Dear Pastors, Churches, Family and Friends,
When
we chose Flagstaff as the place the Lord would have us to start and independent
Baptist Church it was in part because of the open doors, the opportunities that
we saw here. In late 2007 we were approached by a director of a Christian Camp
and offered a job, a home, a salary and a building to use as our meeting place
on Sundays. To say the least it was a huge open door and one that we truly
believed would allow us to begin the work and see it grow.
In
2009 after working at the camp for the summer we prepared for to continue our
deputation but after only a few weeks on the road were confronted with the
problem of the camp now not accepting the need for us to be on the road for
extended periods of time to raise the funds needed for the mission. Finally, we
were given the choice of working at the camp or continuing on deputation. We
chose deputation because we knew our first priority and responsibility was to
our home church and supporting churches. The camp was a means to an end but it
was not the reason we came to northern Arizona. As a consequence of that
decision we were released from the job and lost the home and meeting place.
This would necessitate the need for a substantially great amount of finances to
accomplish the same job. That amount LeeOra and I believed we could make up by
securing full or part time jobs once we moved to Flagstaff. That has proved to
be a very frustrating and difficult thing to do.
We
have been so grateful for the churches understanding that we had to use funds
to pay our personal living expense until we found work. Though I have held 2
part time jobs neither have paid more than 125 dollars a week. LeeOra has
worked cleaning homes and taking care of the nursery in a local church on some
of their midweek services. Still with these we are only seeing about $250 a
week between the two of us.
Recently
I called the local hotels and other places that we could possibly use to have a
meeting place in Flagstaff. The average cost ranged from $275 to $325 per
meeting. We could meet those prices if we had jobs that paid for our living
expenses. We have now been in Flagstaff for 2 years and the job situation has
only gotten worse. It is not likely, given the present economical condition our
nation faces, that it will get any better. Though we are very grateful for the
Bible studies we have been able to start, we are not seeing any real potential
for a church starting through those individuals.
I
am not writing asking for more funds or a special offering. I know that you have
been faithfully praying for us and many of you without being asked have given
to us at times of real need. Nor are we giving up on Flagstaff; however we do
believe that we must begin to consider if we can carry out the mission you have
sent us to accomplish. After prayer, talk and consultation with our Pastor we
have determined to continue here in Flagstaff through this spring looking and
praying for an open door that would show us we have a real chance to see a
church established. If at the end of that time we are still not seeing any
progress we will ask the Lord to move us where we can serve him more fully.
I
would ask that you continue to pray for us and that doors would open here or in
the nearby northern Arizona area. There is a real need for a local independent
Baptist church and we truly desire to fill that need, but do not feel that it
is right to continue to ask you all to carry us personally for the several
years it may take to get that work started if we cannot find suitable work.
We
continue to reach out to Flagstaff by the means we can. We have redoubled our
work on the internet as well as placing ads for Bible studies and classes in
Craigslist for the local area. We will also continue with our Bible Studies
include one via Skype. We pray that these and face to face efforts will find
those who need Jesus Christ and ultimately result in an impendent Baptist
Church in Northern Arizona.
Yours
in Service
Kris
and LeeOra Minefee
2012 Expense Report
Income
Mission
Support including Christmas gifts 32,384.00
Wages
from jobs, other income 7831.00
Income Subtotal 40215.00
Expenses
Auto
and Travel Expenses 6807.00
Food,
Household, Clothing, Insurance 18080.00
Office,
Postage, Subscriptions 468.00
House
Rent 12575.00
Utilities 5694.00
Expense subtotal 43,624.00
Difference -3409.00
(I have not included special love
offerings, or gifts from family and friends of which we have received many. The
deficit of around $300.00 a month has been offset by the Lord’s provision
through those extra gifts.)
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