It is hard to believe that we have crossed over the halfway mark of December. Before you know it we will be ushering in a new year. As we enjoy these final days of December and this last full week of Advent, I wanted to remind you of our Advent giving.

Our Advent giving goal is $82,000. $52,000 goes toward our regular monthly needs for December and then $30,000 goes toward global and local ministry opportunities. $20,000 will be committed to the following global efforts: Gospel for Asia Missionaries and Jesus Wells ($5,000), The Israel Family in Eastern Europe ($5,000), The Marshall Family in Lyon, France ($7,000), Guadalajara Mission Work ($2,000) and Funding Nafian’s Bible Training Classes in Papua New Guinea ($1,000). $10,000 will be committed to the following local efforts: Church Adoption Fund ($1,000), Real Options for Women ($4,000), LINC Creekview HS Work ($3,000), and Jimmy Huston’s Summer Ministry with World Impact ($2,000).

Thus far $39,800 has been received.

You heard Jimmy Huston speak about the efforts of World Impact in Dallas a few weeks ago and from the Marshalls this past Sunday about the ongoing work in France. Know that your generous gifts weekly and last Advent have impacted both these ministries greatly. In fact, I wanted to let you know that I got word this morning that the Garcia family the Marshall’s asked us to pray for showed up with their children at their Christmas Bible Club last night. Your Advent giving this year will continue to impact these ministries plus the many more above. You can also read more about how God has used your ongoing sacrificial gifts including last year’s Advent giving in our 2013 year-end report (https://cpmfiles1.com/ridgeonline.org/ridgear2013.pdf).

I praise the Lord for what He has done and continues to do in and through The Ridge. He is truly faithful. I have been reminded this Advent season of a song by Sara Groves that has encouraged me of this truth, with these words:

I believe in a fountain that will never dry
Though I've thirsted and didn't have enough
Thirst is no measure of his faithfulness
He withholds no good thing from us
No good thing from us, no good thing from us

I will open my hands, will open my heart
I will open my hands, will open my heart
I am nodding my head an emphatic yes
To all that You have for me

God is an ever-flowing fountain, faithful and good. May we open our hands, hearts and nod our heads with an emphatic yes to all that He has for us. He truly withholds no good things from us.

For your Advent joy,

Jerry