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As C.S. Lewis said, one of the great joys of the Christian life is to be part of the effort to "set things to rights." With all that's wrong in the world, here's what's right: God is redeeming all things to Himself and we have the privilege of participating in that work.

God's plan for redemption is the driving force behind the ministry of Dr. Jeff Myers and the staff and board of Passing the Baton. Our aim is nothing less than a revival of discipleship to train up the next generation of Gospel-centered leaders for the world.

It's been two years since PTBI formally invited Jeff's friends to participate financially in the work God has set before us. Jeff sends a lot of updates (we tease him about how many), but the truth is that this tiny ministry has been given some astounding opportunities. That's why I asked Jeff's permission to share specific, actionable ways you can walk with him and PTBI as they do their bit to set things to rights.

We call this The Cultivate Project:

cultivating one teacher, one family, one school at a time,

to be a blessing to all nations of the earth.

Cultivate is the title of Jeff's new book, which has just been accepted for publication. It's part of a new, best-in-class mentoring training program we're developing as a targeted response to what families, schools and churches say they need to prepare future generations.

We've identified four ways you can cultivate with us through specific projects with specific goals and costs. Would you prayerfully choose a project that interests you and select the link below? For each, a web page will explain how you can personally equip the brave souls who are standing in the gap for the next generation.

Every $1 you give becomes $2--

thanks to a partner who will match contributions up to a total of $20,000.

If you can't give financially, that's OK. Please examine each project and indicate that you will be praying for us.

Project 1: "Cultivate One Teacher" through an Innovative Mentoring Outreach through 350 Urban Schools. Help provide a scholarship for a teacher to be trained and equipped for only $75 per teacher, or sponsor an urban school for just $750 (we'll give you the name as they are assigned). >>READ MORE

Project 2: "Cultivate One Family" by Helping a Struggling Family Disciple Their Children. Children across the U.S. are coming to Christ, but their families are under stress and don't know how to disciple them. For $105 we can provide a family with a life-giving pack of resources that help kids develop a life-long love for Jesus. >>READ MORE

Project 3: "Cultivate One School" To Become a Nerve Center for Leader Development. Provide Gospel centered discipleship training that engages students, motivates them to achieve, and encourages them to embrace godly values. For $45 per teacher or $450 per school (we'll give you the name as they are assigned). >>READ MORE

Project 4: "Cultivate One Nation" To Be a Beacon of Hope for a Continent. The Democratic Republic of Congo is on the brink of chaos but its schools are wide open to Passing the Baton training and resources. For $35 per teacher or $350 per school, you can provide the discipleship training and materials they need in order to provide hope to the emerging generation of leaders. >>READ MORE

Please stand with Dr. Myers and Passing the Baton

to reach hundreds of thousands of youth in 2010

Together we can cultivate tens of thousands of adults in 2010, who in turn will influence hundreds of thousands of young people for Christ. Our team is united to accomplish this goal, and Dr. Jeff Myers is just the man for the job. David Noebel, president of Summit Ministries, hit the nail on the head when he said that Jeff's gift is to "show how each of us can be foot soldiers to win the battle for the next generation." More people than ever are rallying around Jeff and his work.  >>READ MORE TESTIMONIALS

I, along with our whole advisory board, welcome your support in this Christmas season as we endeavor to "set things to rights" by equipping adults to pass the Gospel to the emerging generation. Blessings on you as you embrace the opportunity to see and to be Immanuel: the presence of God's spirit . . . incarnate in our troubled world.

--Jim

Jim Van Eerden

(423) 570-1000

board@passingthebaton.org

P.S. If you'd rather, you can mail a check to "Passing the Baton," P.O. Box 7, Dayton, TN 37321. Please mark on the memo line which project you'd like to support.