December 2003
Dear Family and Friends of Emmanuel,
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of the year. This time of the year makes us look back at what God has done for us and forward to the potential of a new year.
As we look back at 2003, God accomplished many great things. In our missions program, we were able to see the Adams finish language school and head to Honduras, Pastor Ogle spend three weeks in Africa, the Watsons take an extended trip to Mexico and then start deputation, the Borrmanns and Jon Speights begin their deputation in earnest, the Starins leave for Okinawa and the Youngs spend three months in Papua, New Guinea. We also had a wonderful missions conference with decorations, a theme, a missions booklet and other new things. Our Spanish ministry, under the direction of Pancho Rovirosa, has blossomed this year. We have seen many saved and that ministry is now running 40-60 in that service every week. Our Family Camp was our largest attended one yet. It was our privilege to have one of our missionaries, Roland Mills, to speak. What a great weekend we had. Our general fund has grown this year and God has allowed us to do some extra things as a result. We adopted a new constitution and by-laws toward the end of the year. We have had the opportunity to send out more couples to full-time ministry. We, on the staff, are always amazed at how our people respond to various needs. The youth gave out 8 full thanksgiving baskets, an extra turkey and a $20.00 gift card. Your giving and sacrificial spirit are a blessing. We can say that it is a joy and privilege to serve with you.
As we look to the New Year, we desire to be challenged to do more. Our prayer is that as our general fund grew this year our missions fund will grow next year. We have a desire to take on some fine missionaries. Some of the missionaries in our own church we would love to support. We never want to rest on the goodness and prosperity of last year. Will you pray for your faith promise as well as others? We also have a desire to see our soul winning program grow. Our desire is to have everyone involved in some way. We have tried to cover Kings Mountain with door-to-door surveys and now we have much follow up work to do. Will you do your part this year? We are looking forward to a meeting in April with Evangelist Paul Schwanke. We ask that you begin praying now that God would use that week in all of our lives.
The staff would like to wish you a worshipful Christmas and a God-honoring New Year!
Pastor and Mrs. Surrett