Colporteurs add value by sharing and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the health message through distributing and selling literature to people in the community and the church. For years, colporteurs went door to door in neighborhoods selling books and magazines on various topics about the Creation story, salvation, health, and much more. Today, many have a book or magazine purchased from a colporteur in their homes. If so, thank a colporteur for helping to spread the Gospel by providing relevant and valuable educational resources.
Times have changed, people are less likely to open their doors to someone they do not know, and some live in gated communities, limiting access for colporteurs. Realizing the critical need for and importance of reaching people with messages of health and salvation, Richard Frazier, a colporteur for more than 40 years, became an innovative colporteur by enhancing the traditional method of canvassing. He narrowed his focus and started selling health books to people outside their homes at grocery stores, military bases, hospitals, businesses, housing complexes, schools, and in front of fast food resturants.
To start the conversation with people and spark their interest in the health message, Frazier uses a variety of attractive and interactive displays which engage sight, hearing, and touch. His colorful tablecloth with stand-up posters and banners is eye-catching. Likewise, models of the healthy and unhealthy brain, heart, kidney, and lungs are used to compare healthy lifestyle choices and poor lifestyle practices. Allowing the audience to touch the models helps to bring the health message to life. This innovative approach knocks on the hearts and minds of people, opening them to the truth about salvation and health.
Through the years, the health message remains relevant. Frazier keeps current with health topics of public interest via the media. In the news, anchor persons report health problems. In contrast, Frazier, an innovative colporteur and health resource educator, offers a partial solution by displaying and distributing books and magazines about the topic. He provides education on disease and remedies. Also, he sells magazines and books on diabetes, mental health for adults and young people, and the eight laws of health — nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest, and trust in God, which contribute to mental, physical, and spiritual health and wellness.
Frazier is passionate about spreading the Gospel and balancing health and salvation. During a conversation, I asked, “What motivates you to promote health and wellness and to do colporteur work? He answered, “I enjoy helping to spread the Gospel — the principles of salvation and the health message, which is the entering wedge to the Gospel. The enemy is subtly taking away health. I plan to spread the Gospel as long as God allows and until probation closes.” He shared that he prays for God to lead the way and for angels to go before him throughout the day. He concluded, “My sole desire is for people to meet Jesus.”
Despite the changing times, the innovative colporteur approach used by Frazier aligns with the Gospel commission in Matthew 28:19, 20, to go and teach. This method reaches people where they are allowing them to learn about health and wellness, Jesus the Savior, and the gift of eternal life. There is much to be learned from this approach; when we try to spread God’s Word, He opens doors for all to have access to people in places that they otherwise may not have had.
Southeastern Conference has a robust Publishing Department led by Lucious Hall, pastor and director. He trains students and individuals how to be colporteurs. Because the health message is the right hand of the Gospel, let all do their part to share the health message for the salvation of souls, educating how to care for the body, God’s temple, where the Holy Spirit dwells. Southeastern has numerous educational resources on various topics. For more information, contact Lucious Hall at 352-735-3142, x107, or email Lucious.Hall@secsda.org.
More information about the innovative colporteur health resource educator, contact Richard Frazier at 216-644-6434 or email rfrazier1000@gmail.com.
Southeastern | March 2023
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