I can’t tell you how much it means to us at STR to help raise up a new generation of confident, clear-thinking, courageous, gracious ambassadors for Christ.
As I reflect during this time of year, I think about all that’s happened in my personal life and in the life of Stand to Reason. I’m thrilled to watch my daughters grow spiritually. I’m thrilled to see STR continue to have an amazing impact—especially among youth—changing lives in a way that you have had a hand in.
Last year I talked about our incredible momentum with the reTHINK student apologetics conferences and our desire to reach beyond Southern California. Because of your generous support, we’ve been doing that.
First, Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, CA, hosted our 4th annual reTHINK conference and it was incredible. Over 1,500 excited students, parents, and youth leaders were there. Here’s what students said:
- “This whole experience is life changing.”
- “Gives me confidence in my faith in a secular world.”
- “I would recommend reTHINK to anyone who is passionate about owning their own faith.”
Parents wrote:
- “A powerful event I know strengthened me and my 17-year-old son’s faith.”
- “My daughter and I will have conversations for weeks, even months to come, as she processes what she heard.”
Then, we also broke ground with our first reTHINK conference in Dallas, TX. We were praying for 500, yet even with the floods in Dallas, we still packed in over 800 young people who traveled from more than 15 states. In some cases, whole church youth groups made the road trip. And the kids—and parents and leaders—stayed focused and alert the entire time—taking notes, interacting, getting equipped to face the world.
We are very thankful to God for what He continues to do through STR. The reTHINK vote of confidence inspires us. It has also inspired a group of dedicated supporters to pledge a $143,000 Challenge Gift this year. They’re expressing their confidence in STR, but also in you and other friends to rise and meet the challenge to give generously by December 31 to equal or exceed their wonderful gift. Will you send a generous gift today while we have this special opportunity?
I can’t tell you how much it means to us at STR to help raise up a new generation of confident, clear-thinking, courageous, gracious ambassadors for Christ. And in the near future, with your help, we will expand reTHINK to even more locations around the country. In fact, we already have requests from churches around the U.S.
In addition to that, we’ve consistently been giving tools to help Christians of all ages address headline issues like same-sex marriage, the Bible and homosexuality, gender confusion, abortion, the recent Planned Parenthood baby-body-parts revelation, the existence of God, the reliability of Scripture, and a host of other topics—all to help to accomplish STR’s vision:
- Confidence for every Christian
- Clear thinking for every challenge
- Courage and grace for every encounter
Donor support has also helped us add a terrific new speaker, Canadian Tim Barnett, to stretch our active reach to a whole new area. There’s so much we can do together—you and STR—even in the midst of the increasing opposition we’re facing in the culture. That’s why we need your prayers and support more than ever.
And here’s an encouragement. This month when you send your gift to STR, I want to send you a signed copy of God’s Crime Scene, the latest offering by cold-case homicide detective, J. Warner Wallace.
To a detective, a death becomes a homicide investigation if there’s evidence of a perpetrator. Wallace looks at the universe like a massive crime scene, then asks if there’s any indication someone on the outside has been active on the inside. He then reveals nine lines of evidence that all point, unmistakably, to the same “suspect”—God.
I’ve simply never seen another approach on the existence of God like it. That’s why I want you to have it.
2015 is coming rapidly to a close, and December is a critical month for us financially as nearly 25% of our revenue is received then. We don’t want to fall short. Please consider the Challenge. Every dollar you give will move STR that much closer to meeting and hopefully, exceeding the $143,000 Challenge amount.
I look forward to hearing from you, and to sending God’s Crime Scene to you as a thanks for your partnership and for your prayers, both of which we depend on.
May God fill your heart this Christmas with confidence, clarity, courage, and grace in pursuit of Him and His glorious Gospel.
So thankful for you,
Gregory Koukl