This is a picture of
The Oasis Restaurant in Austin, Texas. It's a huge restaurant for which you can't tell in this picture but your welcome to visit their site to get the big picture. Let me explain why you should care below.
In 15 years of student ministry I have usually been given a budget with line items for income and expenses. I have had small budgets and large budgets over the years and it's something that you adapt to and run with using creativity and resourcefulness no matter how much you oversee.
At Gateway there is one difference. I am given a base amount for an operating budget. It's designed to cover the core basics but would never seed big dollar item movements for the future or the extras. This by no means is meant to hinder or slow the Uprising down. Instead, I am allowed to raise funds once a year for needs beyond our core operations.
The "half empty" would feel pain in the thought of having to raise additional money for camp scholarships, equipment, conferences, and ministry elements but the "half full" see it as an unbelievable opportunity. My friends in
Younglife do this year in and year out. They not only raise funds for the operating budget but also raise funds for the salaries of their area directors and staff. I had the privilege of attending two banquets and the magic of the banquet outside of trusting God and partnering with people for resources is that people get to hear stories and see kids faces that they would never normally get to hear. The vision of loving students and the opportunity to talk about the future is an incredible gift. It thrills me to know that I get to tell a room full of 200-225 church and community leaders about
the Uprising.
This is no spaghetti dinner. We are praying for those who have the heart and the means to give. Having banquet at the top of the Oasis is not cheap. But over an incredible meal at a beautiful place with wonderful stories and our own pastor, John Burke, sharing the importance of our ministry I am trusting God that he will provide.
I am getting nervous, excited, and anxious for this beautiful night to unfold. We have never done this before as a team or a ministry so please pray for us. I want us to raise at least $17,000 that night but I know it would be nothing for God to exceed that. I also want new people and fresh faces to know what God is doing and how they can pray for us. Lastly, I know that in a room that size there will be those who say I want to get on board and serve with your incredible team. Beyond that I am getting a chance to start a tradition and build a community of support around the Uprising who love to love kids. Please pray.
What will you do with the money?
- Funding for interns (If additional money is given)
- add additional production lighting for middle school and high school areas
- Equip the potential birthing of the next campus (If additional money is given)
Why does this matter?
- We are here to make Christ known to students and help them take their next step toward their God potential.
