Christmas Greeting

From Syvelle & Lovie Phillips

The tradition of exchanging Christmas greetings is wonderful, and we appreciate re-ceiving Christmas newsletters from our friends and family. Everyone should make an effort to stay in touch with the special people in their lives. You are one of those spe-cial people whose friendship and fellowship have enriched our lives and blessed the ministries God has called us to lead. We treasure our relationship with you and pray that God will bless you and everyone that is dear to you this Christmas season.

Someone has said that if Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for Him. Thirteen years ago I nearly died as the result of a heart attack, but because of the mercy of God and His healing power I have been given thirteen more years to serve the Savior Who died for me. For that gift I am deeply grateful. Since God spared my life there has been an urgency in my spirit to make every day, every hour, and every minute count to the maximum for the glory of God. The passion that God has given me for the lost is greater than ever and the desire to be a blessing to His people and His church is what keeps me moving forward each day. I am very much aware that I can do nothing in my own strength. The anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit are more meaningful to me than ever. I am also deeply aware that friends like you, who are our partners in ministry and invest in the call of God that is upon our lives, make it possible for many people to read and hear the Word of God for the first time.

This has been a year filled with wonderful opportunities, exceptional challenges, and experiencing God’s grace in a most remarkable way. At 79 years of age, and after more than 60 years in ministry, I am able to continue a very active preaching ministry. God has given me the strength this year to make three ministry trips to India, as well as have times of ministry in Sri Lanka and in Singapore.

Lovie travels with me most of the time. This December we celebrate our 57th wed-ding anniversary. In recent years we have experienced some of the most powerful and fruitful times of ministry ever. We are two blessed people.

Over four thousand children in Africa, India, and Nepal are blessed every day by the ministry of God Loves Kids – Lovie’s ministry to children, which keeps her very busy. This ministry is made possible by sponsors who share our concern for needy chil-dren. We thank God for every person who helps bless these special children.

The ministry of Evangel Bible Translators continues to make tremendous progress. The highlight of the year was a training workshop for teams of national translators who are working to produce the Bible in nine different languages. The disappoint-ment of the year was the necessity to postpone the dedication of the new Evangel Bible Translators Training Center in India. It is a beautiful building and was used for the recent training classes, however there is still a considerable amount of work re-maining to be done. We need a financial miracle to make it possible to finish this much-needed facility.

God continues to give us many opportunities to be a blessing to a hurting world. Without your goodwill, prayers, and support, our ministries would not be possible. We thank God, that He, in His mercy, brought you into our lives and gave us the gift of your friendship. Your fellowship in the cause of Christ is a rich spiritual blessing. With grateful hearts, we pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year. We thank God for the gift of His Son. Jesus has made a wonderful differ-ence in our lives.