alabaster ministries - DECEMBER 2006 UPDATE - reaching out to fatherless and widows

It's been now about 2 months since we met in Amsterdam to discuss the possibility of a European worship tour, with the end purpose of raising both a fresh sound of praise in the established worship places of Europe, and while doing so, purpose to raise funds for blessing widows and orphans in specific places throughout the Continent.  There have been several significant foundations established in this endeavor, and I'd like to enumerate them for you:

1) Relationships

Probably the single most important factor in any step of faith for Kathy and me is the recognition and building of relationships. Throughout our involvement in ministry, observing what God is doing in friendships with others in our family in Christ has become the key factor in decisions we make regarding ministry. This has proved to be fruitful, and as such, we are amazed at the potential team being rallied by the Holy Spirit for this proposed ministry outreach. At this point, we have an international band, a European leadership team, and key logistics personnel ready and waiting to take the next steps of faith.

2) Vision

For the past 30 years God has allowed us to be active participants in a worldwide explosion of worship that has taken both the Church, as well as secular business by surprise. Who would have ever thought that worship singers, leaders, songwriters and musicians would come to the forefront of both Christian and in some ways secular music as much as they have in these days? This rise in influence and global perspective has set a platform for us to impact nations such as never before . . . in the end, to bring healing the nations. James 1:27  that  "Religion" (worship) . . . that is pure, touches those most in need, and as such, God is seen for who He is . . . amazingly good, kind, merciful and generous!

3) History

Since 1995 Kathy and I have been personally pursuing the outworking of "lifestyle worship" in the establishment of a system of generosity and benevolence that we believe is one of the highest forms of worship based on several passages of Scripture. The first (alluded to above), James 1:27, which has become the theme verse of the branch of our ministry involvement called "Alabaster." Up to now, this aspect of our ministry has been mostly a personal endeavor to increase our level of giving, which we believe is at the very heart of core of worship. For over 10 years now, we have been able to ministry in many nations specifically with regard to benevolence directed toward orphans and widows. We have been able to sow financially into this endeavor (over $250,000 during the past 13 years) such that we are confident, a huge harvest of blessing is about to be poured out through the church and specifically through Alabaster upon the nations in benevolence, such that they will be overwhelmed with God's goodness, and in the end come to Him for the ultimate blessing,  eternal life.

4) Practical steps

With all of this in mind, we have set our hearts to several preliminary projects that will pave the way for our proposed tour next fall in Europe. Because we believe that worship is to be the catalyst for benevolence,  I am planning to record a series of new songs within the next 8 or 9 months that will be expressions of worship toward God, as well as His words of healing and restoration back to us. God has graciously set Kathy and I amongst some of the most amazing and talented worshipers this world has known, and we look to draw on these relationships in completing this task.

As well, we we will begin looking to recognize and establish God's means for provision with regard to this proposed tour,  such that we can model for the team and others who will be observing, the heart and spirit of abundance modeled for us in the gift of Jesus. We believe it is right to be able to make this tour extravagant in the most righteous sense of the word, so that those who will be affected by our worship and heart of generosity, will want to give glory to God


Having said all of this, we are asking for prayer that we will walk in the courage, wisdom, provision and favor that God has so overwhelmingly provided for us. We are planning to keep a monthly update regarding our progress on this Alabaster Page of the website. Kathy and I are confident that God has set before us some amazing divine encounters, and we are excited to continue taking steps toward seeing this dream accomplished. Thanks much for those of you that have been sending us regular communication . . . we deeply appreciate your input.

In His Mercy,
Bob Fitts