I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten… You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame (Joel 2:25-27, NRSV).
Friends, if you are feeling discouraged or as if God does not see your struggles, may I encourage you with some good news? Before my very eyes, God has indeed restored the crop eaten by the locust. Just this week, CBE launched our new website! May this happy news strengthen your faith in God’s capacity to redeem the lost harvest, working all things together for good. Here is the story of redemption and the cause of great joy around here!
You may remember that about a year ago, CBE encountered several devastating setbacks, the worst of which was a stalled web-redesign. Despite thousands of hours of staff support, not to mention a down payment, our contractor never produced a new website. The cost to CBE was more than $16,000. But the drain to staff morale was even higher! Imagine, while hosting conferences and booths, publishing journals, running membership and intern programs, and keeping our bookstore current, CBE staff also poured their time and passion into a new web design because they realized the impact it would have on Christ’s kingdom. Yet, after all our efforts, we had no usable product.
But thanks be to God, who always brings us victory in Christ. Our loss was turned to gain as faithful and generous friends helped us gather up the pieces! Our talented staff began working again, and just this week we launched a far better website than we might have one year ago, thanks to friends like you and our amazing staff!
Just as Paul encouraged the suffering church in Rome, you also encouraged us not to lose heart. Despite hardship, despair, perplexity, persecution, and trouble on every side, we are yet being renewed inwardly every day. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:17 TNIV).
Friends, how can I ever thank you for standing with us? Your fellowship in Christ, your prayers, kindness, and generous giving were part of our inward renewal in Christ that brought us to this wonderful day. May the victory of a new website bring great biblical renewal in the lives of people all over the world, who will finally be able to locate the resources they need. Thank you, friends, for your fellowship in the Spirit! As we launch this new website, we ask you to pray with us, that this new tool will enlarge the glory of Christ around the world! Thanks for standing with CBE!
From all of us at CBE we are grateful to each of you!
