I came as close to heaven as a person can be, without getting in. For three years, I followed Jesus Christ and devoted myself to ministry. I was in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm. I served the bread and fish when He fed 5,000 people. As an apostle, I was sent out to preach the gospel, I cast out demons, and I called people to repentance. But today, despite all that I did as a follower of Jesus, I am languishing in hell.

Down here, we are all familiar with the story of the thief on the cross, to whom Jesus said, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.” He was on the brink of hell but ended up in heaven. My story is different. I was at the gates of heaven but ended up in hell. I was the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

I want you to know that I was neither a helpless victim nor a hideous monster. I was a person with hopes, dreams, doubts, fears, disappointments, and frustrations very much like you. When I abandoned my faith, I felt that I had good reasons for doing so, though now, I live with perpetual regret.

In telling my story, I seek neither your pity nor your praise. I write only to describe the path by which I came to this abyss, having spent the best years of my life as a disciple of Jesus.

FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF HEAVEN, SO NEAR – SO FAR

HEAVEN, SO NEAR – SO FAR The Story of Judas Iscariot

february 2018

So begins the compelling story of Judas Iscariot in Pastor Colin Smith’s new book titled Heaven, So Near – So Far: The Story of Judas Iscariot. In this book, Pastor Colin underscores the repeated opportunities Judas had to stay committed to the Lord, all of which he chose to walk away from. It will challenge all of us to stay faithfully committed to Christ.

WHO SHOULD READ THE BOOK?

Can you think of at least one person in your life who is wavering in their faith? Maybe it’s a family member, a classmate or a co-worker being lured by the temptations our world so readily serves up. They’re in danger of making a life decision that could lead to disaster. This book could be a real help. Or perhaps you yourself are struggling with doubts, maybe drifting away from the Lord. You may find just the encouragement you need in the pages of Heaven, So Near-So Far.

Pastor Colin said, “I wrote this book for people who are moving away from the faith they once professed. Their number is growing fast. I have been moved to

@the orchardMarch 2018

MARCH 2018

write by faces rather than numbers: the face of a young person brought up in a Christian home who now has little interest in the faith he once professed; the face of the one who extended herself in Christian ministry but was disappointed and now is close to leaving the church; the face of one for whom life has brought pain and perplexity to the point where, having once given testimony to God’s grace, he now wonders why he should believe in Christ at all. I wrote this book to plead with you not to walk away from Jesus Christ.”

A TOOL FOR SHARING AND INVITING

The book is for everyone. Pick one up for yourself and read it. Then share it with a friend. Or buy multiple copies and give them to the family members or friends in your life who would be encouraged by its message. It’s not a long book, so it’s accessible even for those who don’t like to read. If you’d prefer to listen rather than read, you can purchase the audio version.

Sharing a book written by your senior pastor could open the door for conversation that you might not otherwise have with a friend. Along with sharing the book, invite your friend to join you for worship at Easter. (It’ll be here soon! Easter is April 1.) Or invite them to visit your LIFE Group or to read the Bible one-to-one with you.

The book and audio book were released at the end of February. You can purchase either format at the Unlocking the Bible Bookstore at the Arlington Heights, Barrington and Itasca campuses or online at UnlockingtheBible.org.

Moody Radio will air the audio version locally the week of March 6-9 at 9 a.m., 90.1FM.

HEAVEN, HOW I GOT HERE: THE STORY OF THE THIEF ON THE CROSS

Heaven, So Near – So Far: The Story of Judas Iscariot is the companion to Pastor Colin’s 2015 book, Heaven, How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross. As a church,

we were greatly impacted by Heaven, How I Got Here. In March 2015, The Orchard partnered with Unlocking the Bible to host six live performances of Heaven, How I Got Here: A Night with the Thief on the Cross featuring actor Stephen Baldwin as the thief. The congregation was challenged to invite people who were uncertain about going to heaven or unclear about how to get there. More than 5,000 people attended one of the performances. In March 2016, we again hosted six live performances with more than 3,000 people in attendance. It was one of the greatest outreaches in the history of our church.

Many beyond The Orchard were impacted by the book and radio drama as well. Here are two stories to give you a glimpse:

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“I wrote this book because I want you to see that Jesus Christ is of supreme value and that following Him is worth any cost. My prayer is that, whatever your failures, disappointments or unanswered questions, you will come to a place of saying, ‘I cannot and will not give up on Jesus Christ.’” −COLIN SMITH

MARCH 2018

UPCOMING Preaching Schedule

MARCH 10/11Arlington Heights: Brandon Myers

Barrington: Tom Olson

Itasca: Brad Wetherell

Marengo: Jared Hendricks

Northfield: Josh Parsons

MARCH 17/18Arlington Heights: Brandon Myers

Barrington: Tom Olson

Itasca: Brad Wetherell

Marengo: Jared Hendricks

Northfield: Josh Parsons

MARCH 24/25Arlington Heights: Colin Smith

Barrington: Tom Olson

Itasca: Brad Wetherell

Marengo: Jared Hendricks

Northfield: Josh Parsons

MARCH 31/APRIL 1Arlington Heights: Colin Smith

Barrington: Tom Olson

Itasca: Brad Wetherell

Marengo: Jared Hendricks

Northfield: Josh Parsons

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FRED’S STORY

“Your brother has a dissected aorta. Ninety percent of people who get this don’t make it to the operating room,” the doctor told Fred when he arrived at the hospital. Fred went back to talk to his brother, Kurt, and shared with him that the doctor said he might not make it. Fred told him that he loved him, that Jesus loved him and that

Kurt needed to make Jesus his Lord and Savior. Kurt’s reply was clear. “No.”

