Winter 1988
Dear Banner Family,

This is the 21st year of operation for Pinecrest. In this respect, Pinecrest has come to the age of maturity.

This means that more should be expected of Pinecrest. With this in mind, I am going through a time of serious heart-searching. First, to be sure that I have learned all that I should, from both the victories and the short-comings of Pinecrest as it has grown. Second, to be sure that I am leading Pinecrest towards the fulfillment of all that the Lord intended in bringing it into being. And thirdly, I am looking to the Lord for an increase in His enabling grace and wisdom, that I might rightly relate to this increasing responsibility.

As I continue to look to the Lord, I am challenged by three different aspects of the life and ministry of John the Baptist. These seem comparable to the calling and purpose of Pinecrest. I greatly desire that these qualities, as seen in John, will be found in my life and ministry, and in the ministry of Pinecrest Bible Training Center.

First. John lived during a period of transition. A new Covenant, along with the Author of that Covenant, was about to be introduced. John was willing to be specifically led and disciplined by the Lord in order to be available to Him during this very critical time of need.

Second. John was so yielded to the Lord, that the Lord was able to freely express Himself through him. In a very critical hour, he became the "voice of one weeping" over the failure of Israel to fulfill the Covenant that had been given them. Yet John so powerfully expressed the very heart and mind of the Lord, that all of Judea was drawn out into the wilderness to hear what he had to say.

Third. At a very critical moment, when Jesus first came upon the scene, John was able to say something that had never been thought or spoken before, which was the very foundation of the purpose of the Lord. He recognized who Jesus was and said of Him, "Behold the Lamb of God."

In the critical day in which we live, there is an urgent need for these qualities to again be developed in and operate through a yielded and obedient witness. This anointed ministry must be very sensitive to the heart of the Lord, yet be able to powerfully express His mind and purpose to our generation.

For an effective ministry such as this to become available to the Lord, there must be a specific, set apart place on the "backside of the desert" for its preparation. It is my intense desire that Pinecrest will be able to provide such an atmosphere, and have a part in the training of this present day "voice" for the Lord. In this sense, Pinecrest is unique as a Bible Training Center.

The student body is accepting this challenge. Your prayer support is needed that these young lives may be prepared, as John was. Then at the crucial moment, a voice will be available to the Lord through whom He will be able to speak a present word, as He did through John.

There is a critical financial need at Pinecrest. Your financial support is urgently needed to help in the cost of training this ministry as the Lord has directed. Also, there is a continuing financial need concerning the printing and mailing of the Banner.

Please, prayerfully consider sending a gift towards meeting these needs, andof becoming a regular supporter of this ministry. Your participation is very important and necessary that this ministry may fulfill its calling.

Thank you for your prayer support, and for your consideration of our financial need. Please continue to write to me. I deeply appreciate all of the letters that I receive. It is my prayer and desire to be a blessing to you.

In His Eternal Love,

Wade E Taylor