AN URGENT MATTER

 Dear friends and fellow-workers,

 Please forgive this communication being sent as an email instead of regular mail. 

We are faced with an urgent situation and we need this to go to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. 

As you probably already know, Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) has entered into a partnership with Macquarie School of Biblical Studies (MSOBS) in Sydney.  We have a vision of training and deploying well-prepared men and women as gospel preachers and teachers across Australia.  But we cannot do this without your help. 

Several things are necessary for this mission to succeed.

1. We must recruit additional students from across the continent.  In order for this to happen…
2. We must increase the staff of the school. 

It’s really as simple as that.  We cannot expect success unless we secure additional personnel. 

In this regard we have good news: our Administrative Dean, Craig Peters and family have secured their long-term visa!  This has been an expensive and difficult process but God has blessed our efforts with success.

Now here is the urgent matter, we need a two-year commitment for $4,000 a month additional support for the Peters family. 

Yesterday, I told Chris Swinford, Sunset’s Dean of International Training that if I had the borrowing power I would immediately arrange for a $24,000 loan to take care of at least half of what’s needed.  Why would I say such a thing?  One reason: This is an investment with a guaranteed return!  Why?  Because training men and women in Australia is the best possible way to evangelise this great nation.  Here are some of the reasons:

1.  It is culturally relevant..  Training men and women in their own culture eliminates adjustment problems.
2. It is ten times more cost effective to train men and women in their own country than to bring in missionaries from another country.
3. It increases local evangelism.  Experience shows church planting increases significantly when training schools are mobilized. 
4. It encourages men and women to stay and serve in their own country. 
5. It discourages dependence on foreign support.  No foreign support is offered to graduates.
6. Excellent training.  The teaching pool consists of seasoned educators with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience.

Here is what I would say to you face-to-face and heart-to-heart: If you really want to put the money the Lord has blessed you with to…
          …the best possible use in spreading the gospel through a continent,
                    …the best possible way to make a difference in the future of a nation,
                               …the best possible use in the growth of the kingdom in Australia,

there is no better use than the training of Australians to reach, teach and preach to Australians.

            If you are considering helping the Peters but you want to talk to someone about it first, just give me a call on my cell (mobile) phone 325-370-7448 or my Lubbock office: 806-788-3223 or Abilene: 325-673-9697.

            The Peters’ website is http://www.australiaforhim.com/

They are sponsored by the Park Central Church of Christ, 3901 Jimmy Johnson Blvd., Port Arthur, TX 77642