It has been a busy year for the Raley family. Pat finished up her degree completion at Evangel University. She will be a graduate with a bachelors degree in communication. Wow, the family is proud of her and the hard work she put in. Thank you Linda Wellborn for your consulting and help! You are a princess!
Jonathan graduated from James River’s Masters Commission program this year. When he finished he signed up for James River’s College also this year. It seems that he loves this as much as anything he has ever done. Pat and I are really proud of him as he journeys toward God’s call on his life.
For me I am completing my first full year with Convoy of Hope as a national representative. Leaving National Youth Ministries and the General Council were tough decisions for me but altogether the right one. Coming to Convoy of Hope has been a very good move for us. This ministry touches the poor and hurting of our world. Thousands of people have found Christ as their Saviour and Lord because of the compassionate hands of volunteers mobilized by Convoy of Hope. This year we celebrate twenty Million guests who have come under our tents and three hundred thousand people who have confessed Christ as Lord! Hal Donaldson asked me, “if I could be a voice for the poor and the suffering?” when I came to Convoy. About everyday I ask that question to myself. I really want to be a voice for hurting people. Hal Donaldson is most likely the finest man I have ever met when it comes to compassion. He epitomizes a man compelled by compassion.
I have kept a full schedule criss-crossing the nation doing Missions Conventions, tours for Speed the Light and Light for the Lost and anything else where I have been invited. I have so many friends across this country. Thus the reason for this blog. I am hoping that I can keep in contact with those who mean so much to me in ministry. My passion is Christ and His people. Nothing makes me happier than to have the opportunity to help my pastor friends.
I look forward to 2008 with great anticipation. I have moved on from my changes in NYM and have finally felt like the learning curve with Convoy of Hope is not as steep. I have kept all my wonderful friends at NYM and made a whole lot more at Convoy of Hope.
There is a lot to do for the Kingdom and I want to give it all I got till Christ comes. I want to live full and die empty! Hopefully I will not run out of passion too soon for the work!
The Lord has been good to the Raley’s to give us our friends, our call, our resources and our challenges. Thank you for being a part of our lives! I look forward to sharing ministry with you again in the near future.