The Lord has done miraculous things to bring a backyard Bible study to a predominant soul-winning television ministry which has become a mighty force in Kingdom of God. 

 

In 1981, shortly after Rod Parsley first began his ministry as a pastor, he was in a tiny office praying about beginning a 15-minute weekly radio broadcast.  One of his dear friends walked in the door and inquired what Pastor Parsley was doing.  He answered, "I am believing God to go on a 15-minute radio program once a week".  His friend answered, "The Lord sent me to tell you that God doesn't want you on radio.  He wants you to go on television; and not once a week-twice a week; not for 15 minutes-for 30 minutes."  And he said, "Here's the card that the Lord sent me with the man to call to make it happen."

 

Pastor Parsley called the name on the card, and talked to a man who had a television studio near Columbus, Ohio. That man agreed to let Pastor Parsley use his facility and equipment for about half of what was usually charged. Once every month, Pastor Parsley and his staff piled several suits in his vehicle and drove to the studio to tape an entire month's worth of programming in front of one camera.

 

Everything went well, until suddenly the man decided to sell his studio and $150,000 worth of equipment.  There was nowhere to go to produce a program without costing twice as much, which wasn't an option for a small church.

 

While driving past a nearby pond nearby the current location of World Harvest Church, God spoke up in Pastor Parsley's spirit, and said, "Offer them $17,000 for the entire studio full of equipment."  

 

Pastor Parsley thought this was a test of faith and obedience since he didn't have $17,000.  He thought he would offer it anyway, but understood the power of God was available if he'd just obey.  

 

The day came to meet with the man who owned the studio.  Pastor Parsley took two elders with him, and when they arrived-before presenting the offer-the studio owner was scratching his head.  He began to weep, said he'd had a board meeting that day.  He said, "We've got to be out of this building that this equipment is in, in 24 hours.  This equipment is going to be sitting on the street.  And we agreed to sell this equipment today for just what we owe on it."  Pastor Parsley replied, "Well, what is it that you owe on it?"  He said, "$17,000."

 

Pastor Parsley accepted the offer, but didn't have a penny saved for that equipment.  After telling the story of faith to his small congregation, they joined in faith and giving to provide what was needed to purchase the equipment. 

 

That $17,000 was provided by the hand of the Lord to launch the in-house production of the soul-winning Breakthrough ministry, which still blankets the globe and brings the life-changing power of the Word of God to a lost and hurting world.