- frequently asked questions about World Trade Hope

What is your mission?

Through the World Trade Hope Booklet and www.worldtradehope.com to provide comfort, peace, and most of all HOPE to hurting people whose lives were touched by the recent American tragedy. We believe true hope is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Why are we doing this? What motivates you?

People have many questions right now: “Where is God?” “Why did this happen?” “How do I handle my pain and fears?” We believe the Bible is sufficient to answer these & other questions so we have produced the HOPE BOOKLET and www.worldtradehope.com. We have sought to take the most difficult questions people are asking in the midst of this tragedy and answer them clearly and simply from the Word of God.

A tragedy is an opportunity for people, through the power of God, to persevere, rise above, and do our best. Tragedies like the one fresh in our minds produce two kinds of people: 1. Those who toss in the towel and become bitter, discouraged, and empty, OR 2. Those who, by the grace of God, rise above grief, anxiety, hurt and focus on what they can do for others. I think, by and large, the American people fit into that second category. There is a spirit of determination and perseverance to do something good in spite of the turmoil. We’ve caught that spirit, and that’s what we’re trying to do.

Mark Twain said: “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” I think we’re seeing America as a nation turn it’s heart to getting our minds of ourselves and onto helping others. There is a sense of joy and happiness whenever we unselfishly serve others.

A wise person once said: “One of the greatest tragedies of our modern civilization is that you and I can live a trivial life and get away with it.” I think the terrible loss of lives in our nation has kicked Americans out of our comfort zone. We’ve started thinking about eternal things. We’ve begun to evaluate the worth and measure of our lives. Our desire is that our efforts to distribute this message of hope would live on long after we’re gone.

Who are YOU?

My name is Bob Roberts. I write Christian children’s curriculum, I am the webmaster for www.kids4truth.com and am privileged to direct the Children’s Ministries at an area ministry in Independence, MO.

Who is doing this?

A group of Bible-believing Christians committed to helping hurting people find answers & comfort by pointing them to the ONE TRUE God. The people most intimately involved in World Trade Hope are also the producers of Kids 4 Truth or www.kids4truth.com.

How long did it take before you began production on the website and World Trade HOPE BOOKLET?

We began production about 3 hours after the tragedy. 

Do you really think you’re going to make a difference?

If one person is found alive in the rubble after the disaster – all rescue efforts would be worth it. If one hurting person is helped by what we’re doing – it WILL be worth all the efforts. Martin Luther King said: “It’s always the right time to do the right thing.”

How did you get the idea for World Trade Hope?

The common denominator throughout this whole tragedy has been that the American people want to do something to help their fellow Americans. That heartbeat certainly reached me and the many others who have made the HOPE BOOKLET and www.worldtradehope.com possible. The Lord granted the vision and motivation for this project and people like Marie Tabler, Rob Gillen, Jason Janz, Dan Nelson and many others are the ones who used their talents to produce quality resources for hurting folks.

Why do you believe God has allowed this to happen?

God uses times of tragedy to strengthen the faith of those who trust in Him, and also to establish faith in the hearts of those who currently do not seek for or trust the Lord. In adversity we usually want God to do a removing job when He wants to do an improving job. To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the storm. We cannot change the terrible circumstances, but we do have the freedom to respond in a way that looks to the future by striving to help others.

Can something good come from this American Tragedy?

A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain. Without question, the time in which we find ourselves is a furnace of affliction -- a time of great adversity – a time of testing and trial. But God will use this time to cause people to seek Him and to trust His Word. We must look to the One True God: the One Who is there, the One Who cares, and the One Who will help. When we look to this God for our help, it is always a good thing. 

Have people been helpful?

Exceptionally so. People want to do something. People that have put their faith in Jesus Christ see the value of getting appropriate Bible verses into the hands, heads, and hearts of hurting people.

Are you self-promoting?

Absolutely not. The words and ideas put forth in all our materials promotes the ONE TRUE God of the Bible. Our earnest prayer is that God alone would be glorified through the production of the HOPE BOOKLETS and www.worldtradehope.com. You will not find the names of the people responsible for the content and design of the booklet anywhere on the booklet, but you will find the name of God about 50 times. 

What is World Trade Hope producing?

We are producing the World Trade Hope booklet, which is a small, high-quality booklet that answers from the Bible 23 of the most difficult questions currently being asked after the recent American tragedy. We are also producing a World Trade HOPE CD which contains music and testimonies of encouragement. We have a testimony from a Columbine survivor, and a testimony from one who survived the Oklahoma City bombing. We will be distributing these CD’s free of charge to the people of New York City over the next month.

Where can people buy HOPE BOOKLETS?

Folks can call 1.877.455.2665 or visit us at www.worldtradehope.com

Could we help in a better way? You know, like using our monies to buy food or clothing – or donate it to the Red Cross?

We appreciate and applaud organizations like the Red Cross who strive to meet the most immediate physical and emotional needs of people. The issue is not to help in a better way; rather, we are helping in a different way. Jesus is in the business of healing hurting people. He will meet people where they are. Christ brings the most important kind of healing, spiritual healing, to those who call out to Him in faith.

Where is funding for this project coming from?

Many people have donated online at www.worldtradehope.com. Several organizations and individuals have caught the vision of World Trade Hope and have supported us generously.

Who is getting the HOPE BOOKLETS for free?

We are going to send a packet of 50 HOPE BOOKLETS to several thousand ministries in the New York City and Washington DC areas free-of-charge. We will also provide several thousand booklets free-of-charge to some ministries and organizations located at “ground-zero” in New York City.

What have you learned through doing this?

It’s been a lot of work to put everything World Trade Hope is producing on such short notice. There’s been some times when people say: “it can’t be done.” When people say: “it can’t be done" – they’re wrong. If a vision is God-given then He enables hidden resources to accomplish His purposes. Where God guides; God provides. Never underestimate what God can do through people who see a clear vision of what can be done, believe that vision is from God, and expect God to help them realize that vision. 

Don’t the Scriptures portray a “mean” and harsh God?

First of all, let me say that I’m not God and I don’t have all the answers, but to come away from the Bible with the idea that God is mean, and nasty is only possible if your predisposed to believing that God is cruel. God goes to great lengths to show His love for us. God says in His Word: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you." God is loving, kind, and forgiving. He never turns away those who come to Him in faith looking for comfort, healing, and hope.

How can what you’re doing provide hope?

Good, reasonable answers always provide hope. Answers not based on opinions that make sense and point us to a purpose greater than ourselves will provide hope. Solid answers based on a source other than our opinions or feelings works as an anchor for the soul. The best place to look for these solid answers and find them is the written Word of God.

How can people donate?

People desiring to give may donate online at www.worldtradehope.com or call 1-877-455-2665

What is the website address?

www.worldtradehope.com -- all one word

What is the contact phone #?

1.877.455.2665

Do you believe that the god of the Muslims is the God of the Christians?

Here is what the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 8:6  --  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Let it be clear that we love people of all faiths and denominations, but we only affirm faith in the One True God of the Bible – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  

Can you give me an example of the questions and answers in the HOPE BOOKLET?

Yes. The question is: “Has God abandoned me?” the Bible verse that answers that question is: Jeremiah 29:11 --  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Are you just trying to convert people?

World Trade Hope is an outreach of www.kids4truth.com