PROCLAIM! MISSIONARY GATHERING

After our evangelism training and Gala, the celebration continued with a third event -- the Gathering of our Proclaim missionaries in St. Augustine. This annual event is usually held in Europe, but we planned it in the states this time as part of our tenth anniversary.

Adonai band led worship in our morning and evening sessions joined by other Proclaim musicians. It was such an uplifting time as mornings were focused on worship, challenge from the word and discussion together.
In the afternoons we faced the dilemma of deciding which of the many sights and activities to enjoy in historic and picturesque St. Augustine. Even though we live in the area, we never tire of exploring and relaxing there -- especially fun with friends who are experiencing it for the first time.                   

During our evenings together, after more music, we were led in reflecting on highlights of the past 10 years as God has blessed and grown the ministry and given us opportunities beyond our wildest expectations.                                                          

We were energized to get on with what lies ahead as together we relived war stories and victories and were reminded of God's faithfulness.                                            
One item of business that is part of our Gathering is to appoint International Council members when there is a need.  Members are affirmed by the community to serve a 3-year term, and a couple of our members had recently completed their terms.  At this Gathering Jim was affirmed as a new member so we will now both be serving on the Council which meets twice a year to set policy and look at issues that affect the mission globally. Our next meetings will be the first few days of September.                                                                

Before the hills in order stood

Or earth received her frame

From everlasting thou art God
To endless years the same

 O, God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Be thou our guide while life shall last

And our eternal home

Proclaim!'s Annual Gala - Celebrating 10 years

Welcome Adonai

We didn't know until the last minute if our Croatian band Adonai would make it to play for the Gala. They were scheduled to fly on April 22 from Budapest, while early in the week airports all over Europe were closing because of the volcanic ash cloud. But the same God who parted the Red Sea cleared the skies just in time! 



Some of these band members were little kids (or not even born yet) when we started going to Croatia in the early 90s. It was a long-time dream to have this  band doing ministry with us over here after many ministry tours together in Croatia and other countries of Europe. They played for the Gala and then led worship the following week at the Gathering of Proclaim missionaries.

God was faithful to exceed our expectations for the Gala fund raising dinner.  Three weeks before the event we were concerned with the low number of responses for the evening. But after a couple weeks of making phone calls, getting the word out online, and having a sign up table at our church (with musicians performing on site), we had reservations to fill all the seats for which we had contracted.

Normally we have many people who don't make it, and a few unexpected guests fill some of those places.  This year, for the first time, we actually had more people than we had planned for!  What a fantastic problem -- we managed to find places for everyone. We were really pleased with how the evening went, with a delicious meal, great music and a sample of our Proclaim Peru mime outreach ministry.

The focal point of the evening was a riveting and timely message by Stuart McAllister of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, challenging churches and believers to "make the main thing the main thing" in communicating the gospel, truly listening and responding to individuals at their point of need. Stuart's participation was especially meaningful since he was the speaker at our first Proclaim Gathering in 2002.

  
Many of our Proclaim staff invested a huge effort in the Gala and surrounding events. We were heavily involved in planning and onsite logistics -- Jim in helping coordinate stage, sound and lighting  and oversee ground transportation for all the events / Kathie working with flights, hotel facilities, Gala registration, etc. What a beautiful team effort as so many Proclaim members and volunteers sacrificed to bring everything together. Through all the preparations and throughout the event we were acutely aware of our total dependence on God.  He did indeed show himself strong in our weakness, overcoming our mistakes and things that didn't go according to plan.
  
All the efforts were rewarded as guests not only expressed appreciation for what they had seen and learned, but responded generously to the opportunity to support the ministry financially and be involved in other ways.  We really had a sense that God was glorified, which is the point of everything. Thanks for praying.
    

MAKING PROGRESS

CHRIST IS RISEN -- HE IS RISEN INDEED!


