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Currency Inscription Sets Tone for New Ministry Effort

Contact: Mike Brickley, The Pocket Testament League, 717-468-3700

LITITZ, Penn., April 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- A simple inscription found on all US currency was the inspiration behind a new effort of hope for people struggling with financial challenges. The Pocket Testament League and Kingdom Advisors have partnered together in a new initiative to encourage Christians to read, carry and share the Word of God, while solving financial problems at the same time.

Working in partnership with Kingdom Advisors, The Pocket Testament League has produced a Gospel of John cover design that cuts directly to the issue of trust. Featuring a close up of the distinctive phrase "In God We Trust" found on US currency, and the headline "Where do you place your trust?," this new Gospel cover is ideal for helping people think about what they look to as their source of security.

Americans see the words "In God We Trust" each and every day, yet few understand the amazing wisdom or power behind them. This phrase, inscribed on all US currency, has a remarkable history.

During the civil war, Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals urging that the United States recognize God on US coins as a way to affirm the Christian foundations under which the nation, now torn apart by war, was unified in heart and spirit.

On November 20, 1861, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto:

"No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition."

Pollock did so, and in 1863 the motto was approved with the words, IN GOD WE TRUST. This phrase first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin. Since 1938, all United States coins have born the inscription. Legislation approved on July 11, 1955, made the appearance of "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins and paper currency of the United States. The words first appeared on paper money in 1957.

The issue of where we put our trust is something all people struggle with. With over 2,000 verses about money, the Bible has more to say about this subject than any other.

League president Michael Brickley says that "This Gospel cover answers people's concerns about money by offering access to very practical advice for managing money from a biblical perspective."

Links are provided directing the reader to MasterYourMoney.com, a website committed to helping people develop a biblical framework for financial decision making so that people can discover true financial freedom. On this website, Ron Blue, a financial planner for over 40 years, noted speaker, and author of more than 17 books on personal finance, offers biblically based advice so that anyone can get started today on the road to financial freedom, one decision at a time. This is especially important in these financially challenging times.

In addition, the Gospel cover includes links to Kingdom Advisor's nationwide listing (www.kingdomadvisors.org) of Qualified Kingdom Advisors(TM). Kingdom Advisors, led by Ron Blue and founded by Larry Burkett, has developed the Qualified Kingdom Advisor(TM) designation to provide confidence to those looking for advice and counsel from a biblical perspective by designating those advisors who have met strict criteria and completed a training program.

The Pocket Testament League, founded in 1893 by a teenage girl, encourages Christians to read, carry and share the Word of God. With more than 220,000 members (membership is free), the League offers free online tools such as daily devotionals, Bible reading programs and evangelism training.

The organization publishes Gospels of John in a variety of attractive cover designs, recognizing that people are more likely to open and read the Gospel given to them if the cover relates to something that has meaning for their lives. The booklets are sized to fit in any pocket or purse, and covered with a plastic laminate coating so that they still look fresh after hours in a pocket.

This Gospel of John can be ordered online from The Pocket Testament League at www.pocketpower.org/7111