Eric & Melanie Barger

Greetings from the road (tonight in Birmingham, Alabama)!

Thanks for reading this update and then scrolling down to see the great ministry resources pictured below.

I was thinking about what I wanted to convey in this email update, it struck me last evening to say "thank God for friendships!" Where would we be without you praying and standing with us? We couldn't have seen dozens upon dozens of souls won to the Lord this year without you (about 50 commitments to Christ in the past six weeks alone - Praise the Lord!).

I really wasn't considering that American Thanksgiving is celebrated this week, just that Melanie and I are so grateful for the wonderful, caring friends that the Lord has given us through the years. Our family, ministry and yes, our friends are a blessing from God and make no mistake that without the many friendships we've developed there would be no Take A Stand! Ministries. Thanks for being there for us and for helping to carry the burdens we encounter in this faith ministry.

As I have remarked to many of you privately, from the pulpit of your churches, or in my letters and emails we especially need your support during the months of December and January. Each year this is a time of retooling, writing and preparation for us. These months are historically also the leanest time for us financially. You can imagine that it is hard to concentrate on the work at hand when there are expenses that must be paid yet there are no funds with which to do so.

If anything has hampered our work during this valuable time off the road each year it has been continually fundraising just to break even - instead of staying the course and using the time to the best advantage. This pattern needs to change so our priority can be on ministry. And Praise God, I sense that the Lord has given both Melanie and I an increased amount of faith to believe that indeed it will be different in the coming weeks!

I've got to tell you that God has been dealing with my heart on this issue these past few days. He's been on a faith building detail inside of me! Inside my spirit I somehow know - I mean, I KNOW - that God is preparing to use our friends to supply for every single need during this time and do so in a sovereign move as He speaks to some of you. I believe that individuals who have never supported our work (or haven't done so in some time) are going to be called to to do so as the Holy Spirit speaks to their hearts.

We all know that God uses His people to supply what is needed for His ministry and His ministers. It was His plan to do just this. As a blessing for you in return for your support we have put together two terrific ministry resource packages this month. Package # 1 is four great books by renowned author (and my friend!) Dr. Elmer Towns. Package # 2 is a complete package to help you reach folks lost in Mormonism. (See below for details.) These packages would make awesome gifts - with eternal significance - during the upcoming holiday season as well.

Most of all, I believe you will want to support the ministry because it's the right thing to do. We're seeing lives and entire churches changed as we prepare folks to do battle against our three enemies - the world, the flesh and the Devil.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your giving during the next 60 days. We need to raise about $6,000 during that time and your gifts (as God leads you) are indeed our lifeline and only source.

You can sow your gift to our ministry in any of four ways - online, fax, phone or postal mail. Please do it today!

Thank you so much and God bless you!

Package #1 Four inspirational books from Dr. Elmer Towns The Son The incredible story of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection will continue to be told until the end of time. This book will thrill you as Dr Towns unfolds the miraculous Christmas story. My Angel Named Herman Great for kids! Complete with many illustrations. A sixth grade boy learns about the universe, the stars, and deals with his parent’s divorce through his friendship with the school janitor named Herman (who just happens to be an angel). Extremely educational, and a compelling read with eight pages of line art illustrations. God Encounters Elmer Towns tells the incredible true stories of both biblical characters like Moses, Ezekiel and Mary Magdalene and church leaders such Moody, Spugeon and Wesley. This book will encourage every Christian to seek their own "God Encounter!" Bible Answers For Almost All Your Questions THIS BOOK IS A "MUST HAVE" for every Christian! Nearly 500 pages of great information! Very well written and easy to use in finding the answers to nearly every question you will ever have about the Bible. Elmer Towns: The author of over 100 books, Dr. Towns is a respected theologian and is sought after as a conference speaker worldwide. He is the co-founder Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and serves as the Dean of the School of Religion there. Having written in the liner notes for our book, Disarming the Powers of Darkness, Dr. Towns has been a terrific inspiration to my co-author David Benoit and I. He has graciously consented to offer this package to our friends and supporters. Request this package and receive Eric Barger's message "Memorials for God" on audio cassette!

Package #2

Reaching Mormons and Understanding Mormonism

DNA vs. The Book of Mormon new video New DNA evidence has proven conclusively that the storyline in the Book of Mormon is fraudulent! This presentation is perhaps the most exciting breakthrough to aid in witnessing to intellectually honest Mormons! (Available in VHS or DVD formats)

Beyond Mormonism by Jim Spencer This is the intriguing story of Jim Spencer's journey out of Mormonism. This book is a compelling, encouraging story for if God can save Jim, Ed Decker and others he surely can save anyone that you may be standing in faith believing for.

Hard Case Witnessing by Jim Spencer Great resource for reaching those lost in the cults, secularism or atheism. Jim Spencer understands the cult mindset and is one of the brightest thinkers in Christianity today. This book is a must for everyone serious about reaching "impossibles" for Christ!

To Moroni with Love by Ed Decker This terrific, concise book capsulates Ed Decker's 45 year study of the Mormon religion. Quoting Mormon sources and comparing Latter-Day Saint doctrine to the Bible, Decker's compassion and love for the Mormon people flows through each page.

Jim Spencer: Jim was a Temple Mormon for over 10 years. Since coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he has been an outspoken apologist exposing Mormon doctrine. He is a recognized speaker and author concerning cult mindset. His writings include two of the books above (Beyond Mormonism and Hard Case Witnessing). He is also a good friend of this ministry!

Ed Decker: Ed's book, The God Makers, is perhaps the definitive book exposing the false basis of Mormonism. His teachings have been embraced by millions of Christians worldwide. Ed has been a dear friend and mentor to me!