Dear Partner,

Here at the ministry office we have the joy of reading the many letters and emails that come in from people who receive the tapes worldwide. I seldom share these testimonies with those who support the ministry financially because I've sometimes seen that practice abused by those who would use them to emotionally manipulate people to give even more. On the other hand, I feel a little guilty in not sharing some of them with you because I know how it blesses me to hear back how the tapes are blessing those who receive them. Because you have chosen to be a part of this ministry financially, then you also share in the fruit of lives that are changed because of it.

With that in mind, I want to share with you a letter we received recently from a man who lives in Virginia. I could have chosen from literally hundreds of testimonies we have received in the past year, but this one is especially well written. I pray it blesses you as much as it has me.

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Mr. Carpenter,

I really don't know if I can put into words the way that your ministry and its teachings has affected my life. When I was saved God set me free from drugs, alcohol, etc. I thought I had reached my destination. I didn't realize it was my new beginning. I attended a denominational church until I was thirteen years old, got saved at the age of twenty-three and didn't realize how much religion I had in me. I began attending a local Pentecostal church when I was saved and I always felt I couldn't measure up financially and began to question my faith. I didn't read the bible much and started watching Christian television a lot in 1995-96-97. All of a sudden I heard this prosperity message and fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Not long after "sowing" thousands of dollars into these good soil ministries I began again to question my faith because I wasn't seeing the results all those big wig preachers preached. I soon felt as if I must be backslidden on God because my faith didn't measure up.

Thank God one day I turned the radio on and one of the local Christian radio stations was playing one of your tapes. My first reaction was I've never heard Luke 6:38 preached like that. I then heard "The Widow's Mite" and shortly ordered some of your tapes. Long story short: Because of hearing you I also began to listen to Dave Roberson. My spiritual eyes and ears were opened about God's true grace.

Mr. Carpenter, because of your obedience to God's voice the power of God has restored my marriage, my family, and my home among many things. I know the message you and Dave preach is sent from the true mind of Christ. It's been over a year now. I've been praying in the Holy Ghost and studying the Word as you've taught. The Word is opened up to me. I'm now in full time ministry, preaching the word of grace and truth. My life has truly been changed. I know what it means, "Who the Son sets free is free indeed."

I know that your ministry doesn't ask for money. God has spoken to my heart to help support the ministry God placed you in. With all of my heart I know that this is the message that will usher in the Lord. I'm sure you receive a lot of mail. I hope you get a chance to read this.

Mr. Carpenter, I'm thirty-two years old and I've been saved for ten years, but now I truly know what it means to be a son of God. I truly, truly, truly thank you and your wife, as well as Dave Roberson. A life was saved, a marriage saved, a six-year-old daughter and a four-year-old daughter got their daddy back. Thank you so much. You are a true man of God, and I do consider you and Dave as my pastors because you feed me the true Word. In closing, over one hundred inmates have been added to the Kingdom of God at the jail where I preach.

Thanks and love from your brother,

M. J.
Virginia

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When Paul wrote a letter of gratitude to the believers in Philippi who supported his ministry financially he said,

Phil 4:15-17  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Through your prayers and your financial support of the work the Lord has called us to do, much fruit (in the form of transformed lives) is abounding to your heavenly account. Notice the multiplying power of the gospel. Not only was this man's life changed, but also his wife, his children and over a hundred people who have been born again (so far).

Sue and I love you and appreciate you. We thank God for your generous and giving heart. God bless you!

Your friend and co-laborer,

Gary Carpenter

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