I am the Lord’s servant; may it happen to me as you have said. Luke 1:38

This was Mary’s response to the angel when she was told she would bear the Son of God. We have recently come through the Easter season, and Jesus’ birth and death have been on my mind. I have thought a lot about Mary’s willingness to follow God into the unknown. What she knew about her culture and how she’d probably be treated would have been enough to cause most people to take a hard pass. Yet, Mary said “yes.”

Almost 23 years ago, I was given the opportunity to be part of a pastoral team. I said “yes.” The challenges I have faced over the years cannot be compared to what Mary endured. Still as a woman, the road has not always been easy. But the hurt pales in comparison to the joy, the excitement, the sense of purpose and meaning my life has had. Having a front row seat to how God has worked, not only in my life but in the lives of others, has expanded my understanding of his nature and grown my faith in ways I didn’t think possible.

If Mary had a do over, I have no doubt she would still have said “yes.” And I would too. Living in the culture of the kingdom of God begins with a “yes.” Then it’s followed by the willingness to go wherever and however God leads. The road will not always be easy, sometimes the unknown is a little scary, but the result will be a life worth living.

Prayer
Lord, help us all have the attitude of Mary, recognizing that we are first your servant. Then give us the willingness to lay down our lives and say “yes” to whatever you ask. Amen.

By Debby Bailey, Pastor
Pikeville, Kentucky, U.S.

Asking people for money is giving them the opportunity to put their resources at the disposal of the Kingdom. To raise funds is to offer people the chance to invest what they have in the work of God. Whether they have much or little is not as important as the possibility of making their money available to God. A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nowen, page 25

Fundraising is one way that congregations can invite their neighbors to invest in the kingdom. The fundraising examples of the following three congregations are fun and creative. May it spark ideas for your community!

Cape Town, Republic of South Africa

The GCI Cape Town South congregation held a highly successful fundraising event. It was an evening of fun karaoke and line dancing. Everyone who participated seemed to be having a good time.

We are raising funds for a mid-year youth camp. Most of the youth who attend our congregation live in a financially challenged community. Our Youth Ministerial Leadership is determined to ensure that all the young people who attend services can attend the camp in October 2025.

The congregation, the Youth and Young Adults group, and the organizing team would like to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation and extend their sincere thanks to all who attended and donated. The event was well supported by congregation members, family, and friends. Many enthusiastically requested another event and pledged their support for the next one.

By Virginia Young Weber
Cape Town, Republic of South Africa

Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Once a month during warm months (May to October), the GC Cincinnati congregation hosts a community yard sale. They call it “Sell Your Stuff,” and everyone is welcome to buy or sell. If a seller doesn’t have their own tables, they may rent a table from the congregation for $5. They make this request of the sellers: When you’re done for the day, we ask that you donate 10% of what you sell to the church. [Sell nothing, you owe nothing!]

GC Cincinnati also hosts the Westside Women’s Paddle Auction once a month. The proceeds of this fundraiser are used to serve their neighborhood. They select a different worthy cause or need each month. For example, one month the fundraiser was to help a neighbor pay for cancer treatment.

The doors for the fundraiser open to the public on a Thursday evening. Participants can enter a raffle to win a basket or bid on items valued at $10 -$75. Items include new products from local marketers of cosmetics, jewelry, kitchen gadgets, food storage, scented candles and soaps, eco-friendly cleaning products, sauces and seasonings, and more. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Surrey Hills, Oklahoma, US

On one occasion, GC Surrey Hills partnered with a local Italian ice shop to fundraise. Some retailers offer to donate a portion of sales on a specific day or during a set period for a worthy cause or nonprofit. An in-store fundraiser can benefit both the congregation and business.

A congregation could raise a significant amount of funds while also enjoying a social event managed primarily by the retailer. For businesses, in-store fundraisers are a low-cost way to demonstrate that they care about the community. It’s a chance for the business to increase their sales and visibility and to gain new customers. It’s a win-win!

See the flyer below for details about GC Surrey Hills’ Clothing Swap fundraiser. Clothing swaps are another low-stake event that serves the neighborhood and raises funds.

Citizens of God’s kingdom believe that where their treasure is, there their hearts will be also. They do not store up treasure for themselves on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). And through fundraising efforts, they invite others to live generously as well.

Fund-raising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek to raise funds we are not saying, “Please, could you help us out because lately it’s been hard.” Rather, we are declaring, “We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you—your energy, your prayers, and your money—in this work to which God has called us.” A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nowen, page 3

We invite you to read below an excerpt from Greg’s 2016 article, Our Calling to be Fundraisers

When it comes to fundraising, there is a problem: most of us don’t like to talk about money! But are we aware that money is Jesus’ second most talked-about topic in the Gospels? (The first is the kingdom of God.) I’m sure you’re aware that the Bible calls the love of money “a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), but do you know it also calls money “the answer for everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19)?

Like most of you reading this, I learned quickly that it takes money to do ministry. Knowing I was called to do ministry, I gradually learned to become comfortable talking about money. I encourage you to do the same.

Understand the importance of “WHY”

Every congregation and ministry need a clear understanding of the “why” of their calling. Every leader then needs to cast and recast a clear and compelling vision that addresses that “why.” The greater the clarity of that vision, the easier it will be to know where and how to expend ministry resources (treasure, time, and talent).

Knowing why we do what we do in ministry makes it much easier for us to ask others to participate through giving.

I have a question for you: If Jesus looked to you as one of his disciples, and said, “Go get a colt,” or “Go secure an upper room where we can share the Passover meal,” would you be able to make it happen? As a pastor or ministry leader in the 21st century, fundraising is a skill that is very much necessary in order to be active in the ministry that Jesus is doing. Fundraising involves securing the resources that are necessary to do what God has called you to do in your community. Surveying the congregation to know who your members know (their existing networks) is a good place to start. Couple that with crafting a clear vision, and you are well on your way to reaching out and giving others opportunity to participate with you in what God is doing in and through your church or ministry.

Would you like to learn more about fundraising? A good place to begin is to read The Spirituality of Fundraising in which author Henri Nouwen points out that fundraising is more about asking someone to participate than asking them to contribute.

By Greg Williams, President
Steele Creek, NC, US