From the Desk of Patrick J. Robertson
Dear CityTeam Friends,
As you know, America is facing hard financial times with the downturn of our economy, the sub–prime mortgage disaster and the volatile stock market. Everyone is
feeling the impact.
Our leadership anticipated risky times coming in this last budget cycle, so we made very difficult decisions including budgetary cuts through staff layoffs, freezing open positions, suspending retirement matching and other benefit adjustments. We also froze executive staff salaries, and restructured and consolidated some programs. This was important because we wanted to protect our ability to serve the needs of the poor and homeless in the communities we serve. We will continue to carefully monitor our revenue and expenses throughout this challenging year and through our Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
We know that every gift that comes through our doors at CityTeam to help the poor is an outpouring of pure love and generosity (see Bible verse below). As we are faithful in serving the needs of the poorest of the poor, God will be faithful to bless you as you give and volunteer your time.
We have already seen more and more families in the communities we serve needing emergency assistance to overcome their personal hardships in this struggling economy. Many are unable to pay essential bills or put food on their tables. That means we need to be prepared to serve even more families in the coming months.
This holiday season, we believe that from your heart,your desire is to reach out and help another family in need. If we all give faithfully and consistently as we are able, we will make it through these trying times. Our prayer is that God will bless your family as we face this together. We hope you will partner with us by volunteering, telling friends and family about CityTeam, and by giving your heartfelt financial support to serve those in need.
Thank you for your compassionate partnership!
Patrick J. Robertson
President |
Tom Gutshall
Chairman of the Board |
2 Corinthians 8: 1-7
The Offering
|
(1-4) “Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! - pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.”
(5-7) “This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things - you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us - now, do your best in this, too.”
~ The Message |
CityTeam Ministries (headquarters)
2304 Zanker Road • San Jose, CA 95131
1.888.CITYTEAM • www.cityteam.org
CityTeam strives to maintain the highest level of financial accountability at all times and our financial information is open and above reproach. CityTeam’s Board of Trustees continues to operate an active Finance and Audit committee; the organization’s financial statements are audited annually by an independent accounting firm. Moreover, CityTeam is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and abides by all its standards of responsible stewardship. Please contact us if you would like more financial information.
Corresponding through e-mail and the internet is very cost effective, so please provide us with your e-mail address at info@cityteam.org or donate online at www.cityteam.org/donate.
|
