Well, our church continues to grow at a rapid rate. As of today, we have grown to 342 members around the world! I know that this is due to your own efforts as members of this church, telling your friends, families, and co-workers about our online fellowship, and you have my sincere thanks. Keep up the great work. Remember, we have a goal of 1,000 members by the end of our 2d year, which will be in February, 1999. I think we can reach that goal with no problem as long as your efforts continue along the same path.

I'd like to send out a word of thanks also to all the members who have been making increased use of our bulletin board and prayer request message board. It does my heart good to see the fellowship shared by our members via these forums. After all, it's the fellowship of our members around the world that make our church the special place it is, a warm and loving refuge in a cold and hostile world. I'd also like to send out a special word of thanks to church member Chris who has been making an extra effort to be in the chat room at various times in case visitors drop in. Good job, Chris. I would love to see more of this type of motivation and dedication to our fellowship. It is, after all, the members that make this a fellowship. Won't you, as members, put a little extra effort into creating a true sense of fellowship among the members and visitors to our church?

I am also very pleased to officially announce the latest addition to the equipping ministry of our church, The First International Church Of The Web School Of Biblical Studies. This is our church's very own school committed to biblical studies, and studies suitable for those starting and leading ministries. As you know, our church has, for some time, offered Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees to those members who have supported this ministry. Now, members of our church can earn an Academic Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from our own school. This will be a real and legitimate Ph.D., awarded upon the satisfactory completion of the course of studies prescribed by the school. But even if you're not interested in pursuing a Ph.D., the lessons on the school web site are still freely available to you to print up and use as resources in your own ministries. The lessons have been chosen with the newly ordained minister especially in mind, to prepare the minister both academically and spiritually to lead his new ministry. I think this will be a great new addition to the equipping ministry of our church, and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the lessons available.

Finally, I'd like to again ask everyone to keep those members of our church who've suffered the loss of loved ones, or are suffering illnesses or injuries or disabilities, in your prayers. Your prayers for your brothers and sisters in Christ make a big difference and cause a great lessening of the burden on these brothers and sisters. God bless you for your prayers.

On a personal note, let me just say that I love you. I probably don't say that enough to the fellowship of our church, but it is true. I am committed to serving each and every one of you to the best of my abilities, and I beg your forgiveness whenever my abilities fall short. I think of the members of this church as my family, and I love you all.

Well, that's going to do it for this edition of the newsletter. Please remember that you are in my prayers at all times. May Our Lord's richest blessings fill your every need.

Yours in Christ,
Brother Dave