Dear Friends in Christ,
Growing up in a family with a father who drank too much, especially at this time of year, was always hard. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas there would be fighting, and inevitably my dad would not show up for the family gathering. It was depressing and sad. Thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ He changed me and my family. My dad, who is now with the Lord, came to Christ a couple of years (1973) after my salvation, and that changed our family holidays. Now as I have a son and two daughters, and two of the three have their families, Thanksgiving and Christmas are joyful times. The reason is the Lord Jesus. He makes the difference in individuals and families.
My sad holidays were nothing compared to our national situation today. Families are, in many cases, no longer together. Those who are have far greater problems than our family faced years ago. Individuals who have lost loved ones struggle during these days. In some situations children are being left alone and really have little parental influence. Divorce has left its ugly mark upon individuals and families. Some who feel all alone will spend their holidays escaping into a bottle or a pill. It seems that sin has grown in its control and devastating impact on lives. The need for counseling increases at this time of year. People who experience depression and sadness will call for help as this time of year approaches. The only answer for holidays and any day is the Lord Jesus Christ.
As you read this letter please pray for two events which can change some of those who are feeling hopeless. Celebration, an evangelistic Christmas dinner, will take place on December 6th. Many Christians invite friends, fellow employees, or relatives to this dinner where they will hear the gospel. The day before, December 5th, we will have a businessmen’s luncheon with the same purpose. The keynote speaker for both events is Dr. Wayne Barber, who pastors a church in Chattanooga, TN. Please pray that God would draw individuals to these two outreaches and that many will trust Christ as their Savior. If you would be interested in attending either event and bringing someone who needs the Lord, please call our office and ask for Jan Bearden or me.
Along with these outreaches many of the other ministries operating under WGM also have special ways of reaching out to the lost and hurting. The Stroups always have dinners and other venues to reach out to the Japanese living in and around Birmingham. The Sampers and the McVays also will have ministry for the Hispanic population. Please pray for all of these opportunities to share Christ with others.
We all have relationships with people who do not know the Lord. We perhaps only know them from a causal contact in our neighborhood, from the local store where we shop or a restaurant where we may have our favorite server. We never know what some of these people are going through at this time of year. God has given all of us “divine appointments” with many of these in order to share the true meaning of Christmas. Who knows how your ministering the gospel to them may change this Christmas for them and perhaps their family.
It is nearing the end of 2011 and you may be praying about a year end gift. The Wales Goebel Ministry could use your help. Please consider giving for the furtherance of the gospel.
In Christ Our Life,
Dr. Jay Jackson
