"If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain... and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins... If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 NAS

Dear Friends,

This Scripture was the central theme of a sermon I heard just after Easter. It confirmed to me the absolute central truth of the Gospel that we are compelled to share to lost and hurting people across Australia. If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead then life is without meaning we are without Hope. But Jesus did rise from the dead and so we have hope. More than that, it is our calling, our duty and our privilege to give hope – right where it's needed.

I am thrilled that the Lord has enlisted you and me to be part of His plan to bring hope through UCB's growing media ministry. At the end of May we'll be running the first of our two planned on-air fundraisers for 2011 – The Hope Project. We are grateful for your past support and although it is over 12 months since your last donation I hope that you are able to help in one of the following ways.

1.Would you please pray with me for the thousands of listeners to Vision who, unlike yourself, have never invested in our ministry. As UCB continues to reach and minster to more people we need some of Vision's listeners to also become our partners in ministry.

2.Please help me with a special tax-deductible donation. $50, $500 or indeed any amount will make a huge difference.

3.Please prayerfully consider our invitation to become an Extra Mile Partner. Regular monthly giving helps us by providing a secure and stable financial base to cover our regular monthly operating expenses. I am praying that between now and the end of The Hope Project we will see 250 new Extra Mile Partners each commit to $1 a day ($31 a month).

After nearly two decades of being involved with Christian media, I am still amazed and blessed every time I hear a testimony of someone 'accidentally' tuning in to the radio or picking up one of our daily devotionals and receiving hope through a timely, personal word of encouragement.

It might be a truck-driver out on the road away from his family, a farmer ploughing his fields worrying if the harvest will pay his bills, a mother driving the kids to school worrying about her failing marriage and the security of her children, a father who has received the worst possible news from the doctor, or the widow crying herself to sleep as she faces the reality of the loss of her soul mate.

Can you tell me a more cost effective way of reaching all these people with the hope of the Gospel?

The Hope Project's theme is Giving Hope – Right Where It's Needed and it is appropriate that this year Vision reach the significant milestone of 500 relay services!

Our dream of Christian Radio and Media for Every Australian is rapidly becoming a reality because of the Lord's amazing grace and the tremendous blessing of your partnership.

What started out as a distant hopeful dream is now a significant part of our nation's Christian culture and heritage.

We couldn't and can't continue to do this without you as you pray for us, promote and speak well of us and – when able – support us with your regular, faithful financial support.

Every blessing to you in the Strong and Mighty name of Yeshua our coming King.

Ian Worby
CEO - UCB Australia

PS I look forward to your continued partnership and pray the Lord will bless you and encourage you as you serve Him in this practical way.