2011 was a year that afforded many great opportunities for ministry. I want to thank each of you for your prayers and financial support that makes this ministry possible.

Let me share just a brief recap.

I had the opportunity to conduct Annual Conference and District seminars for over 2,800 pastors and lay people. These were conducted in the following Annual Conferences: Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Western North Carolina, Florida, Memphis, Holston, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri East, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, North Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

I also led Pastors seminars for the General Baptists, multi-denominational seminars in Atlanta, North Carolina, Missouri, and Fresh Anointing Church of God in Christ in Montgomery.

I had the opportunity to preach 131 times in many United Methodist Churches and in churches of six other denominations. I had the privilege to preach in 7 African-American churches. As you can see, this required a lot of travel.

I had some interesting experiences speaking to groups outside of the church venue. I did a leadership seminar in Orlando, Florida for ALFA Insurance managers, Rural Electric Coop in Alabama, Prattville YMCA Leadership Board, had an opportunity to speak to the 1,200 public school teachers in Autauga County, Citizen of the Year banquet honoring Dr. Jack Hawkins, Hyundai Awards banquet, Vaughn Forest Baptist Church Wild Game Dinner, Troy Bank and Trust, STEP Foundation banquet, and several athletic teams.

I led seminars with selected Pastors from Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama Conferences. I lead a seminar for a Matrix Connection involving selected Pastors from across the United States.

In addition to these preaching, speaking, teaching opportunities, I have served as the Chairperson of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy, which has responsibility for the election and assignment of Bishops. I also have served as chairman of the Investments Committee for the United Methodist Publishing House Board. I have enjoyed serving on the Alabama Sports Commission. I have served at Frazer on the Vision Committee which has established a special project for transformation and revitalization in a special area in Montgomery.

I have continued to prepare and deliver a 2-minute devotional thought 5 days a week on WLWI, one of the largest radio stations in Central Alabama. I have also written a weekly blog. Several newspapers and magazines have picked up and used the blogs.

I had opportunities for pastoral functions as I officiated at 11 funerals and 13 weddings.

I have participated in writing and preparing resources for training Pastors in developing countries. I spent time in consulting with 5 churches.

I am greatly indebted to Linda Poole with whom I have worked for the past 15 years. She handles most of the administrative end of the ministry.

I am also blessed to have a wonderful Board of Directors who are very active. These Directors are Mike Henig, Gaeton Lorino, Mike Hutson, Harold Faulkner, Lucinda Cannon, Ken Love, Wilbur Hufham, Craig Coblentz and Steve Davidson. I would encourage you to go to the website (www.johnedmathison.org) and see more extensive biographical info about them.

To ensure financial accountability, we continue to belong to and abide by the stringent standards of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

The year 2012 has already presented some awesome opportunities for ministry and training. Please be praying that everyone connected with the John Ed Mathison Leadership Ministries will be faithful to God’s call and that each of us will be good stewards of the time, talent, and resources that God is providing.

Please pray bodaciously for this ministry.

For the Cause of causes,

John Ed Mathison