Fund raising—and giving—can be like pulling teeth! But when you pull them with a rocket, it’s a whole new experience!
Before we go any further, you need to watch the first part of this video—just the first minute and thirty seconds is enough! VIDEO
Let’s Start Talking traditionally has used September for special fund raising efforts. We call it our Month of Generous Giving. Most years, we are simply trying to make up budget deficits so that we can end our fiscal year in the black.
This year is special! LST has been given a huge gift—a kind of matching gift in a way. Last May, we were put on notice that we would have to vacate the office space that we have occupied for the last eleven years because the owners of our building were closing it.
While driving home in July, I noticed a “For Sale” sign in front of the Mid Cities Church building, so I called one of the elders to inquire. He told me they were selling their building for 1.26 million dollars—but that they really appreciated Let’s Start Talking and would sell it to us for much less.
On August 16, we signed a contract to purchase this building for just over 50% of the asking price. The leaders of that church gifted the ministry with a building worth twice as much as what we will pay for it.
What does this mean for LST?
- A nice new home in a central location with plenty of room to grow into the future!
- Our own large training and event area. The auditorium seats 250 and is attached to a large kitchen.
- More room for special uses like web conferences, recording/video studio, and continuous FriendSpeak usage.
- A strong financial asset.
It also means that we need to raise an additional $104,000 for our down payment this month!
Those of you who are very sharp will now see the connection between the video and fund raising. It’s only taken me four days to figure it out:
- The little boy had a big idea, but had to completely trust his father to accomplish it! I’m the kind of person who has lots of ideas—some that work and many that don’t—but it was a wonderful day in my life when I gave the burden of success over to God and learned that “the horse is made ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31)
- The boy had to push the button! The dad could have done everything, but he asked the boy to make the decision and push the button. God’s sovereignty does not make us Christians passive, as some would argue; rather, He has entrusted us to choose and to act upon those choices. We have signed this contract and made commitments, believing that our Father wanted us to push this button.
- The moment came suddenly! Even though the preparations were made and even though the boy had to push the button, the actual moment of launch and loss of the tooth were sudden and surprising! We were not even dreaming of purchasing in May, and our first inquiries with banks about financing were unanimously discouraging. This new building burst on the scene unexpectedly, and within days we not only were able to come to agreement with the selling church, but we had secured initial financing from a local banker. And now we are moving in on September 15!!
- I think I see first fear, then thrill in the little boy’s eyes! And I know how he feels. This may always be how people feel who are learning to walk with God. You may feel this way too when you think about a gift more generous than you have ever given before! It’s scary sometimes to walk with God—but the thrill will follow!
I don’t want to stretch this metaphorical essay too far. You certainly will have your own feelings about the video and what it says to you.
Let me just say that in this Month of Generous Giving at LST, we are blessed to receive not only the love and affection of thousands of people who make both large and small contributions, but each year, we are given a front row seat to watch and experience the goodness of God! He is the Giver of every good gift (James 1:17).
Fund raising—and giving—can be like pulling teeth! But when you pull them with a rocket, it’s a whole new experience!
If you would like to make a donation to help LST during our Month of Generous Giving, just click here DONATE.
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