Dear You,

Without you, we couldn’t do it.

I know that’s not a conventional opening to this letter, but it’s what came to mind as I started to write it.

Lately, we have received several significant bequests from very long-time donors who are truly beloved for their faithfulness, even apart from their bequests, which we didn’t know about in advance. If you’re interested in remembering Renewal Ministries in your will, you can contact Chris Baker in our office by calling 734-662-1730 or emailing bequests@renewalministries.net.

Those who have been supporting us all these years have also been on my mind as we’ve been sending out signed copies of my new book The Coming Judgment: Are We Ready? to our consistently most generous donors. At the same time, I fully know that Jesus’ commentary on the widow’s mite applies to many who give little in the eyes of the world but give “more than the rest” as it is given sacrificially with love. I wish we could give free copies to all our donors, but as that is not an option, we are offering a special 20% discount on the new book for those who order in August.

I want to share with you the very first response I received after the book had been officially launched:

“I have read many of your books and all I can say is, ‘Thank you.’ Well, I guess I can say more because I’m about to. Your books, to some degree, have saved my life, or at least put it back on track. They are very clearly written and of great value. My wife concurs. I just finished your latest book about judgment. Wonderful book. You mention that you are excited to get to heaven so that you can sing God’s praises at the top of your lungs. . . . However, every book you have written is singing God’s praises at the top of your lungs and with all your heart.”

His reference to singing God’s praises at the top of my lungs refers to something I said in the chapter on heaven in the new book.

Just a week after receiving this, Peter Herbeck and I were visiting with a major donor who has supported us generously for many years and I was stunned when he looked me in the eye and said:

“You saved my life. And the lives of my family members, as well. That’s why I’m supporting you.”

The moment was such that I didn’t feel that asking for particulars would have been in order. Something very significant had been said and it was a holy moment that was best just to be received in the presence of God.

And then, one of the theologians who gave an endorsement for the book, Dr. Peter Williamson, who holds the Cardinal Adam Maida Chair in Biblical Studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, emailed me after having read a “liberal” theologian’s take on the four last things (a rather diluted interpretation of what the Bible really says and what the Church teaches). He told me again how important he thought my book was in light of the prevailing skepticism.

Just yesterday, I met with a Dominican priest who works in the Caribbean and to whom I gave a copy of The Coming Judgment. He emailed me today:

“I started reading it. Wonderful! I fully agree totally!!”

I also received an email from Brazil commenting on the Portuguese translation of my book A Life in the Spirit: A Memoir.

“I have just finished reading it. I found it fantastic and the reading was impactful. I am sure it will greatly influence my life in the Spirit.”

As you know, we carry out live, in-person, evangelization missions throughout the world each year, and continue to grow our TV, radio, and YouTube ministries, but from the very beginning of Renewal Ministries, our books and booklets have been an important way of carrying out our preaching and teaching mission.

As my wife and I say to each other frequently when we repeat something to each other, “I know I said it before, but I really, really liked…,” so I’m going to say it again: I really am thrilled at the very highly respected scholars and leaders who have endorsed the books. I couldn’t have asked for more relevant, insightful backing from such significant scholars and leaders.

Again, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

Even with all this good news, there is always the suffering that is part of our journey of purification. At each staff meeting, we pray for all our supporters. Thank you for your prayers for us.

Your true brother in Jesus,

Ralph