2008 In Review

Perhaps you read the words below in a previous newsletter but I want to share them again:

“I attended a recent performance of your adaptation of In His Steps in 29 Palms, California. I have to tell you that I didn’t quite know what to expect when they told me that there would be a performance on Sunday. I didn’t know if it would be cheesy, unprofessional, outdated, or just impractical. But I must say that I was not only impressed, but inspired. It was done very well and you definitely got your point across. If In His Steps was that life-changing for me, I can’t help but think what it and your other presentations might do for others.”

What a great reminder of what God is doing with and through this ministry! As 2008 draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect on this past year.  Here are some of the highlights:

– Over 100 performances/workshops – Our audiences were in 14 states and Canada, Egypt and Peru.  An estimated 15,000 people attended a performance or workshop this year.

– 670 Kids – Through our partnership with World Vision we have been blessed to give voice to the needs of the poorest of the poor around the globe and find sponsors for these precious children.  That is over 120 more sponsors than last year and brings our total sponsors acquired to over 3,300 since we began this partnership!

-New Dramas – Steve Wilent premiered his drama on the life of Oswald Chambers, His Utmost for His Highest, and I added my new drama, Not The Way I Heard It, a contemporary retelling of the parables. Not The Way I Heard It has been the most popular drama in our lineup since its premier in the summer.

– Overseas Ministry – My trip to Egypt was an amazing opportunity to be a part of what God is doing to spread the Gospel in the Arab world through drama.  Peru was another eye-opening experience on the plight of the poor and the difference that we can make by choosing to “remember the poor.”

It is encouraging to see these impacts and to know that God is indeed using this ministry in powerful ways.  While the news here is positive, we are also facing, along with you, a time of uncertainty as we look at the economy and the troubles we face as a nation.  It is affecting the country, our communities, the church, this ministry and you and me! As I contact churches I hear pastors use words like “freezing our budgets” and “not doing any outside ministries at this time.”  Yet I don’t sense this as a time to pull back–quite the contrary.  This is a time when the confidence we have in Christ can be the message that our culture needs to hear.  We stand committed to moving forward with that message!

When you pray for us or give a financial gift to this work, your support goes a long way in adding to the ways we are able to continue our ministry.  Not only does your support help in covering the basic needs of the ministry, but each year we do a number of performances at reduced rates because the organization inviting us doesn’t have the funding to cover all of our expenses. Your generosity helps us, in turn, to be generous in offering our services where they are needed.

So as you reflect on your past year and look forward to 2009, we would be so very honored and blessed if you would consider a gift to Master’s Image Productions.  We would be especially grateful if you could support us on a regular basis with a monthly pledge. Please use the enclosed card and envelope to add your support to our work.  We couldn’t do what we do without the help of friends like you! Donate Online.

Thank you again for your prayers!  May God bless you and yours this Christmas and in 2009!

Serving the Lord dramatically,

Chuck Neighbors