MINISTRY//Thank you for your prayers
I spent an hour on Monday with a generous and dear friend of 316NOW. He reminded me that I need to thank you.
Sitting across his kitchen table from each other, we talked 316NOW's ministry. Our conversation included:
The nearly 50 people who are involved in our ministry. Twenty of them are pastors who teach in our online Bible institute. Eight are teachers and college professors. On our board of directors and administrators are eighteen pastors, professors, and business leaders.
Our core value of volunteerism. It's not unusual for people involved with 316NOW to donate 10 hours a week to this ministry. A few donate 30-40 hours each week. We are blessed to have such a dedicated team. Only three team members are paid, each one is part-time. They are our 20-hours-per-week liaison, our 4-6 hours-per-week CPA, and our 8-10 hours-per-week administrative assistant. Everyone provides their own office space and office equipment. That means we have extremely low overhead costs.
The length of time it takes a student to complete 316NOW's online Bible course of study. If a student took three courses a semester, he could finish all of the courses in four to five years. None of our students commit to spending that much time in our classes, however. Most take one course each semester. Many of our students only take courses that will immediately help them in their ministries.
At the end of our time together, my friend pulled out our 15 Days of Prayer guide. Using the suggested prayers for the day, he led us in praising our Father for his limitless love and faithfulness. Then he asked the Lord to inspire his people in China, by his love, to be true to him and to share his gospel with as many as possible.
I said my loud amen. I was touched that he would lead us in prayer. I could have given him a big, brotherly hug.
And that's how I was reminded I need to thank you. How touching for us at 316NOW to know that thousands of Christians are praying for China. I can't hug you for your prayers. But I can thank you.
Thank you, dear Christian brothers and sisters.
— Jim Aderman, Executive Director
