Contact: Jon Hirst, Prasso Ministries, 719-362-5235, jhirst@dotheword.org 

GREENVILLE, SC, Nov. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Research from PriceGrabber.com suggests that people are doing more investigation online on their purchases (70% this year compared to 38% last year), spending less, and not including coworkers and acquaintances on their Christmas lists. Laura Baker, founder of Prasso Ministries sees something more at work here than budget tightening and cost cuts.

According to a Synovate study, people's perspective on money is changing. "Nearly 60 percent said they would try their best to keep a tight rein on their spending so that it doesn't go back to what it used to be before the downturn..."

Baker sees this as a sign of seeking, not unlike the Wise Men who traveled from afar to see Jesus. The problem Baker sees is that simply cutting costs won't bring meaning to anyone. She says, "Churches are doing more and more seminars on financial management, helping people get their finances under control. But churches need to help people seek and find the things that are truly valuable. Prasso can help with that goal."

Baker points out that the recession is the perfect opportunity to think about our identity and how we define ourselves. She says, "It's so easy to put our identity in what we own or what we are able to give to others. This Christmas we have an opportunity to remember that our identity is in Jesus and what He came to do by coming to earth. Prasso helps to put things in perspective."

Prasso Ministries is a non-profit, faith-based discipleship ministry committed to partnering with individuals in their Christian faith journey, helping them to establish wellbeing from a Biblical perspective. Prasso offers a twelve week study for those 18 years and older. The ministry was started in 1992 and has helped over 3500 men and women.

According to Baker, Prasso offers easy-to-access help to anyone throughout the United States interested in finding the hope and victory that comes from knowing God and daily practicing His Word in their lives. Baker recommends getting started by going online to www.myprasso.com and signing up for Prasso Passages, a free daily devotional sent to subscribers' inboxes. For more information about Prasso Ministries, you can contact Laura Baker at prasso@mindspring.com.