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An Important Message

From the Answers In Action Board of Directors

December 6, 2003

Most of us have known Bob Passantino for more than 20 years. His death hits us hard personally as well as Answers In Action. In the midst of our grief, we are convinced that God would not have allowed Bob to die unless He planned how this enormous hole would be filled by His Church – that includes each of us and each of you. Gretchen has shared her heart and commitment for ministry with you. We stand behind her 100% and we are counting on you to stand behind her, too.

We need you to commit to Answers In Action right now and over the next year in a sacrificial way: This means we and you need to be willing to be inconvenienced, stretched, challenged, and denied some of our own pleasures for the sake of God’s ministry through Answers In Action. Did you know that there are only 400 people on the Answers In Action newsletter mailing list and fewer than 200 on the weekly e-mail update list? Your individual commitment, contribution, and consistency really affect what Gretchen and Answers In Action are able to do over this next year. We are counting on you to help.

• Give your end-of-year donation right now and make sure it is as large as you can make it – stretch to afford it. Gretchen is in debt for Bob’s burial, and without health insurance, the medical bills from Bob’s death will be devastating. Ministry and living needs continue. We do not want her to lose their house and close the ministry because of financial inadequacies.
• Pledge a significant monthly amount to Answers In Action during 2004 to enable Gretchen’s full attention to remain on the changes and challenges of Answers In Action instead of how to pay for the newsletter, buy groceries, and support AIA outreaches.
• Solicit other donors for Answers In Action. If your company offers a matching funds charitable donations program, use it and designate AIA. If you know of any foundation or fund you can approach about supporting AIA, do so. If you know others who have benefitted from AIA through you or some other way, solicit their support. If your company participates in United Way, designate AIA your recipient. Ask God to show you other ways to financially support AIA. Ask your church to add Answers In Action to your Missions budget.
• Pray for Gretchen, us as the Board of Directors over her, and the AIA team of volunteers as Answers in Action is restructured and remolded over the next few months. Specifically, we are committed to the same things Bob and Gretchen together were called to; but we need to achieve those goals without Bob and we need to follow God’s leading to multiply the ministry.
• Pray that the many projects, ideas, arguments, articles, mentoring relationships, and personal ministry interactions Bob and Gretchen have not completed will be completed in God’s time and God’s way.

God could drop gold in Gretchen’s lap and have 20 independently wealthy, well-trained apologists knock on her door right now to continue what God began 30 years ago with Bob and her. He has not chosen to do so. He has chosen to surround Gretchen and AIA with people like you who will listen to the needs, search your hearts, and respond obediently to what God is telling you. We are counting on you.

Sincerely,

Rick Pratt

Answers In Action Board of Directors

I have listened to God. I will help Gretchen and the AIA Board of Directors:

9 Enclosed is my one-time gift to help immediate financial needs. This is a sacrificial gift on my part that I surrender to God’s use for furthering His kingdom.

___ I pledge $_________ per month for 2004 to the ministry of Answers In Action. I want to be a part of continuing the vision Bob and Gretchen shared for 30 years.

___ I promise to solicit others to support AIA financially especially before the end of this year, but also for next year.

___ I promise to pray specifically for Gretchen’s personal and ministry needs as she continues to fulfill God’s will for her life without her beloved Bob.

___ I promise to pray specifically for the ministry of Answers In Action, that it would not only continue, but that the projects left undone at the time of Bob’s death will be completed, and the projects God has planned for the future will be fulfilled.

Name:_________________________________________________________

Street Address__________________________________________________

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