In my last blog, I wrote about being blindsided by a major financial hardship. Two-thirds of Lausanne’s budget has been affected by the unexpected loss of a significant gift that was committed for 2016. Two-thirds of our budget means that this affects not the periphery of what we do as a Movement, but our core work and people.
As a movement rather than an organization, Lausanne’s work has expanded and contracted as God willed and supplied over these many years. I am so sure it is by God’s will and God’s supply because there is no humanly possible way that Lausanne would have survived otherwise.
Over the past 42 years, Lausanne’s core work has been carried out mainly by volunteers who are spread out across the world, working from their homes, raising their own support, or being seconded by gracious partnering ministries. It’s incredible then how Lausanne has been used for global congresses, game-changing ideas, and mission influence.
If it were not for volunteers who give their influence, excellence, energy, and countless hours to Lausanne, our budget would easily be three times its size. Therefore, every dollar we receive is stewarded with utmost care.
To these precious individuals and ministries who have given to Lausanne in so many ways, I want to share 2 Corinthians 9:8, ‘God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.’
This includes the volunteer leadership of 64 Catalysts leading the Lausanne issue networks, 12 Regional Directors, working group members, editorial advisory boards, authors, and more.
Lausanne’s entire accounting infrastructure is provided as a service and gift from Cru—a service valued at well over $20,000 annually.
California Baptist University, compelled by the Younger Leaders Gathering, has put together a student and professor team of researchers, designers, and video producers to support Lausanne’s content development—another gift valued at $20,000.
The budget that we are urgently looking to raise is for the very core work and individuals that we can’t cover from our vast volunteer leaders and services. And if our financial situation does not change, Lausanne will be impacted at the core.
Just as Lausanne’s leaders, volunteers, services, and networks are from all over the world, I pray for Lausanne’s financial supporters to come from all over the world. The size of your gift doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you partner with us in the vision and work of the Movement. If everyone reading this blog gave something, we will be able to meet our need without undue burden from any one person, organization, or region.
In 2016, we had thousands of people reading the Lausanne Global Analysis (our flagship publication) from 203 countries and territories. We had participants and mentors from over 140 countries at the Younger Leaders Gathering. Will we be able to say the same for our financial partners? It is so important to me to have this kind of global participation and partnership in the Lausanne Movement.
To support Lausanne, you can give now online or schedule a recurring gift for 2017. You can also see other giving options here. Please don’t hesitate to send any questions to give@lausanne.org.
Please send or schedule your gifts by 31 December. This will allow us to know if the gap has been filled when we make critical budget decisions in early January.
I ask for your prayerful consideration to give to Lausanne at this time. And may you and your loved ones be filled with hope, peace, and joy as we approach Christmas and the start of the new year!