Giving Letter (1/2000)

 January 3, 2000

 Dear Church Family,

 Just recently I visited on the telephone with a local pastor of a small church. This pastor is a godly man who loves the Lord and desires nothing more than to serve Him with all of his heart, soul and mind. Because his church is small, he must work a second job in addition to his ministry. I was talking with him because he is discouraged and has reached the end of his rope. He has worked hard, prayed hard and ministered to the people in his church, but as of the end of December, he was ready to close the doors and give up.

After I hung-up the telephone I couldn’t help but thank God for His blessings on Grace Church. I can’t explain why He chooses to bless some churches so abundantly and others barely exist. I do know this–it is God who is blessing Grace Church, and your elders, pastors and staff are committed to being faithful stewards of His blessings on this church.

As we move into a new year–and a new millennium–I want to bring us back to our Core Values as a church and remind us why we do what we do: if nothing else, I pray that this year we learn what it means to be true New Testament Believers. Four qualities exemplified the First Century Christians: they loved one another, they worshipped God completely, they prayed as if life depended on it, and they gave sacrificially. These same qualities–I’m convinced–will make Grace Church a church that God can use in the 21st Century to reach Central Iowa for his glory.

Included with this letter is a record of your 1999 giving to the Lord through Grace Church.

Finally, let me again tell you what a privilege and honor it is to serve you dear, precious people. I am so excited to see God work through you this year to accomplish great things. Let me encourage you to stay close to Him, read His Word daily and surrender minute-by-minute to the Spirit’s desire to control your life. God bless you.

Sincerely,

David Nelms
Senior Pastor