Dear Friend,
Merry Christmas! A few months ago, while I was working in my office a gentleman came in and wanted to speak with me. As a Christian father, he was deeply burdened about the public schools and showed me a document with a list of concerning books offered at many schools and community libraries across the country. The list of books he showed I had never heard of. Collectively, they contained explicit profanity, LGTBQ themes, sexual language and scenes, rape, incest and more. Somehow people think it is a good thing to have such books made accessible to our children. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” The whole conversation was alarming. (Photo above by Robert Collins on Unsplash)
As 2023 comes to an end, many of us probably never thought we would be hearing about such things. Our world has dramatically changed and is continuing to change very quickly. The gospel of Jesus Christ is our only answer. For it exalts a holy and righteous God and His beloved Son. It then calls people to turn from their wicked ways and to Christ, that they might be forgiven, washed clean and made into a new creation. Then after being transformed, they go on to live for Christ in love and faithfulness in the midst of our dark and lawless world.
The Christmas message is not one of just warm and fuzzy feelings about Santa or a baby Jesus in a manger. It is about the birth of an Almighty King, one who has come to set up His Kingdom, and conquer all sin and evil. Praise God for the King that has come, and one day is coming again!
20 Years In 2024
January 1, 2024 will mark the beginning of Great Awakenings 20th year of ministry. I am excited to turn the page and celebrate all that God has done in the last two decades. Over the course of the next year, I will be sharing stories and pictures of God’s work since 2004.
One key moment a year before the official launch of Great Awakenings, was the recruiting of a prayer warrior. In March 2003 God led me to Fay Wirt, who volunteered to be an intercessor. From that day until her death in 2014, I met with her weekly for prayer.
From the beginning, prayer was a vital foundation. Psalm 99:6 says, “Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the Lord, and he answered them.” Right along side Moses, Aaron and Samuel was Fay, calling upon God for the expansion of His Kingdom, and God faithfully answering her prayers.
Manna Bible Institute in June 2024
One of the big items on the 2024 schedule is a return trip to the students of the Manna Bible Institute (MBI) in Kenya. As I write, we just confirmed the dates of June 14-26. The budget will be $20,000, double what is it was from last year. The increase is due to a more aggressive evangelistic outreach the college wanted to do, the anticipation of more students attending the classes and because of a surprise announcement to be made later.
The theme of my teaching will be “The Office and Work of an Evangelist.” MBI has made me one of the instructors for their Evangelism Class. It is a program the college offers, which students can finish and get a certificate of completion.
Between now and June, MBI will be planning outreaches for the students to accompany the daily teaching. Please pray for MBI and myself as we plan,
prepare and trust God for all the details.
Rev. Stephen Kinuthia is MBI’s Administrator, and he asked me to pray for the impact of flooding in parts of Kenya, as a result of torrential rains in November. Officials say over 100 people have died as a result. Rev. Kinuthia shared how the flooding hit MBI, and altered their graduation plans.
Rev. Kinuthia is pastor of the Manna Community Church,
Pray for the Street Family Outreach
which is associated with MBI, where I taught in April. He invited me to preach at an evangelistic event via video on December 20. It is being organized by the church’s youth, and will reach out to local street families. Sharing the gospel will be the first step. Afterwards they will come alongside these families to mentor and disciple them, so they can get off the streets. I am excited to be part of such a ministry. Pray for the church as they plan this. It will be a full day of outreach. Great Awakenings will be making a donation to help with their costs.
2024 Great Awakenings Israel Tour Update
Lord willing, we will have two international trips in 2024, one to Kenya and a second to Israel. Even though the war continues, our November tour remains scheduled. The organizers, Dwight and Anita Widaman, believe with 11 months to go before the trip, in the coming months there could be an end to the conflict.
The Widaman’s did tell me that a trip they had scheduled for June has been canceled, and the people from that tour are moving to join the November one. As events unfold, I will keep you updated. We have discussed rescheduling the tour for 2025 if needed. (Image by Anna Sulencka from Pixabay)
Head to Arkansas in 2024
Since 2006, I have been writing my Speaking Truth syndicated column. God has been good to see it expand to 299 newspapers, over 1-million in circulation and 15 states. Next year, we plan
to continue expansion in Arkansas. We are praying over the state, for God to prepare the hearts of editors and publishers of small-town newspapers from boarder to boarder. Pray for us, that God would open many doors and thousands of lives would be touched for His glory. (Image from onlyinyourstate.com)
Your Partnership
If you supported or prayed for me and the work of Great Awakenings in the last year, thank you so much. I am eternally grateful for your financial and prayerful partnership in the gospel. Through your support I continue to preach and teach the good news every week in small churches, on social media, in local newspapers, in Kenya and to all people the Lord brings across my path.
Kathe and I, along with our board of directors, wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Living for Christ this Holiday Season,
Clint Decker
President
Great Awakenings, Inc
P.S. Would you consider making an end of year donation to join us in our work at proclaiming Christ in rural communities for 2024? Pray and seek the Lord if He would have you give a donation of $500, $100, $50 or $25. If so, click here.
