These past several months have sort of derailed my fundraising efforts. I was a lot busier than I had expected. I was just expecting to run the equipment center. Last minute, right before the semester started, I was asked to teach a freshman production class. Teaching film on the college level was a dream of mine, and I wasn’t about to pass that up.
Teaching wasn’t the only thing to occupy my time. I was asked to drive the sophomore film and broadcast students to Chicago, I helped raid the studio of a closed down university (we bought everything), and I was asked by our academic dean if I would go to Sierra Leone for 2 weeks (more on that later). Eventually, my department head started using me for freelance on the side. I have filmed and edited 2 commercial projects since the start of the semester. I kept pretty busy.
There was always this thought that I need to get back into fundraising. My efforts have fallen through in recent months. Partially because of the new job. Partially because I am trying to figure out the best way to go about it. I had ditched my fundraising coach to to the fact that she wanted me to use methods I was not comfortable with. I felt like an obnoxious salesman, using faith an spirituality to get people’s money (“but it is all the Lord’s provision”). I would say this and I was simply told that I am not trusting in the Lord enough. But the truth is, It was my faith in God that made me decide to ditch the coach. I don’t like quotas for fundraising. I don’t like forcing the pitch. I am trusting in my own capabilities and not in God. It might work for some people, but it doesn’t work for me.
With that being said, I have been building relationships at my new church. Not so new anymore, since I have been attending since April. But it’s good. I am part of a Sunday school class, I attend a men’s group, and even the pastors know my name. I like this church. While not perfect, and I could be more outgoing, I like it.
With the school year winding down, I need to refocus my priorities. Next semester won’t be as busy for me. I want to get back into fundraising. I know I need to be in the mission field, using media to help spread the gospel, aid those spreading the gospel, and raise awareness why the gospel is needed in Europe.