Speed the Light -- Far More than Money

Giving to Speed the Light (STL) increased for the third consecutive year in 2018, as Assemblies of God youth raised more than $9.8 million for missionaries — the highest total in more than a decade.

Yet, although being able to meet missionaries’ transportation and communication needs to an even greater extent has generated a lot of positive excitement, something else far more significant has caught the attention of youth leaders.

“Over the past eight months the question has been asked of students, Who will go and who will tell them?” explains Eric Hoffman, national director of Speed the Light. “There are several billion people around our globe that are labeled ‘spiritually lost’ and it’s this generation’s responsibility to tell them.”

The challenge has not been rejected. In the past five months alone, more than 600 students have said ‘yes’ to God’s call to become missionaries.

Hoffman says the efforts by and generosity of students and leaders this past year has been an incredible blessing to witness. However, the dollars shouldn’t overshadow what the Holy Spirit is doing in the hearts of students.

Since its inception in 1944 by Ralph Harris, STL has given more than $322 million to missions. The STL focus is to purchase equipment for missionaries directly related to evangelism, including transportation — whether that be car, boat, bus, bike, horse, camel, or donkey.

“Speed the Light spreads the gospel!” Hoffman states. “It is more than a program, and more than a project number — Speed the Light changes lives. It is this battle cry that has inspired this unconventional generation to lead with generosity.”

But for those who may wonder what Hoffman is witnessing in his travels and ministry, he puts it simply: “I believe we are in the midst of the greatest missional movement our Fellowship has ever seen.”

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