I’m 33.
I have a wonderful wife and three incredible kids.
I live in a nice house. On a quiet street. In a quaint suburb.
In many ways, our life is pretty simple:
We’re involved in our church.
Our kids are in school.
We have ballet, sports, and clubs.
Quiet. Peaceful. A real blessing.
But every once and a while I open up my email.
….and see one.
The email that I only open by accident.
You know the kind:
Some well-meaning Christian organization has a new initiative that they want me to get behind. They’ll take my check, my hands, my heart, or my voice. And they’ve made it so easy! Sitting there in the glow of my laptop screen, I really can’t think of a single reason why I shouldn’t get involved.
But I never do.
It’s not that I don’t connect with their ideas. I love the notion of helping kids, doing my part to alleviate poverty, or lending a helping hand to a neighbor. I know a child somewhere will be changed forever. I know I’ll feel better too.
If I’m gut-level-honest with you…I’ve just grown a little cynical.
So I slide my cursor up and to the left.
Hover over the trash-can icon for a second.
Lingering another second just to double-check my spirit.
And click.
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Snap back into real life.
Nothing happened.
No guilty feeling.
Done.
Do you want to know the irony? I serve on staff at a global non-profit that reaches 2.5 million kids in 110 countries. It’s not just my job, but it’s my passion to connect people – people like you – with opportunities to make a real, tangible difference for the kingdom of God.
I don’t believe our ideas are necessarily any nobler.
I don’t believe they’re necessarily more innovative.
But I do believe there’s something unique about Awana:
At Awana, we’re about one thing: Lifelong discipleship founded on the word of God. And if that’s the kind of thing that excites you, here’s something I want you to know:
Over the next 60 days, Awana is focusing our efforts.
We’re praying that the smirk of cynicism that we all feel can be kept at bay.
We’re buckling down, pouring our energies into one, singular, compelling idea:
Reach 60,000 kids in 60 days.
Helping them take the first steps on their path toward lifelong discipleship with Jesus.
That’s insanely ambitious. But we’re going for it anyway.
For the next 60 days, we’ll share some great stories, stats, and other helpful content about how God is using Awana to reach kids around the world in unexpected and astonishing ways. If you’d like to lend a hand, here are few easy ways to get involved today:
- Visit awana.org/60in60.
- Sign up to be a part of the campaign.
- Use #Reach60in60 when posting or sharing content through social media.
- Check back here often. We’re planning to share some pretty mind-blowing content over the next 60 days. And you’re not going to want to miss it. I really think you’ll be encouraged.
…so back to real life.
What am I personally committing to?
How am I staying vigilant for cynicism?
How am I getting involved?
Here’s my plan: We’ve got three kids. I believe that a heart for the nations begins in prayer. Over the next couple of months, our family is committing to praying for kids around the world. Kids who need the Jesus we’ve come to know and love.
Our family’s commitment isn’t a dollar amount. It isn’t going to be about realigning investments or restructuring bank accounts. We’re just not there right now. But we’re joining in a way that invites God to work in us and stretch us.
And that’s all I’d like to ask you: Consider how your family could participate. If you can give, we’d love it. This campaign is going to require funding from new sources. But wherever your family is, consider getting involved.
Here’s to reaching 60 in 60!
