Marathon Ministry News for January 2007 (archived)

January 19

- NOTES FROM OUR FRIENDS – This note came in the mail from our friend Dennis Leonard at Tri-State Signs in Bristol as a result of our Prayer Outreach Ministry led by Brother Spencer Foster: “Your prayer came at a most needed time, Mr. Foster. It is still on our answering machine and played again and again. Thank you. DL”

This note came from our friend Rita Ward in North Tazewell, VA as a result of our blanket distribution in conjunction with the “Great Giveaway” on October 28, 2006. Rita runs the “Lilies of the Field” thrift store, and we gave her six boxes of blankets to give freely to those in need, which served 40 families. The note reads: “Rev. Phil, Thanks! The blankets were well received! Rita Ward, Lilies of the Field, North Tazewell, VA. May God Bless you!”

January 9

- WHAT HAPPENED IN 2006 – Even before Chase joined us on February 1, we went out to deliver blankets and clothing in coalfield towns, elderly housing and homeless shelters. Chase joined the Ministry on February 1. We opened the new office on March 15 and began giving food & blankets from there until July 6, when we opened the distribution center next door.

Through December 31, we served (Matthew 25:40)
Through December 31, we freely gave (Matthew 10:8)
1,059 Families
1,410 Blankets
1,821 Adults
179 Children received new clothing
965 Children
62,528 Pounds of food freely given
2,786 Individuals

The Scripture says: “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). And we know that without God speaking to the hearts of our donors it would not be possible to do what we have done in Christ’s name. So we give Him all the glory, praise and honor. “To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever” (Psalm 30:12).

- DECEMBER DISTRIBUTION NUMBERS – In December, we served 123 families consisting of 246 adults and 127 children with food, blankets, and most importantly – the Word of God. Please pray that God continues to send us those in physical and spiritual need and that we will continually be able to meet those needs.

- NEW THURSDAY DISTRIBUTION TIME – The number of people we serve increased greatly in November and December, so we have added a third distribution time on the 2nd Thursday at 1:30pm. We now have two distribution days, 2nd Thursday and 3rd Saturday, with three times on each day – 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm. As always, we have a service for every group that we serve to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

- SAFE-TV UPDATE– We are no longer advertising our exclusive Resurrection Mug on Safe-TV on the SkyAngel Network. The commercial stopped airing in mid-December. It was aired sporadically as commercial time was available. We did not get many orders so we decided to stop airing on that channel. We are not disappointed however because we now have a Resurrection Mug commercial produced which we can place on other television channels. Pray that God would open doors at other stations and on other channels to advertise the mug and raise money to feed the poor.