Forward or Backward?

            2008 has been an amazing year for Operation Inasmuch, Inc.  We have grown more than we could have dreamed.  We have increased our impact on congregations and communities.  We have turned out new resources.  God is most definitely using Inasmuch to transform believers and congregations.  Truly, God has blessed!!
            As we peer across the holiday divide into 2009, we see a season of opportunity not unlike the land flowing with milk and honey the Israelite spies saw when they reconned the Promised Land.  Again, like the Hebrew spies saw in Canaan, we see giants, too, formidable enemies to our vision of seizing on the opportunities provided by God.  The question is whether we will respond to these realities like Joshua and Caleb or the rest of the spies who were frightened by what they saw as obstacles.  We in the Inasmuch ministry choose to go with the way of faith—believing God has brought us to this point not to abandon us now but to lead us into the land he has promised, believing the same God who has provided in the past will do so in 2009, believing God will honor our obedience and faithfulness to His vision for Inasmuch in ways that will amaze even the most hardened skeptic.
            Where all this figures into our story now is in the realm of funds to run the Inasmuch ministry.  God has provided abundantly in the past and we are confident He will do so for 2009.  We are realistic about the giants in the land—the worst economy in decades, fear about the future and the accompanying paralysis it often brings.  All non-profits are struggling to reach their funding goals for 2009.  But this is just the time when Inasmuch is needed the most!  The needs of our neighbors are more than they have been in a long time.  Congregations need Inasmuch to help them reach out to their neighbors.  So, this is no time for us to scale our operations back.  On the contrary, this is the time for us to reach out more boldly than ever to empower congregations across this nation to be the hands and feet of Jesus for people in need.
            Inasmuch has received an offer of $50,000 as a matching gift for 2009.  That means we have to raise $50,000 to receive this large gift.  This means every dollar given to Inasmuch for 2009 will result in two dollars for the ministry.  When we reach this goal, the ministry will be about two-thirds funded for 2009 meaning less time will have to be devoted to fundraising and more to helping churches do good ministry in their community. 
            If this ministry has benefited you or your church, please consider making a donation to help us reach this goal of $50,000.  It’s easy.  You can use a credit card.  Go to http://www.operationinasmuch.com/online_giving.php.  Your gift is tax deductible and Inasmuch will furnish the appropriate documentation.  Help us do what God has given us to do at a time when it is most needed.  Help us stand with Joshua and Caleb as we look into 2009, moving forward into hope and faith, not backward into fear and doubt. 

            May the joy of Christmas in the person of Jesus be especially real to you this season.

David Crocker
Executive Director
Operation Inasmuch, Inc.

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