End of 2009 Review
Grace Rivers Ministry – 2009 Yearend Review
Now that we are closing 2009, I wanted to reflect on some things God has done over this last year. Grace Rivers has been in its formation now for over a year. This is our first full fiscal year in operation. As in any newly formed ministry there are often many unresolved questions about exactly what God has in mind. We began with a tremendous desire to offer a message of healthy relationships. We have had the hope that those around us that are orphaned by the body of Christ might be found and brought back into productive and effective growth in Christ. This burden continues and gets stronger each day.
The Journey of Thomas
This year we developed The Journey of Thomas. This material has brought clarity and foundational communication regarding our vision. We have taught The Journey of Thomas at several retreats and conferences and have received tremendous feedback from its truth. Through the summer months John Smid wrote email articles which ended up being the draft for a book named The Journey of Thomas. This book is in the process of being published and we are thrilled as we anticipate its printing. Sue DeRaad has written reflections from her heart for each core value in the Journey making this a tremendous project. Todd Posey has worked alongside John and Sue in helping with the project as a whole.
Life Transformation Groups
Over five years ago John Smid had a vision to begin some form of fellowship that might encourage intimate communication and relationships for men and women. This vision was primarily focused on those who were longing for a deeper connection in life with others. In answer to prayer, John was introduced to Stacy Tyson who is the director of Truth Seekers Fellowship here in Memphis. Through weekly meetings together they found that they were in sync with the same desire. They developed a model of small groups of three to read God’s word, share life together and encourage each other towards mission in their lives. They have called these groups Life Transformation Groups.
Since this last summer, there have been numerous “LTG’s” that have formed. There is a desire to build these groups into a network of small groups to become even more effective in deepening individual relationships with each other and with the Lord and in reaching the lost sheep in our world. John is currently mentoring five men individually to impart the message of the LTG into their lives.
Individual Counsel
Several times each week we are contacted by someone wanting to know how they can relate better to a family member or friend in a challenging or stressful situation. Through his years of experience John has been able to provide helpful wisdom or practical application to set these folks free from their fears.
Special Projects
John has been working with two individuals who are producing documentaries that will tell the story of God’s grace and His desire to reach those needing hope. John’s personal story will be told through these works in progress and it is our desire to see them reach the public next year. Through these mediums it is his desire that they will produce opportunities for even more sharing of the Journey of Thomas and hopefully increasing the circulation of John’s book after it is printed.
Dramatic Move of God’s Spirit
The formation of Grace Rivers Ministry is proving to be a dramatic work of God’s spirit. The depth of the message of the Journey of Thomas and a fresh message of God’s grace for His people is certainly rich and still being formulated but the energy is quite present!
It is our conviction that as God has said in His word that Jesus has died to give us LIFE and LIFE ABUNDANTLY. It is our desire to be vessels of His life to a lost and broken world. As in our vision statement, we are postured to be “Followers of Jesus Christ impacting our WORLD one person at a time!” It is thrilling to see this come to fruition as we press on.
Just last week John had the opportunity to have had significant connections with 14 men in one day in different venues. Now this is the church as described in Hebrews 10:25! This is the practical application of stimulating one another towards love and good deeds, two by two, group by group, person by person in the Name of Jesus. This is the mission of Grace Rivers.
When he drew a team of leaders together to build the foundation for Grace Rivers, it was a move of faith. At a time when our current financial environment is so shaky, we have stepped out in obedience to Christ believing this message of hope is more valuable than ever. God has honored our decision and opened up doors beyond our first vision.
It has been with great sacrifice and hard work that Grace Rivers is getting off the ground. It is our desire as a ministry to be as frugal as possible. Our main financial needs surround providing John with a living wage which we have not been able to do as of this time. John and his wife Vileen have given up many comforts and have been willing to live with daily provision as God has led through this year. However, as of this date, there are upcoming needs that cannot be met without God’s leading and provision. John does not have health insurance and has spoken with us about upcoming tax payments and other annual needs that are of concern.
We are pleased that throughout this formational time for Grace Rivers John has been able to put his full time effort in the development of a timely and important ministry outreach. We want that to continue because we can only see more needs coming in this next year that will take his full attention. Such opportunities as more conferences, speaking engagements, and personal ministry for many individuals will require him being able to devote his energies in that direction.
Please Consider a Year End Gift!
Please join with us in prayer and financially. We hope you will consider making a yearend gift to get us through the present needs. We are praying to close the year with at least $5000 above our typical monthly gifts. This would go a long way in giving us the boost we need to relieve the ministry of the burdens at this time.
Thankfully,
The Board of Directors for Grace Rivers Ministry
