Dear Contributor,

Thank you. A double thanks to each of you. Although your numbers are still small, with most of the expenses for this ministry paid through the sales of handwork, your numbers are growing, and your support came at critical periods.

A year ago December, Google's Florida dance adversely affected us. Whereas we had been listed on the first page of dozens of search terms, with dozens of people a day downloading files, the changed criteria by which the search giant Google ranked sites dropped us almost out of sight. We tinkered with the sites to try to improve rankings, but it wasn't until certain of you contributors sent donations that downloaded files began to creep back up. It seemed that for each person who sent assistance, an additional ten people a day downloaded articles. So we could visually see the effect of your participation in delivering the endtime gospel of all who endure to the end shall be saved.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "And what I do [work with his hands] I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do" (2 Cor 11:12 ESV). At times, I wish that Paul hadn't set this high barre. It would be easy to use contributions (or the lack thereof) as a measure of the effectiveness of a ministry. But Paul made relying upon contributions a test of false apostles and deceitful teachers: "For such men are false apostle, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds (vv. 13-15). Therefore, this ministry goes forward, ever appreciative of contributors, but delivering the gospel on the same terms as Paul did.

We urge each of you to do personal evangelism, and to use at least the tithe of your increase, funds that properly belong to God, to produce and store up treasure in heaven for yourselves through delivering the endtime gospel as Philadelphians to as many as possible. We will help you begin a work to the extent of our abilities. Ultimately, the work of this ministry and of the Philadelphia Church will be accomplished by many small entities doing more that each thought possible. Therefore, we encourage you to first support your own work. If your means still exceed your ability to effectively spend your resources, we will be exceedingly grateful in 2005 to receive such contributions as you see fit to send.

We have recovered from last year's Florida dance. The number of downloaded files and articles in December 2004 was approximately seven times greater than last year's highest month. So again, thanks, and double thanks.

Respectfully,

Homer & Carolyn