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SEPTEMBER AGENT International Award-winning photographer Ken Duncan is well known in Australia for his panoramic photography and for his outspoken Christian beliefs. But four years ago, even Christians doubted Duncan's sanity when he began to say he believed that God wanted him to give the American nation a message through his work. Enduring the skepticism of others was not a problem for Ken Duncan.
He had already endured countless hardships on his many journeys into
wilderness
areas as he sought the quintessential photograph. Now, to fulfill what
he saw as an assignment from God, he was prepared to face any new challenges. Duncan had gone to a meeting with one of America's largest publishers and was pleased when they immediately expressed enthusiasm for his proposal that they publish a book of his Panographs (P), covering all 50 American states. But the enthusiasm waned when he said that he already had a title for the book. It was to be called America Wide: In God We Trust. The publisher's problem was not with America Wide, but with the phrase In God We Trust. "It will be too politically sensitive," they said. Duncan's reminder that the phrase appeared on every American dollar note fell on deaf ears. The publishers were regretful but insistent that such a title would not help sell the book. A second leading publisher was even more insistent that if the book was to sell well in America there should be no reference to God at all, either on the cover or in any of the text. Duncan returned to Australia, down but still determined. After breaking the news to his wife, Pam, that the American publishers would not accept his terms, he said earnestly, "Pam, we must publish this book ourselves. It's a huge project and will cost us everything we own and more, are you with me in this?" Pam did not hesitate. "What we own isn't ours anyway," she said, "it all belongs to God." Over the next three years Ken Duncan flew from Australia to America 34 times, eventually photographing all 50 American states. It was exhausting and expensive work, but even as he captured America's spectacular scenery, Duncan believed God was guiding him and giving him unique opportunities for His own purposes. Further encouragement came in the form of sponsors like American Airlines, the Bank of America, Qantas and Fuji film. "Each time I needed support during that whole period, it came just in time," says Duncan. At the book's launch in Sydney, Duncan referred to the opening words of the Introduction. They are taken from a speech made in a church by Abraham Lincoln in 1838. Lincoln asked, ".At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?" Like Lincoln, Duncan too spoke of the dangers from within the nation: of spiritual waywardness, such as the banning of prayer in state schools and the lack of teaching of the Ten Commandments. His concluding words at the launch were uncannily prophetic: "There will be powers which will come against this great nation and I believe God wants to remind the American people to continue to put their trust in Him because of who He is." America Wide: In God We Trust was launched four days before September 11, 2001. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, was preparing to depart for America at that time. Shortly before the launch of the book, he was shown a copy of America Wide: In God we Trust, and it was suggested he take the newly published book as a gift for US President George W Bush. Mr. Howard agreed and graciously asked if Ken Duncan would include a personal note to President Bush. Duncan gladly accepted and wrote to the President, saying he believed God had led him to produce this book as a reminder to the American people to put their trust in Him. The Prime Minister left for America on September 8. On September 10, he presented America Wide: In God we Trust to President George W Bush. On September 11 terrorists launched an attack on America that brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Center and focused the eyes of the world on a crippled and grief-stricken nation. In the spiritual renewal that swept the United States in the wake of that disaster, America Wide: In God we Trust proved to be a book that brought comfort and new hope to many thousands of Americans. By May 2002 the book was into its fourth print-run in America. Ken Duncan, who risked so much to be God's agent, continues to pray
that obedient trust in God will become a reality for Americans tempted
to live
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