CCW, Free Meals, and a Bold Ask

“Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less. If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, they are insulting to God." - Mark Batterson

It is amazing what can happen over a meal -- especially when the meal was FREE. I have had the most honest of conversations with college students over the last 12 years of college/young adult ministry because we served these young adults a free home-cooked meal with no strings attached. A plate of food turns into a means of grace and the potential for deeper connections. I have seen the power of what can happen over a meal, and that is why I am writing this particular blog post.

CCW (the campus ministry I lead with a great team) is spending the next 2 weeks on an effort to raise $12,000 by Giving Tuesday (December 2). Giving Tuesday is the International Day of giving back. It falls on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, CCW is using this special day to believe big for our ministry to college students at University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Flagler College. The 12K is the budgeted amount that covers the cost of all the free meals we offer at our gatherings and events to college students for the entire 2015 calendar year. If we are able to raise this amount, we can then put more money into scholarships for mission trips and leadership development for our students. It is a big goal, and our students are more than worth the effort.

The CCW Staff (5 young adults all under the age of 35) has already committed to give a total of $614 (related to our key verse, Isaiah 61:4) to get the campaign started. We have also challenged our leadership team of 34 student leaders and young adult volunteers to match the staff's commitment. All in all, we already have over $1200 pledged. Not a bad start for a bunch of young adults. Our hope is that through word of mouth, support letters and social media, our friends, parents, pastors and others would be moved to join us. It is the boldest step CCW has ever taken, but we believe this is a worthy cause.

So friends, would you consider joining our effort? I have encouraged many of my friends to consider matching one or more of our student leaders' pledge ($20/leader). Such a gift will motivate our students to invest in their own ministry. I have asked others to consider donating $220 which is about the cost of a week's worth of meals at all of our gatherings. There may be some who would consider matching the CCW Staff's combined gift of $614. Or maybe you could simply give $5. Every gift helps us towards our goal. If you are interested in donating, you can check out http://campustocity.org/givingtuesday.

Thanks for considering this opportunity. Every meal counts because every student counts. A goal of $12,000 over the next few days is a huge one, but completely worth the effort when compared to chance we have to make a positive, Jesus-honoring impact on the lives of college students.

With much love,

Derrick