The story of Family Life is one that has unfolded over a six-and-a-half-decade period. It is one full of testimonies of lives changed by God’s power. It is a story of tens of thousands of people, just like you, who have come together to make a ministry possible through your prayers, your service, and your financial investment. For years, our Founder Dick Snavely would share with the staff a simple message, “As long as we keep giving God all the glory, He will continue to bless!”
The story of Family Life has involved many elements over the years. One was the original Board of Directors who had the faith to step out and hire a director to begin a youth ministry even though they had no funds to pay him. The chosen director was a visionary who worked tireless hours in connecting with young people. He was used by God to lead many to Christ and challenged a large number to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. Another element was a move of the Holy Spirit to begin a Christian radio station in 1983. One station ultimately grew to become a large network covering great portions of New York and Pennsylvania. With that network came a commitment to not just serve a listening audience from a long distance but to develop other ministry outreaches that would have a personal touch.
There are many components to what makes up Family Life, but the one fundamental aspect that brings it all together is that everything that is accomplished is done for His glory!
One of my favorite passages in Scripture, Romans 15:17-18, catches the passion of Family Life:
“Therefore, I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done.”
Family Life’s Spring Sharathon is taking place on April 12-15 and we could not have come up with a better theme than, “Our Story – His Glory”. Every day, glory is given to the Lord for what He continues to do in using each aspect of His ministry to touch hearts and change lives. One such life is in the process of being changed even as you read this letter. This e-mail recently came to us:
“I am a prison physician that works just below Williamsport…This is not the first time I have heard similar stories but today I had one of the inmates telling me he has not been religious but now every evening makes a point to listen to the family hour. That has made an interest in getting a Bible and I was able to give him some direction on to where to start reading. He is interested in learning more about God because of that. But wait there is more, he says his Jewish wife had never been interested in Christianity but now listens through your online stream from New Jersey every day and they discuss what they hear during the family hour. In addition to that, his transgender cellmate has heard him and now listens along with him and they discuss it as well. I thought you would appreciate hearing about these three grown adults that are enjoying learning from the family hour.”
We have said many times at the ministry that we never know how the Lord might be using Family Life at any given moment. Whether it is listening to the radio network, being a part of a Performing Arts production, attending one of the many events sponsored annually by the ministry, or being assisted with helpful advice through biblical counseling, Family Life seeks to bring glory to God in everything that is done.
You are very much needed!
As we come to another strategic point in our history with the Spring Sharathon, I would like for you to reflect for a moment on how the Lord has used Family Life to minister to you. And then would you prayerfully consider helping the ministry meet its budget needs for the next six months? Last Sharathon, the number of those giving was significantly down from the year before. Please do not think that your involvement is not that important and that others will step up to meet the need. We would encourage you to be part of the family that allows this ministry to continue reaching our sphere of influence with the message of hope found in Jesus Christ. To be very frank, you are very much needed!
Family Life’s $2.6 million budget need will only happen as you and many others are obedient to God’s leading in your life. You can get involved in different ways:
- Mailing your gift prior to the Sharathon to help with an encouraging starting total.
- Give your gift online.
- You can get involved in the excitement of the four-day event and call in your faith promise during the Sharathon.
Whichever way the Lord speaks to your heart, please know that we are so appreciative of your sacrificial giving as our collective story continues to bring God glory!
Yours in Christ,
Rick Snavely
CEO
P.S. Family Life understands that the local church is ordained of God, and because of that we encourage you NOT to give to Family Life what belongs to your local church.
