
(Taken at their Welcome to Jamaica Celebration held in November, following the couple's October wedding.)
Dearest Friends & Partners of Deeper Life Full Gospel Ministries,
On behalf of Staff & Saints, my dear wife, Karen and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very blessed Christmas and a bright peaceful New Year. The year 2008 has been one of great challenges globally and we are now witnessing the words of the writer in Hebrews 12: 23-29, "... that those things which cannot be shaken may remain..." unfolding before our eyes as I do believe that what is happening today is a clear signal that God is once again intervening and interfering in the affairs of men. May this be a warning to all of us who are children of God as we seek to examine ourselves thus making certain that we are in the faith.
Furthermore, we have also noticed the rapid decline in the authority and power entrusted to the Church and there seems to be a muted silence, indeed a deafening ear, given to those who are desperately seeking for truth and a personal relationship with God. There is no doubt in my mind that First Timothy 4: 1-2 "... some shall departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils..." is rampant in the church today. I hear the voice of David in Psalms 11-12, "Help Lord, for the godly men are ceasing, the faithful vanishing and the deceitful dominating...If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
I humbly call upon my fellow preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to heed the words of Paul in his second letter to Timothy 4:1-4 "...Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season" without fear or compromise, for there is a massive rejection of sound doctrine as men scratch their eyes, while they heap up for themselves teachers who turn from the truth. I am confident in these last days that God is preserving a remnant who will be fearless, bold and strong, as they proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, which is "repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand." Oh, may we once again, revive this forgotten subject and recognize the command of the Great Commission.
Finally, please observe that the church is the assembly of the "Called Out Ones." The mission of the church is to preach the gospel, to make, baptize and teach disciples. The message of the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins and rose for our justification. The ministry of the Church is to observe all things God commanded. Our main business is to get the Prodigal home to God and not to build better hog pens in the far country. When a man has a new heart, he is well on his way to a new house and a new job. The major issue is not even evangelism and missions, the top item on the agenda is repentance and revival in the church. We may change the methods and the messengers but we must NEVER change the MESSAGE. Our Lord's last word to the Church was not even the Great Commission but to repent (see Revelation 2).
We want to thank all of you for your faithful support and your prayers and gifts over the past year. As we approach the New Year, with all of it's uncertainties, please let us count on your continued faithfulness as we dedicate our lives to reaching the lost at any cost.
Until we hear from you, may God bless and keep you in His abiding love and care.
Yours in God's amazing grace,
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Hezekiah Farrell,
Your Missionaries to Jamaica.