A Tough Day at Focus

Posted by Jim_Daly Sep 19, 2011

Many of you regularly pray and support this wonderful ministry, so I wanted to alert you to some staffing reductions here at Focus on the Family.

This past Friday, due to budget constraints, we were forced to say goodbye to 49 team members.  What follows are some thoughts that I shared with my colleagues after the decision was announced:

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Many of these individuals are friends with whom I have labored side-by-side for years, some two decades. I’m particularly frustrated by the circumstances that made this decision necessary. The simple fact is that we cannot control the volatile economic times in which we live. We know above all else, though, that the Lord is in control of all things - including our economy - and our responsibility is to listen to Him and respond with as much wisdom, discernment, and compassion as we can.

Even with a budget shortfall, we cannot overlook the sacrificial gifts we have received, and the ministry those gifts have allowed us to extend this year. As just a few examples, more than 100,000 babies have potentially been saved, 1,613 families have initiated the process of adoption from foster care, over 600,000 people were helped through the Family Help Line, over 230 million listeners in 135 countries heard Focus broadcasts, and 2.8 million people have gone through The Truth Project – just think of the transformational impact on families and culture! That’s what keeps me encouraged about the future and motivated to keep pressing on, even in the midst of difficult times.

I think the apostle Paul really sums it up when he said, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). I’ve also had Galatians 6:9 on my heart lately, which says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

We will continue with every breath I have to do the right things, according to His Word and His Will, to help families with whatever resources He provides.

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Please join me in praying for not only the ministry but also our friends and their families who will be transitioning to other endeavors.

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