November 2018 Partner Letter

Dear Partner,

There have always been those who were called to help support the work of God, and they became indispensable in the mission.  With Jesus, we read about …”Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager; and Susanna; and many others, who ministered to and provided for Him and them out of their property and personal belongings.”  (Luke 8:3).

George Whitfield, one of the leaders in the first Great Awakening, also had someone who made it possible for him to preach, travel, and stir the world with the Gospel of Christ.  Here is part of the story…

Selina Hastings was born into upper-class England, and had money, power, and influence.  After being converted, she used all these avenues to advance the Gospel in England.  She even hired George Whitfield to be her personal chaplain so as to provide the opportunity for him to preach to members of her noble circle – which included princes and relatives to kings!

Deeply admired by such contemporaries as King George III, Henry Venn and Whitfield himself, who described her as ‘all in a flame for Jesus’, Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, left an indelible mark on the Evangelical Awakening of the Eighteenth Century. Closely involved for nearly forty years with leaders of the revival, she gave sacrificially in the construction of sixty-four chapels, the founding of Trevecca College in Wales, and in providing for the needs of poor preachers. The Countess secured an entrance for the Gospel through the powerful preaching of men like Whitfield, William Romaine and John Fletcher.  Even at the end of her life, she was negotiating the sale of properties to free up funds to build even more chapels!  This shows what God can accomplish through the tireless work of a godly woman whose heart’s desire was, in her words, …”The Dear Lamb of God, my best, my eternal, my only Friend – should have all dedicated to his service and glory.”  Maybe you hadn’t heard of her – but her part in funding the Gospel was unforgettable to the Kingdom of God.

In 1978, I remember calling a lady who was a supporter of Kenneth Copeland Ministries.  I wanted to ask her a few questions about dealing with finances.   She told me to simply ‘trust God’, and that during our life and ministry, God would connect us with people who believed in what we were doing, and they would be called alongside us to help support the vision God had given us.  Then I began to ask the Lord to put us on the hearts of those who would join together with us in the work He has called us to do.  You, dear partner, are our answered prayer from those early days over 40 years ago.

How valuable your part is in making it possible to tell the world Jesus is Lord!  You will be the one that is called forward to receive the crowns for any fruit that has come from any of our efforts to help bring others to Christ and strengthen the church in our lifetime.  We love you, honor you, and pray for you.

To God Be The Glory,

Cindy, Lois and Ray