Rough Road To Freedom

“I still wonder, “why me?” I certainly did not plan this amazing adventure.” Neil is surprisingly humble about his astonishing life achievements. But the most humbling confession within this book comes with his philosophy for ministry. Never before have I heard anyone admit this. In the forward Neil confesses “I have never advertised or sought to market ‘Freedom In Christ Ministries’. I have never sought a position in ministry. I have never gone where I haven’t been invited. I have never tried to raise support for this ministry, or charged for my services. All my individual counselling has been free.”

No income? I’m sure Neil lives in comfort, but to hear he never does anything to further his ministries revenue is some-what counter-clockwise in today’s money driven culture. How did ‘Freedom In Christ’ become an internationally renowned course, used by millions?

“Freedom In Christ has offices around the world and many representatives, but doesn’t own anything. We raise our own support, and rent our facilities. I will not spend a minute of my time to keep this ministry afloat.” Not only does Neil refuse payment, but he also neglects the financial needs of the ministry. Usually a ministry hangs on the coattails of an inspirational leader, releasing a best-selling book each year creating a regular cash flow. So without help from Neil how does it even exist?

Neil continues, “I believe parachurch ministries like the one I founded are meant to come and go. The Church, however, will remain until the Lord comes back, which is why I remain committed to the local church.” You can either struggle to keep something from sinking or you can let it sink or float.

Without a marketing campaign, without a charismatic leader and without a big budget allows your gospel-driven vision to shine through. Neil’s philosophy of parachurch place makes perfect sense, focus on the work of the Church and nothing else. In fact I’m not sure if it was Neil’s idea. Paul surrendered himself for the gospel, giving everything he had leading missions through the world to spread the gospel.

Why you, Neil? I’ll tell you why. It’s because you are simply living the gospel. You won’t find any bigoted remarks or big-headed statements in Neil’s autobiography. Just his life story, as he followed Christ on an amazing adventure.

Neil Anderson comes from a poor farming background. A fun-loving, sports-crazy child, no one suspected that he would eventually become a pastor, complete five degrees, write sixty books and found a global ministry. He served in the US Navy before completing his degree in electrical engineering, then worked as an aerospace engineer before sensing a call to ministry. He spent years in church ministry before becoming a seminary professor, finally leaving to start Freedom in Christ Ministries.

'God put a burden on my heart to see captives set free and their emotional wounds healed. But my early education was steeped in western rationalism. It has taken me years to discover the reality of the spiritual world, and learn to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Over the years I have heard people say, "I can't peg you." To which I respond, "Try Christian.'" Freedom In Christ Ministries exists to equip the church to help people become fully alive, free in Christ.