that we really like is The Story of Redemption. I grew up with something in our brotherhood called the Jule Miller film strips. In their time they were fantastic and very effective, but they really don't apply as much anymore.
And so what James has done, if you've seen his videos, is he makes it very real, very authentic, and very accepting for people who don't have a Christian background, who maybe haven't been in church in a long time, and he uses narrative as a way of engaging people, the narrative, the story of Jesus Christ."
And so what James has done, if you've seen his videos, is he makes it very real, very authentic, and very accepting for people who don't have a Christian background, who maybe haven't been in church in a long time, and he uses narrative as a way of engaging people, the narrative, the story of Jesus Christ."
US - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Joey Derr, Deacon for Spanish Ministry, Chisholm Hills Church of Christ, Florence, AL
"We were really excited to be part of the process of getting this in to Spanish for the first time. It was great and my wife loves translation, and she was really proud to be a part of this process along with our Hispanic minister, Jesus. We just had a seminar here in Lima at one of the congregations and there was great participation. Seven different congregations were represented and we had over 100 in attendance. Everybody really liked the material.
The church leaders here were really excited about the Story of Redemption program because they felt like it was something that they could use to equip their members to be more evangelistic. And also, I think the young people really were excited about the video approach that they could use to share quickly and easily with their friends on their phones and using other media and technology.
I really see a great way in which the materials can be used for those that want to practice English. We're excited because we now want to take this back to our Hispanic congregation . . . . We highly recommend this program, especially for an evangelistic approach."
The church leaders here were really excited about the Story of Redemption program because they felt like it was something that they could use to equip their members to be more evangelistic. And also, I think the young people really were excited about the video approach that they could use to share quickly and easily with their friends on their phones and using other media and technology.
I really see a great way in which the materials can be used for those that want to practice English. We're excited because we now want to take this back to our Hispanic congregation . . . . We highly recommend this program, especially for an evangelistic approach."
Latin America - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Daniel Morgan, Brazilian Missionary, Harvest Brazil
"When I first heard about NEXT GEN - SOR I was intrigued. I felt that the kind of vision and the tools they were talking about was just what we needed today. But then I got really excited when I met the people involved and participated in an introductory training session at our church.
As a missionary in Brazil since the 1980’s, I could immediately see how this could be deployed not only among the “next generation” so they could discover Jesus and learn how to follow him; but I also saw a tremendous resource for making disciples and helping them to mature, so they could make other disciples.
In fact, we have now seen this ourselves in a powerful way since we began our more in-depth training with an online group in Vietnam. I wish that I could find the words, or that you could experience it yourselves, how my wife and I have been moved by seeing and becoming acquainted with so many beautiful people from this country wanting to know more about Jesus. Only God could have put “the pieces of this puzzle together” -- SOR, all the partners who make it possible, the content and the technology, the generous supporters, and receptive hearts with ears-to-hear who are receiving the Word.
We were so happy when the Portuguese voiceover became available because my wife and I have been involved in recent years with a network of christians and churches all over Brazil in a ministry called HARVEST BRAZIL with the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas. We believe there is going to be a great opportunity to provide the churches and their members in Brazil with tools that they can use to tell many people how to become followers of Jesus. May God make it so."
As a missionary in Brazil since the 1980’s, I could immediately see how this could be deployed not only among the “next generation” so they could discover Jesus and learn how to follow him; but I also saw a tremendous resource for making disciples and helping them to mature, so they could make other disciples.
In fact, we have now seen this ourselves in a powerful way since we began our more in-depth training with an online group in Vietnam. I wish that I could find the words, or that you could experience it yourselves, how my wife and I have been moved by seeing and becoming acquainted with so many beautiful people from this country wanting to know more about Jesus. Only God could have put “the pieces of this puzzle together” -- SOR, all the partners who make it possible, the content and the technology, the generous supporters, and receptive hearts with ears-to-hear who are receiving the Word.
We were so happy when the Portuguese voiceover became available because my wife and I have been involved in recent years with a network of christians and churches all over Brazil in a ministry called HARVEST BRAZIL with the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas. We believe there is going to be a great opportunity to provide the churches and their members in Brazil with tools that they can use to tell many people how to become followers of Jesus. May God make it so."
Latin America - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Steve Teel, Baxter Institute President, Honduras
We had an amazing three-hour session with James Nored, who inspired us with his dedication to reaching out to seekers with the Good News.
James shared his own journey and showed us multiple videos that were recorded at the very places where Jesus once walked. His unique approach left us grateful and inspired, and we highly recommend visiting this website at www.StoryofRedemptionFilms.com.
