Dear Friends and Family,

          As many of you know, I am currently in Redding, California at a school called Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. The school is focused on empowering people, young and old, to be world changers for Christ. While it’s not an accredited school, the teaching that I’m receiving by being out here is worth much more than any amount of money I’ve paid to be able to attend. The first-year program that I’m currently involved in is primarily focused on solidifying identity as sons and daughters of God, and then equipping people to change culture, both nationally and worldwide, for Christ by living as Christ lived.
          For me, this year has been about identity, and I’ve come to realize that the majority of problems I face, both internally or externally, can be changed for the better if I have a right view of myself, and a right view of who God is and the way he works in my life. I’ve found the saying “life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react” to actually be quite accurate. One very critical thing that I’ve been learning is my own worth. For one of the first times in my life, I’ve started to realize that my opinions and feelings are valuable and important. I’ve begun to realize that I actually have a lot to offer, and that I’m a likeable person – which is incredibly empowering and exciting.
          As I mentioned before, Bethel is very focused on empowering people to change the world. One of the ways that this is reinforced is through missions. What good is learning stuff if you never put it into practice? As part of my year, I have been given the privilege of going on a missions trip to Krasnoyarsk, the capital of Siberia, Russia at the end of March 

My trip description:

One of Bethel’s mandates is to influence cities and nations in revival. We will travel to Krasnoyarsk, the capital of Siberia. There, we will be partnering with a bible college, teaching, imparting, and invading the city and churches for Christ. On this trip we will have an opportunity to apply what we’ve learned in intercession, teaching, worship, healing, the prophetic, sozo (inner healing), and street ministry. We will be preparing many opportunities for passion and fire for God to be lit, and spread through Russia. With the openness and hunger there, we will have the chance to realize who we are and how we have a part in what God is doing in the Nations!

          Now, why all the way across the globe? As Bethel International (the organization I’m going through) puts it:

“Our heart and passion here at Bethel International is to raise up a generation of world changers that will be known simply for their reckless abandonment to see that Jesus is Lord in all the nations. As we are building relationships with various regions around the world one of the main goals that we have is to make the nations look like geniuses. Our strategy is go to and raise up influencers in their own nations so they begin to run with the inheritance that God has given them to transform their nation. All of our Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry trips are partnered with Bethel International’s vision for transforming nations.”

          I’m writing to you all to ask for two things, financial support and prayer. I’m asking for you to partner with me, and with what the Lord is doing in my life, to support me in this trip. The total cost of the trip is about $2,900. This far, I have approximately $300. Which means I have a long way to go financially speaking. I have a deadline of about $1,500 on the 17th of January (so in many ways, this letter is a bit last minute). My final deadline for all of my money is on the 24th of February. If it were at all possible, a donation of any amount, even a few dollars, would be greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductable, which I’ll provide more information about later on.
          If financial giving is not an option, which I completely understand, I would greatly appreciate you partnering in prayer with me for this trip. Prayer is critical to the success of our trip – both for safety and for the level of effectiveness we have on the region we will be visiting. Pray for safety for our team; flying there, getting into the country, our time with the people, and our return home. Also pray that the people’s hearts would be sensitive to what God is doing, and that our words would fall on open ears.
          Thank you so much for taking time to read this letter and consider partnering with me in what God is doing in my life. Thank you for being involved in my life as well, because without you, I certainly would not be where I am today. If you’d like to contact me with questions about my trip or my life, or if you have a prayer request for me, or even if you’d just like to say ‘hi’ and connect, you can email me at paul.arend@usfamily.net or shoot me a message on Facebook.

            Much love from California!

                              Paul Christopher Arend

Financial gifts may be made online at ibssm.org. This gift is tax-deductible and you will receive a statement at the end of the year for your tax records. If you wish your gift to be anonymous, please check the anonymous box. This will allow you to receive an end of year statement, but will not allow the student to see your name. This gift is non-refundable, and if for any reason a team member or team does not go, the money will support another mission trip sponsored by Bethel Church.

(If online payment is not an option, check donations can be made payable to Bethel Church and mailed to the following address: Bethel International -  915 Twin View Blvd.  Redding, CA 96003.   Please include a note with the donation designating which student’s trip you are supporting).