Have you ever contemplated the many blessings that God has given to us, and considered what you personally thought to be the "greatest" of them all? Perhaps "heaven"? Or "peace"? Maybe "forgiveness"?

For myself, the one I usually think of is the blessing of "hope".

We live in a "hope-less" world. Many may try to fill the void with their wishful ideas of a better tomorrow, but these come with no guarantees. Instead, the world and its system fails us time and again. Everywhere I go, I see this grim reality. Especially since the events of September 11, people are seeing that the only things this world can offer are insecurity, anxiety, suspicion, and fear of the future.

This is precisely why the hope of the believer is such a critical component of our spiritual and personal stability. Our "hope" is not just the empty, groundless, fruitless, and selfish desires the world fosters. Rather, it is a confident, restful assurance. As a result, we, like the Apostle Paul, can face the hardships of life and yet say with absolute conviction, "For our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, are working in us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (II Corinthians 4:17).

Such boldness in the face of adversity cannot come from mere wishes, dreams, or even the promises of other religious systems. Indeed, for a Christian, hope is rooted in a Person - God Himself.

This is the fundamental difference between the Christian's hope and any "hope" the world may offer. Romans 5:8 tells us our "hope does not disappoint." Why? "Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us".

In my travels I have been able to observe many religious systems in action. Although superficially they may look very different, one thing that is common to them all is that through them man reaches for God. Sometimes he reaches "up", sometimes "out", and sometimes even "in". Regardless, their "hope" rests ultimately in themselves and their own efforts and abilities.

Biblical Christianity, however, is just the opposite, for in it God reaches for men. And there's only one direction that God can reach: "down".

This is the mystery and the beauty of the Person of Christ. When we celebrated His birth just days ago, we were not celebrating the birth of an ordinary baby. The Scriptures are very clear that He was (is) none other than God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. It was He who, having given life to us, became a man that He might give His life for us.

And it is this fact which serves as the basis of our hope. The sovereign God has demonstrated His love for us already with the Cross. Paul continues in Romans 8:32 to say, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?" If the Almighty Creator of the world would stoop to such depths to reconcile us again to Himself, what, if anything, would He not give us of His other promises? Like heaven, love, peace, security....?

Yes, the Christian's hope is unlike any the world can give. However, it can only be realized in us when we first receive the One on whom the hope rests. And so, let me ask you: Do you have this hope? When you watch the news, or experience personal pain, are you overcome with a sense of despair, of hopelessness? Could it be that you have not yet received the Source of true hope, the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, will you do so?

Once one possesses this hope, there is no need to give in to the spirit of fear that is growing in our world. We have an Anchor Who, no matter what the circumstances of life, will keep us safe and hold us secure.

This world needs hope. May the Lord fill, strengthen, and use us to be avenues of spreading His hope to a hopeless world.

In His Service,

Stephen Tecklenberg,
President

WE SAY NOT "GOODBYE", BUT "GOODNIGHT".

Some of the thoughts expressed in the foregoing article were precipitated by the news of the passage to glory of Rev. Don Elie, a good friend and, in a very real sense, a key person the Lord used in the formation of ENM.

It was Mr. Elie and his family, who Steve had met in Moscow in 1993, who invited Steve to bring a team back to Russia to assist them in their work in the local schools, churches, and orphanages. This invitation led to the January 1996 Mission To Moscow, the cornerstone ministry upon which Eagle's Nest would later be built.

In the past few years the Elie's had to return to the U.S., and Mr. Elie began pastoring a church in Wisconsin. It was there, shortly before Thanksgiving, that he was involved in a fatal automobile accident.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the Elie family during this season of change, especially that God would minister His hope to and through them in a very fresh and powerful way.

MINISTRY REPORT

Mission To India - November 11 started a month of intense ministry at the Jubilee Memorial Bible College (JMBC), in Chennai, southern India. For the first two weeks, Steve Tecklenberg was joined by Dominic Montgomery, a pastor from Athlone, Ireland, and then by Tony Rupp for the last two weeks.

Most of their time was spent in the classroom, teaching courses on "Biblical Origins and Apologetics" (Steve), "Apologetic Concepts" (Steve and Dominic), and "An Overview of Soteriology" (Tony). In addition, they were assigned several of the daily chapel sessions and Sunday services.

Outside of the classroom, they were able to visit several local villages to observe and in a small way participate in the mission work that JMBC students are conducting.

They were also given opportunities to minister outside of JMBC. Among these were opportunities for Steve to speak to a group of Ph.D. candidates and faculty at one of the local universities (dealing with the philosophy of science and history as it relates to the origins debate). He also spoke at a local chapter of the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (a study group that sponsors a resource center for Christian research projects). At both of these venues the interest level appeared to be high, with several attendees staying long afterwards to ask many questions.

We eagerly look forward to returning to India next November.

Christmas Round-Up - Over 300 people joined us for a special evening of remembering the true meaning of Christmas with an "Old West" flavor. The evening began with a scrumptious Chuckwagon supper, followed by singing and sharing from The Beachmont Boys. Paul Twining, the director of Beachmont Christian Ministries (with whom ENM partnered to produce the event) wrapped up the whole evening with a challenge to remember the reason why Christ came into the world.

We want to express our gratitude to the nearly 30 volunteers who worked tirelessly to assist making this event as successful as possible. We trust and pray that God would reward them by using their efforts at the event to strengthen His people, and to extend His Kingdom.

WITH THANKSGIVING...

As we close another year, we are reminded again of the many ways God has blessed us. By His grace, we were able to minister the Word in 3 different countries, and 4 different states. Only God knows how many individual lives were touched through these endeavors, and we continue to pray that His Word would, as He promised, "not return void".

We want to thank those of you who consistently prayed for us throughout the year. Knowing that God's people were upholding us in prayer was always a great encouragement to us, and we ask that you would continue to do so as our ministry opportunities continue to expand.