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December 2005
Dear Friend: This is the most important and urgent letter I have ever written to you. First of all, though, I want to share that it is my prayer you and your family have a very blessed Christmas.
Recently, Rhonda and I arrived home
from the Billy Graham School of Evangelism (SOE) in
Chicago. The final evening there was a "Dedication Service". Mr. Cliff Barrows shared the message:
At the close of the service, men and women called of God responded to the message. Many were kneeling, others standing, and some even laid prostrate (flat) on the floor as they communed with their Savior and Lord, Jesus. Every person in the "Deaf group" was revived and left refreshed and recharged to share the Greatest Message in the world. I am still receiving e-mails from the Deaf pastors who attended, sharing with me what God did in their lives at the SOE. One Deaf pastor e-mailed me, "I've returned to my congregation and shared what I learned. Now they are winning souls, plus they, too, are experiencing a more personal relationship with Christ." It was a thrill to be involved with the Billy Graham School of Evangelism for the fifth time since 1989, inviting Deaf pastors, missionaries and their spouses to attend an SOE. And it was wonderful to see how God ministered to each person who attended. In my newsletter earlier this year (six pages in full-color with many pictures) I shared DMW's Three-Fold Mission: Evangelize, Equip, and Encourage. On page one I wrote" "We at Deaf Ministries Worldwide (DMW) are very excited and optimistic about the future and how God is leading. There are many new doors that have opened this year, and we sense God is going to do things that we have not seen happen in the Deaf harvest field ever before." You are a friend of this ministry, and therefore, I believe it is important that I share the following news with you. For the first time since this ministry was started (almost seventeen years ago) we were not able to say yes to some very important ministry opportunities. We could not participate in these opportunities, simply because we did not have the finances. In fact, this year
we had to
cancel two very important evangelistic
outreaches Everything we do, all of the ministry opportunities we are involved in, cost money. Yes, the Gospel is free. However, each of the outreaches we are involved in costs money. And the only way we can do what God has called us to do is for God's people to pray and contribute financially to this ministry.
"Gospel Bags". Inside each "Gospel Bag" are two Bibles: a Picture New Testament and also a simple English New Testament. In addition, we include four different tracts. As you know, it costs money to buy these Bibles and tracts that we give away FREE.
Many pastors are burned out; and many have already left the ministry because of it. We have ministered to hundreds of pastors and their spouses at the Shalom Lighthouse Retreat Center.
Did you know the word "shalom" means "peace"? Almost everyone who visits tells us how peaceful it is during their stay here. We are here to encourage, counsel, buildup, minister, and pray for these laborers in Deaf ministry. This ministry to precious workers in the Deaf harvest field is provided to them FREE.
Team Members Teach, Preach, Share Workshops. This past year the Team ministered in California, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington. When we are invited to preach or teach at a church, camp or conference, we do not request a "fee" for this ministry. We depend on "love offerings" that are given. Most Deaf churches are not large and sometimes the offering does not cover all of the expenses. That is why we depend on contributions from people like you, so that we don't have to say no when we are invited to minister.
Conflict Resolution. This past year I have been called to churches who were struggling with leadership conflicts and divisions (sometimes between the pastor and the board members; other times between the board members). As mediator I try and help bring resolution. This is a biblical approach (see Matthew 15:17, Proverbs 15:22) for resolving conflicts. More and more Deaf churches are using conflict resolution with great success. This ministry is very important in the Body of Christ.
Mission Outreaches in Foreign Countries. I have letters and e-mails on my desk with invitations to go to minister in different countries around the world, including e-mails begging us to come to Kenya, Africa and preach in eleven Deaf churches; and while there, teach and encourage the Deaf pastors and leaders. I wish we could schedule the ministry Team to go to their churches in 2006, but we can't. Because we do not have the funds, and these poor countries cannot afford it.
In 2006, we celebrate 17 years of ministry, and I have never had to come to you and tell you how serious our financial situation is. It is very difficult for me to share this with you, and it is also a very humbling to open up and share this with you. Right now, we are in a very serious financial situation. In the past three years DMW finances has continued to decrease each year. (I receive letters from other ministries who are experiencing the same thing.) Perhaps it is the economy. Perhaps it is because life has changed since 9/11 and more people are living in fear of the future. I don't know what it is. I do know that our financial situation is very serious at this time and something must be done about it. In November the DMW Executive Board met for its year-end Board meeting. It was a good meeting, and we had some very important discussions about the reduction in contributions. This reduction in income has forced us to evaluate what we can do improve our financial situation. We have made cuts in our budget where we can, but it is not enough to solve this problem. There is only one way for our financial situation to improve and that is for God's people who have a burden for lost Deaf souls to help us with a generous donation now. If you have been thinking about giving a financial gift to this ministry--now is the time. We urgently need your help. We know God wants DMW to stay open because--God loves Deaf people with an everlasting love. God proved it--we call it CHRISTMAS.
 John 3:16 says, "God so loved the Deaf world that He gave His one and only Son...." God sent His very best Gift, because we needed a Savior to take away our sins. His very best Gift is JESUS! JESUS born--to die on the cross--for you and me and for millions of Deaf people around the world. As I think about CHRISTMAS two words come to my mind: SIN and GIFT. SIN and GIFT is what CHRISTMAS is truly all about!
We need a financial miracle of $50,000 in December! I'm asking you to give your very best gift. With your help, DMW will receive the financial miracle needed to continue proclaiming the love of Jesus to Deaf people everywhere. And, friend, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). God IS for you and me! And God is for the "Deaf Nation"! With God nothing is impossible! Rhonda and I are praying and counting on you to help us through this difficult time. Your gift to this ministry is a Christmas gift that will have an impact on Deaf people's lives for eternity. For us to continue proclaiming the love of Jesus in 2006 we need you to mail your very best gift today!
I look forward to hearing back from
you very soon! We ARE Serving Together,
Gary Barrett
PS: Since 1989, the year DMW began, our theme has been a Lighthouse and our Mission Scripture, "Sending HIS Light and Truth to Deaf people everywhere!" For your contribution of any amount we will send you this unique cup with the beautiful Lighthouse on one side and our Mission Scripture on the other side. It is our small way of saying, "Thank You" for your help when we needed you the most! |
It was
wonderful as we experienced the presence of the Lord
there in a very special way. The Word of God was
powerfully preached and taught with the emphasis on
Evangelism. Evangelism was
proclaimed, again and again, in every service and
seminar, by different speakers during the three-day
event.
that we've been doing for the past several years (Deaf
Expos), because we did not have the funds. This is always a
great opportunity to witness to hundreds of Deaf people
about Jesus and give away thousands of Bibles and tracts
("Gospel Bags").
Shalom Lighthouse Retreat
Center.
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