Beloved Lake Country Alliance,  

Some of you need “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor 2:3) to comfort you this week.  It has been a challenging week for many.  For those enduring hardships, I hope we can honestly say these words:  

“…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 4:12).  

And please allow me to highlight two specific things:  

First, more information regarding the persecuted church was requested in June’s Round Table Discussion.  This Sunday, we welcome a friend of the Weathersons, Stephen Priddle, as our guest speaker from Ottawa.  Stephen is passionate about teaching applied biblical truth, including speaking up for the persecuted church around the world. Stephen is married to Yen and they have four adult children, two of whom are married, and three grandchildren. He works as a financial executive with a technology company and as a business speaker and writer.  

Second, a financial comment.  I would like to re-state that throughout the 2.5 years I have been working as Lead Pastor, finances have never limited the ministry I believed God was inviting us to do.  I mentioned that if anything, it would be nice to eliminate our $191,000 debt to our District Office (NOTE: this is not a bank loan).  I have since been asked if there is a way to pay down the principal of this debt more quickly, and for those of us who dislike debt, there most certainly is--our offering envelopes have a designated line that says “Building Mortgage.”  By continuing to carry this debt, we are potentially limiting our district from funding other initiatives.  

I want to sincerely thank those of you who have participated in God’s work through financial giving.  I look forward to highlight some “good news” stories at our Annual Finance Meeting.  

Bless you all and keep the faith,  

Sandy