GOING THROUGH – Even If the Door is Closed
Also available as an E-book
Going Through – Even If the Door is Closed takes you on an exciting adventure of Missionary exploits in Europe during the dramatic events of the Cold War.
Serving the Persecuted Church
In this superficial age of short term religious tourism, Going Through comes as an invigorating tonic - showing what real Missions are all about. Bill and Harriett Bathman have clearly demonstrated what wholehearted, lifelong commitment is all about. While this adventure of discipleship begins with a Summer outreach - it does not stop there. For over 60 years the Bathmans have given everything they have into the cause of Evangelism, and serving the persecuted Church. They immersed themselves into the lives of the people amongst whom they were called to serve. They were 22 years into their ministry in Europe before they took their first furlough. They show us what it means to "endure hardship," "stand firm to the end" and "persevere under trial."
Sacrificial Service
In Missions, obstacles abound. Disappointments, dangers, difficulties and discouragements are occupational hazards of cross cultural missions. Missionaries need to know that they are called of God and they need to persevere in that call - willingly enduring hardships, discomfort, opposition and worse. As Going Through so powerfully illustrates: Sacrificial service is more eloquent than many sermons.
Behind the Iron Curtain
When I have been privileged to accompany my Father-in-law, Rev. Bill Bathman, on missions to Eastern Europe (both before and after the Iron Curtain collapsed) – was struck by how much the people there love him. In Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Romania, it was inspiring to see with what overwhelming joy he was welcomed by the pastors, and to see the sea of devoted, shining faces of the members of each congregation as they stood or sat in rapt attention, riveted and hanging on every word of their beloved "Brother Bill."
When the Needs Were the Greatest
Time and again, the precious believers in Eastern Europe eagerly related to me how Bill Bathman had been the first Christian from the West to visit them, how he had visited them the most, stayed the longest, given the most, and had come back again and again. He came through when their need was the greatest, during the darkest years, when it was the most dangerous, when few others seemed to care or to dare - Bill Bathman was there for them.
Revival Fires
Rev. Bill Bathman is a world class preacher, but you could never compare his preaching in the West with the incredibly anointed ministry God poured through him in Eastern Europe. Leaders in Romania attributed the outbreak of Revival in Romania to God's gracious working through Bill Bathman during a particularly powerful series of sermons delivered in January 1983 for a special crusade in Oradea.
Marathon Mission
It often seems that modern missionary volunteers just want to dabble in missions - for the experience. Going Through presents an inspiring example of dedicated discipleship and serious service, not splashing in the shallows - but delving into the deep. Spiritually speaking, Missions need long-distance marathon runners - not short distance sprinters.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1.
GOING ON
BEHIND ENEMY LINES and BEYOND THE NEWS HEADLINES
by Bill Bathman
Triumph Amidst Tribulation
Going On is a fascinating sequel to Going Through – Even if the Door is Closed. Veteran Missionary Bill Bathman takes us on an unforgettable journey across four continents during the tumultuous events of the Cold War. Starting with the Rhodesian War in 1977, Going On presents us with behind the scenes interviews with remarkable people, in extraordinary times. Revolutions in Central America. Repression in Red China. Resistance to communism in Eastern Europe and Africa. Revival in Zululand. Revival amidst persecution in Sudan. Fervent faith under fire in the war zones of Africa. Triumph amidst tragedies and tremendous testimonies of God's grace, provision, protection and guidance. If you want to understand the turbulent times of the Cold War and the rise of Islamic terrorism threatening Faith and freedom today, Going On will take you behind the lines and beyond the news headlines to what has really been happening in these conflict and restricted access areas.