Better together

Posted on by Bobby Arkills

March 31, 2011

Better together

Do you ever come across the mindset of “scarcity”? It’s based on the premise that there is only so much money to go around, so many kids to reach, so many volunteers who can give their time. And to be honest, this kind of thinking drives me CRAZY.

Which is why I was so excited to have Molly Ramseyer, our YFC summer camp nat’l director, in Tacoma a couple of weeks ago? She wasn’t in town to strategize how to move kids (although she is a genius at it) or the best programming for a week long camp, but rather I was introducing her to several of our top Tacoma YFC donors so that the two of us could share the vision of YFCamp for the whole country. These weren’t simply appointments to raise $$ for kids from Pierce County…but I’m sure we’ll see some benefit from these gatherings. Instead, Molly and I were intentional in sharing the “big picture” of moving kids from across the country and equipping and mobilizing leaders who pour their lives into these kids–all so they can experience Jesus in a fresh and life changing way.

During a flurry of appointments over a 24 hour period we challenged and encouraged these TYFC donors to see what God is doing through YFCamp and to be involved financially. We’ve had tremendous response–to date these donors have already pledged $24,000 towards YFCamp! The power of these meetings wasn’t in our charismatic presentations or catchy brochures. I’m convinced it was found in God working through our desire to share the vision as a “team”–YFC/USA national and Tacoma YFC. When I started out in ministry 20 years ago I’m sure I worked more as a “Lone Ranger”, man on an island, doing it all myself. Now, simply the idea of such an approach is exhausting–why go alone when there are teammates in this with you? As Molly wrote in an email prior to her trip…”I’m excited to spend some time in Tacoma, it’s always better to do this together.”

I wholeheartedly agree, Molly, I agree. So how are you reaching out to “work together” in Kingdom work?

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