Thanksgiving 2023 Update

Dear friend of Grace Fellowship International,

Greetings. Are you thankful?  Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  As believers, we are commanded to be thankful, not just when circumstances are favorable, but also when they are not.  We give thanks for good days and bad days.  Why?  Because this is the will of God.  Recently, I was studying the benefits of gratitude and came across an article in the Mayo Clinic Health System, written by a nurse practitioner named Amanda Logan.  In the article she writes, “Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits.  Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood, and immunity.  Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties, with chronic pain and risk of disease.”  So being thankful helps you mentally, physically, and spiritually!  I am thankful for many things going on with GFI.

Last month I was in Cleveland, Ohio teaching and preaching at several events.  I was able to speak about GFI to a small group of Christian CEOs as well as to a group of 32 men.  Around 90 people attended an introductory teaching that I gave at Fellowship City Church!  The next morning I was able to spend a few hours with the staff of Silver Creek Church.  We are still having follow-ups and seeing fruit from this visit.  Dr. Woodward also had a fruitful trip presenting the Finding Joy seminar at Christian Life Fellowship in St. Charles, MO.  Please be in prayer for these churches.

We are thankful for the year-end giving campaign we launched, called “Good Cents.”  While Dr. John and I were in Lakeland, Florida back in September, a little girl gave us a penny.  Her mother had been teaching her that God can take a little and make it “more.”  One penny isn’t much but when you add a lot of pennies together, things change.  Would you pray about making a year-end donation to “good cents?”  Here is a link to our giving page: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/donate/

Please select the “good cents” fund for all year-end gifts.  We are thankful for you!

We are also thankful for those who have attended seminars and workshops.  This year we have seen people of all ages and from literally all over the world!  We have been blessed to present seminars this year here in Tennessee as well as in Florida, Rhode Island, Missouri, Cameroon Africa, and Cape Town, South Africa.  Our podcast, “Glimpses of Grace” is growing in popularity and our App continues to be downloaded as a supplemental resource.

Dr. John has a word of thankfulness: “Linda and I had a ‘bucket list’ trip to Bible lands September 30th – October 15th. GFI friends, Rob, and Nancy Semco, booked the same trip and were wonderful travel companions. After flying to Italy, a cruise took us through many of the places Paul visited on his missionary journeys. We had visits and tours in Rome, Athens, ancient Ephesus, Cyprus, Crete, and more. It was amazing to see the Vatican and Michelangelo’s famous artwork in the Sistine Chapel. Walking onto the Acropolis in Athens and the Parthenon, we envisioned Paul testifying to the philosophers on nearby Mars Hill (Acts 17). Another highlight was a personal tour through the ruins of ancient Ephesus where John, Paul, and Timothy ministered (Acts 19). There we also saw the remains of the infamous Temple of Artemis (Diana). Our itinerary included two days in Israel which included Galilee and Jerusalem. But three days before our scheduled arrival the tragic war broke out! (We have never been to Israel, so we were very disappointed. On the other hand, we give thanks for the Lord’s providential protection and pray for peace in Israel and Gaza.) On this trip we learned so much, had opportunities to share the Gospel with guides, and were blessed with health and safety in travel. Praise the Lord!”

Dr. John, Cathy, John N., and I would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving !

Mark McKeehan

Executive Director

[email protected]