A Note from Ann and Karissa
Downing Ministries Friends and Family,
Ann and I want to wish you all the merriest of Christmases and a New Year to match! It is often easier to see the ills of the world than to focus on the goodness and the blessings that are before us every day of our lives. We remind you, just as we must often remind ourselves, focusing on the goodness of God is a choice. That is not to say it’s an easy, effortless process. This fallen world makes it difficult, but isn’t that the very reason Christ came? Brand new hope dawned for us as that star rose over Bethlehem, and it reaches from the manger to wherever you are as you read this note.
I need to share some carefully worded news with you. Carefully worded so imaginations don’t run away with themselves. I know you understand. We, not unlike most of you, have had many hardships over the past few years… some beginning pre-COVID. With COVID came an entirely new set of difficulties that have continued in an on-going fashion since we were able to resume travel late last year. For those traveling as we do, COVID made the act of getting to and from any place quite complicated. In many parts of the country, gas stations and convenience stores, fast food establishments and sit-down restaurants are still operating on reduced schedules and aren’t open at all after 7:00 p.m. We’ve been caught needing fuel or a pit stop several times only to find the services unavailable because businesses were already closed for the day.
It is also no secret the world is not what it was in 1963 when Ann began her journey in Gospel music. For that matter, the world is not what it was in 2008 when I joined her and this incredible joint adventure began. If we were to add up the miles of just the two of us together, we’ve traveled enough to cross America 100+ times. We’ve worn out three vehicles, one key fob, two transmissions, two sets of brakes, and I don’t even know how many sets of tires. A lot. In it all, God is faithful and has protected us from some extremely dangerous situations that could have been far more traumatic and devastating.
Having been approached by several people we trust and who we know have only our best interest in mind (two of them in one day, each unbeknownst to the other), coupled with both the above and the fact that we both believe the Lord has been guiding us this direction, beginning in 2022, Downing Ministries will begin operating on a reduced travel schedule. Ann is not retiring. I am not leaving Downing Ministries. As far as we know, both of us check out well on the health front. We’re simply shifting some of our energy to developing the ministry’s online outreach and saving our bodies from the wear and tear we’ve both begun to experience these last few years. God always gives wise guidance. Ann and I along with friends, family, and fellow ministers agree that this is the wise decision for these times.
Dates previously schedule for 2022 will be honored. New dates will be booked but on a more limited basis. The Lord has promised His provision will make lessening the physical and mental stresses possible. One way He’s done that all along is by prompting brothers and sisters in Him to fill the gaps when we weren’t sure how the gap would ever be filled. This now becomes more important than ever. To those who have given faithfully from your storehouses, “thank you” just doesn’t say enough. You have allowed us to continue singing the Gospel story and pointing weary souls to Him as we go. A few of you have come along side and supported the mission monthly as members of our regular monthly giving family, The Barnabas Club.
With this shift toward broadening the ministry’s digital reach, we’re needing a few missing pieces to upgrade the audio quality of our “It Is What It Is…LIVE.” That’s Ann’s weekly livestream. Giving will allow me to remain a full-time employee of Downing Ministries as neither Ann nor I have felt released for me to seek full-time employment elsewhere. There are still newsletters to be written, a website to upkeep, ministry accounting reports to be assembled, and souls to be encouraged and won. No, our work is not over. In a sense, it’s only just begun.
As we begin to think of closing out 2021, I want to remind anyone who may be interested that Downing Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit organization. End of year giving is graciously appreciated. To our dear Barnabas Club family, if you desire to continue giving as you currently are, there’s no need to take any action, your automated giving (or giving we process for you) each month will continue as usual. If you are interested in learning more about becoming part of the Barnabas Club family of monthly givers, Ann or I either one will graciously answer your questions about that process. Occasional and/or one time gifts are just as appreciated and often fill holes at just the right moment. His way of doing all He does, sometimes it would be nice to know, but He’s wrapped Himself in mystery for a purpose which is what makes trust, belief, and hope such massive keys to ministry and walking with Christ in general. We are called in Christ to expect the impossible. As the Bible so plainly promises, He NEVER disappoints.
God bless us all as we move forward in our callings, prepare our hearts for the celebration of Emmanuel - God with us, look ahead to the fresh opportunity of a new start in a new year, and keep our eyes on that eastern sky. As The Downings so triumphantly sang, “Lift up your head… REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH.”
Thank you for allowing us to share with you in complete honesty.
Merry Christmas and Happy 2022!
Ann and Karissa
Downing Ministries
For those interested in learning more about joining the Barnabas Club family or how to make one time gifts, please visit www.anndowning.com/give Understanding that online transactions aren’t ideal for everyone, checks payable to Downing Ministries may be mailed to
Downing Ministries INC.
PO Box 767
Hendersonville, TN 37077