Dear Friends,
As I look back on this past year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. In 2015 we have had the privilege of traveling among the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In February we held a crusade among the Buddhist people in Cambodia. In March we had a Crusade in the middle of the Amazon in Peru. In April we ministered to the Muslim people in Egypt. In July we took a team of 38 to the Dominican Republic and helped bring transformation to the entire nation. In August we traveled to the island of Madagascar for a groundbreaking crusade. In September, we returned to Egypt. In October we did nationwide ministry in the Central American countries of Cuba and El Salvador. As I recap the year, I am blown away by the grace of God in our lives and how He is using us to reach the nations of the world with the Gospel.
There is certainly value in reflecting on the past and thanking God for what He has done, but only for a time. God doesn’t move backwards, He only moves forward. Paul writes to the Church in Corinth that God moves from glory to glory. I am reminded of a passage in Isaiah where God says:
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:18-20
We believe that God is doing a new thing. He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wastelands of the world. Where there is depression, God wants to bring peace. Where there is bondage, God wants to bring freedom. Where there is sickness, God wants to bring healing. Where there is sin, God wants to bring salvation. As 2016 nears, we are excited and expectant for what the Lord has in store, and we want to share our plans with you, our faithful partners.
There are a number of trips that we already have planned for 2016, and a number of other trips that we are working towards making happen. In January we are returning to India for the first time in a long time. We have wanted to return to India for some time now but circumstances have not allowed us to…until now. We will be having a crusade and leadership conference in a very unreached part of central India. Later on in 2016 we want to conduct another crusade in India. We also have a major crusade planned for August in the capital city of Madagascar, one that is expected to be the biggest event there in years.
In addition to these trips, we want to travel to many other places. Tentatively, we are planning trips to Ethiopia, Cambodia, Lebanon, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Belize and others. There is such a great need in these nations for the message of the Gospel, and we feel the burden to go, but we cannot do so alone. Wagner Ministries International is 100% donor funded. Everything we do, every person that we minister to only happens because of the generosity of our partners. We cannot do this work alone; we need your help.
As the year ends, we know that many of you are examining your finances. As a registered charity in both the USA and Canada, all of your donations are 100% tax deductible, and with the fiscal year ending, this would be a great time for you to make a donation to benefit you as tax season looms. For 15 years we have done our very best to make your money go as far as possible. What could you do with 46 cents? Do you realize that in the history of our ministry, every 46 cents that you donate has resulted in someone receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior? Think about that: a donation of $5 has historically resulted in 11 people coming to know Jesus! I can't imagine doing anything better with 46 cents than helping someone come to Jesus.
As we dream about 2016, we see people in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central America and elsewhere who need Jesus. We so desperately want to go, but we need your help. As you dream about 2016, would you considering adding the Great Commission to your dream? Would you prayerfully consider what you would be able to donate? As you can see, every dollar counts in a big way! It takes a team in order to bring in the Harvest, and you are a part of that team. We need you; but more importantly, the unreached world needs you. If you would like to partner with us, simply click the "Give" tab in the top right corner of the website.
Friends, thank you for your prayer and support that made 2015 such a successful year. And thank you in advance for your prayer and support as we look towards 2016. We truly believe that our best days are right in front of us and that 2016 will be our most fruitful year yet!
For the Lost,
Wagner Ministries International