I was struck with the words in this verse, "fervently love one another." 

     In I Timothy 1:5 we read that we should "love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith." 

     Last year I wanted a global vision. 

     This year I want global compassion; a fervent love for my suffering brothers and sisters in Christ who labor without complaint for His Name's sake, and a fervent love for the billions who have no hope.

     I also want to demonstrate a fervent love for my family, my friends, my neighbors, and those who cross the paths of my life with purity of heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

 

 

 

     This trip will involve meetings and training in areas where persecution has been heavy in the last year. 

     Karnataka, Andrha Pradesh, and Orissa have experienced great persecution. That's where I plan to visit.

     I'll be training in Hyderabad where 24 particpants in our training a year ago have planted 37 churches in the last 10 months.

     I'll be visiting Orissa and the Kandhamal district where riots targeted Christians in 310 villages, with 4,104 homes torched. More than 18,000 were injured, 59 killed, since August 2008. Some reports indicate that as many as 70,000 were left homeless who fled to the forests or went to refugee camps.

     
     It is not too late to sign up for a class if you want to audit any of our courses. 

     January 15 is the deadline for enrollment for those taking courses for credit.

     For information on classes including online courses, go to the Meridian University of Biblical Training website.

 

 

     Johnny Norwood and I will be training 50-60 young emerging leaders from seven different West Africa countries including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Bukina Faso, Ghana, Togo, and Benin which represent 117 unreached people groups.

     To pay for the travel, lodging, meals, and translation and printing of manuals for these leaders will be our greatest faith financial undertaking.  Including the travel expenses of two instructors the the budget is nearly $16,000. 

     These leaders are committed to becoming trainers and each will train 20 other individuals to evangelize, disciple, and plant churches.

 

 

 

 

 

     We are most grateful to everyone who helped support our training ventures during 2009.  As you know, Meridian doesn't ask for donations.  However, it is through contributions that we are able to accomplish what we do.  Again, thank you.