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Apr 17, 2025 06:00am

As Urgent as a Storm

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“If you know anyone in Lake City, call them, text them, let them know they need to take cover now. This tornado is headed directly to them.”

Chief Meteorologist Ryan Vaughan and his team at Region 8 News were tracking the path of this massive tornado and trying to warn as many people as they could. While Ryan was moving the radar and using the tools they had to try to pinpoint the direction, Christina was calling out names of roads within the path of the storm.

“Take cover now. Don’t wait.”

It has been a rough couple of weeks in Arkansas, to say the least. The severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding have wreaked havoc and destruction across the state. Many have lost everything, farms have been destroyed, and some are still searching for anything salvageable in the aftermath.

“If you are anywhere along this line, just take cover. You should be in your tornado safe spot.” The long line of tornado-producing storms was headed up the entire eastern side of the state.

“We want to get the word to as many people as we can. Call everyone you know and tell them to take cover now.”

Phones were going off, apps sending notifications, the TV and Facebook showing live coverage, and even urging word of mouth—they used every means possible to warn as many people as they could.

Romans 15:20–22
“My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.
21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘Those who have never been told about Him will see, and those who have never heard of Him will understand.’
22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.”

Paul, called by God to share the Gospel to the Gentiles, explained why it had taken him so long to visit with the church in Rome. He had a job to do. He had to share this important news with as many people as he could. There were people out there who had never heard about Jesus. They needed to know the forgiveness, sacrifice, and hope that He offered. They needed to know that the only way they could be saved was through faith in Jesus Christ. He was willing to go to the ends of the earth to share this news with those that had never heard.

Today, there are more than 8 billion people in the world; 2 billion of them have never heard the name of Jesus.

They need to know the truth. They need to be warned of the danger that’s coming if they die without accepting Christ’s gift of salvation. They need to know He’s coming again. And at Lifeword, we use every possible way to proclaim that message. Through print, radio, TV, social media, and in-person, Lifeword shares the Gospel of Jesus in 170 languages. Using creative media, Lifeword produces content that speaks to the heart language of people all over the globe.

Why?

Paul believed in the mission Isaiah stated so long ago: “Those who have never been told about Him will see, and those who have never heard of Him will understand.”

We believe that too. And that’s why we tell the story.

People need to know. Will you share it? It’s as urgent as breaking news and severe weather warnings.

Share the Gospel. Make disciples.

Go to follow.lifeword.org to learn more about who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him daily.