Since its inception in January 1978, EMOS has sought to work through churches and believers in America and overseas. We collaborate with and are advised by scholars, reference librarians, and publishers, in a continuing effort to keep abreast of the latest evangelical scholarship, whether the task is a series of Bible studies, a sermon, or a research request entailing several months or years of exploration.

      The major expense in carrying out this kind of ministry is the maintenance and development of a small-scale, but solid, biblical and theological research library (81.7% of the annual budget). All EMOS’ ministries are based on and grow out of the library, even though they make up only 18.3% of the budget. Thus, the library is the main expense, and without it we could not engage in the kind of ministries for which EMOS was founded and is regularly sought out.

      We anticipate ending 2007 with a budget deficit. The 2008 budget has already been set at $60,000, the same as the 2007 budget. Due to the continuing budget deficit this year, EMOS’ Board of Directors decided not to add the anticipated cost increases for 2008. Thus, next year, ideally, we will need to exceed the budget in order to maintain all current ministries.

      Cutting all the ministries except preaching and teaching two or three studies annually, would not greatly impact the budget. However, reducing the library expenses just 10% would definitely impact the budget, but it would also significantly lower the caliber and kind of teaching, publishing, and other ministries EMOS seeks to provide. Further, we would no longer be in a position to fulfill the purpose for which this ministry was founded almost thirty years ago.

      Plans for the extension of the library continue to be made. The need for accurate planning and specifications now will allow the later development of the library to move forward without any difficulty. While the EMOS library is not a major entity as far as libraries go, planning, maintaining, and expanding a library this size demands attention to seemingly minor details.

      If, as we anticipate, we end 2007 with a budget deficit, EMOS’ board of directors will determine to what extent the deficit can be made up, or whether more decisive action should to be taken. We ask for your continued prayers and express our thanks again for the spiritual and financial support of EMOS Patrons past and present.

      If you are not an EMOS Patron (contributor) and do not want to remain on our mailing list, please contact us ASAP (cwmartin1@alltel.net). The board may decide to purge the mailing list in 2008. Non-contributors can remain on the mailing list and receive all mailings simply by notifying us.

      EMOS will close its financial books for 2007 on Thursday, January 3, 2008. Studies in Jonah will meet on January 3^rd and 31^st.