In the late 1990’s, I was living in Los Angeles, and was watching a baseball game on TV with 2 friends that are of Chinese descent.

On the TV, were various shots of players at bat, and right behind them was a man in the crowd holding up a John 3:16 sign.  Well, one of my friends asked which player the John 3:16 sign indicated.  And I was speechless, and I couldn’t understand why he was asking such a crazy question.

I then realized, naively, that I just assumed that people from other religions knew or had heard of John 3:16 – since it’s, literally, the most important Bible verse for Christians.  And like a thunderbolt it struck me, that just isn’t the case.   They don’t know…how would they know…why would they know.

So, I quoted the verse for my friends…and they were just amazed, and wondered how I knew it by heart.  I told them that knowing John 3:16 is like breathing to Christians…we just simply know it, basically since the time we could walk, our families instilled this verse in us…it’s just a part of our everyday life, it’s a part of who we are - it’s what we are. 

I know, I believe and therefore, by the grace of God, I’m saved.

They asked a few more questions and I answered them…then our focus went back to the ball game. 

I understood, at that time, they just weren’t ready to open their hearts and minds to hearing the message. 

And some people never are…but I thought just imagine when the person is ready to listen, what an experience that would be! 

So from that one moment, the beginnings of my idea for Plan3:16 came to life…without my knowing it.  Because, that moment has always stayed with me…it was a valuable lesson to learn.  How do you get people to ask questions about John 3:16?  How would they find out?

And the idea of using the numbers 3:16 came to life.  By using only the numbers…people will ask – What is it?  What does it mean?  Is it the time?  Is it a date?   All valid questions…and that’s the point – questions.