Hello all. As some of you know the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has called me on a mission for the next year (from August ‘05- August ’06) in the United Kingdom. I am of course very excited about this opportunity to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through service of others.
I am not sure as of yet where in the UK I’ll be going, but it is looking like I will be either working at a youth hostel or being a gopher for a pastor/priest over there. Then again until I actually get my assignment (which should happen within the next two weeks) I am trying not to speculate what I’ll be doing, or where I’ll be, because when I went for the Mission interview in Chicago I assumed I was going to end up in Kenya next year, not the island across the pond.
The mission trip will cost $8,700 dollars, of which the ELCA will pay $5,200. That means I need to raise $3,500. I can hear the groans now, Chris didn’t really want to tell us about what he’s doing next year, he just wants us to send money. Well, that’s partially true, as I do want to raise money for this trip, but that’s not all I want to raise. I also want to raise something else, prayers of support (or from the Atheists, Agnostics, and Buddhists I’m sending this to at least good thoughts).
Why am I asking for these things online? Well, for this fund-raiser I’ve decided I am going to try and be the Howard Dean of Christianity. I know what your thinking, you might as well get it out of your system now “We’re going to preach in England, We’re going to preach in Wales, We’re going to preach in Northern Ireland, We’re going to preach Scotland! YARRRGGGG!”
So what is it I’m asking of you? I am asking you to become involved with this mission I have been sent on. That may mean remembering me in your prayers, that may mean sending me letters once I have an address over there, and yes, that may mean sending money.
On the money end of things here’s how I’m imagining thing will go down. As a sign of good faith I will be tithing a minimum of 10% of the $3,500 myself. That brings the amount I need to raise down to $3,150. I’m sending this email out to about 100 of my friends and relatives. If all of you sent 10 dollars I would only need to raise 2,150 dollars more, and if all of you send 31 dollars and 50 cents a piece I would not need to raise any more money at all! 10 dollars is less than a dollar a month, $31.50 is $2.63 a month.
So, your mildly excited about this mission thing, maybe even kind of stoked. What do you do now?
1. Email me back- I am going to be compiling an email list of people to keep informed about the progression of my mission. Reply saying you want to be on the list (I promise they will be less frequent, not to mention less political, than the Dean for America emails). You should get an update at least once a month.
2. Pray for me- I have 5 weeks left of essays to write, books to read, and lectures to attend before graduation, then it is going to be a busy summer of getting ready to leave for the UK, and then an even busier year abroad. Any backup I can get is greatly appreciated.
3. Forward this on- I’m guessing at least someone I email this to knows of other people that would want to hear about my mission trip, maybe even help me raise funds. If you can think of anyone that fits the bill email this thing on to them, maybe add how you know me.
4. Send money- Send money to:
attn: Cynthia Shallenberger
Central Lutheran Church
1857 Potter Street
Eugene Oregon 97403-1366
And write “YAGM in the UK” on the memo line of the check, or if you send cash add a little note saying the same. (YAGM stands for Young Adults in Global Mission).
5. Send me letters- Once I know my address I’ll send it out in one of my emails. Sometime throughout the year, maybe a few sometimes if you are feeling ambitious, sit down for a few minutes and write a good old fashioned letter to me. I’ll try and at least reply with a post-card.
We have 92 days to raise 3,150 dollars. Not an insurmountable task. We can do this! We will do this!
Peace,
Chris
Mark 15:16, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 9:35, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all”
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