We are very aware of God's work on our behalf as people have responded in the last month to the need for financial support in our ministry. Our opening event of the missions conference at our church was an evening with a singles class from our church with a chance to meet new people and connect in a new way with many we have a history with. Then we were able to share with several groups on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The ministry of Proclaim was new to many of these folks, so it was a good opportunity. Kathie enjoyed interacting with the 1st grade girls Pioneer club later that week.  Their reaction was enthusiastic to the idea of using the arts to share the gospel.

Part of the church's strategy in this year's missions emphasis included an innovative way of challenging the body to begin or increase missions giving.  The dramatic response has benefited many missionaries serving around the world in both special gifts and monthly support.  We have personally had an increase of $360 per month in the past month -- a gain of over 5% toward our support goal, as well as some significant special gifts. It is interesting that some of these monthly commitments and special donations were not specifically prompted through the missions emphasis, having come from sources other than our church here.  Especially encouraging is the return of some individuals who were part of our support team years ago. 


We are thankful for the progress we've seen and continue to trust for the rest of the needed funds.  


Proclaim as a ministry is also facing the most challenging year yet in funding. As we look forward to our Gala on April 24 celebrating the 10th year of Proclaim! International, we are sobered by the great need that we are experiencing as a ministry. In 2009, with God's provision, we did not have to cancel any planned ministry projects because of lack of funds.  We pray that will be the case again this year. Please pray with us that the Gala fund raising event will result in a miraculous supply of needed resources to fulfill our commitments throughout the world.


Click here to see details of the Gala
  

RECOMMITING

During times such as these recent months, when we are facing ministry support shortages and seeing very little net progress, we experience a couple things. First, we have an increased awareness of and amazement at how God provides miraculously and unexpectedly, way beyond any visible means. At the same time, we go through the process of re-examining our goals, our motivation, our purpose and our call. As we have done this once again, we have yet again been renewed in our conviction of the relevance of this ministry and our passion to continue investing ourselves in building and growing the kingdom. And we are strengthened in our confidence in God's timing and provision.


We have an opportunity this last weekend of February, Friday evening through Sunday evening, to participate in the annual missions conference at our local church, Christian Family Chapel in Jacksonville. Please pray for our involvement as we will be able to share our ministry in several contexts during this event. Pastor Doug powerfully set the stage with an overview of God's Mission as it is revealed from Genesis to Revelation.  Our prayer is that we will communicate effectively and build on that with a challenge of personal involvement. 

      

NEW YEARS PROVERBS

How have those New Year's resolutions been working for you in past years.  How about a couple New Year's Proverbs instead:

PROVERBS 30:4-5 (NIV)

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?

Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?

Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and the name of his son?

Tell me if you know.

Every word of God is flawless;

He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

PROVERBS 2:1-8 (NIV)

My son, if you accept my words
And store up my commands within you

Turning you ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding

And if you look for it as for silver
And search for it as for hidden treasure

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord
And find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom,
And from his mouth come knowledge and understanding,

He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

For he guards the course of the just
And protects the way of his faithful ones.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Link to our New Years letter


We trust you had a better Christmas than our kitties who were really not into the donning of gay apparel . . .

HOME AGAIN

Our November trip was long (we covered over 4000 miles) but so worthwhile with all the significant connections we made with special people who have roots in our past but are still a big part of our life and ministry. What a rich and overwhelming blessing to get a megadose of encouragement to sustain us for some time to come.

We ended the time with a special treat -- being home in Winona Lake for Thanksgiving for the first time in many years.

If you haven't kept up with our blog as we added segments along the way, the post with photos below highlights stops in each area, ending with most recent.

Now we're back in Jacksonville, busy with December activities. Along with a mid-week men's Bible study that Jim leads at our church, he is part of the team leading worship for Sunday services this month and at the Christmas Eve service. In the Proclaim! office this is the busiest communications month with all the year-end letters.

We are also in the stage of considering the various invitations Proclaim! has received and firming up definite dates and plans for the 2010 evangelism tours. We need to put together this giant puzzle so we have concrete information for the musicians and support personnel that God is calling to be part of these ministries. Please pray for God's scheduling to be revealed -- we know that apart from God's wisdom we will miserably fail in this challenge.