Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

As we look to the completion of the year of ministry in 2018, I reflect on all the Lord has allowed us together to accomplish with a warm and grateful heart. Last month I shared with you some of the highlights of 2018 so far.

The transition from taking our sponsorship program from 125 to close to 400 children and students in our sponsorship program is really something I am immensely grateful for. It’s a growth point that comes with it’s own challenges as our staff both here in our Colorado Springs office and overseas have been stretched to new limits. Yet each time a child, dad or mom responds to the love of Christ we’re reminded that it’s for this very purpose in this part of history that we’ve been put in the Harvest together.

I ask you to join me with a fresh walk of faith as we look to the Lord for 2019. The victories of 2018 are all for the Glory of God, but they belong to this year. As I’ve prayed and asked God for His direction for the upcoming year, I’d like to share some thoughts.:

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are asking the Lord for the largest financial target yet of $130,000 to finish this year and prepare for what He has in store for 2019. I’d like to share with you where these funds are needed, and ask that you prayerfully consider what the Lord may have you be part of in this campaign.

The year end gifts this year are so important to us as a nonprofit because it enables us both to finish 2018 well and to plan well for 2019 ministry. We call it the “Year End Greatest Need Fund.” Here’s what the year end fund will do:

Colorado Springs office – This is ground zero for the entire ministry. As the Lord has increased our borders, naturally, our staff needs have grown, and we’re blessed to have a fantastic, dedicated team! Our full time ministry staff raise their personal salaries, but we do not require our administrative staff to do so. This year we’re including a new position and admin needs in our year end number to bring our office in better balance for the long run.

Church plant property in Iraq – The Kurdistan government has offered to GIFT four acres to one of our church plants in Iraq with the agreement that the church pay $40,000. We want to help with $30,000 and ask that the local church in Iraq raise $10,000.

Van for Refugee Child Sponsorship Program in Iraq – We’ve already raised $15,000 of the $25,000 needed for this van and this will help complete this very important project.

Van for Grace Bible College in India – This $25,000 project will allow the staff to retire an old van that the government will not allow on the roads after 2018 due to its age. This will transport students and staff.

Travel funds – In the past we’ve also asked our full time staff to raise their own travel funds in addition to raising their own salary. We’re changing this policy, as we believe a better use of staff energies is to invest in the ministry itself as it is rapidly expanding.

Donate online or send a check with “Greatest Need Campaign” in the note area. Thank you for prayerfully engaging with us in this campaign. It is because of your faithful partnership that we’re able to increase impact in some of the most needful places around the world. Thank you for all you do; we’re grateful! To God be the Glory.

There is a chill in the air as October is now here… and as we look to the completion of the year of ministry in 2018, I reflect on all the Lord has allowed us together to accomplish with a warm heart. It is with thankfulness that our ministry looks back on this year of 2018! God has enabled us to be His hands and feet in the lives of nationals through:

Resettling – It’s been a year of assisting families put their lives back together after the terror of ISIS
Shelving – The Grace Bible College, India, library building is now used daily by the students!
Graduating – GBC alumnus are reaching Hindus and Muslims for Christ in villages throughout India
Establishing – IM’s national teams plant churches in Islamic countries bringing Hope only found in Christ
Comforting – Children who were in crisis but now have provision and solace through your loving sponsorships
Encouraging – Women have received training and empowering through our exciting biblical conferences
Training – IM’s National Pastors’ Conferences have brought vital encouragement to front-line pastors this year. At Grace Bible College, students receive quality biblical training for reaching their own people for Christ.
Celebrating! * The 6 month anniversary of a new church plant in Egypt
* 1 year anniversary of the Iraq Refugee Child Sponsorship Program helping 300 children and their families
* 3 year anniversary of the Egypt Child Sponsorship Program helping 76 children through local churches

Now I ask you to join me with a fresh walk of faith as we look to the Lord for 2019. The victories of this year are all for the Glory of God, but they belong to this year. As I’ve prayed and asked God for His direction for the upcoming year, I’d like to share some thoughts with you.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are asking the Lord for the largest financial target yet of $130,000 to finish this year and prepare for what He has in store for 2019. I’d like to share with you where these funds are needed, and ask that you prayerfully consider what the Lord may have you be part of this campaign.

The year end gifts this year are so important to us as nonprofit because it enables us both to finish 2018 well and to plan well for 2019 ministry. We call it the “Greatest Need Campaign.” Here’s what the year end fund will do:

Colorado Springs office – This is ground zero for the entire ministry. As the Lord has increased our borders, naturally, our staff needs have grown, and we’re blessed to have a fantastic, dedicated team! Our full time ministry staff raise their personal salaries, but we do not require our administrative staff to do so. This year we’re including a new position and admin needs in our year end number to bring our office in better balance for the long run.

Church plant property in Iraq – The Kurdistan government has offered to GIFT four acres to one of our church plants in Iraq with the agreement that the church pay $40,000. We want to help with $30,000 and ask that the local church raise $10,000.

Van for Refugee Child Sponsorship Program in Iraq – We’ve already raised $10,935 of the $25,000 needed for this van and this will help complete this very important project.

Van for Grace Bible College in India – This $25,000 project will allow the staff to retire an old van that the government will not allow on the roads after 2018 due to its age. This will transport students and staff.

Travel funds – In the past we’ve also asked our full time staff to raise their own travel funds in addition to raising their own salary. We’re changing this policy, as we believe a better use of staff energies is to invest in the ministry itself as it is rapidly expanding.

Donate online or send a check with “Greatest Need Campaign” in the note area. Thank you for prayerfully engaging with us in this campaign. It is because of your faithful partnership that we’re able to increase impact in some of the most needful places around the world. Thank you for all you do; we’re grateful! To God be the Glory.