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Dear Friends,
Today I resonate with Paul's pastoral joy, "I
thank my God upon every remembrance of you", and
his pastoral concern that "Christ be formed in
you" (Phil. 1:3, Gal. 4:19). Some who receive
this letter I know well for you've shared with
me the agony and the ecstasy of your soul. Many
I've met on one trip or another, and while our
contact has been brief, it has also been significant.
Others I have never met personally, but, even
so, I feel gratitude for you and concern that
Christ be formed in you.
Never forget that Jesus Christ is your ever-living
Savior, Teacher, Lord, and Friend. As Savior
he redeems and heals us from the sins and sorrows
of the past. As Teacher he guides and directs,
reproves and corrects, draws and encourages. As
Lord he takes his rightful place as commander-in-chief
over our lives that we might always walk in holy
obedience. As Friend he comes alongside
of us, suffering with us and giving us deep joy.
Always, always stay close to him.
RELOCATION DECISION
After a long process of seeking the Spirit's mind
we have come to clearness regarding the relocation
of RENOVARÉ. In July of 1994 we hope to move to
Castle Rock, Colorado, just south of Denver. (From
now until April 1 we will work on the feasibility
of relocation—cost, housing, etc.) We had several
gracious invitations from around the country and
wish we could have accepted them all.
Castle Rock was chosen for many reasons (family
needs, etc.) but none were more important than
proximity to the new Denver International airport
that is due to open soon. The airports of our
great cities are the trade routes of the modern
world, making those cities the new ports of entry
for people and ideas. Just as the Apostle Paul
positioned himself at the center of the great
trade routes of his day, so we hope to position
RENOVARÉ at a crucial crossroads of our country
so that we can serve people better and have as
useful an influence as possible.
ASIAN JOURNAL
I spent considerable time this last summer in
ministry among Christians along the Pacific rim.
As much as anything else I wanted to learn from
these dedicated sisters and brothers how to live
for Christ. I met with pastors, seminary professors,
theology students, and wonderfully gifted lay
leaders. At one retreat for pastors in Hong Kong
I completely lost my voice, and my translator
took over for me, leading one of the most moving
worship and teaching sessions I have ever been
in. At another retreat for Methodist leaders in
Singapore I heard the hymns of Charles Wesley
sung as they were written to be sung! It was powerful
and wonderful and joyful and spiritful.
I was greatly encouraged by what I saw and learned.
Not that believers in Asia are devoid of problems,
but almost all their problems are in the right
direction. They are not fascinated with technique;
rather they are seeking and experiencing the power
of the Holy Spirit. I would estimate that they
are ahead of Christians in the West by several
years in their understanding and experience of
Christian spirituality and spiritual formation.
They have a long way to go but in several crucial
areas they are miles ahead of us. We should thank
God for the powerful movements of the Spirit among
our brothers and sisters in Asia and be willing
to learn from them.
As you know, the countries of the Pacific rim
are on the rise—and they know it. Their influence
in world economies, business enterprise, and belief
systems will only increase. May we be faithful
to pray for Christian believers in these countries
as they face complex problems and growing opportunities.
RADIO SCHEDULE
Last spring I mentioned to you the opportunity
I had of doing brief daily radio talks which would
be broadcast through about 45 mid-sized outlets
for a reasonable cost. I am deeply moved by your
response and all the monies needed to do this
have come in. We take this as guidance to move
forward. I will begin January 1. We are doing
this for six months only and intend to stop at
that time, though, of course, we will evaluate
this decision at that point. The actual radio
stations and cities are listed on the back of
this letter.
FINANCIAL REJOICING
I am finding it hard to put into words my thanks
to you and so many others who believe in us and
have so generously supported our efforts. When
we stepped out in faith, believing that God wanted
us to work for the renewal of the Church, we had
God and a laser printer! I did not know if there
would be the money to cover expenses or salaries
beyond a month or two. And yet here we are more
than five years later thanking God for never having
to incur debt and with a small financial surplus.
I would never want to discourage people from giving
to the RENOVARÉ renewal effort, and even now I
welcome your contribution. But in thanksgiving
to God I also want to mention three other ministries
that I believe deserve your generous support.
Each one is making a significant contribution
to the renewal of the Church in all her multi-faceted
expressions. If you are considering a year-end
gift, these efforts would greatly benefit from
your help.
John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconcilation
and Development, 1581 Navarro Avenue, Pasadena,
CA 91103. John Perkins heads this work that helps
empower people in the cities to be self-sustaining
and self-determining.
Our Lady's Youth Center, P. O. Box 1422,
El Paso, TX 79948. Father Rick Thomas gives leadership
to this multi-faceted ministry to the peoples
of Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
The
Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement Ltd., Flat
B, 1/F, 4 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong
Kong. Pastor Yu is the director of this work which
helps to equip pastors and other leaders throughout
Hong Kong and beyond.
AND FINALLY
People get onto our database in several ways.
Most of you are there because you have responded
to the call of costly discipleship embodied in
the RENOVARÉ covenant. If you have never taken
this step of commitment, I invite you to do so.
Check and mail the attached form and we will send
you the appropriate materials for your prayerful
consideration. Without apology I urge you to use
this means of expressing your discipleship to
Christ and his kingdom.
Others of you are on our mailing list because
you attended a RENOVARÉ retreat or purchased a
RENOVARÉ product or a friend asked that your name
be added to the list. If you want our mailings,
we want you to have them. But we never want our
attempts at inclusion to be invasive. If you were
inadvertently placed on our list and would not
like to be there, do let us know by checking the
attached form and sending it to us. We will be
sure to honor your request.
Again, thank you, and may this Christmas and New
Years season be especially blessed as you remember
Christ's coming and make bold new plans in his
name for the future.
Peace and joy,
Richard J. Foster
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