It is that time of year again, when Blessing Point makes a financial appeal to friends and family who believe in what we do. It is a request made by a host of ministries and nonprofit organizations across America. It’s likely that you’ve been bombarded with such requests already!
As I surveyed the requests for year-end gifts that have come my way, I wondered what motivates me to support the ministries I do. There are so many deserving works!
I think, for me, it is a matter of alignment, action, and attitude.
Alignment: Does the ministry or nonprofit in question align with the passions God has laid on my heart? Does it evoke my empathy and stimulate action? Is it work that I feel must be done? I may not be able to do it but someone must!
I have said more than once that I believe North American culture is in the condition that it is because the churches are in the condition that they are! It is so sad to hear about churches whose ministries are stymied by unhealed wounds and shackled by unforgiven sins. Blessing Point is about healing ministries with painful histories and restoring their “radiance” (Eph. 5:27). This enables them to become the salt and light their communities need!
If restoring the radiance of Christ’s Bride resonates with you, I hope you’ll respond by sending in a year-end gift.
Action: Is the ministry or nonprofit making a difference? Challenges come and go, of course, but is the ministry accomplishing something significant?
As I think back over a challenging year, I can’t help but recognize a theme among the ministries we served: racial healing within and among churches. Whether it was a racially-divided district that longed to heal old tensions, editing movie script about a church that overcame a prejudicial past, or working with a group of African-American saints who welcomed me into their midst, God is speaking into perhaps the most divisive issue our nation has faced. If He can heal that, and I believe he wants to, the Church may regain its voice in our culture.
If restoring the church’s voice in our culture is important to you, I hope you’ll respond by sending a generous end-of-year gift.
Attitude: For me, this is a big one. Is the ministry truly a ministry? Or is it a business dressed up like one? Is their year-end appeal the result of slick fundraising tactics, or an honest request to support something God is doing? Do I get a sense that the ministry has a Matthew 6:33 attitude? Do they seek first the kingdom, trusting that God will provide?
One of the values I am committed to as I lead Blessing Point, is that we stay a ministry, rather than a monetized Christian consultancy. In our commitment to maintain the spirit of a ministry, Blessing Point works with churches even if they cannot afford the relatively small amount we ask them to pay. It’s not that we have so much money that we can afford to do so. It’s that even if we don’t have the funds, we are going to trust the Lord for what we need. And He has promised to provide!
If you’d like to be a part of God’s provision for our needs, I invite you to send a prayerful gift postmarked on or before December 31st.
Your prayers have made a big difference in the effectiveness of our ministry. We love and appreciate you so much for that. May Blessing Point always have a “prayer-first” approach to our calling. If, after praying, you sense God’s leading to give – we thank you in advance for considering our calling and helping us make another year of ministry possible though your financial gift.
For the restored radiance of Christ’s Bride,
Mark Barnard
Blessing Point Ministries, Inc.
Checks can be made out to Blessing Point Ministries and mailed to Blessing Point Ministries, PO Box 3472, Peachtree City, GA 30269