March 2008 Issue
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Dear Faithful Friends,

It has become very apparent that ministries like this one are disappearing. They have almost gone the way of the dinosaurs. There are any number of reasons why young men aren’t surrendering to the ministry of evangelism in recent times. It’s not a lucrative career, after all. There are any number of reasons why evangelists aren’t being used in the evangelical churches of America any longer. I suppose one could look at what it costs to bring in an evangelist to a church for a week’s revival and say it is too much. Another factor might be that we have concluded that not enough people attend evangelistic meetings and so we don’t have them. (I’m not sure how many would have to actually attend in order to justify having them again.) Everyone is very busy these days. We really don’t have much time to put forth the effort for a series of evangelistic meetings.

Given these issues and the times in which we live I contend that if ever we needed evangelists and evangelistic meetings, it is NOW! Instead of backing off and having fewer meetings, we need more. “...so much the more as ye see the day approaching...” I am firmly committed to the call God has placed upon my life and the lives of every one of our family members. I believe that what David said is correct, “...is there not a cause...” So, it’s time to dig in our heels and begin determining ways to keep going into all the world with the Gospel message!

It’s clear to me that even a single evangelist would have a difficult time staying out here and being financially responsible if all he had to live on was his love-offerings. I hear it from pastors all the time. “We just can’t afford it!” The churches “in the trenches,” numbering 50-200 in attendance, are having a struggle of their own. Salaries, insurances, utilities, every expense facing a church, has increased and continues increasing. Sometimes even receiving an offering during a revival is a stretch for some congregations. They are “tapped out.” Therefore, if we are to continue and perpetuate this or any ministry of like fashion, we must seek an alternative. Scripturally and logically, it means having the regular, faithful, financial support of individuals AND CHURCHES. If churches believe in a ministry they should include such a ministry in their missions giving. If missions doesn’t begin in “Jerusalem” and keep “Jerusalem” strong, foreign missions won’t happen either.

I’ve been praying about this for some time now and it’s been on my heart to write this letter for a good while. I feel very strongly about this issue. I believe the people of God, the Christians, are responsible for keeping a ministry going. It begins first of all with that ministry’s own local church. Then it extends, I believe, to the churches in which that ministry has been used of God to bless, encourage, win and essentially bolster that congregation to build, continue and enlarge it’s scope and win it’s community to Jesus. The Apostle Paul looked boldly to the churches where he ministered for their loyal support. He gave them a plan by which to operate through to finance other ministries. But, he went further. He admonished individuals to purpose in their hearts what to give. It is Scriptural to give to propagate the Gospel!! In fact, it is a mandate from God to do so.

You cannot out-give God. We give to Him, He gives back to us so we can give again! We don’t give to get. We give to get to give again! I’ve discovered you simply can’t trump the Lord in the matter of giving. I know for sure that this ministry will not be able to continue if we don’t DOUBLE the number of Faithful Friends we now have. Dearly beloved, we need you to invest in this ministry. One or two people can’t do it all, but, if 50 people say, “I can do something,” together we can make an impact in these last days that will leave a lasting legacy for the Lord upon this generation. All it takes is for you to say, “I will!”

Faithful Friends receive our Newsletter in the mail every month. There is a remittance envelope inside. It is self addressed back to Keffer Church Ministries. It takes so little effort to slip a check inside and place a stamp on the envelope and drop it into the mail. The amount is between you and God. He alone can tell you what to do in that regard. The online method of giving requires even less effort. A few clicks of your computer mouse and your gift has arrived and is ready to be put to work for God is His ministry!

I’m asking you to consider taking action and allowing the God of Heaven to use you to reach souls for His Kingdom. I’m quite serious when I say, there’s never been a greater need. Today I scheduled with a pastor in the west who told me that two teenagers were recently gunned down on his street in gang warfare. Kids barely out of diapers are killing each other!! David’s words,”...is there not a cause...” ring in my ears. Marriage has become an “option” many are totally ignoring today. The homes of America are in a shambles. Is there a cause? Abortion, homosexuality, heartache, pain, wayward kids and grandkids. I want to minister. I want to go. Our family carries a mandate from God. But, we are helpless without ENABLERS! WE NEED YOU!

Take a minute and make your first gift today, please. Don’t delete this email and turn a deaf ear to a serious need. We are working in the red with no end in sight. It can’t continue. God is not the Author of confusion. Take a minute and make a difference. I want to send you the newest “old” recording effort of the Keffers. It is a compilation CD taken from three of our old, old cassettes. You’ll enjoy these 27 old classic Gospel songs. I’ll send it to you absolutely FREE when your first gift arrives. Do it now before Satan robs you of a blessing!

Gary & Family
THE KEFFERS
I Cor. 15:58