Our May Newsletter is now available. I wrote about preparing for The Da Vinci Code movie, which will be released on Friday. I am also including a ministry report for 2005-06. My desire was to communicate what God has done through our ministry this year. I include some statistics to show the impact that my work is having on reaching, equipping and sending students.

Barna did research on the book, The Da Vinci Code. I found several of his findings and comments interesting:

• Roughly 45 million Americans have read the book – 1 in every 5 which makes it the most widely read book with a spiritual theme other than the Bible
• Only 5% said that the book changed any of their beliefs or religious perspectives

“Before reading The Da Vinci Code people had a full complement of beliefs already in place, some firmly held and others loosely held,??? explained George Barna, the author of numerous books about faith and culture. “Upon reading the book, many people encountered information that confirmed what they already believed. Many readers found information that served to connect some of their beliefs in new ways. But few people changed their pre-existing beliefs because of what they read in the novel. And even fewer people approached the book with a truly open mind regarding the controversial matters in question, and emerged with a new theological perspective. The book generates controversy and discussions, but it has not revolutionized the way that Americans think about Jesus, the Church or the Bible.???

But what I also found interesting was this quote:

“On the other hand,??? the researcher continued, “any book that alters one or more theological views among two million people is not to be dismissed lightly. That’s more people than will change any of their beliefs as a result of exposure to the teaching offered at all of the nation’s Christian churches combined during a typical week.???