Half-Way To Amazing!
All we hear in the news is the gloom and doom of the collapse of the financial markets worldwide, and the imminent erosion of the banking, housing, retail and manufacturing markets that will plunge us into the greatest depression we have ever known. While I don’t doubt the severity of this crisis, or the probability that we really do not yet fully understand the scope of the mess we have gotten ourselves into, I still believe in the sovereignty of God, and the reality that He is impervious to financial downturns. In other words, He is not wringing His hands.
So I guess it wasn’t good timing when we launched onemillioncan.com last August while on tour in Johannesburg, SA. After all, how, in the midst of a massive recession, are people going to give to the causes of others when they, themselves, are struggling to make it through the month. Again, I say this not to make light of the situation many find themselves in, rather to wonder how those with true needs, those living in the worst of conditions, will have a hopeful outcome when those of us who have lived in abundance have leveraged ourselves beyond our means and now seek assistance to maintain financial footing that was, on our worst day, miles ahead of the vast majority of humans in the world.
But, then again, I am not one to count God out, nor will I ever underestimate the potential that resides in this generation of worshipers of Jesus Christ. So, during tough times, here comes onemillioncan.com, the answer to the question, “What can one million dollars do to touch the last and least of these in Jesus’ name?”
For us, that million bucks can fully fund seven objectives around the globe, helping to provide clean water, freedom for sex slaves, Bibles for those who have never seen one on their language, homes for former child soldiers, villages for refugees, solar powered scripture players for Muslim peoples and life-altering operations for children. The campaign rolled out in earnest in the fall and has been a focal point of Chris Tomlin’s Hello Love Tour this winter. And the results have defied logic and the climate of the day.
As of this post, you have responded to the cause of wedding worship and action and we have passed the half-way point in reaching our million dollar goal!! The current total, $503, 253, reflects the promise of a God who does not discount the plight of the poor and draws near to the brokenhearted. The money given to date is already on it’s way to our partner causes, working to bring change right now.
Thank you so much for helping us get to this point and carrying the vision forward as we invite others to join us on the journey. While most cannot do it all, all of us can do something to make a huge difference in the lives of people around the world. We’re half way to amazing, but in truth, it’s pretty amazing already!
Because everyone of us matters to God,
Louie
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:01 PM
We serve an amazing God…that is incredible! Here’s to half a million more and God’s awesome power to get it there!
see you in 2010!!
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Praise God! Wouldn’t it be amazing to raise 1 million dollars at Passion 2010 alone?! AH! Let’s make it happen! If there are 30,000 students, that only requires just over $33 a person to make it happen. ah, let’s keep making His name famous in this generation. AMEN!
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:09 PM
With God all things are possible!!! That is so exciting, thanks for sharing and am praying and believing..for way more. for his glory.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I’m glad that God is not logical at all. although it can be a frustration when i am trying to catch God with my mind. But then God is laughing about me and i am able to laugh with Him as well…
Louie and Shelley,
i want to share some words of encouragement with you for you as a couple.
I’m only in a learning process of hearing Gods voice, so if its not 100 percent God, you’re right! But God is the One who can let things resonate with your hearts.
psalm 18 came to my mind, its a pretty long psalm…i don’t know if its just a part or everything but then God will show you
i had a picture of two swans; you’re both adorned with beauty and grace
and a picture of two weddingrings; you are the bride of Christ; walking in maturity-dependence on Him
The sentence; fresh fire and anointing will come , came to my mind
And a picture of a rollercoaster; God has put you on an intense journey of joy and excitement; it involves different speed levels; you are up for the unpredictable.
And for passion as a movement :
nehemia; 9:12,13
i had a picture of passion as a locomotive with all kinds of wagons behind it; pulling these in the right direction
psalm 27:4 it’s all about one thing
being like an oven; radical: setting people on fire for Jesus
And last but not least one of the characteristics of passion is showing mercy and compassion and that is a thing i already can see in the one million can thing.
