(This is my most recent letter to our Malachi Network friends)

March 25, 2016

Dear Friends,

I’m the kind of guy that likes to use the phrase “no ifs, ands or buts.” Let’s get this done…no waiting, no whining, no excuses. But I’m about to change that philosophy for Easter…stay with me here.

If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (I Cor. 15:14)

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (I Cor. 15:17)

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead! (I Cor. 15:20)

As you celebrate Easter this year, don’t let anything keep you from experiencing the full power of Christ’s resurrection. Remember, the same power that raised Him from the tomb is accessible to each one of us. Don’t let busyness, shame, distraction or anything else stop you from engaging in the transforming power of our living Lord. Let’s do this…no ifs, ands or buts. OK, I’m back!

Our family is so thankful for the prayer and support that many of you faithfully give. Zach and Meghan (with Naima) continue to serve the South Jersey House of Prayer and Carll’s Corner Community Fellowship in Bridgeton, NJ. Jake and Lena (with Grey) are growing with Larson Financial Inc. and in their new church start that they faithfully serve in Charlotte, NC. And Jessie and Corrie are in the midst of revival and deep spiritual growth as they serve with YWAM here in Ocean City, NJ. They are now raising money for the international part of their Discipleship Training School. They will be traveling to Albania (the poorest nation in Europe) to share the love of Jesus. If you would like to support this trip, send a check made out to Malachi Network with a note that it is for Jessie and Corrie.

The Malachi Network is continuing to grow. We have over 50 leaders serving in God’s mission around the world. We have two applications pending for new church planters here in the states. Tania and I are overjoyed to be able to invest in the lives of such amazing young men and women. We look forward to hosting at least three of our network families here in NJ in the next several months. We treasure time to love, feed, worship and pray with these amazing spiritual giants in Christ’s kingdom.

Please pray for us as we continue to lead this network. I will also be doing some itinerant speaking in the next months: teaching evangelism for YWAM, keynoting the Evangelical Congregational annual conference, and serving as the evangelist for South Seaville Campmeeting. And please continue to pray for our local ministries: Simply Church and Avalon Beach Church (Father’s Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). God is moving and we don’t want to miss a thing that he has for us!

It just doesn’t seem enough to simply say thank you to those of you who faithfully support our ministry. The one thing that I do really love about living by faith is the blessing that we feel because people like you sacrifice on our behalf. Please know that we do not take your gifts lightly. We are very grateful. We have been working hard to increase our monthly gifts so that we can expand our influence for Christ. I have some international work that I will need to do at the end of the summer and would like for you to consider giving towards. If you are willing to give, please send a check with our name on the memo to:  Malachi Network – PO Box 368 – Avalon, NJ  08202.  You can also give online at:  www.malachinetwork.org.  Go to the family page and click on “donate” by our name.

Isn’t it amazing that we get to engage in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and join Him in fulfilling God’s mission on this earth? Happy Easter!

With Some Ifs, Ands and Buts,

Rich and Tania Stevenson

P.S. Check out: http://www.malachinetwork.org, http://www.richstevenson.org, http://www.simplychurchnj.com, http://www.avalonbeachchurch.com.