November 2008

Dear Friends of the Foundation,

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Ps. 121:1-2).

Isn't it wonderful to know that no matter how troubling our circumstances—whether in our mission, our personal lives or in our country—our Lord reigns, and He continues to strengthen and lead His called-out ones to live in hope and faith even in the midst of storm. Though FTE continues to experience serious challenges, there is still much good news:

Just last week we began distributing examination copies of The Design of Life (DoL) to university faculty interested in reviewing it for possible use.
Just this week, another FTE book was released! Several months ago, FTE signed a contract with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, which has published excellent scholarly books since 1953. This contract gave ISI permission to edit and republish the 8th chapter of DoL under the title, How to Be an Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist—Or Not. (Proper credits to FTE, DoL, and the authors appear on the copyright page.)
A second contract with ISI calls for them to take DoL into the big box stores for us and share in the profits. We have vigorously sought nationwide distribution for DoL, and work is well underway behind the scenes to set the wheels in motion for this distribution.

We are encouraged by these developments and by the notes and the contributions we received in response to our letter last month in which I shared how serious our financial situation was. We are far from out of the woods yet. DoL sales are running a little behind our sales projections, which called for selling the first print run in a two-year period. Nevertheless, with the accelerated sales we should realize through the advances in distribution and marketing highlighted above, it is quite feasible we will make our target if we can continue the aggressive program we have launched.

But to do so, we must receive close to $100,000 by the end of the year. Since we do not know how deep or how long-lasting this current economic downturn will prove to be, it is critical that FTE pay off a $35,000 commercial loan, co-signed by a friend of FTE, and another $6,000 personal loan to FTE. Another $50,000 is required in order to move ahead with the marketing of our books and the operation of our work in the new year. We need the help of our partners—your help—today, if you are in a position to do so.

The great news is that some faithful partners close to our work are discussing a matching challenge program, and we will be in a position to tell you about the amount of a matching pledge in late December. You will receive a year-end update from us within a day or two after Christmas, alerting you to the size of this wonderful opportunity for FTE, an opportunity to secure a viable future to continue our work going forward into 2009. Please be praying about what God would have you give, knowing that for every dollar you contribute, there will be another one to match it.

Everyone sending a gift of $50.00 or more between now and January 15 will receive a copy of How to Be an Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist—Or Not. This dynamite—but short—and attractive volume is our way of saying thank you. In this "year of atheism," with five books that advocate it having made the New York Times Best Sellers list in 2008, you will soon come to appreciate and value the information in this book.

Never has there been a more critical time in our history and our culture for the truths set forth in our books, especially How to Be an Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist—Or Not, Never Before in History: America's Inspired Birth, and The Design of Life. They are powerful tools that offer an alternative vision to our youth, one that counters the progressive secularism that dominates our culture.

Thank you for your faithful partnership.

Sincerely,

Jon Buell
President

P. S. Thank you for reading this report and for praying about what you might give.

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