WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR         Rev. Duane L. Sich

Ten Years Totals … but who’s counting?  Well, in many ways there is a lot of counting going on!  In light of the humble beginning of Friends of the Carpenter, it does seem significant that the ministry has survived and thrived for 10 years!  Also, the 10 years of Annual Reports totals surprising numbers of lives served, those touched with God’s grace and the many testimonies of people in transition who thank God and Friends of the Carpenter for being there the past 10 years!  And as you continue reading through this Annual Report, again you will see wonderful numbers that record results and the reality of God’s work and Christ’s love infused into the lives of people participating in the ministry and mission of Friends of the Carpenter.

There’s another kind of counting going on.  It is our counting upon God.  This ministry and the many participants, volunteers and friends who receive and re-channel God’s blessings and benefits through Friends of the Carpenter are all “hopefully” counting upon God all sufficient grace.  FOC would never have begun without God; the ministry would surely have come and gone long before 10 years without God; and the future of Friends of the Carpenter completely depends upon the leadership, the volunteers, those who send support through financial and in-kind contributions and all those who participate (our many friends of whom many are homeless or at risk) COUNTING ON GOD!

My special thanks to the staff who work so intently in their area of responsibility and so faithfully as a team.  Their commitment and talents exemplify the Body of Christ and the mission of Friends of the Carpenter.  Equally, I thank the Board of Directors.  This group of men and women have labored long and hard overseeing the work and setting the path for this ministry to continue.  Though the growth of the program and expansion of the mission is exciting, it does not come without challenge nor the necessity of courage to make hard decisions and do diligent work to provide the leadership that looks to the future to follow God’s leading.

Friends of the Carpenter is blessed by the many volunteers who graciously and gracefully convey Christ to all who come into the Friendship Center.  They become the living hands and heart of Christ as we work and worship together.  Though frequently the motivation is to bless and benefit the participants, it is clear that every person, all who are present – like every part in the Body of Christ – brings blessing and benefits to the whole body. 

So the counting will continue!  Counting the years, counting the blessings and counting upon God to continue this ministry.  I give thanks to God and to the many who stand counted in this ministry.  We look forward to others who will come stand with us to bring and become the Body of Christ in this place.  We’re counting on God!

Love & Peace,