Amazing Facts began as a daily radio program on WBMD in Baltimore in the spring of 1966. The radio show was developed by the Chesapeake Conference as a way to sow seeds for public evangelism. This new approach to soul winning quickly became popular under the direction of pastor and evangelist Joe Crews.
Each radiobroadcast opened with an amazing scientific or historical fact, and a brief biblical message followed. Hundreds and then thousands of listeners began sending for the free Bible lessons offered at the end of each broadcast. Christians and non-Christians alike praised the colorful and attention-grabbing Amazing Facts That Affect You lessons written by Bill May.
Realizing the enormous soul-winning potential of the fledgling program, the Chesapeake Conference began paving the way for Amazing Facts to become a nationwide ministry. First, it was legally incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the fall of 1966. Shortly thereafter, Amazing Facts became officially recognized as an authorized ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today it continues to operate as a ministry of the Chesapeake Conference, and thus as part of the Columbia Union. All Amazing Facts employees are licensed or issued credentials by the Chesapeake Conference, and the ministry is audited yearly by the General Conference. However, because of the generous donations of supporters, Amazing Facts is totally self-funding. This unique relationship makes Amazing Facts a one-of-a-kind Adventist media ministry.
Originally located at the Chesapeake Conference office, Amazing Facts moved its headquarters to Frederick, Maryland, in 1980. This move enabled the ministry to expand in both form and function. Its Bible correspondence course continued to grow, serving students from around the world. Then, to meet a growing need within the church for affordable public evangelism, Amazing Facts began training young men to join the ministry’s team as full-time evangelists. In 1987 the ministry added television programming to its communication chain. A 27-night evangelistic series held by Joe Crews was filmed live and aired on selected stations around the country. Audience response was enthusiastic, as it had been with the radio program more than 20 years earlier. The clear, Bible-based messages and straightforward delivery gained immediate acceptance by countless people nationwide.
Sensing the urgency of the gospel imperative, Amazing Facts in 1993 added two more elements to its outreach agenda. The first was a program for equipping laypersons and pastors with the skills necessary to hold successful evangelistic campaigns. These hands-on training seminars have enabled hundreds of dedicated and energetic individuals to conduct public crusades worldwide.
The second element was a church preparation coordinator to teach churches how to do prework and follow-up for each Amazing Facts evangelistic meeting. A model timeline includes one year of preparation for each reaping series, followed by a six-month program to nurture new converts and those still making decisions. Pastors, laypersons, and church leaders alike have applauded these two new programs as long overdue.
Amazing Facts has grown from a local broadcast to a soul-winning center with worldwide scope. Today its radio programs are broadcast from 81 stations around the world, and its telecast airs 45 times each week. From its beginning with one evangelist it has grown to a team of 15 ministers dedicated to spreading this last-day message. Furthermore, the original 12 Amazing Facts That Affect You Bible lessons have been expanded to 27, and their appeal remains unprecedented. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in its Bible correspondence school.
Amazing Facts also publishes a monthly magazine, The Inside Report , which is free upon request. A free catalog of evangelistic resource materials is also available. Both may be obtained through Amazing Facts’ corporate headquarters.