I am Second: Putting Jesus First
I am Second: The Book
  | Book by Dave Sterrett and Doug Bender / Format: Hardcover Edition Amazon Price: $9.79 List Price: $19.99 |
Symbols are everywhere: businesses, schools, cultures, religions. They are more than mere images; symbols usually have deeper meanings. They are tangible representations of abstract ideas.
When you think of the Christian lifestyle, what symbols come to mind? The cross? The ichthus? A dove, anchor, or purity ring? What about a chair?
Since 2009, a nondescript white chair has been the symbol of a growing multimedia campaign called I am Second. This evangelistic outreach ministry aims to help you discover your purpose: to live for God and serve others.
When you live for God, your focus shifts from your problems to Jesus. Making Him your focus moves you to second place. This is the heart of the I am Second movement.
I am Second ministers to hurting, lonely people from all walks of life: actors, athletes, musicians, business leaders, drug addicts, sex addicts, homemakers, children, and next door neighbors.
Through films, support groups, and social media events, I am Second connects people with similar life stories -- those with struggles like addiction, disability, divorce, purpose, racism, pride, selfishness, and war.
The ministry is based in Plano, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Volunteers are available 24/7 to discuss how you can make Jesus first in your life. For more information, call 1-800-633-3446 or visit www (dot) iamsecond (dot) com. Or join the movement on Facebook or Twitter.
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. -- John 12:32, NASB
Drawing People to Jesus
Norm Miller, chairman of Dallas-based Interstate Batteries, founded the I am Second campaign in December 2008.
Directed by John 12:32, Miller sought ways to "lift up Christ so that He might draw the people of his city to Jesus."
In collaboration with e3 Partners, a world missions organization, Miller coordinated the creation, production, and distribution of multimedia tools used for I am Second. The ministry serves several states in the United States as well as 35 countries.
I am Second: The Films
I am Second is powered by several video testimonies of people from all walks of life. The website features more than 80 films, and new ones are added all the time.
Calling themselves "Seconds," the film subjects discuss salvation and the dramatic effects of their faith in Christ. You'll hear from celebrities as well as "everyday" believers.
The testimonies of Brian Welch, Lecrae, Bethany Hamilton, Jason Castro, Josh Hamilton, Shannon Culpepper, and Michael W. Smith are among the popular videos.
I am Second also inspired a song by the Newsboys, a contemporary Christian band. The song appears on their God's Not Dead worship album.
Reference Sources / Further Reading
- I am Second. (n.d.) "About I am Second." I am Second. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- Riley, Jennifer. (September 18, 2009) "I am Second Movement Puts Christ First." The Christian Post. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- Wikipedia contributors. (May 9, 2012) "I am Second." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
Copyright © 2012. Annette R. Smith. All rights reserved.
Published: August 7, 2012 / March 22, 2013.
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This Hub was last updated on March 22, 2013
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Thank you, Lisa! It's good to hear from you, and I appreciate the encouragement. Happy hubbing!
"I Am Second" is one of those books I'll always remember, and the videos on the website are refreshing and encouraging. Thanks for sharing this information about this movement...voted up and awesome :)
You're welcome, Judith. I learned about this ministry during the research phase of my "Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton" hub. It certainly is a refreshing and hopeful movement, especially for today. Thanks so much for the vote up!
I remember when I first saw ''I Am Second'', it was a video about rock star who converted from drugs and sex to the life of piety.
Great Hub
IntroduceCroatia, it's good to meet you on HubPages! The "I Am Second" films feature a number of musicians whose lives have been changed through a relationship with Jesus. Brian "Head" Welch, who was the lead guitarist for Korn, is one of them. So glad you read my hub and took a moment to comment.
I read this book and was in tears throughout the pages. Love your review of it and highly recommend it as well. Voted up and awesome!
Thank you, teaches12345. Some of the videotaped testimonies are quite powerful, too. I appreciate your recommendation and votes up!
Again, the issue is not whether it works or sounds good but is it scriptural.
The scriptural concept is not to take the 2nd seat, but to take the LOWEST seat. Not to put ourselves 2nd but to put ourselves LAST. It also says that they that take the lowest seat will not be embarrassed, but those that do not may well be.
So this though it sounds and looks good does not pass the scripture test.
Luke 14:9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.
Luke 14:8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Matt 20: 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."
NKJV
Hi, Charles LaFoe. Thank you for stopping by to read "I Am Second: Putting Jesus First." God bless!
nybride710 9 months ago from Minnesota Level 4 Commenter
Very informative article. I had not heard of this organization before. Your Hubs look so professional.