an unexpected mission space

Yesterday we held YMA's 3rd Great Race as a fundraiser to help with the running costs of our office space.


This event has been very successful among participants and volunteers, although it is a mountainous logistical effort  - and the funds that come in, while very helpful, require far more effort than the likes of some other fundraising initiatives. So, my mindset was that yesterday's event should be the final one.


But I noticed some things that are causing me to reconsider:

1. THIS EVENT IS UNIQUE - I know of no other not-for-profit who is doing something like this and, thanks to the calibre of our volunteer network, managing to pull it off.
2. IT IS PROVIDING GREAT EXPOSURE FOR YMA TO  THOSE OUTSIDE OUR NORMAL CHURCH NETWORKS  - people who are entirely unfamiliar with us are participating and becoming exposed to who YMA is and what we're about.
3. PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW JESUS ARE BROUGHT INTO A REALLY POSITIVE SHARED EXPERIENCE WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FOLLOWING JESUS  - which makes for some great opportunties in overcoming typical barriers.

When I stood up for the final presentation in Brighton Surf Club at the end of the day, I realised something.  Where else outside of church buildings do I get to share that "YMA is a network of people around Australia who have been impacted by the story of Jesus, and who are looking to find creative ways of serving school communities."?

This, for me, was an unexpected mission space ... volunteers serving without an agenda ... participants enjoying creation and recreation ... both being introduced to the notion that transformation can come through God's story.

 We're now praying through what's next with the YMA Great Race.