Nine months ago when I decided to pursue mission work with The World Race, I was overwhelmed with fear. From missed opportunities and memories while I’m gone, to what work I’ll do when I come back- the worries were endless.
I’d be lying if I said those fears were gone. However, I have learned to better handle those fears by giving them over to God. By knowing that if I trust Him and obey Him that things will work out fine, I have significantly more peace. Now, whether his answers are in my own time and how I expect it or something drastically unsimilar, is a different story.
Strangely, one thing I was never really worried about was financing this trip. I’m not sure why, but it wasn’t what kept me up at night. I think that during this whole process God was more asking me to trust Him by taking this leap of saying “yes”, and that He would take care of the rest.
And He has.
But, to say it’s been difficult to talk about fundraising would be an understatement.
Asking for help in general is an ability that I lack. Asking for money is even worse; the thought alone makes me queasy. My pride encourages me to be self-sufficient. However, I believe that this struggle is something that God has been using to stretch me. To start getting me outside of my comfort zone before the trip begins. To bring others along with me on this journey to share the Gospel with the rest of the globe.
Because this isn’t my journey. It’s not my squad’s journey. This is our journey. To every one of you that has provided me financial support. From $5 to the thousands, you are just as much a part of this as I am.
It’s our journey as Christians to bring Jesus to the world. Whether that means your next door neighbor or a poverty stricken child in India. It doesn’t matter.
But, whichever journeys you’re a part of, you can add this one to your list. I thank you all, from the very depths of my heart. I can’t tell you all how much it means to have received not only your financial support, but your words of encouragement as well. This thank you is to everyone who is reading this blog and who has invested their time and/or money in helping me with this journey.
To those who haven’t decided to partner with me financially- I get it. There are many different causes I’m sure you’re a part of, and I don’t fault anyone who has committed their finances elsewhere. I’m legitimately just glad that you’re reading this blog and following along on this incredible journey to help reach the unreached people of the world.
BUT, hear me out. Will you consider becoming a one-time financial supporter for this trip?
I’m not asking you to help me travel. I could do that with the amount of my own personal money that’s gone into this entire process. I’m asking you to help spread the Love of Jesus to those in many nations. Many nations in which Jesus isn’t talked about at all, or worse, is forbidden. I’m asking you to contribute to the Kingdom of God. I’m asking you to invest in me and my mission “To understand the needs of the world and ensure that everyone around the globe has the availability to know and experience Jesus’ love for them”.
I’m asking you to take a leap of faith and trust that I, as well as the World Race, will steward your funds appropriately for the glory of God.
As I prepare to leave in just two short weeks, I aim to be fully funded by December 31. Currently, I am $3,500 away from my goal. While that is minuscule in comparison to the $18,200 that loomed before me when I began this process, it is still a sizable road block. Fundraising is something that I would prefer not to linger over my head during The World Race, and I believe that it won’t.
However, I need your help. If you feel led to be a part of the final push of supporters to help me reach the status of “Fully Funded” I would be beyond grateful.
For those of you trying to reduce your tax liability with charitable contributions HERE IS YOUR SOLUTION, a quick visit to my donation page “https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=Jon%20Baker&appeal_id=BAKERJON” is your one stop shop to lower those pesky taxes! For those of you less concerned about your taxes and solely focused on sharing the Good Word with those of many nations, the donation link above is completely acceptable, but so is a Venmo of any amount to @Jbaker.
Thank you all for your extreme generosity and kind words. It has meant the world to me.
Regardless of what you decide to do, I can’t wait to bring you all along on this journey to bring Jesus to world and better understand the hearts and struggles of the people of many nations on our planet.
-Jon
