Principles & Practices

History

When a young English schoolgirl over a hundred years ago, wanted her friends to know Jesus as Saviour, she relied on the written Word of God. She involved her friends in reading and carrying a New Testament - and The Pocket Testament League was born.

When that young girl married an evangelist the Lord was using all over the world, The Pocket Testament League began its journey to the ends of the earth.

Since World War I, The Pocket Testament League has visited men and women In uniforms of many nations. The small Testaments and Gospels of John have been the only hope and peace in the midst of many wars, as so many will attest.

Today The Pocket Testament League reaches people in many countries and in special events such as the Olympics. The focus remains the same as it was
for the young girl — The Word of God.

‘Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ’ Romans 10 17 (NIV )

Character

The Pocket Testament League is an international, interdenominational evangelical ministry. Its emphasis rests on the distribution and reading of the Word of God, evangelism and discipleship of Christians. The goal is to build the body of Christ.

Many have been able to testify to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ because they had been given a Bible, New Testament or Gospel.

Objectives

The Pocket Testament League worldwide seeks to:

Encourage Christians to read the Bible daily for personal spiritual growth and to use the Scriptures in witnessing to others.

Publish and distribute Scriptures in many languages worldwide and to use them to evangelize the lost.

Obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), by evangelizing the lost using the Scriptures, personal witnessing and other effective means as led by the Spirit

Follow up new Christians with discipleship and by encouraging the study of the Word through Correspondence Courses.

Build up and strengthen existing churches and assist in planting new churches.

Doctrinal Statement

The following brief summary of belief is accepted by all Pocket Testament League personnel:

1. The inspiration and authority of the whole Bible (Old & New Testaments) as the full revelation of God by the Holy Spirit.

2. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His substitutionary atoning death on the cross, His bodily resurrection and His personal return.

3. The necessity of the new birth for entering the Kingdom of God (John 3).

4. The obligation upon all believers to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ and seek the salvation of others.

Ministry

The ministry of The Pocket Testament League is Scripture distribution combined with evangelism, preaching and personal contacts. The ministry is carried out by evangelists of many nations. Almost all of those serving abroad are nationals of the country where they serve.

The Pocket Testament League evangelists use a wide variety of means to take the truth of Jesus Christ and God’s love to the world. Where people need to hear, The Pocket Testament League evangelists go and tell:

From massive annual campaigns In India
to the China’s In hospitals In New York,
From villages in Spain with no evangelical
church
to international airports,
From refugee camps in Austria
to National Sports events In Indonesia,
From prisons on America’s East Coast
to the hill tribes In Thailand,
From schools In the Philippines
to military camps in Korea,
From retirement homes in Australia
to soccer fields In Portugal,
From remote villages in Mexico
to radio stations in Yugoslavia,
From city to town to village to school
to home to Individual,
Pocket Testament League evangelists take
the
Gospel throughout the world.

‘How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?’ Romans 10 14-15a

Finances

The Pocket Testament League is supported by gifts from the Lord’s people. Contributions to its ministry are acknowledged by official receipt. All such contributions are utilized for the furtherance of its objectives. The expressed instructions of any donor in regard to the application of funds contributed to the League will be respected and carried out as far as is practicable. Gifts given toward the support of a particular evangelist or field, or in response to a specific appeal, are applied 100% to that account.

The Pledge

Membership of the League is by signing the following pledge:

"I hereby accept membership of the Pocket
Testament League by making it the habit of my life
to read a portion of the Bible each day and to carry
a Bible, Testament or Gospel with me."

Organisation

The Pocket Testament League is made up of many people serving under councils in various countries. Leadership and direction is provided by the councils.

The League worldwide has an International Office at:
First Floor, Vision Building,
4 Footscray Road, Eltham.
London SE9 2TZ.

The Pocket Testament League in Australia is under the leadership and guidance of an Executive Board. The Board and staff look to God as their governing authority.