As a new year begins, I want to thank all the churches that supported Indiana Ministries in 2011.  While there are some signs that the economy is making some positive movement, 2011 was still financially challenging for a lot of churches and other ministries.  IM is grateful for the investment Indiana churches have made in this vital ministry.

Here are some of the 2011 IM highlights:

• Two training workshops were provided for pastors to help them develop skills & grow as persons & pastors;
• The Financial Freedom Fund (healthcare, pension, & student loan) financially assisted over 30 pastors/associate pastors;
• The Lilly Endowment awarded IM a supplemental grant so we can continue to provide financial assistance for qualifying pastors through 2015;
• Fifteen pastors are in the final quarter of a 12 month coaching ministry through Ministry Advantage;
• Catalyst Church (plant in Pendleton) averaged over 100 in 2011 & is financially self-sufficient;
• A planter is on-site in Southeast Indianapolis and is in the cultivation stage towards a new church launch in 2012;
• A pastor's wives retreat was sponsored by IM;
• In conjunction with Healthy Growing Churches phone training workshops were offered for all pastors in Indiana;
• Ordained 19 persons;
• Formal coaching was provided for six covenant churches that are seeking to be more effective in fulfilling their mission.  One of those churches (CitySpring) grew by 30% in morning worship attendance;
• IM has provided governance, coaching, and encouragement for Journey Church - a new church in Australia.

Through excellent stewardship of your dollars given to IM, we were able to finish the year in the black even though church giving was $67,000 below budget level.  Twenty-one churches became new givers or increased their IM giving by 10% or more in 2011, and we want to express a special thank you to them:  Akron, Anderson Maple Grove, Ashley, Chesterfield , Covington Stringtown, Crawfordsville First, Ellettsville First, Evansville, Fishers Northeast, Goshen Lifepoint, Greenfield First, Hammond Terrace Park, Mooresville, Muncie E. 16th, Nappanee First, Noblesville City Spring, North Charlestown, Pendleton Catalyst, Petersburg First, Shelbyville First, and South Bend Southside.

Church of God Ministries and Indiana Ministries recommend that all local congregations tithe and that the tithe be split between national and state ministry.  Local churches are our primary means of support.  IM's mission is to empower local congregations to effectively fulfill the Great Commandment in the spirit of the Great Commission.  You make it possible for us to serve pastors and congregations in a way that makes a difference.  Thank you!

Dr. Doug Talley and the IM Board of Directors