Nominate the Unsung Heroes in Your Life

About 18 months ago, CARE for AIDS was honored with the People’s Choice Award at the 2011 Epoch Missions Gala. Epoch is a black tie affair to celebrate the work of “unsung heroes” serving across the street and around the world. These are people sharing the transformative message of the Gospel by addressing issues of poverty, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and countless other social injustices. To read more about that night in 2011, please read my earlier blog here.

In the ministry world, it feels awkward to give or receive praise and recognition, because we all know that God is the provider and sustainer of our work. We are simply stewards of what He has entrusted to us. Honor for a leader or an organization seems misplaced. That being said, our ministry leaders and missionaries need that encouragement and support more than anyone. They live, sleep, and eat the work they have been called to, and they suffer rejection and failure along the way. We need them to be focused and inspired because the work they are doing has eternal consequence. The best gift you can offer to a ministry you support right now is to nominate its leader for an Epoch Award. It could result in greater funding for the ministry, new connections to potential partners, but most importantly, it will energize and encourage all involved in that great work. All of the above were true for CARE for AIDS.

Take a look at this short promotional video that Epoch produced of me telling about CARE for AIDS and my experience at Epoch. With only two weeks until nominations close, please take a few minutes to nominate one ministry that you believe best embodies the values of Epoch.

Let me introduce you to…Scott Tanksley

In working with CARE for AIDS, I have the privilege of meeting some incredible leaders across all sectors of business and ministry. I am always inspired by their stories and challenged in my own leadership. Periodically, I will be sharing with you video interviews with these leaders because I think they will add value to your life and leadership as well.

In the following interview, Scott Tanksley shares his insights on the following three topics:

• What made him leave the security of his former job to start Meals with a Mission
• Words of advice for those wanting to start an organization
• What is Meals and a Mission and how someone could use it to support CARE for AIDS

Scott Tanksley is the Founder of Meals with a Mission. Scott is a bold leader who believes that generosity and philanthropy don’t have to exist in isolation or solitude, but that these “bright spots” in our lives ought to be shared with those closest to us. Meals with a Mission has created an innovative model that works within a workplace or among a group of friends. The result is a greater understanding of the causes and issues that your peers are passionate about and the integration of generosity into our everyday lives and conversations. But ultimately, it helps mobilize more resources and more advocates for organizations doing great work around the world.

I would strongly urge each of you to consider hosting a meal as Scott has outlined above. It is simple, and you will be amazed at the outcome. For those of you who support CARE for AIDS, this is a great opportunity to share our vision among your friends. When everyone votes on which cause they want to support at the end of a meal, CFA may not win the vote, but you will have shared the story and created awareness in the process.

Thanks, Scott, for your time and your passion. To learn more visit their website or follow them on Twitter @mealwithmission.

Do you find it hard or awkward to share the causes that you are passionate about in your everyday life? Does the idea of having a forum like a meal, where everyone has a cause, alleviate some of that anxiety?

Our Friend Dylan Pierce

Several years ago, Dylan Pierce went on a Impact Trip with CARE for AIDS and was inspired by the hope and joy he saw in the people he met despite the pain they shared with him. Dylan,  a local Atlantan watercolor artist, says ”as I paint, I often think about God; how we are made in his image and reflect his creativity. The beauty of God’s varied wonders motivates me - everything that lives, crawls and breathes in our glorious world is inspiring – wildlife, plants, and people – especially children!” Dylan started painting when he was 11 and has an inspiring gift.

We’re thankful for the beauty that Dylan shares through his art and his friendship with CARE for AIDS. If you’d like to order one of his paintings or see more of his work, visit his website www.dylanpierce.com

What art have you experienced that has pointed you to hope? 

Video not working?  See it on YouTube here:  http://youtu.be/9WTbySsg-1c