A Signs of the Times news box ministry is reaching out to non-Adventists in the Pacific Union.

Every week thousands of people around the Pacific Union pick up Sunday papers from boxes in front of grocery stores, gas stations and post offices. Many of these people also pick up a free copy of Signs of the Times.

Signs of the Times is a monthly, 64-page, evangelistic magazine in a Reader's Digest format, specifically written for non-Adventists. It is designed to help contemporary readers understand and practice Christianity in modern society—with special emphasis on Christ's second advent. Every issue includes a mail-in Bible-study card.

In the Pacific Union, 105 churches currently sponsor Signs boxes in their communities, distributing almost 8,000 Signs of the Times and 2,700 El Centinela (the Spanish equivalent to Signs) magazines each month.

The Ojai church, in the Southern California Conference, sponsors five Signs boxes: one at a liquor store, two at convenience stores, and two at restaurants. Their new one at Casitas Market marked the 4,000th Signs news box to be placed in North America.

Kevin Byrne, pastor of the Ojai church, says, "We are so thankful for this unique opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus in a contemporary way. We have already gained eight new students in our Discover Bible study program this year."

Gene Disney, an elder at the Kingman church in Arizona, has also seen results from their church's Signs news box ministry. "We've had a wonderful response to our Signs boxes. They have produced a number of Bible studies, and we're pleased with how God has blessed this ministry." The Kingman church distributes 200 Signs of the Times a month through their two boxes.

The Redding church, in the Northern California Conference, which started their news box ministry in 1996, sponsors two Signs boxes, one in front of retail stores and one at a doctor's office. A Redding church member faithfully visits the boxes each week to refill them.

David Sturm, who started the Signs news box ministry, travels around the U.S. visiting churches and assisting them in finding locations for news boxes. "I have placed news boxes in front of post offices, grocery stores, liquor stores, gas stations, mini-marts, restaurants, and even hospitals," says Sturm.

When asked why churches see the value of a news box ministry, Sturm says, "They are attracted to it because it is a powerful yet easy way to do evangelism. People can pick-up a copy of the magazine and take it home. They can look at it in their homes without feeling threatened or embarrassed."

Churches interested in sharing Signs through a news box ministry can contact David Sturm at 208-850-2387. Individual subscriptions are available through any Adventist Book Center or online at www.AdventistBookCenter.com. For more information about Signs of the Times magazine, visit their Web site at www.signstimes.com.