|
Dear
Friends,
We have had some wonderful RENOVARÉ Regional gatherings
in:
Wichita, Kansas . . . San Francisco, California
. . . Santa Barbara, California . . . Grand Rapids,
Michigan . . . South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
. . Minneapolis, Minnesota . . . Kansas City,
Missouri . . . Boulder, Colorado . . . San Angelo,
Texas . . . Portland, Oregon . . . Hammond, Indiana
. . . Edmonds, Washington . . . Salem, Oregon
. . . Quincy, Massachusetts . . . Rancho Cucamonga,
California . . . Raleigh, North Carolina . . .
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina . . . College
Place, Washington . . . Abilene, Texas . . . Waco,
Texas . . . Bartlesville, Oklahoma . . . Shreveport,
Louisiana . . . Lexington, Kentucky . . . Baltimore,
Maryland.
Various team members have been with me in these
events: Marti Ensign . . . Roger Fredrikson .
. . Emilie Griffin . . . Jim Smith . . . Donn
Thomas . . . Bill Vaswig . . . Dallas Willard.
Each time George Skramstad has led a wonderful
time of worship and ever in the background has
been the able work of Lynda Graybeal and her assistants—organizing
and planning, reminding and prodding. I wanted
you to hear a few of the hundreds of reports we
have received from these events.
Listen to some of the voices of those helped and
encouraged:
I thank you, from my heart, for your ministry
and efforts on behalf of Christ's Church. . .
. The work of RENOVARÉ offers cups of cold water
to a parched people (Santa Barbara, CA). . . .
This
conference helped provide a mental framework to
help understand what is happening in our church
and denomination. . . . We need to appreciate
and respect all traditions (Grand Rapids, MI).
. . .
There
was a good balance with praise and prayer, teaching
and sharing (Abilene, TX). . . .
I
was very fearful of the small group session, but
it was a high point! Thank you (Hammond, IN).
. . .
As
a missionary for the past 14 years, I have become
somewhat discouraged with the North American church;
this has renewed my hope (Minneapolis, MN). .
. .
Thank
you for allowing our Loving Lord to use and speak
through you. John and I were blessed by the teaching
(San Francisco, CA). . . .
Through
the conference, I realized how several of the
"elements" are coming together in my life through
Christ's guidance (Kansas City, MO). . . .
I
especially liked the emphasis on a BALANCED vision
and life. These truths capture what my inner spirit
has desired to see lived out in Christ's Body
for several years (Boulder, CO). . . .
The small group experience magnified the wonderful
diversity of spiritual backgrounds and disciplines
all tied together by and in Jesus Christ . . .
a hope for the future of the Christian community
(San Angelo, TX). . . .
Many
. . . found the entire conference a learning experience
not only of the mind, but of the spirit to the
end that the Body will be built up (Hilton Head
Island, SC). . . .
I
want to know my Lord in a deeper way. This weekend
you have given me some tools to help me in this
process. Thank you (Salem, OR). . . .
This
conference has helped me see that I must train
to be spiritually fit and reach my spiritual goals
rather than taking a haphazard approach (Quincy,
MA). . . .
The
sharing in small groups was a high point for me.
It's always refreshing to hear how God is working
in the lives of other Christians (Rancho Cucamonga,
CA). . . .
It
was wonderful and a real blessing to hear and
see all the traditions brought together to encourage
a balanced Christian life (Lexington, KY). . .
.
The
singing and prayer really warmed my heart and
helped me realize how much I need renewal. . .
. God really touched me (Bartlesville, OK). .
. .
This
whole event was truly a mountain top experience
(College Place, WA). . . .
Breaking
into small groups was excellent. It is so important
to practice what is being taught (Edmonds, WA).
. . .
Thank you for the Scriptures that the Lord put
on Richard Foster's heart that he shared with
us. I needed to hear that God has not abandoned
me. You have affirmed my personal relationship
with God; he spoke to me through those Scriptures
(Baltimore, MD). . . .
We
thank our Lord for the depth of insight, wisdom,
and especially infectious love that surrounds
your message. We see him reflected and mirrored
in all the principles you are sharing with his
sheep (South Hamilton, MA). . . .
I loved seeing that this spiritual renewal journey
is something I can do one step at a time! The
practical steps and suggestions are what I needed
to hear (Waco, TX). . . .
Probably
the highest point was getting together with other
Christians of other faith expressions who were
united in a common purpose (Shreveport, LA). .
. .
After
attending the conference, the "spiritual life"
seems actually "attainable" . . . very encouraging
(Raleigh, NC)
Isn't
it amazing that God would take our feeble efforts
and work his good into the lives of precious people.
We do need your generous financial help to keep
this good work moving forward. As always, we want
you to give first to the poor and your local church
(or wherever you are being nurtured spiritually),
after which I urge you to consider a gift to RENOVARÉ.
In 1997 six or seven team members are planning
extended ministry in Australia which will cost
around $100,000.00. To do this—and all our other
tasks—we truly need your prayers and support.
In all you do and all you are, always remember
that Jesus Christ is your ever-living Savior,
Teacher, Lord, and Friend.
Peace
and joy,
Richard J. Foster
P.
S. We have an urgent prayer request. Marti Ensign
will be in Russia with the Christian Medical and
Dental Society on July 5-15, and she will lead
three conferences for the Salvation Army—two to
train officers in Moscow and St. Petersburg and
one for the Moscow Corps. She has asked that we
pray for God's guidance in her preparation and
presentations and for her safety on the Aeroflat
flights. -- Lynda Graybeal
|
