Thank you, to whatever degree, you believe these words. I desire no Love Lost in the venture of raising support for this mission. In fact, I deeply hope for a strengthening of our relationship and trust between us. I feel built, forged, designed, and called for this walk.
When, if, and after we discuss partnership in any way, please know that my heart is open to any and all responses with no expectation. I don’t mean to pressure or persuade, but to excite and invite. I believe God wants to partner with you in the ways you are uniquely designed to Love the World. We are all on a generosity journey of our time, talents, and treasures. If you are called to partner on this mission, great, let’s do this! If not, Great! I’m grateful for however you are being led to Love. All dark corners of the world need the light you have to share.
At first glance, this lifestyle is odd for nearly all of us. The first time my boss shared this employment model my spirit quickly said, “nope, not me, sorry, have fun with that.” Do you resonate?
However, since then, I’ve learned and unlearned some things. I’ve learned that our organization, Coalition of Care, at one time had 19 staff and partnering with 300+ folks. First-hand witnessing of how Coalition of Care has transformed people's lives and the community, man am I thankful for those courageous partners. I experienced a transformative 2-day bootcamp at Back2Back. They have 300+ staff supported by tens of thousands of partners from all over the world. The founder cried as we discussed the question… “what does it feel like to have an army like that at your back as you go into the hardest places on the planet to aid traumatized widows and orphans?” She responded, “it feels just like that, and when I went to the UN last year to testify about the power of the Church to heal, that is what I shared. It is in our cultural DNA to support and love out of our being, we can do this. There are more than enough loving people who want to partner and give, they just need to be asked." Truly, only 10% of Christians have been personally asked to partner with a missionary, domestic or abroad.
A guy named Luke tells us that Jesus individually and intimately asked people to “follow me”. As his crew of men and women grew, they traveled through “every city and village” meeting and healing people... and they were supported by others. Jesus role-modeled humility, interdependence, and trust in God’s abundance. Jesus then asked 12 of his crew to go out “and take nothing with you”. Returning from an initially apprehensive adventure, they were more alive, transformed, and trusting than ever before. By trusting God through trusting others, they interwove their mission with intimate bonds of partnership. Then Jesus sent out 72 folks to do it again. And this train hasn’t stopped moving...
Today, over 400,000 folks are supported by millions of people. I'm joining the ranks. I was asked to drop my nets and take nothing with me. I believe I am called by God to embody a role through God-funding, which is partnership with others. God wants me to mobilize, at such a time as this... And I also believe that’s everyone’s story. We are all called to trust that we are fully known and fully loved and through that healing love, we allow the overflow to heal others.
Can you feel my thrill? Excitement? Hunger? Can you witness the trust I have that this will work out better than I can imagine or predict? I know I am being invited to transform through this process, to trust God’s Love even more.
Then, can you also believe my words when I say, “I don’t want your money”? I don't. I desire whatever God wants a partnership to be. I can’t “go into the pit” if some people aren’t cheerfully “holding the ropes”. And I believe others are ready to hold these ropes with me. They want more Life, Love, and Freedom to be unleashed in the dark corners of our communities - in the places of abandonment, rejection, grief, abuse, neglect, loneliness, and weariness. We all want to Be Loved and to Love. We all want to feel the light and give the light.
Mother Theresa was once asked by a senator “look at all the depravity here, do you think you’ve even made a difference?” Mother Theresa shook her head slightly and said, “Senator, I’m not called to be successful, I’m called to be faithful.” This is a faith walk for me. I believe through my faithfulness God will deliver the success of lives healed and transformed, but that’s not in my control. What is in control is to be faithful today, and today that means being invitational to you.
You and I have some kind of relationship. Whether we’ve connected once or a hundred times. I’ve pondered the “awkwardness effect” in regards to approaching each person. I’ve combed and prayed through each relationship. It will probably be a little awkward, but it really doesn’t have to be. After we meet, I’m simply inviting you to make an informed-decision of yes (in time, talent, or treasure) or no. And I’m grateful for both - partnership or the respect of honesty. Truly. No Love Lost.
So,
Whether you are a relative or stranger. Close-friend or distant acquaintance. Really old or really new relationship.
Whether you follow or don't believe. Rich or Poor. Close or far.
Whether you are old or young. Single or married. Spender or saver.
Relax, consult with God and/or yourself, say yes or no - and either is completely ok. I don’t want to offend you and you don’t want to offend me. We are all being invited into a grander story that goes beyond us - The Greatest Love Story in the Midst of the Fiercest War. Part of my story in this season is to present my heart and this mission, overturn rocks, and allow God to work in whatever way God wants to work. That’s it. I’m just being faithful and inviting others on the journey.
Thank you for reading, and again, to whatever degree you believe these words,
Paul
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