End-of-Year Newsletter

Blessed Christmas Greetings from The Keystone Project and All Our Disciples in the Nations!

I know that most of us are eager to see this year finally and completely end with the hope of better things to come in 2021. Despite all the events of this past year, we have seen God’s hand and blessing in the work of His kingdom as the mission of the Great Commission continues. Thousands of new disciples have come into the kingdom. Many new churches and redemptive communities have emerged from the lives of these disciples. Whole tribes have received Christ as their Lord and Savior. The gospel of the kingdom is being preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. Nothing – nothing – can stop the purposes of God from being fulfilled. He reigns!

This was quite a year for The Keystone Project and our international network of leaders, disciples, and churches. Many faced severe hardship, persecution, sickness, and financial difficulties as never before. But they persevered and endured and bore much fruit. I am reminded of the Parable of the Sower taught to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a lesson in enduring to the end. Remember, the fruit comes at the end, not in the beginning.

I am pleading with you to pray for the many churches who either cannot meet or have seen their numbers and finances reduced due to the pandemic. Several of our supporting churches have notified us that they are unable to continue their support for us at the same levels as before. These are good churches with faithful leaders and members who have supported us for many years. It breaks my heart to see them struggling and having to make the difficult decision to reduce their support for missions.

The result is that our own level of financial support is dangerously low. If you are reading this, you are part of the Keystone family and network. I am asking you who have been blessed by The Keystone Project to help us by becoming a regularly supporting partner and giving a tax-deductible gift of $10, $20, $30, or even $50 per month. Even a small monthly gift would be a great help to us. Please see the details of this new support initiative below. Click the “Donate Now” button in the top right corner of this page.

2020 Ministry Summary: From January 6-10, we conducted a training for 180 pastors and leaders in West Africa, and our mission team in Côte d’Ivoire provided follow-up training and coaching on the ground as well. From January 16-18, we did a vision-casting training with a small group here in Keystone. We did another one in Los Angeles from February 14-16, followed by a Native American Training for US and Canadian leaders from February 24-March 6. We had to cancel the March-April International Leaders Training due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we were able to use this time to conduct our first international webinar on April 28th; we had around 200 students attend this webinar over Zoom. The one-week May Training was moved to August 17-21. On July 3rd, during President Donald Trump’s visit to Mt. Rushmore, we hosted a large group who gathered on our hill to watch the fireworks celebration. In October, we conducted a two-week training with about 45 students and welcomed our staff for our annual Board and Staff Retreat.

Altogether, we were able to reach approximately 530 students from over 30 countries with our training, including those who attended our first webinar. We were also blessed with the support of over 20 volunteers and coaches who came alongside us and served the Lord with us throughout 2020. In addition to these events, we completed a significant update of The Keystone Project Training Manual, launched The Keystone Project Online Academy (for which we are now receiving applications), started our Mission Partners Program, and opened applications for our Internship Program in the 2021 season. Finally, we were blessed to participate in a food distribution program to serve those affected by the pandemic.

As we look forward to 2021 and the uncertainties we all face, we are prepared to continue the work of the Great Commission with passion, sacrifice, excellence, integrity, and determination. The gospel must be preached in all the nations. This is why we exist. This is who we are. Please continue to pray for us as we give ourselves to see the salvation of the lost for the glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. May you have the most blessed and joy-filled Christmas ever!

Richard W. Greene

President

The Keystone Project, Inc.