Dear Faith Partners,
There are times we sense a shifting, a change, a transition. What our earthly eyes can’t quite make out through the haze and fog of uncertain circumstances, our inward spirits find assurance that God is there with us, and surrendered trust is what He desires. It is when we accept the invitation to join God in the uncertainty, that deep faith is forged, and the impossible becomes possible.
This may be the most important newsletter we have ever written in all these many years.
In writing this, we are calling for an ‘extended family meeting’. YOU, our faithful prayer partners and financial supporters, are our extended family. We would like to share something that has been weighing heavily on our hearts.
We have been faced with needing to make some very important decisions regarding the life of this ministry. To put it plainly, we are forced to face the reality that without significant change in the realm of financial provision, the Heritage Singers Ministry will be coming to a close. The very thought of this has brought us sadness, and we will admit, a bit of discouragement. We have been in prayer and much discussion over this issue for some time now.
To explain further… Over these many years, Max and Lucy have helped support the very ministry they began, with their own personal funds. They have been their biggest financial supporters by far! When there wasn’t enough money to sustain the ministry, they always stepped in to fill the gap. However, after receiving some wise financial counsel by well qualified professionals, it is clear they can no longer continue to do this. Not because they don’t want to, but because it is not wise for them to do so. They have been counseled to prepare for their own retirement and make plans for their financial welfare. We, as a group, are extremely supportive of this decision.
As it stands now, there is not enough money coming in to sustain this ministry. There are many weekends we come home from concerts and after covering all the expenses, have made little to nothing. Without significant change, we cannot continue in this manner. However, we WANT to continue. Not one of us has the desire to stop what we are doing. It is unanimous among each one of us that our passion, desire and love for this privilege of ministry we all share, has only increased!
So, what seems like a huge challenge at this point, we are discovering together, is really a huge opportunity. With our God, there are no challenges, just opportunities. Opportunities for God to do what He has always done best, MIRACLES!
When we come to the end our our own strength, and all we can do is rely on Him for EVERYTHING, that is when He is most glorified! What we could never take credit for accomplishing on our own, HE is able to exhibit His most amazing work, and in doing so, brilliantly displays His power, His faithfulness, His love, His grace and His authority over the enemy that seeks to destroy.
We agree that there is a choice to be made in how we proceed forward. We could walk in doubt, confusion and discouragement, but those are not indicators of the work of the Holy Spirit. Those are indicators that we have given our enemy access to our hearts and minds. We have recognized how easy it is to fall into the trap of partnering with the lies of the enemy. For he whispers lies that this ministry is done for. Lies that we need to surrender to our grim financial circumstances and say goodbye. But we, instead, have chosen to break partnership with his lies and replace them with the truth of what God has said in His word and what God is saying to us personally. Just like one of our most beautiful songs says, “He still speaks, I know His voice”.
We, the Heritage Singers, choose to walk by faith, not by sight. We choose joy. We choose to shout our thanksgiving and praise from the rooftops as we remember ALL the miracles of the past, and all that God has done on our behalf over the last 48 years!
1 Peter 5:8-9 says that “our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone he may devour.” But that’s just it. He can only masquerade like a lion. He will NEVER BE a lion. There is only one lion and that is Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah!
The stance we decide to take now, against our enemy, is everything! We believe that we are the beloved children of the Most High God, the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace. Because of Jesus, we have all power and authority given to us in Him, and it is our duty to exercise that authority over our enemy.
The desires of our hearts, the passion for continued ministry and travel, the spirit of fellowship, unity and love we share, and the evidence of God’s transforming power in the lives of all who have been ministered to through Heritage, is not an indication to us that we are coming to an end. Rather, we believe wholeheartedly that we are transitioning into a new season of greater influence and greater territory. Often times transition brings testing. We are in such a time.
James 1:2-3 says, “when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy you can! For you know that when you faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.”
God, and God alone is our provider, and with Him ALL things are possible. What He has called us to, He WILL provide for. It’s as simple as that. You may be thinking that our greatest need right now is money, and that it’s the sole motivation for this letter, but it’s not. What we need more than anything is not money, but JESUS. Above all else, we seek HIM.
We also need prayers of faith and warfare. We are asking you to join us as mighty prayer warriors, believing that our God WILL supply ALL of our needs according to His riches in Glory. We believe that because He promised us that. And if God’s standard of provision is the ‘riches of glory’, which are limitless and incomprehensible, then His provision is our victory. His provision is always more than enough.
How God chooses to provide for all of our financial needs is up to Him. Yet, so many times He has provided for us through YOU. And so, it is with humility and joy that we ask you to consider what God may want to accomplish through you again. Consider what greater steps of faith He may be calling you to, as we invite you to participate and partner with this great move of God that we believe is coming. We invite you to be a part of our miracle story.
There is no need for us to beg, for God’s word declares that we are not orphans, but rather we are the adopted heirs to the King of Kings! Would you stand with us, on our behalf, and take our needs before the throne to ask the Lord what your role may be in continuing the life and work of this ministry? Please feel free to share our needs with others, who may not be on our mailing list, but who may be called to partner with us as well. Let’s join together as a family and watch what God will do!
“The most extreme provision is always borne out of the most extreme need”. Over 2,000 years ago, God displayed His most radical act of provision when He sent to earth His very own Son to be born as a baby. A baby that was born to die for all mankind, so that we could be clothed with the very righteousness of God, allowing us personal relationship and eternal life with the Creator of the Universe. Never has the world known a more profound provision.
This Christmas season, WE DECLARE GOD TO BE OUR PROVIDER! We give Him all the praise and thanksgiving for ALL He has done and for ALL He is yet to do! If He was willing to provide His own Son, how much more will He provide every other need we will ever have?
Thank you for your prayers, your love and your support. May God bless you richly as you trust in Him always.
~The Heritage Singers