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DECEMBER 2008

Dear Friends, Greetings in Jesus’ dear name. I trust all is well with you and yours and that you are enjoying the blessings of God. We are grateful for your friendship and fellowship in the gospel.

The year 2008 was a dramatic and tension filled year for so many people. The economic situation in America has not only affected all of us here, but it has affected the world. As I travel the USA and globally there is a sense of helplessness, despair and anxiety. The whole world is worrying and wondering what is going to happen.

As believers in Christ we must not join the crowd, but use this as an opportunity for Him. The world sees things as “dark.” As my pastor, Johnny Hunt, says, these are great opportunities for us to pierce the darkness with the “light of Jesus Christ.” We must trust Him by faith and in spite of any circumstances, shine as lights in a dark world.

At Global Focus, we are not unlike any business, church or family. We have seriously felt the economic downturn, yet we are not despairing. We are pressing forward by faith to expand and broaden the ministry of Global Focus.

Dr. Jim Sheffield, our Executive VP, and Director of all ministries in North America recently gave a very optimistic report to our Board of Directors of ministry opportunities and expansion. Are we going to have to be creative? Are we making adjustments? Do we have fewer personnel? Are our finances diminished? The answer to all of this is “yes.” However, we are facing these days with optimism and enthusiasm.

As I re-direct most of my time in international ministry, seeking to establish Global Focus in many other countries of the world, we face the same questions internationally as we do in the USA. Yet, we refuse to allow these circumstances to deter us from multiplying the mobilizing ministry of GF to slow down or stop. With God’s help, creative thinking, faith walking and believing in you, our partners and friends, we will move forward.

I just returned from trips to Europe and South Africa. The eagerness and enthusiasm by nationals in other countries for our GF ministry is heartwarming and encouraging. The world conditions demand that His church move forward with the gospel to every person. The local church is His primary instrument to evangelize the world and our ministry is seen as critical by evangelical leaders everywhere we go. We simply must not slow down!
Your prayers and financial partnership are vital in this global advance. Thank you for your help. Please let us know if we can serve you in any way. Together let’s move forward to take the gospel of the “light” of Jesus to every person in the world. God bless you.

In Christ for the world,