Dear Friend,
“Res ipsa,” lawyers say, or “res ipsa loquitur,” which is a Latin phrase that means “the thing speaks for itself.” That sentiment relates to concepts that are straightforward enough to require no explanation. They’re typically clear prima facia or “at first glance.”
“Res ipsa” is the case with this ministry and its various outreaches. Our organization and its endeavors are all transparent and speak for themselves —
As Zola’s elder son, I’d like to briefly discuss this ministry’s various departments and attributes.
Of course $79 helped this ministry more in 1988 than $49 does today. And yet we now create better, more expensive than ever television programs—especially with HD cameras and larger production crews. All to the glory of God. (Prov. 16:3)
Twenty years ago, we didn’t have a website. Now that we do, we post on the Internet the very same TV programs that we sell on DVD and make them available for free viewing. This practice not only gobbles our sales revenue but also inhibits the economies of creating the DVDs to sell. On the other hand, “Napstering” ourselves allows us to teach additional multitudes. Long-term subscribers may recall that we never copy-protected our VHS tapes—this will allow post-Rapture Believers to reproduce and share the millions of videos this ministry’s supporters will leave behind.
Our website also enables you to:
Dr. Jeffrey Seif— Abe Lincoln said, “I will prepare, and someday my chance will come.” Sometimes I think of Jeff as the Abe Lincoln of opportunists. Jeff is a Jew—born, raised, and Bar Mitzvah’d. He holds multiple theology degrees and has served as a church pastor and seminary professor. Jeff has volunteered his time as a fireman and a police investigator. He’s a Bible scholar who competently communicates the meat of God’s Word to laymen who are hungry to take their walk of faith above and beyond the milk.
Sandra Levitt, also known as Mrs. Zola Levitt— She was a strong enough widow in April 2006 to pick up the sword of her warrior husband Zola in the wake of his passing. Her courage and determination remind me of Conan’s wife in the 1982 movie Conan the Barbarian, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sandra has helped lead nearly 50 Israel tours and heard Zola teach so much over the years that she could deliver his lessons in her sleep.
Ken Berg—The Rembrandt of Television Producers— Explanation: Rembrandt lived in the 1600s. While enduring financial hardship, Rembrandt illustrated scenes from the Bible and became known for his sincerity and lack of vanity. This is Ken! Despite having a relatively modest production budget, he brings home biblical scenes, pours his heart into his work, and remains humble about his remarkable, God-given talent. His palette includes 30 years of location footage, dozens of Israeli experts, music arrangers, character actors, and a close-knit production crew. Please review Ken’s article, “Behind the Scenes,” on pages 12 and 13 of the January 2009 Levitt Letter, posted at www.levitt.com.
Jerry Hodges—the Crocodile Dundee of TV Airtime Buyers.* The world of purchasing airtime is a jungle, particularly when Bible-teaching ministries like ours must compete not only with infomercials but also with wealth mongering televangelists who spend more time raising funds than teaching. Like Crocodile Dundee, Jerry knows his way around the jungle. And he skillfully navigates it with a confident, disarming smile. Read my comments about Jerry on page 3 of the January 2006 Levitt Letter, where my “State of the Ministry” article continues from page 1. Once you click on “Newsletter” at www.levitt.com, scroll down and you’ll see the prior years’ archives on the right.
Yours Truly—aspiring to be the Zola Levitt of Business Managers. I began counting Zola’s inventory of study booklets and teaching cassettes in 1974 when I was 14 years old. That was four years before the first episode of Zola Levitt Live, the precursor to Zola Levitt Presents. Until I went to UT Austin to major in business management, I was on the scene as Zola authored his first dozen books on an IBM Selectric typewriter. Once I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1982, I worked in various sales and marketing capacities until joining this ministry twenty years ago.
Now I’m a seasoned steward who has seen lots of transactions and experienced many transitions. I’ve learned how to cultivate employees and suppliers, plus foster relationships that benefit this ministry. More important, however, has been developing a sense of when to “let go and let God” have His hand at the reins, which has become increasingly often as I’ve grown older and wiser (or maybe just older). “Too soon old, too late smart” hits too close to home with me, if you want to know the truth. Fortunately, our ministry’s active board of directors consistently advises me on how to avoid trouble while seizing opportunities.
* “There are bushmen, and then there are bushmen!” You may remember this comment by a seasoned tracker in the movie Crocodile Dundee II. Early in the movie, some American tough guys attempted to hire a savvy, native Australian tracker to help them locate and kidnap Crocodile Dundee (played by Paul Hogan). The tracker declined their offer, even at gunpoint, then took a few steps toward a cluster of trees and magically disappeared. Even he was afraid to join an armed posse in pursuit of Crocodile Dundee!
1,000 Days On December 3, 2008, Zola would have turned 70. His birthday in the Lord was March 14, 1971. This January 13 will mark 1,000 days since Zola was promoted to Heaven and handed off to Jeff the baton to serve as this ministry’s messenger. In late January, America is likely to hear a presidential State of the Union address. Let me take this opportunity to offer a State of the Ministry address.
Many of our readers fondly remember Scotty in the engine room of the Starship Enterprise. “Captain, I’m givin’ ’er all she can take, sir,” he would apprehensively report with his Scottish accent. I see myself as Scotty’s counterpart, reporting to you from this ministry’s headquarters, a basement suite in a five-story office building. The State of the Ministry is sound. Unlike our nation, this ministry has no debt. We have no armed forces, unless you count our army of supporters, armed with their Bibles and the teaching we broadcast intercontinentally. Rather than aiming missiles overseas, we send the Gospel via satellite, the Internet, and free newsletters.
We are on track to receive four stars again from www.charitynavigator.org. They rate the financial efficiency and capacity of various nonprofit organizations. Based on our newest batch of audited financial statements, we should receive Charity Navigator’s top rating of four stars for the fifth year in a row.
Your Part: Prayer and Support By now you will agree that the sentiment “res ipsa loquitur” or “the thing speaks for itself” applies to this ministry. Just as God and the Bible are One, so is this ministry and its Message. What we teach is what we are, and this ministry is simply the Message we are honored to deliver to you and also to those who need to be fed but will never pray for our outreach or support it.
This is where your part comes in. When you contribute to this ministry or send up a prayer on our behalf, you are feeding your brethren, Believer and unbeliever alike. Just as your tax dollars mobilize America’s military defense, your contributions to this ministry mobilize our spiritual offense. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for what you’ve already done as behind-the-scenes soldiers in this ministry’s army.
In His service,
Mark Levitt
P.S. Will you have digital TV access by February 17? That’s the day that analog TV broadcasts will cease. Viewers with cable or satellite receivers are already suitably equipped. However, those who rely on TV antennas probably will need to install converter boxes. For more information, visit www.dtv.gov/whatisdtv.html and see page 31 of our July 2008 Levitt Letter.
Dear Mark,
Thanks for your State of the Ministry address. I agree with you that “res ipsa loquitur” is applicable to Zola Levitt Ministries and its numerous endeavors.
“Here is my gift for January. I am confident you will put it to good use, especially after reading your letter’s item #10, Financial Accountability.”