James shared his own journey and showed us multiple videos that were recorded at the very places where Jesus once walked. His unique approach left us grateful and inspired, and we highly recommend visiting this website at www.StoryofRedemptionFilms.com.
Latin America - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Joshua Marcum, Ecuador, Director of Quito School of Preaching
I found the SOR videos a well developed and easy-friendly resource to begin conversations between seekers and Christians.
The MU is excited to use this material and introduce it to all of the school as a means for evangelism . . .
During the pandemic, we were able to connect the [SOR[ videos with an English learning opportunity. We paired students in Ecuador with church members in the states and asked them to meet weekly during Lent. We opened a zoom room we called, “La Capilla,” and staffed it with a secretary who would guide the couples to private rooms where they could go through questions about the video for that week . . . We did form many one-on-one friendships using English to deepen our common desire to know our Creator. Some of these friendships are on going and so we pray the Lord continue to use them for His purposes.
Thank you for the work, investment, and access you have provided for enabling these encounter. May He continue to bless our efforts to make Him known!
The MU is excited to use this material and introduce it to all of the school as a means for evangelism . . .
During the pandemic, we were able to connect the [SOR[ videos with an English learning opportunity. We paired students in Ecuador with church members in the states and asked them to meet weekly during Lent. We opened a zoom room we called, “La Capilla,” and staffed it with a secretary who would guide the couples to private rooms where they could go through questions about the video for that week . . . We did form many one-on-one friendships using English to deepen our common desire to know our Creator. Some of these friendships are on going and so we pray the Lord continue to use them for His purposes.
Thank you for the work, investment, and access you have provided for enabling these encounter. May He continue to bless our efforts to make Him known!
Eastern Europe - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Joel Petty, Missionary in St. Petersburg, Russia
"We've seen how the Story of Redemption can be used in Estonia, with our teenagers in St. Petersburg, Russia, with people here in Minsk and Moscow, with the children's camp, also James went to Kiev, Ukraine . . . I think he has a real heart for, obviously a great desire to not only share the Gospel . . . but also to equip other Christians with good material that relates to this new generation of people that are more open to video, to short, concise, clear presentations.
The PDFs and the printed materials and the videos are something really anyone can use not just to get to evangelists or not just James himself. And so when he leaves, he's leaving people with material, with information, with something they can use practically to sit down and read the Gospel story with anyone."
The PDFs and the printed materials and the videos are something really anyone can use not just to get to evangelists or not just James himself. And so when he leaves, he's leaving people with material, with information, with something they can use practically to sit down and read the Gospel story with anyone."
Africa - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Joel Njue, Made in the Streets, Nairobi, Kenya
"Today we have various churches coming to The Story of the Redemption seminar. The churches were very excited about the material. You look at the youth and the teens nowadays, they are, what we say, digital. And I think the videos are neat. We have reached out to 160 churches. I think it's exciting.
We have seen 160 baptisms over the last year years from the SOR studies . . . We thank so much the Next Generation Ministries for the work they do in bring positive change in the lives of so many young people in Kenya "
We have seen 160 baptisms over the last year years from the SOR studies . . . We thank so much the Next Generation Ministries for the work they do in bring positive change in the lives of so many young people in Kenya "
Asia - Next Gen & Story of Redemption Testimonials
Vietnamese Missionary
I am writing this letter to let you know how pleased I am with the Story of Redemption Series. I would like to share how it has impacted my ministry here in Vietnam. It has truly been a game-changer. But first, I would like to share a little bit of my story. I and my family moved to Vietnam at the end of 2016 with the intention of reaching my people for Christ. My family and I were boat refugees who escaped Vietnam in 1976; one year after the fall of Saigon. After one year in a UN Refugee camp in Malaysia, my family found a sponsor in the US. I was 12 years old when I left my country of birth to become a resident and citizen of the United States.
It was 15 years before I was able to return to Vietnam for the first time since fleeing. When I saw the difficult circumstances of my people after the war years, my heart began to ache for them. But as I was not yet a believer in Jesus, I didn’t know what I could do to make a difference for Vietnam. Several years passed, and I was introduced to the amazing love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. When I returned again to Vietnam in 2008, and again in 2015, my heart broke. I knew God was calling me to help my people. I knew I must come back and live among those who have been locked in the darkness of animism, family ancestral worship, and Buddhism for centuries.
. . . Since moving here, many people have approached me to teach them English. I have had to tell them no, sorry, I’m not here for that, but I will teach you the bible in English. Amazingly, they are willing to study the bible to learn it. For the first five years, I experienced limited success in sharing the gospel in one-on-one bible studies. But earlier this year, everything began to turn around. I was introduced to your wonderful Redemption series by two dear friends of my family . . .
