A glimpse back and ahead

By: American Decency Staff

With Monday already being December 24, I'm not anticipating us doing another email update until probably Wednesday, January 2. So with this email I'd like to wish you each a Merry Christmas! God bless you and keep you in His great care and service in these days of immense opportunity to serve and live for Jesus Christ!================= A GLIMPSE BACK – A year ago we had the opportunity to purchase our new headquarters – WE needed to be able to purchase it debt free and have all of the funds in hand by early March. We put the word out and God began to move. Here are a few of the details. Let there be no mistake. God is alive in the hearts of His people!! *** retired church custodian and his wife gave a gift of $1,000 *** Family members gave $2,000 and volunteered their time and talents to assist *** public school custodian who caught the vision and gave $1,000 *** number of seniors (people in their 70’s and 80’s and 90's) who have volunteered at our mailings, recognized the great need, trusted our judgment, and stood with us giving $1,000 gifts after they saw the potential of the building for the advancement of Kingdom principles. *** couple of our neighbors, who certainly could have found other ways to spend their money, gave $1,000 *** Christian couple of Tahlequah, Oklahoma (formerly of Michigan) sent a $1,000 check towards the purchase of the building. Knowing that we would only buy the building debt free settled it for them. *** retired doctor and his wife from our area gave $5,000 *** One of our volunteers and friends donated her piano as we purchased the building *** financial counselor and his wife from Grand Rapids gave $1,000 after offering strong counsel that we purchase this building debt free. He then, called his sister in Maryland who also gave a gift of $1,000 upon hearing of the need and the expansion of ministry opportunity *** Several couples, that have been giving donations of $10.00 a month, sensed the need and assisted us in such a generous way by giving $1,000 *** A woman who lost her husband a couple of years ago stated that $1,000 is manageable and that our ministry is worthy of being strengthened gave $1,000 *** Others said "You have labored hard and long. Your friends and supporters will stand with you. I think it’s going to happen." I’ve had a number of people say they sense God is in it. *** Our former pastor and his wife stated: "We sincerely believe God is using your ministry to fight the battle against ‘the pit of hell’. … We are, of course, very familiar with that building. We want to see God’s purposes carried out there by ADA. ..We felt led to pledge $1,000…." *** couple in their 80’s were selling their 1994 van. Here are their words "… We asked God to send a buyer for it and promised God that we would give ADA $1,000.00 if we sold it. … We are not rich people and get along by planning wisely. …Enclosed are 2 money orders for $500.00 each." *** A former volunteer of this ministry from the 80’s – a widow – gave a gift of $1,000. She ordinarily wouldn’t have been able to afford this amount but her deceased step-father left some money. She used a portion for a ramp for her back steps because of problems she has been having with her knees. The other she gave for the ADA. And on and on. After 60 days or so we had gifts and pledges totaling: $150,953.00. And then ultimately, of course, we received gifts totalling over $240,000! 2007 was quite a ride for us. Then, in later April we began work to bring needed restoration on the building and we moved into the building in early July. Part of my hope and prayer was that my mentor from years past, AFA's founder – Donald E. Wildmon would come and give the dedicatory message. Many were blessed as he graciously accepted. [We got to spend a little time with him on the side as well.] Our friends Bob Peters, president of Morality in Media, graciously was a part of our weekend along with Art Ally, President of the Timothy Plan. ====================== A LOOK AHEAD All of the above has served as a bit of a distraction as you might guess. Our January newsletter heading states it this way: "The ministry of American Decency Association: A call to return to focused and narrow activism." If you have been following our emails of recent weeks, we have been causing a stir with the Victoria's Secret people resulting in unhappinesses being expressed at the mall level regarding VS' inappropriate displays. Let me state it this way: " In athletics, we sometimes hear of the importance of playing within yourself – not trying to be what you are not. That is true for us. We are not a large multimillion dollar ministry. We are a ministry that has largely been kept in the battle for truth and righteousness by people who have heard our heart cry for holiness." Lastly: A special thanks to those of you have supported us in 2007! We are thankful for new friends. Your gift helps strengthen us and tangibly reveals your appreciation for what we do. If you desire to identify with us and our cause of righteousness in His Name, it would mean a lot to us just now to hear from you. You can donate to ADA at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/main.php?f=donate/display9 Or by making your check or money order payable to: American Decency Association P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 American Decency Association is a member of the ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accounability. http://www.ecfa.org American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org

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