“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100

Dear Friends of CBH,

Have you ever watched the preschoolers in your church as they sing praise choruses to God? It’s an awesome sight! Little hands lifted with fingers wiggling in the air, feet jumping and voices raised. It’s unbridled, free and real. I’m sure if we could harness that power, we’d light more than a few cities!

There is nothing that pleases God more than praises directed toward Him. This year CBH Ministries has so much to be thankful for that we could not fit it all in this letter. Please take a moment to read through the entire list on the enclosed ‘Praise!’ sheet. I’m sure you’ll agree that God helped us accomplish much for the Kingdom this year!

God has been so faithful in providing financial stability. We greatly appreciate the help you’ve given through gifts small or large. Many of you went over and above in your giving. In this economy some who gave $5.00 were sacrificing as much as those who gave $100. No matter what amount, your gifts show how much you care about reaching children with the Gospel of Jesus. Along with your on-going support we received these gifts:

• $170,000 gift to cover all building updates, many print projects and some general fund needs
• $10,000 grant to cover printing and website construction of the Camp Be-Yon-Key Challenge course
• 10,000 gift to begin our NEW line of illustrated picture books originating from scripts of our classic Children’s Bible Hour programs
• Two $10,000 gifts for general funds

We may not lift our hands, wiggle our fingers and jump up and down when we praise God like our little preschool friends, but when we witness Him providing with your gifts small or large, we certainly feel like it!

In one of the many books I’ve read about vision setting, I learned a valuable lesson about pursuing a divine vision and how it is really an act of worship. It’s a declaration of our confidence in God and a proclamation of how important we believe His agenda to be and God is honored. Here at CBH we want to honor God in our vision setting and also be specific where we spend donated funds. Here is a short list of proposals for the new year as we seek God’s will:

Product

• Publish our first Illustrated Picture Book in May 2009 – for reading ages 6-8
• Finish Seasons 11 and 12 of Down Gilead Lane
• Reprint a new Sample version of Keys for Kids
• Complete the next Camp Be-Yon-Key Bible series – Trailblazers
• Ideas are on the table for producing a new kids “just music” CD with simple Bible verses for toddlers
• Pull together a new, well-rounded creative team that focuses on new product development

Promotions

• Increase advertising for Keys for Kids and Down Gilead Lane
• Attend even more conventions to broaden our outreach of Keys for Kids and Down Gilead Lane.

Equipment needs

• Raise funds to build three soundproof rooms for our post-production equipment, plus a medium
  size soundproof booth for recording in our own building (approx. cost: $50,000)

Some of these ideas won’t take any money at all, just time and effort, and the right people. Some will require a tremendous amount of funding. Would you bring these ideas before the Lord in your prayer time? We would be so grateful. Also, consider how you can be involved. If you want to set a personal challenge for yourself, consider giving just a little more each month to help make these ideas happen. Or, you might feel God’s leading to give a gift that would expedite one of these projects into reality. Seriously, think of all the additional kids we could reach for Jesus with your help!

CBH Ministries will continue in prayer and thanksgiving to God for all He has done here and will do in the future. He is in control of it all and we lay it down at His feet daily. Our prayer is that He will continue to “use us up” in this very important work for kids. Most children make decisions for Christ between the ages of 6 and 15. After that the percentage drops dramatically. Let’s continue together on this journey as we reach children and their families with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and equip them to live according to God’s Word.

May you experience the peace of God’s blessing on your life through the coming holiday season.

For His Children,

Terre K. Ritchie
Executive Director

Praises

Sales