Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Fiscal Accountability in Difficult Times

Congress approves $700 billion financial institution bailout plan. Auto makers are asking the government for an additional $25 billion to remain solvent and stay out of bankruptcy. Citicorp announces 53,000 jobs to be cut. Wow! Just open any newspaper or listen to any television news channel and we hear nothing but doom and gloom on the financial front. People are watching their 401(k) plans erode away through the drop in stock prices. What are we to do?

In these troubled financial times, we have to go no further than the Bible to get our answers. Psalm 23 describes the peace that we can have through difficult times. In Matthew 6 , Jesus tells us not to worry. Look at the birds, the lilies of the field. God takes care of the birds and lilies; He clothes them; provides food for them. If God takes this much care to provide for the birds and lilies, how much more will He do for you and I? (paraphrased). It is during troubled times that we can show God how much we really love Him and depend on Him.

At Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. we depend on God each and every day for our financial provisions. We understand the sacrifices that you make to pray and financially support RHM. We also understand our financial stewardship responsibility. We always strive to keep administration and fundraising costs down. The dollars you provide go further to enhance our ministry efforts and less to the administrative side. Eighty percent or more of each dollar you provide goes to direct ministry. Our commitment is to continue to maintain or grow this percentage. The 2008 RHM Ministry Report has been mailed out and is posted on our website, outlining what we said we would do in ministry and what we accomplished. Accountability is an important area for us at Ron Hutchcraft Ministries.

Like everyone else in the turbulent financial times we are facing, we have taken several cost cutting measures to reduce expenses between now and year-end. The launch of our youth Internet ministry has been postponed until later in 2009. Our On Eagles' Wings® Native leadership training retreat in December has been cancelled for 2008. New and necessary staff hires have been postponed indefinitely. All are steps we have taken to keep expenses down. However, even with cost cutting measures, we desperately need your financial help. Our goal is to end 2008 strong and without financial obligations.

We ask that you continue to pray for our ministry first, and then if God lays it on your heart, to faithfully give what you can to help our ministry efforts. We will continue to respect our obligation to be accountable for the financial gifts you provide by reporting to you through newsletters and year-end reports. You can also follow us on our website at Hutchcraft.com.

These are challenging times for all of us. Please help us stand strong in the face of the enemy who will use finances or whatever means he can to destroy God's work.