DESIRING GOD MINISTRIES is one of the resource distribution arms
of Bethlehem Baptist Church. I say "one of them" because I see the
people of Bethlehem as the main "resource distribution arm" of the
church. Our main resource is the grace of God in our lives. The
primary means of distribution is telling the gospel of the glory of
Christ and loving people to show what Christ is like. This is how
we bless the city and the world. We point people to Christ, not to
ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:5) in whom are all the treasures of
wisdom and power and love forever. He is the greatest gift we can
give and the greatest good we can offer. "Distribution" is at the
heart of who we are. As the mission statement says, "We exist to
spread . . ."

DESIRING GOD MINISTRIES is part of this mission "to spread a
passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all
peoples." Its unique part in the process is

· the distribution of books and tapes,
· the hosting of a website where 20 years-worth of sermons
are available for free,
· the management of a pastors' conference for 900+
pastors,
· the development and distribution of a God-centered
children's curriculum, and
· the running a bookstore with "books by a bunch of dead
guys and a few live ones."

DG salts the evangelical landscape with the savor of Christian
Hedonism - the truth that God is most glorified in us when we are
most satisfied in him. Our perspective is not the only true one,
nor the only good one, nor the most important one. But it is, we
believe, a needed one. And we are happy to make our little
contribution to the diet of truth that the church needs to be
strong and healthy.

DG is at a remarkable juncture in its development. Here are some
of the most significant changes in the offing.

Location. With the impending demolition of the "old sanctuary"
and the "1914 building," DG will move its offices off site this
week (May 29-31). There is no place at Bethlehem to house this
growing ministry with its 11+ full-time employees. Remarkably God
opened a way for the ministry to move to the 9th floor of the Dain
Rauscher building downtown at Sixth and Marquette. Sounds pricy.
But the fact is we are getting what amounts to a 67% discount
because of being able to sublet from a company that had to back out
on its lease. We will be there for a year and look for something
more permanent during that time.

Leadership. With the growth of the ministry from a mom and pop
tape ministry (thanks to Olive and Arnie Nelson) to a two million
dollar distribution venture, the time seemed right for a
restructuring of leadership and organization. Therefore the DG
management board (appointed by the BBC elders) voted unanimously to
call Jeffrey Anderson to be the new Executive Director beginning
July 1. I was appointed CEO. Jon Bloom, who has led the ministry
for six incredible years of growth, will become Director of
International Offices, Publications, and Vision Partners
Development. Justin Taylor will become Director of Theological
Resources and Education and work closely with me in theological
research and editing. Scott Anderson is moving to Minneapolis this
week to assume the role of Director of Children's Desiring God,
with Jim Tomaszewski taking the role of Children's Desiring God
Customer Service Manager. Bill Walsh now serves as Director of
Operational Systems.

Pray that God would refine our hearts in all faith and gratitude
and lowliness and love, that he would keep us true to his
infallible Scripture, that he would use us to spread a passion for
Christ that magnifies him by making him known as the greatest
treasure in the universe to millions of people who esteem him
lightly, and that we would never cease to see and savor Jesus
Christ above all things.

Standing amazed with you,

Pastor John