2008 IN REVIEW:  Headlines from An Amazing Year…

TRAVELS: In the Grace of God I had the privilege of ministering in 35 destinations in Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, and the USA. Several of these cities were visited 2 to 3 times, making for over 150,000 miles of travel!   Demanding at times, yes: but worth it as we are seeing many more people respond to God in both Salvations & Recommitments. A popular strategy for several churches was to have me visit twice within the year, allowing me to offer a much more thorough investment in training events & messages in Church. I am grateful to those churches which value my material AND who want to see their leadership and congregations better equipped and empowered in personal growth & service to others!

SPEAKING IN SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND BIBLE COLLEGES WAS A BIG PRIORITY in 2008…adding it up makes that point:  I spoke in 16 major schools around the world, and for several denominations. I spoke for a variety of schools : Universities & Liberal Arts Colleges; Denominational Bible Colleges; Schools for Missions Training, Leadership & Ministry Training and schools for the Creative Arts: courses, chapels, special events--it is a great joy to be able to take what I’ve learned in my nearly 3 decades of personal and professional journey, and pass that on to the next generation of emerging leadership!    I am grateful to all those schools which allow my ministry to serve their students—giving students the edge in dealing with their own humanity, and better preparing them to disciple others & reflect God with greater relevance in our world!

INVESTING IN LEADERSHIP: In addition to the schools mentioned above, I conducted more specific pastoral care training in 12 ‘SySeminar’ Events in 10 cities on 4 continents.  Highlights included the Elim International Conference in the UK where I was one of the Keynotes (along with Tommy Barnett as well); Over 600 pastors from churches throughout the UK and Europe attended my daily training which invested 12 hours over the week—it would’ve taken years to get to all the church leadership represented in this one strategic event! 

In addition to Leadership Training, I was privileged to speak in several    conferences & retreats such as the international SISTAS Conference in Auckland New Zealand hosted by LIFE—an awesome event, as was the 35th Anniversary ‘Hearts Aflame’ Conference for Eagles Communications in Singapore, and  leadership teams from over 40 churches attended my 2 day event in the most historic church campus in Bangkok in July.  Poland and Netherlands also hosted leadership training events for my ministry, and are scheduled to do so again in 2009.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES  included several interviews for various magazines including ALIVE (Australia), LIFE, (New Zealand), DIRECTION (UK), and VANTAGE POINT (Singapore).  I also had the opportunity to appear with a team of dynamic pastors on TBN’s global broadcast.

PERSONALLY TOO:  We don’t take for granted ALL YOUR PRAYERS which undoubtedly paved the way for safe travel, responsiveness to my ministry, and which kept me and my family in the grace of God in spite of all the stresses with our lifestyle & ministry--THANK YOU for your prayers indeed!

Karen & I celebrated our 26th Wedding Anniversary back in New Zealand with dear friends there.  We also traveled a good bit together in the year, and also enjoyed a personal family trip to Rome, Naples and Pompeii. In addition to the glorious climate & food & history, here are a couple of observations:

Viva La VATICAN: saw the Pope up close; at the time we were there, so was a huge throng of college age young adults—they were celebrating their Faith—their surrender to God & recognition of Jesus as Saviour; thousands of them from around the world, unashamed & joyful—if you’ve never seen such a thing, you need to!

POMPEII Prophetic Pondering:  while doing the tourist stroll through the famously preserved ruins of the city, I came upon the Forum, or city center where thousands conducted daily business with deadly Mt. Vesuvius in the background. What a prophetic moment: there, in everyday life, shopping, catching up with friends—just beyond the busy-ness & throng, was quiet Vesuvius. Its lush gentle slopes were a constant fixture in the city’s scenery. No one then, in this Roman ‘Miami Beach’ would have guessed that they lived under the shadow of that which would doom them suddenly one August afternoon in AD79.

BIG BUS BIG VIEW: Finally: as a big fan of commercial aviation (which is a good thing considering I commute to work on planes), I was thrilled to get to fly onboard the new  Airbus megajet: the A380, enroute from Singapore to Sydney—this was only the 4th such aircraft in service at the time! Bigger than a 747, and with two full decks of passenger seating, this new jet redefines comfort and efficiency in air travel.  Awesome!    Even bigger was the natural wonder of Nature: Ministry mates of mine from Albuquerque NM took me on a hike up 8000 ft—glorious & thanks guys!

AND NOW... NEWS FOR  2009:

I WILL—God Willing--CELEBRATE MY 29TH YEAR IN FULL TIME MINISTRY in July:  which is a testament to God’s faithfulness to me, my family and the audiences I’ve been privileged to serve across the USA and in 32 destinations in Australia & New Zealand, 18 cities in Asia, 42 cities in Europe, 6 cities in Africa, 6 in Canada & 27 cities in Latin America & the Caribbean—and many of them over & over again, on countless flights, making wonderful friends & seeing God at work outside my own backyard—Thank You Lord!!

I HAVE RELEASED A NEW ALBUM at Last—Due to YOUR requests, thank you:  Entitled ‘Recollection’, this is a compilation album featuring 19 songs from previous albums.  Recollection is a review of some of my favorites, and it’s a fair representation of my music which I trust you’ll enjoy. You can get it at my events or order off my this website. Play it louder!

DON’T FORGET: NEW MESSAGES will also available  this year.

I AM SCHEDULED TO SERVE this year: Several USA destinations and 10 nations on 5 continents—all potentially wonderful opportunities (please click to see my schedule page).  Lord willing this will transpire. However, the world economy is fragile, as is much of the aviation industry especially. Add the threat of increasing fascism & security risks at home and abroad—you can appreciate why I so value your prayers, and never take for granted what it is that I do.  Jesus said ‘work while it is yet day, for the night will fall when no man works’.  We may be in that final sunset of opportunity, which is why my wife and I have been so committed to ‘making hay for the Kingdom while the sun yet shines’…who but God knows what 2009 will bring—but one need not be a rocket scientist or a prophet to see several storms brewing. Are YOU ready?

I HAVE MEDIA INTERVIEWS:  If it’s of interest, check out my new interviews with these publications for 2009:  The Pentacostal Evangel (08Feb09), and Enrichment Leadership Journal (Summer09).

IT TAKES A TEAM: In light of these events, I must say THANK YOU to the many people who have worked so hard behind the scenes to enable my opportunities—from my product  team & management & travel agent, to the organizers & administrators & tech teams who serve me week by week: I am indebted!  I am so thankful to those leaders who have entrusted their pulpits  to me, and to those who have advised and encouraged and corrected my path. Thank you especially to my friends and family : I am grateful for your love, loyalty and support!

At the end of the day, all these items mentioned are not about me and all my busy running around. It’s really all about GOD working in and through people. That’s all that matters…not the travel or the various events, but the whole point such efforts reflect: God drawing people to Himself through Christ.  Will you draw nearer to Him in 2009? That’s my need--and my prayer for you too!

Very gratefully,
Sy