Summing up 2006

Dear Prayer Team,

I can think of no way to sum up the past few weeks of ministry for RESCUE. It has been an incredibly encouraging time for us. We’ve met so many wonderful people, we’ve chatted with many prayer partners, and we’ve established some wonderful bonds with some amazing Christian people. We’ve seen God at work in many lives through RESCUE in partnership with local churches and Christian organizations. We’ve read emails and heard testimonies of the effects that the simple, biblical messages presented through our songs has had in people’s lives.

We received an email in the last couple of days from a missionary who tells us this:

“I just finished putting together a report about dozens of pastors who were beaten, had their wives raped, etc. as well as accounts of untouchables who have been relegated to a life of poverty, atrocities and discrimination. Between that and the sunny 80F weather here in India and absolutely no decorations around our neighborhood, I wasn't really in a Christmas spirit.

“Then, we put on Rescue's Christmas CD. Very very refreshing, to say the least. Thanks for your work and ministry which stretches across the miles to encourage others to remember the Hope for the World who was born as a baby.

“That is the true Christmas spirit. Thanks for reminding us.”

I hesitate to give his name because I don’t want to make his life more difficult in any way, but I just have to say that his letter is a wonderful reminder to us of the reason why we do what we do. It is profoundly humbling for me to read that he is thankful for the music this ministry has brought, when we all know that being some sort of encouragement to the thousands of men and women who put their lives on the line for the cause of Christ every day is the very least we can do!


RESCUE, sings at Pleasant Valley SDA in Boring, OR

Since I last wrote you all, we have been to Pleasant Valley SDA in Boring, Oregon; Our Savior’s Lutheran in Salem Oregon; and the South Central ACSI in the Dallas - Fort Worth area; Sunset Presbyterian (the church where former member, “Mac”, now ministers) in Beaverton, Oregon;


RESCUE on the platform at Our Savior's Lutheran in Salem, Oregon


The afternoon RESCUE concert in the main ballroom during the South Central ACSI Convention in Dallas, Texas


RESCUE sings for the staff and guests of the ACSI South Central Convention at Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse in Dallas,Texas

Two weekends ago we were at Century AOG in Lodi, California for three exciting days of Christmas programs and services; and this last weekend we were at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, California (near Santa Cruz) for six of their Christmas programs.


RESCUE during the Singing Christmas Tree at Century Assembly Of God in Lodi, California


Onstage at TwinLakes Church in Aptos, California

I could say something about each of these great churches and organizations, but it is really hard for me to convey the warm feelings that we feel for each place individually with mere words. I can only say the word “amazing” so many times.

I will simply say this, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to serve the body of Christ and for the warm reception we have received at each of these concerts. At our heart we all know that we are just a group of peculiar people who want to serve God with the strange conglomeration of talents and skills we’ve been given. We are also very acquainted with what it is like to be in the often thankless job of serving your own local church in obedience, wherever you are needed.

I feel burdened to tell as many of you who read this email and are consistently, selflessly serving the body of Christ, at home or abroad, that we have seen many of you working and have seen the effects of such servitude on the souls of those who are invited to concerts and who have been lovingly presented with the Gospel in so many ways and because of so many people’s hard work. Your abundant hearts and open hands are a continual witness to us that God is still at work amongst His people. The family and friends of RESCUE feel honored to be able to serve along-side you as you reach out to your communities and to the world.

RESCUE wishes you a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2007!!!