Matching $20,000 Gift, July and August
Empty Tomb Ministries has stretched my faith for many years and given me the opportunity to see the faithfulness of God at work as He has provided in so many different ways. A few weeks ago, God did another amazing thing and I wanted to share it with you and invite you to be stretched with me!
Last year, ETM launched a campaign called, Bucks for Bricks. Our goal was to raise $50,000 to help build six new churches in Uganda. I am very happy to report that about $25,000 of that goal has been reached, and the buildings are in the process of being constructed. During my last visit to Uganda in March of this year, I was able to visit those churches and was so blessed to see the progress being made. The pastors have rallied the people and they are working together to see their vision become a reality.
Pastor Fred and I sitting in front of many of the pastors that we are working with in Uganda!
Now back to this amazing thing that happened last month. I had a meeting with a gentleman who had just lost his mother and we spent a little time talking together. We finished our meeting and, as I got back to my car, I noticed I had a voicemail on my phone. It was from one of my board members. Later that day, I returned his call and was not prepared for what I was about to hear. Enter the amazing and perfect timing of the faithfulness of God! We talked for a few minutes and then we started talking about ministry and our Bucks for Bricks campaign. We talked about the progress that had been made and all the great things God is doing in the hearts of the pastors and people of Uganda. We talked about being halfway towards our goal of finishing this campaign and seeing the churches completed, and then I heard these words, “Let’s get this thing done!” He and his wife had been talking—I like it when husbands and wives talk—and they came up with this idea. They wanted to give a major gift to help these pastors and churches finish their building projects.
I am humbled and honored to announce to you that this couple is giving a $20,000 matching gift for July and August. What that means to ETM is simply, for every dollar given during July and August, they will match up to $20,000. For every dollar you give they will match! Not being the best math guy in the world, I do have this one figured out. If I can raise $20,000 their gift turns it into $40,000! WOW! That will give us what we need to finish our Bucks for Bricks campaign, as well have more working capital for the ministry.
These Ugandan pastors could really use our help! I want to invite you to join me on this venture! One thing I have learned over the years is that following Jesus will stretch me and require me to give of myself and my resources. We have an amazing opportunity to bless others and help build the church in Uganda. Would you prayerfully consider joining me as we help our brothers and sisters around the world? Through this matching gift, your $1 becomes $2, your $100 becomes $200, your $500 becomes a $1,000 and your $5,000 becomes $10,000!
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
With your help we can do this! We can give from our hearts and know that it will bring eternal fruit. As we join with the pastors whose picture you see on this page, we can help them fulfill their vision of building a new church in their village. This will allow them to reach more people who so desperately need the love, grace and forgiveness that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Grab a brick, invest in others, and you too can build for eternity.
Pastor Avis has done an amazing job! The old church on the left, the handmade bricks in the middle, and their new church on the right. Trusting God for the new roof!
Pastor Violet and her team have laid the foundation for their new church and are now starting to build the walls.
Pastor Sydney, Pastor Joseph, and Pastor Fred in front of Pastor Joseph’s church. They have made great progress!
Pastor Sydney and his team are building the new church around the old one and will soon tear the old one down.