BIG!
BIG!
By Scott Nordstrom
We never set-out to become ‘Big’ from the onset of this ministry, but wanted to be in step with where the Father would have us GO!. My thought all along has been that serving more children would be a good thing as we demonstrate the love of the Father in our work.
Conversely, I never wanted to be limited by my own capacity. With the limits of time and space that each of us deal with as humans, I wanted to be more open to how God might provide when it comes to serving orphan children. I have definitely seen Him at work over the last 16+ years, and have to remind myself of this fact so I do not project my own limitations on all that God might want to accomplish through us. This mindset is often contrary to how others might consider our work.
We are not BIG! in comparison to many other ministries, but comparing our situation today to that of several years ago, we are definitely no longer as small as we once were. We are at the very least -growing up!
As I sat in my office to consider the needs before us, I tried to visualize how I might transcend my own vantage point to consider how we can achieve so much more in the Kingdom in 2022. I took some time to dive deep into the details of what has transpired in our movement since the beginning of the year to give me a clearer understanding of the challenges before us.
A couple of key data points to consider:
We have provided aid to 67% more children in 2021 versus 2020.
Our field costs have grown by 71% in 2021.
Our total cost for caring for children in need has increased by 60% over last year.
With our annual fall Gala fundraiser postponed since September, we have yet to hit our full funding stride in Q4 2021 which has contributed to a projected deficit in 2021 of $29,253.
Should this trend playout through the end of 2021, we will not have the funding to accomplish as much as we had hoped in 2022. Based on this shortfall I have removed multiple projects from our launch list just to make the math work in the New Year.
We have dropped a buffalo/milk project for twenty-four widow led households in Pakistan and have removed the launch of an orphanage for thirty-three children in Wau, South Sudan. Not that either of the projects lack merit, but based on the projected deficit for 2021, we lack the financial foundation to journey far beyond where our current commitments will take us. In addition to these projects, there are many capital needs in the field that we are choosing not to include in our 2022 plans.
An additional challenge is the past lack of investment in our fundraising capabilities as we have made deploying our funds to the field a priority. If we want to grow our movement to aid additional children, it will most likely take a concerted effort to grow the number of people that will join us in this effort.
I will be meeting with our board on Saturday and I will be proposing that we continue the planned launch of our fourth initiative, the Great Commandment Workshop, in 2022, which will require a $18,000 investment. I do believe that this is where we are being led as a ministry as we set out to encourage our brothers and sisters around the world to serve the orphan child.
This is not our normal aggressive start to a new budget year at GO!, but this outlook is based on our current financial situation. Our Cash Reserves fell below two months of projected ministry costs last month. This doesn’t leave us much room for error as we move forward.
It pains me not be considering so much more for 2022, but the launch of Great Commandment Workshop is a new initiative and is a major undertaking. As we begin the New Year we will remain willing to adjust on the fly if so directed.
Please be praying for GO!’s leadership as decisions are made for the New Year that will impact 1,000’s of orphaned children, and please be praying how you might be more involved in this movement to serve these precious children. Together we can have more faith for more children in need in 2022!
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 160 volunteers on 25 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE