The Forerunner
Encyclopedia
The Forerunner was a publication that emphasized reformation of society and biblical worldview. The monthly newspaper was published by Maranatha Campus Ministries
from 1981 to 1989. Contributing editors and correspondents from Russia
, Ukraine
, China
, Latin America
, South Africa
and many other countries wrote many of the articles. These were reports from college students who produced similar publications. Since 1995, The Forerunner has been published online. Most of the articles from 1987 through 1994 appear online. Students are encouraged to reprint the articles in student newspapers with the online version functioning as a "model publication."
In 1993, The Forerunner International was founded by Jay Rogers and versions of The Forerunner were published in nations such as South Africa, Russia]], Ukraine, China and America
. The Forerunner exists today as a grass-roots organization which is dedicated to the training of student interns to produce media. The stated goal to help fulfill the Great Commission
(Matthew 28:18-20) through the arts.
in 1981. It was conceived as a publication which would reach young people with the message of the Christian faith and especially conservativism as a counterpoint to liberalism
. The method was calculated: to influence the thinking of students with biblical principles through the distribution of newspapers on the university campuses of America.
By 1983, thirty-five conservative newspapers had been started on major secular campuses and the number doubled by 1985. Even at the University of California, Berkeley
campus, which had long carried the reputation of being the most liberal of academic institutions in the U.S., students were following that trend: One survey proved that twice as many Berkeley students considered themselves conservative as did those in 1971. Today there are hundreds of conservative and Christian newspapers on otherwise liberal university campuses.
The Forerunner addressed issues which were at the center of campus debate. The newspaper presented biblical alternatives to Marxism
, feminism
and welfare
statism. The Forerunner challenged the student audience to re-evaluate the liberal bias taught in the classroom.
in Brazil
, Indonesia
and Venezuela
.
The Russian Predvestnik http://forerunner.com/predvestnik/predvestnik.html, was produced in Kiev
, Ukraine. This student-run publication was founded in July 1991.
The Chinese The Mandate http://forerunner.com/mandate/mandate.html is produced by Churches Serving Internationals (CSI) to produce a Chinese publication, in English and Chinese, which reached Chinese students studying in the United States. The on-line version has made an impact on students and intellectuals throughout China.
The Spanish El Campeón http://forerunner.com/campeon/campeon.html, a Spanish newspaper, was produced in cooperation with Champions for Christ
(Campeones para Cristo) for Latin America. The goal was to distribute the newspaper in the high school and college campuses during evangelism outreaches in countries such as Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama and Colombia. Some copies were also distributed in Cuba.
Maranatha Campus Ministries
Maranatha Campus Ministries was a Charismatic/Pentecostal-oriented Christian ministry founded by Bob Weiner which existed from 1971 to 1990. Its primary outreach was to college and university campuses....
from 1981 to 1989. Contributing editors and correspondents from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and many other countries wrote many of the articles. These were reports from college students who produced similar publications. Since 1995, The Forerunner has been published online. Most of the articles from 1987 through 1994 appear online. Students are encouraged to reprint the articles in student newspapers with the online version functioning as a "model publication."
In 1993, The Forerunner International was founded by Jay Rogers and versions of The Forerunner were published in nations such as South Africa, Russia]], Ukraine, China and America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Forerunner exists today as a grass-roots organization which is dedicated to the training of student interns to produce media. The stated goal to help fulfill the Great Commission
Great Commission
The Great Commission, in Christian tradition, is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings to all the nations of the world. It has become a tenet in Christian theology emphasizing missionary work, evangelism, and baptism...
(Matthew 28:18-20) through the arts.
History
The Forerunner was founded by Bob Weiner and Rose Weiner and Maranatha Campus MinistriesMaranatha Campus Ministries
Maranatha Campus Ministries was a Charismatic/Pentecostal-oriented Christian ministry founded by Bob Weiner which existed from 1971 to 1990. Its primary outreach was to college and university campuses....
in 1981. It was conceived as a publication which would reach young people with the message of the Christian faith and especially conservativism as a counterpoint to liberalism
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
. The method was calculated: to influence the thinking of students with biblical principles through the distribution of newspapers on the university campuses of America.
By 1983, thirty-five conservative newspapers had been started on major secular campuses and the number doubled by 1985. Even at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
campus, which had long carried the reputation of being the most liberal of academic institutions in the U.S., students were following that trend: One survey proved that twice as many Berkeley students considered themselves conservative as did those in 1971. Today there are hundreds of conservative and Christian newspapers on otherwise liberal university campuses.
The Forerunner addressed issues which were at the center of campus debate. The newspaper presented biblical alternatives to Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
, feminism
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
and welfare
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
statism. The Forerunner challenged the student audience to re-evaluate the liberal bias taught in the classroom.
Foreign Language Editions
By 1988, foreign language versions of The Forerunner were published by Maranatha Campus MinistriesMaranatha Campus Ministries
Maranatha Campus Ministries was a Charismatic/Pentecostal-oriented Christian ministry founded by Bob Weiner which existed from 1971 to 1990. Its primary outreach was to college and university campuses....
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
The Russian Predvestnik http://forerunner.com/predvestnik/predvestnik.html, was produced in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Ukraine. This student-run publication was founded in July 1991.
The Chinese The Mandate http://forerunner.com/mandate/mandate.html is produced by Churches Serving Internationals (CSI) to produce a Chinese publication, in English and Chinese, which reached Chinese students studying in the United States. The on-line version has made an impact on students and intellectuals throughout China.
The Spanish El Campeón http://forerunner.com/campeon/campeon.html, a Spanish newspaper, was produced in cooperation with Champions for Christ
Champions for Christ
Established in 1985 as part of the controversial Maranatha Campus Ministries, Champions for Christ is an outreach to college and professional athletes...
(Campeones para Cristo) for Latin America. The goal was to distribute the newspaper in the high school and college campuses during evangelism outreaches in countries such as Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama and Colombia. Some copies were also distributed in Cuba.