NEXT

There are lots of creative ways to raise cash for your trip to NEXT.  But before exploring new paths, here’s an old-fashioned path worth considering: ask for help.

For some reason, at least for me, it can seem so much easier to plan an entire gala event than to talk to a real person and just explain why I want to go, how much I’d cover myself, and what expenses I’d need help with.

But it really isn’t all that complex.  Here are the key ingredients: one part humility and one part courage.  Mix ‘em up, season to taste, and watch what God will do. 

Who would you ask, though?

1. Ask your family.  Ask if they could help you with cash, or even just with other fundraising ideas.  Maybe they’ll at least give you twenty bucks to cover a couple of meals while you’re there.  Maybe they’ll give you more.

2. Ask your church.  Talk to your pastor. Ask if there are any resources available, any past fundraising ideas that have been helpful, or any individuals who might be inclined to help out with something like this. Let your Christian friends or small group know about your desire to be at the conference.  Our church family is usually more eager to help than we expect when we first ask. 

3. Ask your Heavenly Father.  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I know I’m supposed to pray about it.”  But how regularly do you ask for God’s help? Let’s be honest, most of us probably spend much more time thinking about our financial need than actually praying about it.  Our Father in Heaven loves to give good gifts, so let’s not be shy in asking for them!

If you ask, will you receive?  Why not find out?