...
I trust you've had a blessed Christmas with family and
friends. If you're like me, you're sneaking over to the computer to check the
e-mail. Don't worry -- we're in this together!
Probably somewhere in your inbox is a message from our
advisory board member Jim Van Eerden. I wanted to follow-up Jim's e-mail with a personal invitation to help Passing the Baton get a strong start in 2010.
Thanks to God's grace, we've seen a tremendous return on
investment in 2009:
PTBI's ministry impact increased by 2,200% -- from 35 groups trained to more than 800. This means that there are more than 125,000 adults discipling their own children with greater intensity, mentoring young adults, and doing their part to train godly leaders for the future of our nation.
PTBI training is self-sustaining in the Philippines and Indonesia, and is beginning to grow in the Congo and India. The potential impact is literally in the hundreds of thousands.
- The biggest increase in training groups in the U.S. is in churches -- and largely in denominations that had previously been unreceptive to our message about multi-generational faithfulness. Massive change is coming!
In the midst of this excitement I must also report that the financial downturn has hit Passing the
Baton with ferocity. I thought it would get better in 2009 but it actually got substantially worse. Donations are down by 87%, so even though there's lots of momentum and interest we're
forced to say "no" to nine out of every ten opportunities that come our way.
We act only where God provides. That's why you're not
getting letters from us with dire warnings about how far behind budget we are. In
the past, God has provided through faithful friends who benefit from my weekly
newsletter. I'm deeply, profoundly humbled by their display of generosity.
Would you prayerfully consider being one who stands in the
gap financially and helps us start 2010 strong? Contributions of any amount
will make a great deal of difference. You can give securely on-line here.
If you're considering a year-end gift, I want to
encourage you that the timing couldn't be better. God has provided a unique
opportunity in the form of a matching gift -- a family from California has agreed
to double all contributions up to $20,000.
Last week I read the Ephesians 6 passage about the
whole armor of God to my son on his 13th birthday. My voice caught as I read, "and having prepared everything, take your
stand." I intend to stand. Please stand with me. Here's how.
Only by God's grace,
--Jeff
Dr. Jeff Myers, President
jeff@passingthebaton.org
P.S. We have just initiated our biggest, most comprehensive
project to date, The Cultivate
Project, to serve the tens of thousands of Christian teachers who labor as
missionaries in urban schools. Cultivate provides
a proven way to disciple children in some of the darkest, most hopeless parts
of our nation. Find out how you can help launch this project, or participate in
our other initiatives, here.
