This letter is republished with permission from the Christmas 2002 mailing Rev. Richard Del Rio sent to the Partners and Friends of Abounding Grace Ministries. Rev. Del Rio is a co-founder of Xcel and serves as senior pastor of Abounding Grace.

December 17, 2002

Dear Partners and Friends:

Another year of service has come and gone. As we reflect on the miracle of Christ's birth and the regeneration that the past year has brought us, we at Abounding Grace do so with abundant joy. In 2002, we celebrated 20 years of ministry and ten years as a church. We had the privilege of collaborating on dozens of 9/11 initiatives and co-founding the Northeast Clergy Group, a regional association of 250 evangelical ministers that crosses denominational, geographic, and racial lines. We were intimately involved in two historic, citywide events: the Call NYC at Flushing Meadows in June and the Tribute to Grace and Hope at Madison Square Garden on the anniversary of 9/11. We watched our youth, men's, and women's ministries double their impact. We hosted over 1,000 short-term missionaries. We added a second Sunday worship service and are in process of launching community care groups. God has been so good to us, and for this we offer thanksgiving, worship, and praise.

We are also grateful for the wonderful support you, our partners and friends, have shown over the year. Although little of the billions of dollars that poured into the City after 9/11 actually reached the ministry, your generous giving and prayers have fueled the miraculous expansion of our borders and the multiplication of our services.

In anticipation of the New Year, I want to appeal to you on behalf of the "Silent Victims" of 9/11: the one million students in New York City's public schools. This past May, a Board of Education survey found that 87% of students between grades 4-12 had experienced psychological trauma six months after the attacks. This translates to 870,000 students - nine out of ten kids - citywide. Now more than ever, we have had to embrace Christ's heart for the children of our City - not just church kids, but kids from families who would never darken the doors of our church as well. We have needed to ache when they ache, rejoice when they rejoice, and comfort when they need comfort.

We thank God that He has prepared us for this day. I have enclosed for your consideration the holiday issue of Xcel Today, which profiles two of the ministries that are dearest to our hearts: Generation Xcel and YW8? (Why Wait?) Youth Ministries, which collectively serve children from 8-19 years of age. As you reflect on how you will celebrate this Christmas, the gifts you will give as well as those you will receive, please consider a generous contribution to our children, or a missions pledge for 2003.

Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to visit the website, www.generationxcel.com, or to call us at 212-673-XCEL any time.

On behalf of the pastoral staff of Abounding Grace, our church family, my wife and children, and grandson, we pray that you experience God's best this Christmas and throughout the New Year.

In His Service,

Rev. Richard Del Rio