January 25, 2007

We have begun the year with real momentum! Following a good end of the year, our January has been a great time of preparation. We are positioned for a very productive year.

Our just-completed annual independent audit reflects our greatest financial health in many years. We had held our own during 2005, the year of the Dover trial. But in 2006, we had solid growth. Our overall income from book sales and contributions was up from 2005 by 16%. Because of this increase, along with cost-cutting measures in our operations, FTE's net assets almost doubled. Needless to say, this gives us a much stronger platform from which to launch The Design of Life.

So Much To Do, So Little Time!

These early advantages are key, because the two remaining parts to putting the critical message of The Design of Life in front of our culture are demanding, major projects: raising the funds, and completing the book itself. We hope to make our announced date of March 1st for the book's release, but if not, to at least release it within the month of March. Meanwhile, in addition to operating costs, we have $150,000 to raise and 5 jam-packed weeks of editorial and production work to perform, to a very high standard. Which to tackle first?! Answer: We must do both at once. Please pray with us that we will receive the funds to print by the time the book is ready to go to press.

Getting Ready to Roll the Presses

The manuscript has been almost complete for some time, and the process of reviewing by both research and teaching scientists, and final editing, is winding up. The Title Page, Table of Contents, Foreword, the Epilogue and Chapter 1 are edited. Following final editing, each chapter goes through production work, including illustration. Images are being gathered, and several chapters will be illustrated at the same time. Chapters 2 and 3 are being illustrated now and Chapters 4 and 5 are in. We have met with numerous marketing experts and are getting into the details with the printers. But how to do this while raising $150,000? Please pray for us!

Great Intelligent Design Info in Bite-Sized Broadcasts

We have added a link to FTEOnline.com for a weekly podcast at Discovery Institute. Each week you can hear an excellent 5-minute message concerning Intelligent Design as Discovery Institute's Rob Crowther, Director of Media and Public Relations, interviews Discovery's own Fellows, and other top scientists and scholars. (Go to www.fteonline.com, click on "Intelligent Design Media and Commentary," then on the link to www.IDtheFuture.com, then at "Click here to listen" and listen to the podcast. For archived articles, type the title of the article in the "search this blog" section on the right side of the webpage.

Here are a few very recent messages you won't want to miss:

• Why Specified Complexity Cannot be Purchased Without Intelligence (Bill Dembski, pictured at right)
• The Year's (2006) Top Intelligent Design Stories (an interview of Dennis Wagner)
• PBS' Think Tank Video Explaining Differences Between Intelligent Design and Creationism (Dr. Stephen Meyer, Senior Fellow, and director of Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture.)

We have created new tools to help tell our story as we seek to finish raising the funds for the publication of The Design of Life, the largest single undertaking in our existence. The longest of these two high-quality CDs takes 4 minutes to watch. Perhaps you have a friend or acquaintance who could become interested in helping. If so, I hope you will act on that knowledge right now while you're considering it. Please let me answer your questions, or send you samples of these outstanding CDs to preview. Please indicate on your response card if you would like to receive a sample CD.

And last, more good news. In December, we were notified of a $10,000 matching challenge pledge that remains in force until the $10,000 is matched, or until February 15th. If the Lord moves you to contribute toward it on the matching side, each dollar you give will bring two toward our goal! (The pledge will be activated by new funds from any source, but not by the regular gift of an ongoing supporter.)

We are thrilled to be on this exciting threshold, with the wonderful support team with which God has surrounded us. May He give you and your family a tremendous year in 2007!

With you, in His service,

Jon Buell

P.S. If you would like to receive the newsletters by e-mail only, please indicate that on the response card. Or e-mail us at: fte-books@juno.com. You will be able to donate on-line as well.