Dear Friends,

In our last letter we thanked you for praying for our son, Billy, who was hospitalized after falling at his group home. Bill wasn’t doing so well in that letter. I wanted to write and let you know our Bill is doing wonderfully today. Within a couple of weeks of sending our letter to you, Bill went home to be with the Lord. We were with our boy as he suddenly deteriorated and very quickly died of complications due to pneumonia and the fractured hip.

 It has been a tender time for us. Though we miss him terribly, we could never wish him back. Bill suffered from Duchene Muscular Dystrophy and was confined to a wheelchair for many years. We are grateful for the years the Lord gave him to us. When we adopted him, the doctors gave us their best guess which would be maybe thirteen or fourteen. Bill lived until the age of twenty-six. 

 The Lagrange Fire Department went out of their way to impact Bill’s life. They made him an honorary fireman in their department, even giving him his own dress uniform. Bill was so proud of this. We had him buried in his uniform. Several of the firemen served as Bill’s pallbearers. One of the fire trucks with lights flashing slowly led the processional to the cemetery with the rescue squad following the last of the cars.  Our son, Jeremy, and I co-officiated with Rachel singing (on a CD) for her brother. 

 Thanks for your prayers. We certainly do miss him. But life and ministry must go on. Karen and I want to thank everyone who has participated already in the PRESS fund offering. Of the $8000 needed, so far $1925 has come in. Thank you so very much.

You know that Karen and I do not share our financial needs very often with you. However this is the one time of the year that is the exception. You may remember that last year we started the PRESS fund. This is what PRESS represents and how much funding we are going to need to raise this year.

PR stands for professional reimbursement. This funds the purchases we must make for our ministry, the supplies, the expenses of our ministries, and the travel expenses we incur. We need to raise $2500 for this fund.

E stands for equipment. This is the cost of maintaining our website, making equipment updates, and the time has come for me to begin to look into the computer program that will recognize my voice. This will replace using my very arthritic hands on the keyboard. I will dictate the manuscript as the laptop produces it. Also this year, I will be advertising our family ministry. This takes a lot of funding. I will try to get the very best advertisement for your money. We need to raise $2500 for this fund.

SS stands for supplemental support. We are going to need to supplement our income this year. Additionally we have been notified that the health insurance we pay for is going up 20%.  We need to raise $3000 for this fund. 

The PRESS fund really makes our ministry possible. We want to thank you in advance for reading this lengthy letter. It is humbling to ask for your help. It is a blessing to know of your partnership. Thank you so very much, dear friends and supporters.

Mike and Karen

If you would like to help with our ministry, please fill out the little form at the bottom of our letter, and make out your check to: Baptist Church Planters. Attach the form and mail your check to:

Baptist Church Planters

36830 Royalton Road Grafton, OH 44044

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PECKS’ PRESS FUND

Name ____________________________________________ Amount _____________

Address _______________________________________________________________

Thank you so very much!