Note:
For more information about the Change Lives campaign, please click the above link. Ed
Note:
For more information about the Change Lives campaign,
please click the above link. Ed
Why? Because it works! Since the 1930s when Sam Shoemaker started the Oxford Movement groups in New York City to the February, 2000 St. Simon's conference, Faith At Work has provided a safe place for people to tell their stories --- to be listened to in a thoughtful and supportive way --- and to know, for the first time, or at a deeper level, that they are loved children of God.
Almost 25 years ago, I was a young attorney in Lincoln, Nebraska and a young Christian trying to figure out my faith. Some friends told Dana and me about a Faith At Work conference being held at the local Hilton Hotel. Robert Raines was leading it. I did not know Faith At Work or Robert Raines, but I trusted my friends.
The conference was astonishing! I never experienced people being so open with their faith, their gifts and their struggles. They were vulnerable, honest and willing to risk. It was like coming home for the first time. I was hooked! Several months later Dana and I went to a Leadership Training Institute in Colorado Springs --- same thing only better.
Since then, I have been involved with hundreds of Faith At Work meetings, dozens of conferences, I have been on the National Board for 17 years and I chaired it for five. For me, Faith At Work still has the same newness and truth and awe it did 25 years ago. Because I continue to truly believe in the mission and ministry of Faith At Work, I have supported it financially for 25 years and I expect to support it financially for the next 25 years.
Faith At Work provides its ministry and a wonderful magazine that goes to 20,000 people for a little over $200,000 a year - less than 10% of an average CEO salary today. In 1983, when it looked like Faith At Work might fold, an. angel named Julia Vrooman left us nearly $600,000. The interest and earnings from that money provides about 20% of our income needs each year - the rest comes mostly from your contributions.
The Board of Faith At Work decided to initiate a one-time campaign entitled "Change Lives" to add to the Julia Vrooman fund. Through present gifts of cash and securities and bequest and wills, we hope to raise another $500,000 to ensure Faith At Work's ministry. The Board and a few faithful supporters of Faith At Work have already pledged and given over $100,000.
Please consider a one-time gift, payable over a period of three years, or a bequest in your will, to Faith At Work. By doing this, you will help ensure the opportunity for lives to be changed for the next 100 years
Print the Change Lives Pledge Form then, call, write, fax or e-mail. You can pay by cash, securities, checks or credit cards. Please let us hear from you!
Stephen E. Gehring
Chair, Development Committee
Steve & Dana live in Omaha, Nebraska where Steve is a lawyer and both are active on the Nebraska Faith At Work team.
Check out the 25th Anniversary story about the Nebraska FAW Team as seen through the experiences of the Gehrings.