God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 4:6). Do you remember the day when the glory of the Lord’s salvation in Christ became real to you? We do. His life for our death, His salvation for our condemnation, His hope for our despair, His truth for our lies, His purity for our perversion, His will for our selfish ambition! Oh, what joy when His glory fills a heart, a home, a church, and a nation! Suddenly, our “clay pot” lives became vessels to pour His inestimably precious glory, His worth, into someone else’s life.
It is the desire of every member of the Free Will Baptist International Mission’s team, home and overseas, to “Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.” (I Chron. 16:24) Nevertheless, an enormous obstacle stands in our way. International Missions has asked us to inform you of the critical financial need we face together. Will you please carefully and prayerfully consider the information they have provided below and, like us, ask, “Lord, what would You have me do?”
Thank you ahead of time for what you do, have done, and will do—not for us, or International Missions, but for the sake of sharing Jesus where His glory is not known. We proclaim with David in Psalm 72:19, “…let the whole earth be filled with his glory!”
His clay pot servants in Cote d’Ivoire,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson
Current Situation
International Missions is in the grip of the worst financial crisis we have experienced in our history. After more than two years of dealing with the impact of a devalued U.S. dollar against other world currencies, we have experienced a major decline in gifts from our supporters. The currency crisis has cost the Mission in excess of $630,000 in 2008 and 2009. In spite of this, we have been holding our own financially—until August of this year. August-November, giving to the Mission plummeted and we have depleted a large portion of our reserves. We anticipate a loss in excess of $500,000 for the 2009 fiscal year!
Drastic Measures Taken
In response to this, the IM board approved a greatly reduced budget for 2010. Nearly every budget category in the Mission was cut. Unfortunately, four positions in the home office were eliminated. Every International Missions employee took a 5% salary cut, as well. Unless the Lord moves on the hearts of our people, IM sadly faces the added possibility of having to reduce its missionary force, as other missions have done.
We Need your Help!
The Mission asks every Free Will Baptist church and individual to consider giving a sacrificial gift as soon as possible. If the Lord impresses you to help with this urgent need, you may direct your gift to the GEF (Global Evangelism Fund) which provides for all missionary co-laborers and for the functional needs of International Missions. Equally important, will you join us in regular, earnest prayer for the Lord to intervene, for the sake of His Name around the world?
Additional Crisis Information
Also, please visit our website at http://fwbgo.com/about/crisis.html to view a video from our general director, James Forlines, read additional information, and receive updates on the crisis.
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