So, what’s happening is across the nation we’re asking churches to do a “Christmas in August” offering… make up for the shortfall. The bottom line is that all of us have less now, so we are able to give less. That said, I do think that the global progress of the Gospel should be the LAST thing to suffer. I think we should consider making radical changes to our lifestyles before we see missionaries have to come home.

In case you need some more motivation… the below is a very stirring letter from one of our church planters, regarding some recent cutbacks at the International Mission Board due to the economic recession.

The 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal was $170 million.  As you may already know, the total receipts fell approximately $29 million short of that goal… the single biggest drop from one year to the next in the history of the offering.  When just looking at those numbers it’s pretty overwhelming. However, it all comes into perspective when you realize that entire shortfall could be made up by each SB giving only about $2. That’s giving up one cup of coffee, one hamburger, one Route 44 from Sonic, one tots and cheese… for those of you that know what I’m talking about!  Our missionary-force is having to be reduced by almost 700 personnel.  That is a pretty sobering figure.  

Our denomination was born out of a passion for the nations to hear the Gospel. Sometimes it is a good thing to step back and remember where you came from.  We realize that these are difficult economic times for everyone, and we certainly want to show gratitude and appreciation of the funding we have received.  However, God has not called us (SB’s) out to wait on the sidelines until the economy recovers.   

During the company’s meetings last week, we were informed that one of the most disappointing things about this situation is not the amount of LMCO shortfall, but the fact that there has been little, if any, real outrage from SB’s that our ISC program has been suspended.  The ISC program is the program that allows married couples or singles who are outside of their 20′s to go overseas for 2 or 3 years.  

If the financial crunch had hit before the team I’m on left, we would have 1 career couple here, and the other 5 adults on the team, including me, would be gone.  When October of next year hits, we will all be gone, and chances are the one remaining career unit here will not be able to stay in our city.  Generally we try not to have anyone alone in a city, and I assume this would be the case with us.  Please pray for them in this time, and please do anything you can to help out during this hard time.

11,626 people groups worldwide

6,510 unreached 

3,431 unengaged unreached

2,650 with no known evangelical witness

345 unengaged unreached in CA

4 out of every 10,000 persons in CA is a follower of Christ

I know this is kind of sobering, but so was the email that said we were going to have to bring missionaries home early.  Thanks SO MUCH for your support, prayer and otherwise.