Understanding donor motivations is key to crafting a successful ask. Make it easy for your donor to say “yes.”
Join Pat and Jon as they discuss matching the right ask to the right person for the right project.
https://youtu.be/BmJn4vPtjII
Understanding donor motivations is key to crafting a successful ask. Make it easy for your donor to say “yes.”
Join Pat and Jon as they discuss matching the right ask to the right person for the right project.
https://youtu.be/BmJn4vPtjII
What would the nativity be without shepherds in bathrobes and wisemen wearing handmade crowns? Luke shares the angels’ proclamation, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The shepherds ran to Bethlehem and “found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:16). Matthew 2:11 rewrites this Christmas pageant script as most people know it. The Magi arrived perhaps two years later because: (a) they came to a house, (b) Jesus is called a child, and (c) King Herod reacted by putting to death all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger (Matt. 2:16-18).
When the Magi came to the house, “they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure and presented him with gifts” (Matt. 2:11). This may sound obvious, but the gifts weren’t for Mary and Joseph, they were for Jesus. A two-year-old doesn’t understand what to do with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so Mary and Joseph became stewards of these gifts. Likewise, the gifts your donors generously give are not intended for you or your ministry; they are for Jesus. The Maji’s gifts teach three important truths.
Gold
All the inside walls of the temple were completely overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:20-22). It was stunning. John reveals the streets of heaven are made of pure gold (Rev. 21:21). As fundraisers you ask your donors for gold, but God doesn’t need their gold. You’re not asking for gold but for them to make an eternal investment and lay up their treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).
Frankincense
The priests used pure frankincense to create a special blend of fragrant spices for exclusive use in temple worship (Ex. 30:34). Incense symbolizes prayer. John saw an angel who “was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God” (Rev. 8:3-4). Ask your ministry partners for their special gift of prayer.
Myrrh
Myrrh foreshadowed Jesus’ death. It was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial (John 19:39-40). Invite your donors to offer “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18) by remembering your ministry in their estate plans. The best estate gift strategy is to simply ask.
Mary and Joseph were faithful stewards of the treasures the Magi gave Jesus. You are called to be a faithful steward of the gifts your ministry receives. These gifts pale in comparison to the indescribable gift God gave to us in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 9:15)!
Think About This: Who are the wisemen and women in your circle of influence you could ask for gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh?
Response: Father, thank you. Every gift our ministry receives is a good and perfect gift from you (James 1:17). Help me to be a faithful steward.
Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice 
president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.
Pastor Paul Sheppard of Destiny Christian Fellowship in Northern California. preached a sermon titled “In Need of a Super-Sized Blessing” Listen to this encouraging clip and apply it to your fundraising efforts.
Download our Dirty Dozen Document!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqI0y3t7mnc
Watch this video about one of our Clients! This is a Client Update!
Distelberg, Donald G. Grand Rapids, Michigan Donald G. Distelberg, 75, of Grand Rapids was welcomed into his Heavenly home on April 23, 2021. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Natalie of 54 years; his children Karen, Jeff (LeAnn), and Brian (Michelle); his grandchildren Jakob, Taylor, Braeden, Alina, Gideon, Parker, and Elijah; his sister Barbara Stakely, and brother-in-law John (Ruth) Idema. He graduated from and later held a position at Calvin University. He then was a partner at The Timothy Group, assisting church and parachurch organizations. Don led a God centered life and placed family as a priority. A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at Calvary Church’s Chapel on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 (707 E Beltline Ave NE, 49525). Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 3:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to: Calvary Church-Widow/Widowers Ministry or Calvin University.
On April 18, 2021, Howard (Howie) F. Nourse, completed his work here on earth and went to join his parents (Howard & Katherine Nourse) and eldest grandson (Fred Greene) in heaven. Howie was a loving husband and father, devoted brother, uncle, grandpa, coach and friend. He loved the Lord, spending a lifetime serving others, sharing life and influencing the lives of many as a mentor and coach. After meeting his future wife and graduating from Springfield High School, Springfield, OH, he attended The Ohio State University on an academic/athletic scholarship, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, high-jumped as a member of the track team and was a member of the 1960 NCAA men’s basketball championship team. He continued his education with a Master’s degree from St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN. He went on to coach basketball and direct athletics at John Wesley College, Owosso, MI and Gordon College, Wenham, MA. After retiring from coaching, Howie returned to Ohio State and earned his Ph.D. He then changed careers serving as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Milligan College, Milligan College, TN for several years before joining a great friend as a partner with The Timothy Group, Grand Rapids, MI, working with church and parachurch organizations. Upon retiring to Jonesborough, TN, Howie enjoyed golfing, working around the house and yard, attending local cultural events, and worshipping with family and friends at Grace Fellowship Church.
He proudly served as a Board member at Crossroads School, Longmont, CO, a school for at-risk middle and high school students which was co-founded by his daughter Connie.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Judy Nourse, Jonesborough, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Michael Bevilacqua, Boulder, CO; daughter, Connie Nourse, Longmont, CO; son and daughter-in-law Rob and Karen Nourse, Johnson City, TN; grandchildren Mary Bevilacqua, Emilia Bevilacqua, and Seth Nourse; brother and sister-in-law Joe and Marlene Nourse, Springfield, OH; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Wendell Johns, Wichita, KS; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Chuck Wiggins, Ft. Wayne, IN as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and many dear friends.
A celebration of Howie’s life will be held at a future date, yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Crossroads School, Longmont, CO at www.crossroadslongmont.org
