A few months ago, we wanted to prove to the world that a church could really tap into the power of online social networks by raising all of the money that we needed for The Courageous Church website by using this blog, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter to raise the funds. In 3 days, people from around the world came together and knocked out all of the costs for the site in record time! Clover surprised us and matched what we raised! We thought it would take longer, but people give to a vision they believe in and our site and all of the information on it is really connecting with people.
In 180 days, on January 11, 2009 we will be launching The Courageous Church in downtown Atlanta. Our vision is simple, but strong – We Build Courageous Followers of Jesus that Love God, Love People, and Prove It!
Between now and then, we will hire our first staff members, begin making our initial equipment and supply purchases, and host several big citywide events downtown to show our love for the city. To make this happen, we are going to raise $30,000 and cannot do it without you. Our friends and partners @ ARC are going to match our $30,000 to double our $30,000 to $60,000 that we will use to set a solid foundation for The Courageous Church.
While we’d love for someone to write a big $30,000 check, we’d much rather have 1500 people give $20 – so here is how we’re going to do it. Over the next week, I am going to write genuinely personal (not mass emails) to each of my Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter friends and appeal to all of my blog readers to do two things:
1. Give $20 online here (give it $1 a day or all at one time – it doesn’t matter!)
2. When you give it, we want you to repeat this prayer:
"Dear God – please empower The Courageous Church to take bold stands for You! Use this money to change the lives of real people with real needs. Amen"
Let’s Gitrdone! (Say that in your prayer too if you want – haha!)
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I found out about you and your mission from Ross Knight’s blog.
I wish you and The Courageous Church all the best. May God richly bless and meet the needs according to His plan and purpose.
Thanks Jewells! You even beat my mother to the punch and were the first person to give from the blog. I appreciate you!
-Shaun & Crew
I’m starting to fall in love with Courageous Church!!!
A couple of friends and I were discussing your vision the other day and it’s indeed a rock-solid vision. So many people preach, teach, study, discuss, and dream of loving God and loving people… but few – and I mean few – are bold enough to PROVE IT! And that’s what stirs me when I think about you guys.
I love your approach to leveraging Social Media and Web 2.0 to get the word out and to raise money. It’s an organic, grass-roots approach that makes everyday people like us feel like we can make a difference and can be apart.
AWESOME!!!
I believe in you and your vision. It was my pleasure to give $20. We’re praying and rooting for you up here in Rome, GA!
Antwon!
Thanks Man! I appreciate your support and feedback man. We are much stronger together than we are alone.
Let’s knock this out!
-Shaun & Crew
Hey Josh!
Thanks a ton for giving man. Your support and prayers mean a lot to me. Let’s show all of Metro-Atlanta what the church can do when we come together!
Your friend downtown,
-Shaun