Partnership: Harry Brown

A Ministry Update from Harry Brown - VP of International Ministries

Harry Brown

I don’t know when you are reading this but I am writing this in early October and at this point it looks like “Chicken Little” was right – the sky seems to be falling. Unprecedented economic difficulties are rocking the nation and rippling throughout the world.

Unfortunately, this economic meltdown started (late September) while Audrey and I were away on a trip for our 30th anniversary. This is a bit of an ironic coincidence because when we were gone on a trip for our 20th anniversary the nation was paralyzed by the famous “hanging chad” election. In light of the trend I am not sure I want to leave home when our 40th anniversary comes around!

In any event, these letters are about ministry news and upgrading awareness about how we do what God has given us to do but first and foremost, these letters are about prayer. We always need it and we can’t get along with out it but there are times and seasons when additional intensity and investment in prayer is required. This is one of those times.

The financial crisis is having a big impact on fundraising (understandably so!) and that has an obvious, direct and immediate impact on ministry. During October we have already started to adjust current expenses. We have also begun to adjust future expectations of what we can and cannot do with our partners and trainers.

Bad news is not new news to God’s people. The Biblical record is replete with disaster and deliverance scenarios where over and over again God proved Himself faithful. The common denominator in these situations is the prayer of God’s people that says, “our eyes are on You” (see 2 Chronicles 2:20 for an example.)

Here is what we need to do:

  1. Call upon the Lord for His provision beyond what we think is possible. It is the glory of God to see water from the rock or manna in the dessert.
  2. Call upon the Lord for wisdom to adjust to whatever He gives
  3. Do not give in to fear, doubt or discouragement
  4. Remember that, “All things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.”
  5. Remember that the purpose of pruning is not to inflict pain but to produce more fruit.
As our partners I would like to challenge you to a “special gift” at this time of critical need. I would ask you to give the “investment of intercession” to take some special time at some point to go before God and to plead our cause with Him according to the guidelines above.