December, 1997

Dear Friends and Support Team,

As the year draws to a close, join us in praising God for the way He has blessed C.I.M. Without advertising or a radio program to promote our website, it looks like we will end up with about 120,000 log-ons for 1997! We are very grateful that information is being put into the hands of people that need it. We appreciate your help in making it possible.

At the end of last year we appealed to you for help in up-grading our computer system. Many of you responded, and last January we were able to acquire a state-of-the-art computer system. We can't begin to express how much this has enhanced the product of this ministry. We are indeed thankful for the technology God made available for the work He has given us.

As we are about to enter the new year we have new tasks, new opportunities, and new visions. Pray for us as we plan and make decisions. One task that awaits us is the revision of many of our documents, and the improvement to the visual appearance of the website. These are two jobs which are labor intensive. We also have new research projects, and we would appreciate your prayers for guidance not only in the research but the choice of topics. One on-going project is a briefing paper on the Orthodox Church. This should be available in February.

The subject of Buddhism is probably not one of great interest or need for most you who are reading this, but we predict that it will be a major item at the website. We chose it as a topic for several reasons: With many celebrities now pushing this religion, and given the current climate of celebrity worship, we thought it was timely to have something available. We trust you will find it useful.

We will be instituting a new hotline via e-mail. We will use this when we would like to sample your opinion, which we view very highly, or when we have a special prayer need. If we do not have your e-mail address and you'd like to get on this list, please see that we get it somehow.

In our next mailing of the new year we will be taking a look at trimming the mailing list. We estimate that it now costs us approximately .75 per letter. In our endeavor to be good stewards we must make sure we are efficient and not wasteful. If you want to continue to receive our monthly mailings we will need to hear from you. While 1997 has been one of our most successful ministry years, it has been one of the leanest financially. We are particularly behind in personal accounts. Please remember us in your year-end giving. We really need to end in the right mode to be encouraged about the new year.

Our prayer accompanying this letter is that this Christmas will be especially meaningful for you and your family.

From Cecil and myself--MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For Christ and His Kingdom,