Recently I've begun to "wake-up" after a year and a half of health problems from pregnancy, Lyme disease, severe body pain, and the challenges of taking care of three little ones while functioning far less than 100%. I'm finally recovering and I'm discovering all the exciting things that have been going on with Lampstand Ministries and the great expansion of the Great Banquet. I am totally pumped! So, I wanted to share some of my excitement with you and what I've discovered.
Well, all I can say is WOW! Lampstand Ministries is using so much man power to start new weekends and is in need of prayer warriors to cover all these people, the new Communities, and financial provision. A start-up weekend takes about 20,000 man hours to plan and execute with all the team members! Wowsers! I also couldn't believe how much money has been put towards new Start-Up Weekends in 2012 and how much is already being spent in 2013 and the year has just begun.
What is amazing to me is that Lampstand Ministries does NOT charge new Communities for starting their new Great Banquet community. It does NOT charge any Community for the ongoing support needed after the initial start up. But Lampstand DOES cover any and all start up expenses possible through donations from people like you and me. Lampstand also DOES cover all yearly operating expenses through donations from people like you and me. I think that is incredible.
I just found out that funds are being depleted faster than they are being replenished recently because exciting things are happening. After a couple of years with very few start-ups things are now heating up and last year we started three new Great Banquet Communities and one new Awakening Community. This year we are starting an International Community in Jamaica and a Community in Florida and the possibility of new Communities this year in Michigan, New Mexico and Pennsylvania. Wow! God is awesome!
So, I started asking lots of questions about how much all this is costing and I was blown away! Below I've listed ballpark figures about costs for 2012 start-up Movements and Lampstand Ministries operations, along with some of the 2013 projected expenses. This is your opportunity to sew into New Movements and be included in the bigger family of the National Great Banquet community through prayer covering and giving. We all do Mission Work but we can't all physically be there. So, those of us who can't do the mission work of showing up and working these new weekends, we are still a huge part of the support by covering everyone in prayer, giving financial support, helping with our strength here to those who are going, and giving agape.
2012 Start-Up Weekend Costs (Travel, Room & Board, etc...)
Las Vegas - for 24 Team Members = $20,250
Other Communities donated money to help build
showers, and provide sheets & towels = $3000
Taylorville, IL Correctional Center = $6,250
Robinson, IL Correctional Center = $6,250
Awakening Bloomington, IL = $4,750
2012 Start-Up Weekend Cost = $40,500
2013 Start-Up Weekend Costs (Travel, Room & Board, etc.)
Jamaica - for 40 Team Members = $53,450
(Mission work included - building and construction along
with the Great Banquet weekend)
Jamaica - for 50 guests = $4000
(The guests can only afford $10 each. Lampstand Ministries and Great Banquet communities will be sponsoring guests at $80 each now and ongoing in the future. That means $4000 needed every Spring and Fall from now on.)
Ft. Myers, FL - for 34 Team Members = $25,250
Spring 2013 Start-up Weekend Cost = $82,700
Fall 2013 start-up Weekend Cost is currently undetermined...
I don't know about you but I was totally overwhelmed when I saw those figures and also totally excited. I am seeing how huge it is that God is using Lampstand Ministries to help spread His kingdom though the Great Banquet. So, I challenge you to figure out how you can help us do even more this year, whether it is through praying more, giving more, or helping me spread the word to everyone you know that has ever been through a Great Banquet or Awakening so that they can give and make it possible for this to continue to grow!
Smile! God Loves You Bunches and Bunches! I hope to see you sometime at a Great Banquet. . . . .
Jessica McLaughlin :-) Lampstand Communications Director
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