Ministry Update

August 2010

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

After the dedication of the Temple, God encouraged Solomon by the promise that if His judgment (by drought, locusts, or a plague) should fall on the nation for their sin, they need only turn to the Lord in earnest humility and repentance and they would find forgiveness and restoration (vv. 13-15).  Conversely, if Solomon and the nation of Israel should fall away from the Lord and serve other gods they would be exiled and their magnificent temple destroyed (2 Chron. 7:19-20).

By nature most of us tend to be optimists.  We are hopeful that things will work out for the best.  Unfortunately, the current moral, political, social, and economic crisis our nation is experiencing has weakened our hope that we can turn the tide of despair among so many.  Recently, I heard one of the most outstanding messages on the current state of affairs from Pastor Charles Stanley on Sunday July 4th.   You can find this message by going to the In Touch website at www.intouch.org.

This country has never experienced the depth of moral, spiritual, and economic decay that presently exists.  Our 13 trillion dollar debt continues to grow at a rate of 3.85 billion dollars a day.  For the past fifty years we have taken the Bible and prayer out of our schools.  It is interesting to note that America has experienced a 400% increase in disasters (e.g. Katrina, earth quakes, oil spills, etc.) since 1960.  Our government is moving towards a socialistic approach to governing that can lead to mediocrity, apathy, and depression.  The by-products of socialism are a significant increase in alcoholism, abuse, drug addiction, and prostitution.  With socialism the protections for the unborn, elderly, sickly, and handicapped are abandoned.  Much like the Romans, unless we change our ways, America will cease to be a powerful influence in the world.

Why share such doom and gloom?  Clearly we are in the last days before Christ’s return.  And never in the thirty years of this ministry have the fields been riper for harvest, especially for men.  We have seen scores of men come to Christ through our 2010 conferences, bible studies, retreats, and books.  We are educating and motivating over 2700 churches - and adding new churches every week - to develop and expand their men’s ministry outreach. And we have provided over 500 churches with advice, tools and resources over the past 4 years. Unfortunately, most of these churches are small to mid-sized and are also struggling with their finances and cannot afford to reimburse us with the funds necessary to keep resources and communications flowing.

Despite our bleak financial status, we press on with an effort to help make men’s ministry happen.  Remember the centurion principle. Statistics tell us that 93% of the time when a man comes to faith in an unbelieving family the entire family comes to faith.  So men continue to be a strategic focus. 

This month will be the first time in our three decades of history that two of our staff will not take a salary and three of our staff will take a 25% cut in pay.  We feel this sacrifice testifies to our desire to keep on
keepin’ on.  God has clearly demonstrated that, despite our economy, we are to reach out to the lost, brokenhearted, and depressed.  Our position, as a national leader in men’s ministry, suggests that we stay the course and remain faithful.

In the next few months we have two major Iron Sharpens Iron Conferences and the release of a new book. This coupled with our Pastor’s Workshops, Special Kids Day Programs for the Disabled, and the work we are doing with so many struggling churches will help keep our minds off of the finances. 

Whatever you can do to financially assist us during this critical time is appreciated.  Help us swing the sickle of God’s word to the lost so that the harvest of souls for His glory will continue.  “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’” Matthew 9:37 (NIV)  Thank you for standing with us.

In His Service,
Jim and Louise Grassi, James and Whitney Steiner, & Kristi Rinehart