Kurt survived the surgery and went home. A week later, Fred visited Kurt’s house and found him dead.

Fred had been reading Heaven, How I Got Here, and he thought it might be a good to have available the day of the funeral to whoever wanted one. As he read the book, he thought it was outstanding because it cut through the religiosity and put the gospel in the terms that it needed to be explained. He called Unlocking the Bible and ordered 150 copies so he could hand them out. Fred wanted something good to happen as a result of their tragedy and thought Heaven, How I Got Here would help.

NANCY’S STORY

“A few months ago, I was driving home after volleyball. So oftentimes, I turn on Moody Radio and I was pleasantly surprised to hear a radio drama, Heaven, How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross. It was done with excellence, and it piqued my interest because I never thought of the thief on the cross being in heaven and

how that all transpired. I was drawn into the story. And it was so powerful that I wanted to let my friends as well as my neighbor know. So, I took a note over to Nancy’s house with the information about the program, including the date and the radio station. A couple days later, Nancy stopped by to say how much she enjoyed the program and that her son, Steve, was really impacted by it.

A few days later Steve came to tell me that the radio drama changed his life! I asked him if there was a time when he put his faith in Christ. And he replied, “Yes

– after the radio drama!” Since that time, my husband and I have been able to have Bible studies with Steve and have watched him devour the Bible.”

We pray that people will be similarly helped and impacted by Heaven, So Near – So Far. Prayerfully consider giving a copy to someone you care deeply about. It just may have a life-changing impact.

BEN & MICHELLE SINCOCK EFCA Great Lakes District Church Plant/Illinois Ben is a graduate of The Orchard Network who has served in many areas at The Orchard. He is currently leading a church plant in Schiller Park. An oversight team of four individuals have joined Ben and each of these men brings a great amount of pastoral experience and expertise as well as a heart for seeing the gospel spread to Schiller Park. Pray for outreach in the area with people that have attended church but seem to have little understanding of the work of Christ on their behalf. Pray for more connection with Spanish and Polish speaking Christians in order to meet the needs of those living near the church.

GINNY FELDMANN SIM USA/Greater Chicago Area Ginny served with SIM outside of the United States for 30 years. After returning to the States to care for her parents, she prayed to begin a ministry among M* in the greater Chicago area. Ginny is a prayerful evangelist among the people she seeks out and becomes friends with in many settings. Pray for the opportunities that have opened up for her to tutor students regarding school needs and having opportunity to minister often to the whole family. Pray for an advisory council to help Ginny make. Pray for Ginny as she speaks to groups and teaches regularly in a variety of settings about the need for reaching these people for the Lord.

ISAAC & GLORIA SHAW Delhi Bible Institute/India Isaac is the National Director and President of Delhi Bible Institute. Since 1983, he has overseen the training of more than 35,000 men and women who have planted more than 10,000 churches. Emphasis in North India is placed on helping the poor, supporting Afghan refugees, providing sewing and computer centers and helping thousands of children remain in school. Praise for churches and organizations that have stood with Delhi Bible Institute in their endeavor to reach North India with the gospel. Praise for support through prayers, participation and financial giving. Praise for what God is doing in India through DBI.

HAROLD & CINDY GOLDEN ReachGlobal/Hungary Harold and Cindy Golden serve with the Budapest City Team. They work with English clubs in Kelenföld and with parents from a high school run by the Hungarian Baptist Association. During the past three years Harold and Cindy have established many good relationships along with building understanding of the Bible. Praise for the beginning of a little church plant that has grown out of these relationships. Pray for God to protect this group and give strong roots for the beginning of this plant. Pray for the leadership of the group through David and Judit (and baby Daniel).

DAVE & WENDY NELLIS UIM International/Mexico Dave and Wendy’s ministry includes translation projects with the Chatino church, providing them with tools for discipleship and evangelism to reach their community with the gospel. Recently, nearby areas were affected by earthquakes and people lost everything. Praise that the Nellis’ church family helped an elderly couple who lost everything and built them a new home. Pray for Manuel and Laura’s salvation due to the generosity of people they did not know. Praise for their first Chatino literacy class graduation. Pray that they will read and treasure the Chatino New Testament given at graduation.

JANET MURRAY Team/Chad Janet has served with TEAM in Chad since 1983. Women make up the majority of the Evangelical Church in Chad. Praise for a group of 50 women who meet regularly for prayer, study and to encourage one another in how to reach and teach younger women. They encourage their daughters with love and wisdom grounded in the Word of God. Pray for Janet while she is currently on home assignment until May and then will return to Chad for a final three-year term.

GLOBAL MINISTRIES UPDATES

A MULTI-CAMPUS EVANGELICAL CHURCH | THEORCHARDEFC.ORGArlington Heights · Barrington · Itasca · Marengo · Northfield

MARCH 2018

HEAVEN, SO NEAR – SO FAR The Story of Judas Iscariot

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