I really hate business speak.
Whenever I am asked to "re-brand" a structure or a title, I actively resist it. It all feels so disingenuous to me. Grunge was 70's rock, which was good, because rock was good in the 70's. I remember debating for hours with with my colleague Eli about why I should call my bible study a "small group". I felt like he was asking me to hide the intention of the group (he wasn't) and he thought it would make the group more appealing to outsiders (it didn't). We both built our trenches and dug in, because we both have a tendency to apply our passions to things that don't really matter. That's why Eli is one of my best friends. It's also why no one liked being in staff meetings with the both of us. Sorry Sarah.
But I digress.
A couple of years ago, I was asked to stop referring to people who donate to InterVarsity donors, but instead to call them "partners". Given the previous story, you can imagine how I responded. The shift honestly felt patronizing to me. "They donate to a ministry", I argued, "why is calling them donors wrong?". The response was the same as Eli's argument about small groups, a supporter of InterVarsity is much, much more than a donor.
I never changed my language. I kept asking for new money and increases and while these people were my friends, mentors, family members or former students, in fundraising, they were primarily donors. They donated to a cause that I was passionate about and they were (hopefully) growing in passion for.
And this was adequate. For a time.
In April of this year I accepted a promotion. I am now the Area Director for the Inland Northwest. While I have strong ideas and vision about the job, I am learning every day how little I actually know about how to do the job. In a strange way, this lack of knowledge about HOW to do the job, is crystallizing WHY I took the job. I took the job, because students are walking away from faith, never considering Jesus or settling for spiritual mediocrity at epidemic levels on college campuses. This clarity has made me very eager for the fall to come.
But before the fall, comes the summer. This summer has one unique challenge; I need to raise $27,000 more than I did last year. The bulk of that, needs to be raised this summer.
Suddenly, I am seeing my "donors" in a very new light. I have taken on a huge challenge; to see college students in the Inland Northwest engage with the Gospel and discover Jesus' Kingdom and love for them.
It's too much for me. Both the job and the fundraising. $27,000? 6500 new freshmen this fall? I lack the bank account and the qualifications for the job. I'm out. It's too much and I'm too small.
But the Lord has sent partners.
There is a church in the Tri-Cities that is providing 250 goodie bags to aid with freshmen outreach. How cool is that? WSU alums are increasing giving; and church members too! A student of mine is short on China donations...so people are giving to her. These are the same people who just increased donating to my budget. People are not just giving out of excess, but making sacrifices with me. It's crazy. They are not simply donors and many do not know me well enough to be friends. They are partners...they long to see the Kingdom come in the Inland Northwest along with me. It is powerful.
And people are praying.
They are praying with me (some every other week, late at night). They are praying for IV. They are sending me words they are receiving from the Lord. Those prayers, uttered in living rooms, church sanctuaries and coffee shops change everything. They provide so much of what me, John, Sarah, Nick, Erin, Donan, Tyler and Amanda are going to need this year. They will also aid student leaders, at-risk freshmen and atheists considering faith.
Basically, this stuff matters. The campus is a wonderful place, but it is not okay. It is struggling. People are walking away from life, truth, light and salvation. We all get to partner with a great and great big God.
I am just thankful that I have partners here on earth too.
Thank you.
