The most blessed people

Merry Christmas! I’d like to share a story from Lauren Christman, a Friends Network missionary serving in Seoul, South Korea.

Professor Guy Marquardt of Asia Lutheran Seminary recently visited Seoul to teach a class on Luther’s Small Catechism. Lauren attended and sat next to a young woman she had never met. During a break, they struck up a conversation. Lauren learned that this woman wasn’t a Christian, but she was genuinely curious about Christianity.

When Professor Marquardt taught about God’s love and his daily offer of forgiveness in Jesus, Lauren turned to her new friend and asked, “As someone who isn’t a Christian, what do you think of this concept of daily forgiveness?”

She replied, “I think if it’s true that God forgives you daily, Christians are the most blessed people in the world.”

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Isaiah 9:2

Dear Christians, a light has dawned on us. Jesus is the light of the world, and in that light you walk forgiven and free. What an incredible gift.

Did you know that less than 10% of Asia is Christian? If you’ve ever experienced the warmth of Thai hospitality or the generosity of a Chinese friend, “spiritual darkness” is probably not the first phrase that comes to mind. Yet as relationships deepen, you soon discover friends who are searching—yearning—for hope and meaning. They are stumbling in darkness. And we know Jesus, the life and light of all mankind.

_____

The last few years at Friends Network have been remarkable. We’ve experienced significant change—new opportunities, new ministry fields, and new missionary candidates, both young and old, eager to serve. We’ve shared stories of growing churches in the Philippines and of hundreds hearing the gospel for the first time in Japan.

What we haven’t shared as often is the internal transformation that has taken place as we’ve grown. I’d like to shine a light on that process now.

Behind the scenes, we’ve built systems and structures to support this expanding work. Our database has doubled in size, and the number of financial transactions flowing through it has multiplied. We’ve strengthened our member care, developed a missionary support-raising system, improved accounting procedures, and added staff. In short, we’ve built an infrastructure capable of supporting not only today’s mission work, but tomorrow’s.

This growth, however, has come with increased costs. Our annual operating budget is about $700,000—a modest figure considering the scope of our overseas ministry. Yet our revenue has not kept pace with expenses during this period of expansion. To regain a solid foundation, our goal this fiscal year is to raise $1 million in unrestricted revenue—$300,000 above our typical annual need. This is a stretch for our organization.

We are at a pivotal moment in our 25-year history. God has always supported this ministry in exactly the right way and at exactly the right time—and he has done so through partners like you. We share our financial situation so your prayers can be informed and your giving intentional. As you make plans for your charitable giving this Christmas season, we humbly ask that you consider how you might bless and support this work.

Will you help us train, send, and support missionaries who bring the light of Jesus into places of deep spiritual darkness? Your generosity makes that possible—today and in the years to come. And we know that when the light of Jesus shines, it transforms lives, just like it did for Lauren’s new friend.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Aaron Wakeman

Executive Director

 “…Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”