t's time for my annual report to readers concerning the Adventist Review's ministry to new believers. Just once a year I devote this page to telling you what has happened during the past year and to invite you to share in the program.

First, 30,000 new members in North America say thank you. Since we began this ministry in 1998 the Adventist Review has gone into the homes of more than 30,000 new families. Because many of these homes have more than one member, the total of those benefiting from this ministry is, of course, much more.

Many of these new believers have sent us a word of appreciation. On behalf of all these new members I want to express heartfelt thanks to all who have made this ministry possible.

My heart overflows as I think back on the Lord's leading and goodness in this venture. I recall its origin: As the big Net '98 evangelistic thrust was being planned, we at the Adventist Review office were excited and praying along with thousands of others. We gladly carried news and information about the campaign, but we felt a burden to get more directly involved. With all the effort being put into bringing new members into the Adventist Church, where was the plan to keep them in the church after baptism? And we dreamed about putting the Review into the hands of these new brothers and sisters each week for a year to build them up in Jesus and the Adventist faith.

Every church leader we talked to encouraged us to go ahead, but no funds were available. After much prayer we decided to do something new-to invite our readers to assist us in making it happen.

So I wrote a one-page editorial message explaining the plan. It went out through the mail, and we waited. And waited. Nothing came in for about 10 days, and then a couple of responses arrived. And then more, and more, until scores of letters came with each day's mail.

What moved me most of all, moved me profoundly, were the notes and letters that accompanied the checks. Over and over the people thanked us for giving them an opportunity to have a part in a ministry that was so clearly of the Lord's devising. The size of the checks didn't really matter (they ranged from $2 to $7,000)-it was the spirit of love and sacrifice that they breathed. A sister existing on Social Security sent a small check, adding a note of regret that she could not give more. Another sister signed over her Christmas bonus to the project. A brother who sent a very large check encouraged us to let him know about any new projects so he could consider helping with them.

That project was a turning point for me and the entire Adventist Review staff. Since then we have launched a series of new ventures in response to requests from our members: the Web site and Online Edition, which now registers nearly 1.8 million hits each month from 106 countries; "Hope in a Time of Despair," the ministry to families of the victims of September 11; and KidsView, the new edition of the Adventist Review for children.

All these ministries are self-funded. We have learned lessons of looking to the Lord and waiting on Him, confident that if He wants a ministry to succeed, He will supply the funding.

Dear friends, I cannot begin to describe the difference this has made to my Christian walk and to the life of the Adventist Review office. We had always prayed together, but now we pray out of an experience with our Lord who supplies all our needs according to His riches in Jesus Christ.

My colleagues and I believe in the power of example. One editor, along with spouse, made a donation that enabled KidsView to get off the ground. Noelene and I continue to support the new believers' ministry. As before, we will write a check for $1,000 right now and follow up with another $1,000 in the spring. We also donate all royalties from Glimpses of Grace to this ministry.

Please keep the new believers' ministry in your prayers. Pray that the weekly Review will nurture and strengthen them in faith, hope, and love. And if the Lord touches your heart, join us in the joy of supporting this ministry. I know you will, and thank you already.

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William G. Johnsson is the editor of the Adventist Review.