Finishing Strong in 2005

Good News about Finances
Many of you receiving this letter have been on our Partner mailing list for all or most of this year. That means you are very aware of the huge financial challenges we’ve faced in 2005 and the constant effort we’ve been putting toward the expansion and effectiveness of our ministry. It was so great to be able to report God’s wonderful blessing and provision in last month’s Partner Letter -- new students, new programs, and major improvements in our financial situation!

I know that it must have been good news for all of you too! One of our ministry partners (a CSF alumnus) wrote to me: “Dear David- What a joy it was to receive your wonderful partner letter. I know the financial situation was weighing heavily on you and now you can feel relief and praise for the faithful givers and God’s provision. Thank you for continuing to look forward in faith – not limiting God ever.”

Yes! Praise God that instead of looking at a $45,000 deficit, we’re looking at a very good possibility of ending the 2005 year with a balanced budget. God bless each and every one of you who have faithfully and generously given to support our ministry. We also appreciate the special end-of-the-year gifts many of you have sent and are sending to help us end the year in the black and jumpstart 2006.

Please pray that God will raise up many new support partners for our ministry in 2006. A few special large gifts helped us catch up in 2005, but new and increased monthly support will be necessary if we are to meet our budget in 2006. Thanks in advance for your faithful support and for joining us in prayer about this.

Good News about Ministry
Next semester we are providing more opportunities for students to get involved. Our main weekly meeting is expanding to two nights – Wednesday Together and Thursday Together. We are also bringing back a Sunday night worship time and calling it Evensong Worship Community. We will also be continuing our weekly Let’s Talk Soup Dinners on Mondays for international students. Pray that these changes will help us reach more students.
Over the Christmas break, CSF Campus Ministers Rebecca Lehmer and Jon Prins will be leading a CSF missions team traveling to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Our team of twelve people will be working with a local church there to assist with gulf coast recovery efforts in the wake of the Katrina hurricane. What an opportunity for them to grow in Christ and learn how to be a servant! Pray for their safety, their witness, and their work.

Yours in the Cause of Christ,
Dave Burkum



Bryce and Gina Harcey with Dave and Cheri Burkum. Bryce just graduated from the U of M and will be attending Bethel Seminary next semester and interning with CSF.