As we come to the end of 2017, I want to invite you to make a year end donation from your heart to a ministry that is dedicated to changing hearts for the Glory of God through Jesus Christ. Please read through our year end letter of what God has done in 2017 and how you can be a part of what He wants to accomplish in 2018.
As we come to the end of 2017, I am grateful and humbled for all God has done and continues to do. Just one year ago, last December, God opened up a door for the ministry of Encounter to launch. He gave us a vision to help broken and hurting people discover a free, devoted life to Jesus Christ. God touched the hearts of the Sanctuary church, in Santa Clarita, CA, to open up their hearts and doors and provide Encounter with a place to meet every Friday night. God moved in the hearts of so many people to faithfully serve and/or give of their time, talents and treasures to support the mission of Encounter and keep the doors open so more people can encounter Jesus.
I prayed that our ministry would be ordained by God as a unique and different kind of ministry, unlike any other ministry. Then God revealed to us Encounter’s four pillars of discipleship, recovery, evangelism and community. Shortly afterwards, He gave us Encounter’s 12 Anchors of Hope, our 12-week study curriculum and teaching plan. My wife, Carolynn, and I have spent a good part of 2017 writing and finalizing the 12 Anchors of Hope curriculum. It truly was a labor of love as we experienced the breath and Word of God. The 12 Anchors of Hope were given to us from God and we look forward to sharing this curriculum with the world.
The Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission’s House of Hope in San Fernando Valley, CA, asked us to oversee a discipleship and recovery program for their men. They have been a huge part of our Encounter community. Mandi Pinto-Czarnecki, a dear friend and gifted worship leader, became Encounter’s Worship Director. Through her relationships and leadership, she has helped Encounter provide a spirit-filled worship experience, second to none, each and every Friday. We launched Encounter Kids, with gifted teachers that teach our kids the same 12 Anchors of Hope that the adults are learning.
Because 2017 was a great year at Encounter, we have huge goals for 2018, and beyond. Our curriculum needs to be published, packaged, and promoted for churches and organizations. We already live-stream Encounter’s services on social media every Friday night, with people tuning in from all over the US. We developed a phone app for easy accessibility and it has helped so many people join in to watch our services. In 2018, we hope to expand our local and national reach even further.
God has provided for us and sustained us in miraculous ways. One of the ways He provides is by giving some people the gift of generosity. Such people have the heart and the ability to help support a ministry like Encounter. Would you please pray about making a “year end” donation to help us reach our goals and move forward in 2018? We are grateful for each and every one of you who support the mission of Encounter in any way. We could never be where we are today, nor hope to reach our God-sized goals for 2018, without the help and support of wonderful and faithful friends like you. Giving to Encounter is easy: 1. Download our app by searching “encounter hope” in your phone app store, or 2. Text “encounter” to 77577, or 3. Go online to Encounter.gives to give securely via Pushpay, or 4 mail a check to P.O. Box 121 Santa Clarita, CA 91383. You have until December 31st to make your end donation for it to count for 2017.
Thank you for all your prayers and faithfulness in serving and giving to Encounter. We are sincerely grateful for you and humbled that you pray, serve and give to this ministry. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! May this Christmas Season and the coming year be filled with God’s peace, joy, power, love and wisdom for you and your family. We pray that you will encounter Jesus daily as you live a free and devoted life to Him
Blessings,
Bill & Carolynn Rieser