Support Letter

This may not be formatted that well (I just copied it from Word), - and yea I know, I didn't have anything to really post yet and this is a lame excuse for a first post... but deal with it - haha.

8/10/2007

Dear blogreader,

Thank you for taking the time to read this as I tell you what the Lord has in store for me in the next months. I will be participating in the STEP program with the Brethren in Christ World Missions (BICWM). STEP stands for Service, Training, Evangelism, and Promoting spiritual growth and you can feel free to learn more about it at:

www.bic-church.org/wm/step and www.step-bicwm.net.

As defined by BICWM, STEP is a program for young adults of the Brethren in Christ Church who sense a calling to overseas ministry. This eight and a half month experience will include two months of discipleship and language training in Harrisburg, PA. Then I will travel to Honduras to continue studying Spanish and the Latino culture while living with a Honduran host family. During this time I will also begin to relate to the local Brethren in Christ Church. After eight weeks of language and cultural study my time will be focused on working along side the local Church leaders or a community organization in Honduras. I will also spend some time serving in a rural community in a variety of ways.

I will be commissioned on September 9 and begin training the following day. I am asking you to pray for me as I prepare for this experience. It will be a stretching time for me and I ask that you please remember me in prayer during this time. In the process of making this decision, I have told my family that I have noticed and felt the power of prayer more than I can remember in my life. If you can help me in this manner, please complete the form below and return it as directed. I want to have as many prayer partners as I can.

I am also in the process of raising the finances that are needed for me to participate in this program. I must raise $11,700 in donations for the program. This amount includes living costs and travel to Honduras and my training as defined by the Brethren in Christ World Missions office as well as a few personal costs that have been approved by the BICWM office as legitimate costs for a trip of this nature. All donations received will ultimately be directed through the BICWM office which covers the costs of the STEP program. ALL donations are fully tax deductible as permitted by law. Please prayerfully consider supporting me for these months through your regular prayers and finances. This amount can seem daunting both to me and to potential donors, but I have figured that it will easily be covered if fifty people are willing to donate $30 a month for eight months (please note that all commitments must be paid in full by the end of March 2008). Obviously, everyone will be impressed to give different amounts, but I think that breakdown makes the task seem much more manageable. My local church (Amherst Community Brethren in Christ) mission’s committee has reviewed my commitment and is very supportive in this venture of mine. BICWM has agreed that my funding should be collected through my home church. The committee will provide the congregation and donors with updates as my trips progresses. All monies donated will be transferred in their entirety towards my trip. Also, please note that BICWM has informed me that I need to have $3,750 in by September 7, 2007.

As you consider supporting me in a financial manner and with prayer, please feel free to email or call me personally with any questions or comments!

joshua.hershberger@gmail.com

330.234.3150 (mobile)

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever I do, I must work at it with all my heart. I am working for the Lord, not for men. I know that I will receive an inheritance from the Lord as my reward. It is the Lord Christ I am serving.

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and financial support.

In His Service,

Joshua Hershberger

Please return to Amherst Community Brethren in Christ Church by 8/31/07.

Check all that apply

_______ With the Lord’s help, I will be regularly praying for you while you are in STEP.

_______ I am enclosing a one time gift of $____________ toward your financial support for the STEP program.

_______ As the Lord provides, it is my intention to give $____________ toward your financial support for the STEP program by the end of March, 2008. I have enclosed $____________ of this commitment in this response.

_______ Please keep me updated through email as your trip progresses.

NAME: ________________________________________ PHONE:________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________

EMAIL: ________________________________________________________________

Contributions:

*Make checks payable to “Amherst Community Church”

*Designate clearly on the memo line for STEP program and my name

*Mail form to: Amherst Community Church

Attn: Ministry and Missions Team

8650 Beatty St NW

Massillon, OH 44646