Hey Folks, 

I'm sure by now most of you have heard I was shot a couple weeks ago while developing Sunday School and doing medical work on the Syrian border. I ended up in a tough situation and was shot in the back. It's a long story which I'll share more about soon. God's grace and my bulletproof vest saved my life. But it certainly could have gone a whole different way.

BUT...due to the internal injuries I received, it's going to be impossible to do the live Operation Holiday Hope TV telethons I do every year to get the Christmas gifts for the kids. Most of you know that for over 20 years we have been doing Operation Holiday Hope telethons. We average 200,000 kids a week in Sunday School and this is our primary way of getting presents out to all the kids during this critical time of year.

So many of you have been writing, calling, praying and asking how to help. I appreciate your encouragement. At this point, I need you to do two things. 

First, we need to make up the difference in the deficit that will occur from not doing these telethons. I need your help now. If you've ever felt like you needed to give or wanted to give, this is the time to step up now and give as much as possible. 

Second, I know many of you have contacts with churches, trends and social media groups. We need to get the word out. So please connect with your churches, other churches, rotary groups or other social groups to try to get a special offering, because right now we need all the help we can get. This is the most critical time of year. I'm not going to miss it just because I've been shot. 

You've heard me speak about the power of partnership many times. This is when it kicks in, folks. I'll be keeping you updated during the weeks to come, while I'm still trying to preach, even as I'm coughing up blood from the pulpit. But we just can't miss a minute. That's how important this is. 

I'll be waiting to hear from you. Thank you and God bless.

— Pastor Bill