When I saw your first video segment, I was immediately excited; I could see the potential. I soon began to use SOR in my one-on-one bible studies and received nothing but positive feedback from the people I was studying with. Then things really began to take off . . . The group fluctuates every week, but on average we have between 15 to 25 people joining in to learn English, listen to your videos, and discuss the related question . . . . I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with your program and the wonderful Spirit-filled volunteers that show up every week to encourage and facilitate our discussion times. I believe SOR will only continue to have a life-giving impact in more and more people’s lives here in Vietnam.
Thank you for obeying this God-given vision by allowing me to use SOR to Vietnam.
It was 15 years before I was able to return to Vietnam for the first time since fleeing. When I saw the difficult circumstances of my people after the war years, my heart began to ache for them. But as I was not yet a believer in Jesus, I didn’t know what I could do to make a difference for Vietnam. Several years passed, and I was introduced to the amazing love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. When I returned again to Vietnam in 2008, and again in 2015, my heart broke. I knew God was calling me to help my people. I knew I must come back and live among those who have been locked in the darkness of animism, family ancestral worship, and Buddhism for centuries.
. . . Since moving here, many people have approached me to teach them English. I have had to tell them no, sorry, I’m not here for that, but I will teach you the bible in English. Amazingly, they are willing to study the bible to learn it. For the first five years, I experienced limited success in sharing the gospel in one-on-one bible studies. But earlier this year, everything began to turn around. I was introduced to your wonderful Redemption series by two dear friends of my family . . .
When I saw your first video segment, I was immediately excited; I could see the potential. I soon began to use SOR in my one-on-one bible studies and received nothing but positive feedback from the people I was studying with. Then things really began to take off . . . The group fluctuates every week, but on average we have between 15 to 25 people joining in to learn English, listen to your videos, and discuss the related question . . . . I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with your program and the wonderful Spirit-filled volunteers that show up every week to encourage and facilitate our discussion times. I believe SOR will only continue to have a life-giving impact in more and more people’s lives here in Vietnam.
Thank you for obeying this God-given vision by allowing me to use SOR to Vietnam.
Next Gen & Story of Redemption News
--- Articles on Next Gen Written by Erik Tryggestad, President & CEO of The Christian Chronicle
Screenshots from The Christian Chronicle website - https://christianchronicle.org/; CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Christian Chronicle!
Next Gen articles referenced in the screenshots and links below were written by Erik Tryggestad, President and CEO of The Christian Chronicle
Next Gen articles referenced in the screenshots and links below were written by Erik Tryggestad, President and CEO of The Christian Chronicle
- Christian Chronicle Article #1 - Christian Chronicle Article on Next Gen & the Nored Family Mission Trip to Croatia (Distance Learning)
- Christian Chronicle Article #2 - Christian Chronicle Article of how Ivica watched the Story of Redemption in prison & believed (Gospel Sets a Croatian Prisoner Free)
From The Christian Chronicle Print Edition, February 2021
NEXT GENERATION FOR CHRIST is a Christian nonprofit founded in 2016 that seeks to help churches reach people in today’s culture with the gospel. The ministry produces the “Story of Redemption,” filmed in Israel and other locales around the world, that takes viewers through the story of the Bible. The ministry hosts seminars and mission and discipleship training. James Nored, who has served as a preaching minister for Churches of Christ in Kansas City, Dallas and Washington, is executive director. The ministry works with churches in the US as well as overseas, and has representatives in countries including Russia, India, Kenya, Ecuador, Israel and Croatia and partners with ministries including Let’s Start Talking, Eastern European Mission, Heartlight and Croatia for Christ.
WEBSITE: nextgenerationforchrist.com, www.StoryofRedemptionFilms.com
NEXT GENERATION FOR CHRIST is a Christian nonprofit founded in 2016 that seeks to help churches reach people in today’s culture with the gospel. The ministry produces the “Story of Redemption,” filmed in Israel and other locales around the world, that takes viewers through the story of the Bible. The ministry hosts seminars and mission and discipleship training. James Nored, who has served as a preaching minister for Churches of Christ in Kansas City, Dallas and Washington, is executive director. The ministry works with churches in the US as well as overseas, and has representatives in countries including Russia, India, Kenya, Ecuador, Israel and Croatia and partners with ministries including Let’s Start Talking, Eastern European Mission, Heartlight and Croatia for Christ.
WEBSITE: nextgenerationforchrist.com, www.StoryofRedemptionFilms.com