Currents from Tom De Vries

Still Gripped by Gratitude

When I think about this past weekend and being thankful, way up among the most significant things that trigger my feelings of gratitude is how God is working at Fair Haven. In the past week alone I have heard of miraculous healings, families experiencing reconciliation, ministry to students that are reaching

more and more middle and high schoolers, people from our church who are being called full-time to the mission field, new faces and families who are checking out Fair Haven and connecting, spiritual growth through LifeGroups, and of how our ministry is reaching into the lives and hearts of people who have never even walked into a church.

When I compare these amazing things to what Jesus has called us to be and do as followers of Him, it brings incredible joy, overflowing thanks, and unending wonder. Then, add to it the movement of God on Thanksgiving . . .

* A little girl in San Antonio will trust Jesus as her Lord and Savior in the coming year because we chose to give to love . . .

* A woman in the Sudan will find relief and healing in a hospital because we chose to give to love . . .

* A family on the westside of Grand Rapids will have food for the holidays from the 319 bags of groceries and 129 loaves of bread shared by the Fair Haven family because we chose to give to love . . .

* Children in India will attend a backyard Bible club and will hear of Jesus for the first time and commit their life to Him because we chose to give to love . . .

* A prostitute on the streets of Guatemala City will find a place of peace in the midst of pain because we chose to give to love . . .

* A homeless man in Philadelphia this year will be fed and will trust Jesus for the first time through a new church start because we chose to give to love . . .

* Missionaries will be sent from Chile to the Middle East to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways Americans could never hope to gain an entrance because we chose to give to love . . .

* A family that lives below the poverty line in Jenison will receive food in time of need because we chose to give to love . . .

* Leaders who were once orphans will be trained to influence culture, attend universities, and share Jesus Christ in their native countries because we chose to give to love . . .

* Children will be mentored weekly at Sandy Hill Elementary School, an investment that will change a life and an eternity because we chose to give to love . . . and,

* A family will move into a new home for the first time on Lexington Ave. in Grand Rapids because we chose to give to love!

These are only a small portion of what God is doing and how He is working through us! Wow!! And I am thankful for so many who have sacrificed to give this year. We are certainly in difficult economic times. It would be easy not to give, to play it safe, and ensure our own security. But that is not what God has guided us to do. Thank you!

As I reflect on our challenges, it is easy to see how the Adversary is trying to stop the advancement of the kingdom of God, and the impact of the ministry of Fair Haven. We are seeing ministry momentum and stories of life transformation like never before. Yet, as a church we are faced with financial concerns. For us to have to focus on finances, to hit a wall that causes us to not be able to do all the awesome things that God is providing in the future brings not just frustration, but a righteous indignation. Please join me in praying. Let's trust God for what is yet to come. Let's be open to be used by Him to see the greater things that are still to be accomplished. Let's not give in or give up, but let's give it all we've got as we walk in faith, opening our hearts to a powerful moving of the Holy Spirit.

I apologize for going a little longer than normal, but I do want to celebrate with you the great things happening at Fair Haven, to let you know the challenges that are before us, and together trust God as we move into a marvelous and miraculous future.

Together in the Cause,

Tom De Vries

FourPoints: North/South/East/West

Celebrate Me Home is this Week! Please be praying for this Christmas outreach event at Fair Haven. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 7 PM, and Saturday and Sunday at 3 and 7 PM. Make sure you get your tickets for this fun, engaging, and enjoyable celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. It's a great opportunity to share laughter and fellowship with family and friends. Find out more at http://s251482848.onlinehome.us/cmh/default.htm.

All I Want for Christmas This past Sunday Mical Pugh unwrapped the first Christmas gift we look for during the holidays: Sanity. Plan on being a part of this new Celebration Message series each Sunday at Fair Haven as we help prepare you for the frenetic pace of the season. As we countdown to Christmas, we'll be unwrapping even more relevant gifts - security, satisfaction, and a second chance - to help you experience peace, joy, and love this Christmas.

Surviving the Holidays Don't miss this special seminar designed to help give strength and encouragement during the holiday season. Presented on December 15, there are two seminar options to help you find comfort and hope this Christmas - one is focused on and sponsored by DivorceCare and one is sponsored by and focused on GriefShare. For more information check out: http://www.fhmin.org/divorce_care.kt (DivorceCare) and http://www.fhmin.org/divorce_care.kt (GriefShare).

Thank You for Your Thanksgiving! I am truly grateful for the generosity shown by the Fair Haven family through our Thanksgiving Offering. Through Sunday, the total given for mission is $112,230.20. When combined with over $75,000 committed from our general fund, we have over $185,000 going to mission - global, local, and church multiplication. If you haven't had the opportunity, you can still share in the joy of giving by contributing to our Seize Eternity Thanksgiving Offering for mission from now through the end of the year.

Currents is an electronic commuication from Fair Haven Ministries - devotional thoughts, updates, and information for individuals connected to the ministry of Fair Haven. It is communicated via email and through the Fair Haven website - www.fhmin.org If you do not desire to receive Currents, please follow the unsubscribe directions at the bottom of this email, otherwise, we hope you find meaning, encouragement, and hope through these regular communiques!

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