Financial Update
Going forward, I will provide you with quarterly updates on the Global Advance Fund. Your generosity towards our shared faith goals continues to astound me. Thank you! As mentioned in the video update, although the total income to date has been significantly lower than the budget, The Alliance Canada has intentionally controlled spending and discretionary costs. To that end, our current operating shortfall, as of the end of October (November finances are still being finalized), is approximately $-89,000. We are trusting the Lord for increased generosity to the Global Advance Fund for the end of the year. I am praying that we will not only meet our December giving target of $1,900,000 but also exceed that by an additional 10-20% to cover our current actual shortfall and further support the new and existing good work we are doing together. If there are any questions, I am happy to answer them. Thank you for your trust and generosity. These are such exciting days to be serving Christ together.
-Darren
Donae to GAF
Transcript:
Rev. Darren Herbold:
Hi Alliance Canada, and Merry Christmas. It's one of my last updates of the year, and I want to highlight a few things before the final rush of Christmas Eve services, Christmas Day celebrations. And as you go to celebrate Jesus with those you love. What a great year this has been for the Alliance Canada. Let me remind us of a few of the many highlights.
As of November 29th, we have raised over $148,000 with donations still coming in as it pertains to Jaffray. This means that 49 pastors will be trained, resulting in over 200 new churches over the next five years and almost 10,000 people who have never encountered the gospel before. As of November 1st, we've launched eight new ventures, three discerning communities and five apprentices.
As another point of celebration, there are over 50 current new expressions of community and churches throughout Canada because of our shared multiplication strategy through new ventures. Our international workers are preaching the gospel in over 30 countries. Almost half are creative access countries and are interacting with over 60 least reach people groups. The good news is that we continue to expand our partnership with national churches around the globe as we have sent out ten new international workers this past year.
We help to facilitate the arrival of 42 families through our refugee sponsorship program. Significant donations have been raised towards emergency response, in Turkey, Syria and Ukraine. And as you'll see at the end of this video revamped focus on the next generation of which I look forward to sharing much more about in the next year.
I want to give you an update on the state of the Global Advance Fund. As of November 29th, we've received 84 and a half percent of our budget and are currently projecting a shortfall of just over $1.7 million. And while it's looking like we won't be making our fundraising target, we serve a God who consistently does more and more with less and multiplies meager loaves and fish to feed thousands. I continue to be filled with joy, hope and anticipation for the future.
Yes, our shared national financial picture is challenging and I would humbly ask if you would consider a gift above and beyond your tithe to help support our shared efforts through the Global Advance Fund. Thank you for considering that, and thank you already for your generosity. Another update is that we remain committed to investing in the next generation. To that end, I want to highlight the Envision summit happening in May 2024.
It's a four day conference for Young Alliance leaders that offers a space to collaborate and to be equipped. I wants us to watch this short video together.
Envision Summit Promo
Envisions annual summit is a four day leadership conference that offers young leaders ages 18 to 28, a space where they can collaborate and be equipped. It is for the young leader who is passionate about seeing God's kingdom realized in their communities, their local church and the broader alliance family in both Canada and around the globe. This year's conference will be held in Toronto with a focus on global leadership, how we lead in, lead Out and lead Up.
We're putting together a great lineup of speakers and gifted worship leaders who will engage us in the development of both our soul and skill as leaders. We're also excited to be bringing back the creative challenge a creative marathon that puts your creativity, skills and ability to work with a team to the test as you tackle real issues. If you're a young leader, we would love to have you apply to this year's summit in Toronto, May 7th to 10th.
Rev. Darren Herbold:
May might seem like a long way off, but it will come sooner than we think, won't it? Can I invite you to ask the Spirit? Do I know a young leader who would benefit from being connected to Envision? Your young leaders won't want to miss out on this. As a quick side note. Many of us have had a personal story of someone tapping us on the shoulder to encourage us to cheer for us and identify that perhaps the Lord might have a unique calling for us.
Might this be the time where the Lord uses you to do the same for the next generation leader in your circle of influence? What a gift that would be. The video can be downloaded as a resource to you and to your church below. Alliance Canada. I'm so honored to serve you in this role. It's a joy to see how God is using our movement to reach some of the most challenging places globally and simultaneously right here in Canada.
Hearing story after story of Jesus through your faithful service, entering into communities, people groups and individual lives to speak his hope, his true and his love and a future eternal. It truly leaves me speechless to catch a glimpse of this, his current mighty move of God throughout the world. These are great days. I feel more and more blessed every day to be serving with you as we serve our king together.
Merry Christmas, everyone. Have a happy New Year. And may God bless you, your family and the Alliance Canada for His glory.