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“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He
is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:11
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2008 Dear Friends: We take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas 2008. It is always a joy to come back and let you know what the Lord is doing in our lives. It is the time of the year when we treasure our family and friends. We are tremendously blessed to have you in our ministry team. Before I reflect on this past year, let me thank all of you who prayed for us this year; it is greatly appreciated. It is wonderful to feel so strong and energized. We have clearly seen how God has touched many lives through our ministry. We have been networking, resourcing and serving churches at home and abroad. Missions Trip: In November, 2008 I had the pleasure of leading a six-member team to India on a Missions Trip. In the last week of our ministry, there were tragic bombings in Mumbai. We were nowhere near Mumbai however and all of us have returned home safe. Still, there have been times when we’ve experienced tension, confusion and chaos. The security has tightened up where we were, but no one really felt an imminent danger. The purpose of the Missions Team is to go and share the Gospel story with the ultimate goal of making disciples and to train local pastors and evangelists; modeling godly discipleship in a foreign land. Discipleship making involves an intentional follow-up program. The members partner with local Christian churches, Bible College and national leaders to do the ministry. Jesus Festivals: These were particular highlights of the mission trips. We were able to successfully hold Jesus Festivals (crusades) near Hyderabad in India. We were able to train, teach and equip clergy and lay people. It was very encouraging to see many people respond to the gospel. It was a great joy to see many people receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Pastors Resource: This year we were able to partner and network with many pastors and their leaders. Our goal is to help Lower Mainland pastors to have a vision to reach their diverse cultural communities. We not only want to create awareness but also to provide tools and resources. Field Trips: Worship places field trips were designed to create awareness and build bridges within our multi-cultural communities and we were able to successfully organize six field trips in 2008. We visited a Sikh temple, Hindu temple, Muslim mosque, Buddhist temple and a Christian church. It was another highlight during the year. Ministry Centre: We continue to offer a wide assortment of services to the many communities of which it is a part. It services all of the Christian churches of the Lower Mainland and offers year round information, referral services, cross-cultural counselling and worship places field trips. We also conduct seminars on evangelism, discipleship, missions, prayer and leadership for clergy and lay people. Pastors Training: Many pastors in India live on a meagre income of only Rs. 150 per month ($3.00 US). We were able to sponsor a Pastors Christmas Dinner in Hyderabad. We are starting a new venture to help support pastors. I am asking you for your earnest prayers and support in this venture. As we move forward, we want to do so with wisdom and sensitivity. We have planned Jesus Festivals and leadership training meetings in India with both evangelism and training as the focus. Family Update: Shirley continues to coordinate our programs at the Ministry Centre. She is actively involved in the Moms Who Care school ministry in Abbotsford. Shirley networks and ministers with a ministry called Women of the Harvest. It is an encouragement ministry to missionaries and their families. Our twin daughters Michelle and Samantha are in grade 4 and busy with their school. We have been hearing a lot about the international financial melt down, bailouts, credit crunch, etc. and it is quite challenging to raise support at these difficult times. We have much appreciated your friendship and partnership. Thank you again for choosing to invest in our vision. Please do your part as the Lord leads and we will do our part to change our world at home and abroad. My ministry in 2009 has a full slate of meetings planned at home and abroad. The Lord has been so good to us. You, as our friends, have been so faithful, even in these economically uncertain times. I want to thank you and ask you for your continued faithful support. We really do need it and count on your continued assistance. Without that we could never launch new local and global evangelism projects. Please do seek the Lord’s guidance as to what your share in enabling us will be. Thank you for your consideration. May God richly bless you as faithfully serve Him in 2009. Thanks again for your friendship in our calling.
Grace and Peace, PS: If you wish not to receive our mailings, kindly drop me a note at david@mclauren.org |
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