Taking on (what seems to be) the impossible challenge of fundraising, there is a mountain ahead of you that must be conquered. For me this mountain is $16,250. Looking from the bottom of this mountain it is huge and I know I cannot reach the top by myself. But Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20) and I believe what Jesus says.
As I put ALL my faith in Him the mountain is surely moving.
I know that I serve a God that is bigger than a money sign and I know he can move mountain figuratively and literally!! So I put all my faith in Him to reach this goal. Putting my faith in God is not a pass to sit around and wait for the $16,250 to just magically pop into my account (I know He could do it if He wanted to) but God designed us to work (Genesis 2:15) and He will reward that work. So I knew going into fundraising that I would have to work and I am willing to work because I know it will not be in vain.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
My first fundraising event was a 5K Race and Family Fun Run in my hometown. I thought it would be a great way to get the community involved and people able to help out in a active way! So I got together with my sister and we began to make things happen! We set a date and made the flyers.
Then came the humbling part! I went business to business asking for support for the race. It took a lot to be willing to open and ask for help and money. Each business I went to I gave them the opportunity to become a sponsor of the race. The sponsorship also benefited their business because they could advertise at the race and get a spot of the T-shirt. But, it became discouraging because no businesses were positively responding and on the other side of things we had no people signed up for the race.
I had to come to the realization that whether the race was successful or not, in terms of money raised, God was still good and if His will was for me to go on this mission trip He would provide the money someway. But regardless, I was going to praise him and keep working hard to the end. As I kept asking businesses and kept advertising, my sister was also working hard to get people involved at the gym where she works.
One of the ladies that works out with her agreed to become my first business sponsor but not just any sponsor a platinum sponsor! She gave $1,000 and she did not even know me!!! After the business support started to come like I never expected! It was crazy, places began to give me $100 right on the spot. They did not even care about advertisement for them, they just wanted to help out. It was such a blessing. Then we had another Platinum sponsor and other big sponsors stepped up and gave.
God didn’t just sprinkle his love and approval over the 5K it was a monsoon of his grace and presence.
There was no reason to be worried or anxious, because my faith was in the God of provision and the creator of everything. His downpour did not stop with business sponsorship. Race day came and we ended up having over 100 people there for the 5k and Family fun run. It was such a awesome day. The weather was perfect and everything ran smoothly. God blessed the race beyond my wildest dreams. I know that the work was not in vain and that is exactly how He designed it to be. The race ended up bringing in right at $6,000!!!!! My community was so willing I can see Jesus all in them. I know His kingdom is being lived out in Jesup, GA.
So I will continue to work and I know God will continue to move the mountain and pour out his grace. I am planning a yard sale and bake sale for Saturday November 9th. If you can’t come out that day please consider giving! Thank You!
