Situation stabilizing
Still telling the stories of God and his people in Canada
The board of directors of Fellowship for Print Witness is deeply impressed by readers’ response to our recent financial appeal. We didn’t know what to expect and weren’t sure it would be possible to keep publishing. By mid-January, however, we had received just over $50,000 from supporters of ChristianWeek’s mission to tell the stories of God and his people in Canada. Your response is enabling us to weather a very severe financial crisis and–though we are not out of the woods yet–allows us to keep publishing this periodical.
Your response is both encouraging and humbling. Under normal circumstances, board members are not directly involved in the day-to-day activities of ChristianWeek and therefore its readership community sometimes seems distant. Your many words of encouragement (see last issue of ChristianWeek), indications of prayer support and significant financial support (some writers have even donated their earnings) are solid evidence of the desire and need for this publication. We are not alone in this venture. Thank you for being in touch.
But what is the current status? And what does the future hold?
• Some payments were made to creditors in December and we are on a reasonable track to catch up on our obligations during the course of this year while, at the same time, meeting our current commitments.
• Revenue from advertising was projected to increase by 17% during the current year. We are meeting that target to this point in our fiscal year (which began September 1).
• We are continuing to explore partnership options in order to strengthen our position. Several individuals and organizations have expressed interest in linking with ChristianWeek.
• Subscriptions are coming in at a reasonable level and the base is increasing. Although faced with the distinct possibility that ChristianWeek would not pull through, many subscribers have been sending in their renewals. We are most grateful for your confidence.
Though operations have been stabilized and the debt significantly reduced, we continue to carry a long-term debt load. For this year we still must rely on donations to supplement revenues from subscriptions and advertising. To readers who have the means available, we invite you who have not contributed to do so now. Those who have already given may be able to consider further support towards the end of 1998.
The board is confident at this point that we can continue to publish. Please keep supporting the work of Fellowship for Print Witness in prayer and in sharing the vision with your circle of friends and colleagues.
Dan Burton, Chair
Fellowship for Print Witness
