THE GOAL

       Our goal was set at $20,000. We gave $19,151 and more. While Derrick Brown was here from Jamaica he told us about a television program that he has started and is making a big impact in Jamaica and will soon be broadcast in Canada.

       He is having difficulty producing the program with his limited computer components. An additional approximately $2000.00 was raised to purchase a new lap top computer and a DVD copier. This will allow him to produce the quality program he has such passion for.

WHAT THE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR:

World Bible School

       We have a big involvement with World Bible School. In addition to Wayne and Mary Sharp’s close to full time effort, we have 21 teachers that grade and return the lessons. The volume of lessons mailed and returned has just about tripled during the year with a big part of that increase coming now at the end of the year.

              Each year WBS requests a special contribution to help in carrying on the program. We have included our part of this special contribution in our Mission Sunday efforts. This year we will be sending WBS $3,830 for their work. In addition to this our regular budget has $6,000 for the foreign program and $2,500 for the local program. These funds are to purchase the materials and to pay for the postage to send the lessons.

Dane’s Mission Trips

              Dane Boyles travels to Ecuador at least three times each year to continue his long standing association with the work in that country. The funds for these trips are provided by the North Davis congregation in Arlington.

              Dane also makes many trips to Mexico, Cuba, and as opportunity provides, other places in Central America. Our contribution on Mission Sunday will fund $3,830 for these efforts in 2008. 

Mission Support Visits

                     We want to visit some of our mission fields to encourage and survey the work that is under way. $3,830 is set aside for this purpose.

Leander Mission Campaigns

                     The Shepherds want to encourage our members to plan to be part of a campaign to a mission field. As this opportunity presents itself we want to be able to assist our members with the financial burden to do this. $3830 is set aside for this purpose.

Special Mission Opportunities

                     Each year we have the opportunity to help with mission work in areas where we were unaware at the time our budget is constructed. We have set aside $2,394 for this purpose.

Zimbabwe Preachers

       We have been supporting two local preachers in Zimbabwe for a few years. Their work is being very fruitful and we have increased our support the help them purchase gasoline to travel to the far parts of the country. $1,500 is set aside for this.

LIFE GROUPS ARE REFORMING

       Our LIFE Groups are scheduled for January through November. The month of December is used to train new leaders and to reorganize the effort for the following year.

       A table will be in the foyer for most of the Sundays during December so that our members can sign up for the LIFE Group they want to be a part of in 2008.

       In 2008 the LIFE Groups will not meet the last Sunday of each month to permit other activities to be planned on those dates. For instance we have the Encore Music Group from Brentwood Christian School scheduled to present a program of music on the last Sunday in February. Other events will be announced as the year progresses.

PLEASE CONSIDER

              The purposes of these groups are:

•            to develop a relaxed atmosphere for spiritual growth through weekly, prayer, study, worship, and fellowship.

•            to build strong, lasting Christian relationships.

•            to encourage and better care for our members.

•            As opportunity permits to spread the Good News to our neighborhoods and community.

•            to equip, mentor, and strengthen Christians in their everyday lives.

              2008 will be a great year to be a part of this program! All that have been a part of LIFE Groups that met last year and this year will attest to the quality of this program. If you have not previously been a part please consider signing up and give it a try this coming year.

NEW LIFE GROUP LEADERS ALWAYS NEEDED

              If you would like to be a leader or co-leader in a LIFE Group please see Mark Morrow. December is the month when new leaders are trained.