REPORT FOR 2002

To all the saints in Christ Jesus �  Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel
(Philippians 1:1-5).

Dear Friends:

As I make this year-end report, my heart is filled with rejoicing that I was not alone in my efforts to see revival come to the church across America and in other parts of the world!  First, I thank God for the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit.  Not once did He fail me throughout the year of 2002 as I ministered in 13 states and in the country of India, in thirteen Schools of Prayer, three pastoral conferences and three revival meetings.  In every case, He has been faithful to give to me the rhema Word for the people!

The apostle Paul was grateful to the Philippians for their �prayers� and to the Spirit for His �supply� (1:19).  I believe with the apostle that God has supplied my every need � whether spiritual, physical, emotional or financial � through your prayers.  Since Satan is determined to keep the church in ignorance or violation of prayer, he is bent on destroying those who would train awakened believers in militant intercession.  So when I go to prayer against evil rulers of the unseen world and come against wicked spirits sent to deceive and distract the church, I thank God for the mighty company of intercessors who are upholding me and entering this battle with me.  In all humility and honesty, I can say that never in my 55 years of preaching the Gospel have I experienced the degree of anointing that I sensed throughout the year of 2002!  To God be the glory and to each of you my deeply felt thanks for partnering with me in this revival ministry.

In addition to the preaching and teaching ministry, we have continued the daily radio ministry, A WORD ON REVIVAL.  Our web site ministry at www.crmin.org is attracting people all over the world and their comments are encouraging.  The Big Sky House of Prayer continues to operate three times each week in downtown Bozeman, Montana.  We regret that Matt & Lisa Weaver no longer represent us in Southwest Montana, but we love and pray for them as they see the will of the Lord for their lives.  The Books & Tapes ministry is going well, and we�ll soon be working with a new edition of the School of Prayer workbook.   We were able to trade in our 1994 ministry car with 206,890 miles on it for a 1999 model with 45,879 miles.  How grateful we are to the Lord for Rachel Kuhn�s efficient operation of our Dothan office!  We must never take this gifted and dedicated woman for granted.  God has provided faithful and dedicated men and women who make up the Board of Directors for Christian Renewal Ministries.  We regretted the resignations of Greg & Rena Donaldson last year as they went on to engage in other ministries, but we are thankful for Dave & Marilyn Bos, Gail & Betty Fremont, Duncan & Susan Hill and Kyle & Vanessa McMurray, who meet three or four times each year to hear reports on the ministries, review income and expenses, consider together what God is saying to us about these ministries and to pray together for the Spirit�s anointing for as long as He wants these ministries to continue.  Paula Butterfield is a member of our board, but because of her location in Pennsylvania, she is seldom in our meetings.  All of these have served so freely and sacrificially, and I know the Lord will reward them generously in that Day.

Please allow me to list several things that I would urge our prayer partners to take seriously to the Throne of Grace:

An increasing number of intercessors.  The average believer cannot imagine the satanic opposition against a ministry that probes the depths of human depravity for the purpose of proclaiming the remedy of the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit for forgiveness and cleansing and revival.  When there is true repentance on the part of professing Christians, there is empowerment for worship, holiness, intercession, witness and service.  Pray that God will multiply the number people who are committed to intercede for this ministry!

Direction from the Lord in scheduling meetings.  The enemy would get us into places where we would waste our time.  I need to know that I am in the center of God�s will in every assignment, so that I can expect His rhema Word for each situation.

Health and Safety.  According to my doctors, I believe I am in good health, despite my need to take medication for three conditions.  My wife Maxine seems to be in an improved state of health at this time.  At our ages, I believe we owe our physical strength to the grace of God and your prayers.

Big Sky House of Prayer in Bozeman.  Pray for a director, for needed representation in the Gallatin Valley, for land and funds to build the center for training militant prayer warriors in worshipful intercession for these last days.

The anointing of the Holy Spirit for prayer, study, preaching, teaching and writing.  We must be covered in prayer lest we violate, ignore or take this anointing for granted. When it is time to minister, I must guard against dependence on natural abilities and speak forth "in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (I Cor 2:1-5).  Prayer (mine and yours) is the price we must pay for this kind of anointing.

The financial needs of Christian Renewal Ministries.
I often pray, "Lord, is this ministry being carried out in a manner worthy of your blessing and the peoples' financial support?"  As I have prayed the prayer of Jabez "Oh, if you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me...� I realize that God is asking me to believe Him more and look to people less for what is needed to operate this ministry.  I am aware that most of you practice storehouse tithing (a tenth of your prosperity goes to your local church), and that is the way it should be.  Many of you invest in ministries beyond your local church.  Just let me tell you this; I believe the work I am engaged in is worthy of your financial investments and will in that Day be rewarded as "treasures laid up in heaven."  So please give careful attention to the enclosed commitment card.  It will mean a great deal to me personally to know that you are with me in my efforts to see revival come to the churches whether your card indicates a one-time gift or the pledge of a monthly amount given throughout 2003.

How I thank God for each and all of you!  Your partnership in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and calling the nations to prayer in preparation for the mighty revival God is going to give is deeply appreciated.  Please let me know your prayer request and may God give you and yours a holy holiday season. 

Sincerely,
James W. Tharp

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Revised: February 25, 2004.