To Nazarenes around the world:

“Developing the Future” is the theme of the 2015 Thanksgiving, or Thank, Offering. As we remember the Lord’s unfailing love, the psalmist calls on us to “sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy” (Psalm 107:22). We join you in prayer and preparation for this annual emphasis in the Church of the Nazarene. Through this offering given to the World Evangelism Fund, we do more together than we ever could alone. God receives our humble gifts and uses our generosity to accomplish amazing things — in language schools, church plants, mission hospitals, and many other ministries. Every time we choose to serve God by giving back, we become a part of God’s future — a future that spreads into eternity as people around the world come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The 2015 offering celebrates how our gifts help spread the gospel, both now and in the future.

In Psalm 22, the writer praises God and calls on all people to worship the Lord. He declares that the greatness of God will be obvious because of what God will do. Through the World Evangelism Fund, the Church of the Nazarene is able to share His greatness and goodness with people everywhere.

Praise God for how He has used our gifts in the last year:

• 702 missionaries and 310 missionary kids were deployed from 35 world areas.
• 378 people joined the Church of the Nazarene every day. That is 16 people per hour!
• 143,870 students were enrolled in Nazarene preschool, primary, and secondary schools.

As you prepare for this important offering, remember these verses from Psalm 22:

Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.

  Bow before him, all who are mortal,

  all whose lives will end as dust.

Our children will also serve him.

  Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.

His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.

  They will hear about everything he has done.

Psalm 22:29–31 (NLT)

Let’s reflect on the many ways in which God has blessed us, and imagine what God will do through our generation and those that follow as we continue to serve Him.

The offering will be received on 11 October 2015 in Canada and 22 November 2015 globally. (Please note that not all areas will receive the offering on these dates, depending on the calendar of each field or district.)

Resources will be available at nazarene.org/generosity in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Korean. If you have questions, contact Stewardship Ministries at 1-800-544-8413 or stewardship@nazarene.org.

Yours in Christ,

The Board of General Superintendents