The reason for the season:
“For God loved the world in this way:
He gave His One and Only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
~John 3:16, HCSB~
Jill Brister and Lloyd Hayden are both having problems with their backs. Pray for some relief for them.
The Jason and Ellen vande Vuss family has now had two children hospitalized this week. Pray the other members of the family will be spared.
Debi Bales is home and better, but still weak and recovering from her illness. She would appreciate your continued prayers.
Emme Brabham went home last night. Continue to pray for her as she heals. Her family appreciates all of your prayers.
Dan Turner is ready to wake up, but the doctors have decided to keep him medicated a little longer so his ribs and lungs can heal a little more. The family is so thankful Dan is doing so well and for the many prayer warriors who have been lifting up the name of Dan.
Austin Elder – Today, he will go to St. Louis.
We would like to share that last night Tim Ernst, the artist that led the rescuers to where Austin laid, and his precious wife Pam, brought our family the branch off of the little maple tree that spared Austin from immediate death. Tim went and found the branch that caught Austin on the way down. We call it the branch of life from the tree of life. It was on their hearts to make sure we had that special branch and we love them for it. Please go towww.timernst.com and look for his current journal to see his sweet words about Austin.
Please pray for strength for Danny, Gina, and Brittany. They have peace beyond all earthly comprehension, but they are exhausted. When Austin got his new drivers license last year, he selected to be an organ donor, which lead he and his Mom to have a conversation regarding donation. He was adamant that he wanted to be a donor. That conversation was part of God’s perfect plan. Austin fell 100 feet, but God used that small maple tree to keep his organs from being damaged so that he could save 5 to 8 other people. We thank God for revealing his perfect plan to us. But for various reasons, in order to donate his organs, we will have to wait until tomorrow, which means another day here at St. John’s. Pray for strength. They will then take Austin to St. Louis where the Miracle of our precious Austin will live on.
Last night Tim Ernst, the artist that lead the rescuers to where Austin lay, and his precious wife, Pam, brought thefamily that branch off of the little maple tree that spared him from immediate death. Tim went and found the branch that caught Austin on the way down. We call it the branch of life from the tree of life. It was on their hearts to make sure we had that branch and we love them for it. Please go to www.timernst.com and look for his current journal to see his sweet words about Austin.
We have so much to say to all of you, but may not get them said today. We can’t tell you how much we love you all and we thank you for allowing God to use you all to bless this family.
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering continues in area Southern Baptist Churches. One hundred percent of the money given to this offering will go for work to spread the Good News around the world. This money represents 54% of the total budget for world missions.
Fast Facts
International Mission Board vital stats
• 4,903 missionaries (as of August 2012)
• 28,873 new churches*
• 333,823 baptisms*
• 442,385 new believers who heard a Gospel witness*
*As reported in the 2011 Annual Statistical Report
Status of World Evangelization
• 11,424 people groups worldwide; 6.9 billion people
• 6,524 unreached people groups (less than 2 percent evangelical)
• 3,257 unengaged, unreached people groups (no church-planting strategy)
People group figures current as of Aug.15, 2012. Get the latest status of world evangelization figures.
Lottie Moon past and present
• 2012 goal: $175 million
• 2011 receipts: $146.8
• 2010 receipts: $145.6 million
• 2009 receipts: $148.9 million
• $3 billion given since offering’s inception
• $3,315 collected in 1888 for first offering, enough to send three women to China
How much does it cost to support a missionary?
• $49,800 a year (average)
• $4,150 a month
• $958 a week
• $136 a day
Reported May 2012. Support includes housing, salary, children’s education, medical expenses, retirement and more.
IMB budgeted income:
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – about 54 percent
Cooperative Program – 29 percent
World Hunger and General Relief – 2 percent
Field-generated funds, investment returns and other income – 15 percent
Total IMB expenditures 2011 – $307.6 million
• Overseas missions – $260.8 million
Missionary support – $206.7 million
Field work – $53.8 million
• Stateside – $47.1 million
Total IMB expenditures 2010 – $294.2 million
• Overseas missions – $244.8 million
Missionary support – $196.3 million
Field work – $48.5 million
• Stateside – $49.3 million
Total IMB expenditures 2009 – $306.8 million
• Overseas missions – $255.4 million
Missionary support – $221.9 million
Field work – $33.5 million
• Stateside – $51.4 million
Have a great day! Do something that brings the real meaning of Christmas to others.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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