Greetings from downtown Los Angeles.  It is a wonderful thing to serve the King of Kings!  He is the One who was and is and is to come, the Almighty!  The staff at EBRM, Bros: Cecil, Stan, Iwan, Paul, Phila K., Anthony, Drake, Van, Robert, Phil F., interns Richard and Aaron, Liza and I want to thank you for all your prayers and giving and service in 2008.  We also pray this Christmas season is a blessed one for you and your families and churches.

I’ve enclosed a copy of an article that was in the L.A. Times on Sunday, December 7^th, 2008. I had nothing to do with writing the article and do not know anything about the book , ‘How the Other Half Worships’, and therefore cannot recommend you purchasing it.  I’m  enclosing the article because of the pictures.  Many of you who love and support our work here at EBRM have never seen our building.  As you can see we are two stories high.  Our building used to be three or more different addresses which now is combined into one long building and one address.  You can also see three of many wonderful paintings on our walls in the Chapel and Dining Room.  The article is about these paintings in the EBRM building. The statistics mentioned in the article ignore our Bible Discipleship Ministry but the Lord does not.

What I like most about the article is the first paragraph.  Notice, ‘Barely touched by time, the Chapel…’  You know, friend, the Gospel has not changed. The ingredients of a vital ministry for Christ Jesus remain. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) I speak of prayer and preaching the Word of God in the power of God.  We sing the old hymns of the faith and use the same Bible that the men who founded EBRM in 1953 used.  We have no plans to change.  When I meet Bro. Joe Hill the former Director of EBRM, in heaven I will be able to look him in the eye knowing that I was honest with what he left here at 5^th and Crocker.  The work of the Lord has not been used to build up my name or to gain riches. 

I want to thank so many who have given to us since the last newsletter.  Although we have not caught up with all our finances, we were so encouraged by the many special gifts received.  Some of you asked if I believe the mission here at EBRM will have to close its doors?  This is God’s work and I believe EBRM will continue.  However, it is possible that our ministry will be cut back or altered if our support continues to decline.  Please keep us in your prayers, pray that churches will continue to support EBRM.

We were blessed with 83 souls receiving Christ as their Savior in November.  The Lord receives all the Glory!  We are blest to see growth and fruit that remains among our "Discipleship Ministry."

Regarding the lawsuit against EBRM: We went to court on the appointed date and the man suing us for the loss of his bag did not show up.  The Judge dismissed the case without prejudice.  Since then the man who is suing EBRM has refiled and we must appear again on January 6^th, 2009.  Please remember us in your prayers on January 6^th and pray that justice prevails  and for the salvation of this individual.

In closing I would like to thank the Lord for blessing me with better health.  Thank you for all your prayers, the Lord has me back preaching again.  We would love to come to your church and be a blessing.  Please give us a call, Bro. Robert Cole is also available to visit with a report from skid-row, with good singing and preaching.  Call us at (213) 626-4681.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for all your prayers and giving.  May the Lord bless you all and thank you for all your help.  Hebrews 6:10

In His Grace with thanksgiving,

Bro. Mike, Liza and Staff