And the reason why the amount of money is getting closer to the one million is because it’s not the one million can’t.
so crisis or not, we can!
Keep walking by faith as you do!
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:15 PM
wow!
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 PM
=) i guess in times like this all the more we need to care about the poor and the needy because people around the world are becoming more careful with what they spend on. i believe people will give out of conviction and am certain God is in control. onemillioncan will be a testimony! AMEN!
i just believe He is faithful & a loving Father,
Celine – KL – Malaysia
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:30 AM
I meant nehemia 9:11,12
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:53 AM
I pray we can get the 2 million before Passion 2010, and then there be able to do the 3rd :)
great thoughts/opinions of the times.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 AM
This is more of a confirmation that our eyes can’t be on our bank accounts, our bills, even our government…They should stay focused on the One who is ALWAYS able to give above and beyond what we can even dare to ask for or imagine. To Him be all the glory, because it is for Him that we do what we do!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:46 PM
So encouraging!
February 25th, 2009 at 6:16 AM
It’s important to kee reminding ourselves that. . .
Jesus is ALWAYS more than enough to meet our need.
His name alone is sufficient.
Be encouraged.This vision will come into fruition.
Email: thabz.mahlangu@eskom.co.za
February 25th, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Praise God for the things that He will do with each one of those dollars!
Also, read your interview in Christianity Today and attended Passion City Church a couple of weeks ago. Praise God for His goodness in creating the Church – for Himself, for people, for the cities, and for the world.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:32 PM
God is so Awesome!
It’s so exciting hearing that onemillioncan.com is already past $500K!!! :)
Awesomeness!!! :D
God Bless as always,
Karahly :)
P.S. So great hearing that “more” than enough was given on the first night of Passion City Church…I bet the Mom and her two kids were blown away when they got to drive home that night in thier new minivan!!!
God is Good! :)
February 25th, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Was hoping to get this story across to the many Passion fans out there. Hope it touches your heart as much as it did ours, the night of passioncitychurch’s first night!
http://loveinthefire.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/passioncitychurch/
Blessings!
February 25th, 2009 at 3:27 PM
pretty amazing already, yeah…
February 27th, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I have a passion for witing sermons and have just gone through your “How great is our God” DVD. What I’ve been thinking about is writing something on dicipleship – being an AMBASSADOR for Christ as He wants us to be.
Having luminim as what holds us together, just imagine what this is saying about our calling and duty as His ambassador! See Eph 6:12 and 2 Cor 5:20.
Crazy indeed!
I was wanting to compare a earthly ambassador’s duty, powers and influence to that of an ambassador of Christ Jesus, but man! This is powerful stuff!
Now I will never finish since there is too much to say!
Soli Deo Gloria!
PS: Please mail me your thoughts..
February 27th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Oh by the way..
When asked by my wife some time ago in a time that was financially hard on us (and still is) on what we are going to do, I was just asked her back: “Who made the trees?” Matthew 6:25-34 says we should not worry about such things as these are worries of those with little faith. We need only to set our minds on what God wants for us, the rest He will sort out.
So a week later I received twice the amount I needed to break even that month.
God is a real God. He knows when even one hair is falling from your head.
Imagine what one million dollars can do? Faith is more powerful than that. God can multiply in reality what we can only dream of in practicality – DO NOT COUNT GOD OUT is rightly said.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Louie, i’d really like it if I could get your email address. I have a few important questions but i’d rrather not share them in public. My email is bludevilsfan38@verizon.net and I’d absolutly love for you to email me. Thank You soo much :)
April 16th, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Dear mr Giglio!
I’ve been trying to get hold of your e-mail details because your Dvd’s and talks have influenced me so greatly. I knew no other way but to leave a comment and hope to hear from you and i promise, there will be no stalking going on! I am just in need for an ear and it wont take much of your time! If you get to read this please email me at ididova@yahoo.com. It would make the world of a difference! Thank u! Much love Iva.
P.S keep up the amazing work and God Bless