Staff Training

What a week! Training was challenging, overwhelming at times, and humbling... but overall, I left feeling encouraged and motivated. We had several different seminars throughout the week on topics like the history of the PCA and RUF (which was actually much more interesting than I was expecting!), RUF's philosophy of ministry, Evangelism, balancing personal life and ministry, demographics, one-on-ones, etc. I also really enjoyed spending time with the other interns this week - it's refreshing to hang out with people who know exactly what you're going through! (Lots of "What! You too?" moments - for you C.S. Lewis fans.)

A recurring theme that stood out to me in many of the seminars was that God doesn't need me, but He will use me. In other words, it's not about me. God is already at work at Western Carolina, and His work there is not contingent on my being there... I won't be starting God's work at WCU, I'll be joining Him in what He's already doing there. That's both humbling and encouraging. My work does have a purpose - not because I have the ability to "fix" or "save" anyone, but because God will work through me. I came home feeling encouraged and motivated to continue raising support, so that I can get to campus as soon as possible!


Support Update:

I am now at $13,396, or 47% of my total budget for the year! (That's a 14% increase from last week!) I have to raise a total of 85% in order to move to campus. Right now, I am still $10,804  away from that goal. That breaks down to $1,080* in monthly pledges, or (for example):

5 pledges of $100/month

5 pledges of $50/month

8 pledges of $25/month

and 13 pledges of $10/month

Pledges are helpful because they add up quickly, but one-time cash donations are important too! Of the 85% that I raise before I move to campus, $10,000 must be in cash, not pledges (just in case pledges fall through). I'm currently a little over $5,000 in cash donations, and I still need to raise about $5,000 more in one-time gifts in order to move. 

All that to say: ANY donation of any size helps, and I am so, SO grateful to all of you who have already supported me! (If you would like to support my work, check out the Support me tab or go to www.ruf.org/donate.) 

Thanks!

*Pledges are counted as 10-month commitments until I reach 85%.

Training & Support Update

Next week, I'll be attending RUF Staff Training in Atlanta with all of the RUF campus ministers, staff members, and my fellow interns. I'm really looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting more of the second-year interns! (Hoping they can give me some killer-awesome tips for raising the rest of this support!) :) Please pray for safe travels as we all make our way to Atlanta, and pray that we would all learn and grow a lot and enjoy good fellowship at training!

As of today, I have reached $9,364 in  pledges and donations! That puts me at 33% of my total budget. I still need to raise $14,836 by mid-August in order to be on campus in time to welcome the incoming freshmen. That breaks down to $1,236 in monthly pledges, or (for example):

5 pledges of $100/month

10 pledges of $50/month

and 10 pledges of $25/month

Of course, one-time gifts and pledges of any size are a big encouragement, and they all add up! As I was looking over my donor report for this week, I found some donations that I (for various reasons) wasn't expecting at all... and each of these gifts is a reminder to me that God is in control of my support-raising, and I can trust Him. 

"God in His love always wills what is best for us.
In His wisdom He always knows what is best,
and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about."

- Jerry Bridges, Trusting God

Happy Sunday, everyone! RUF people - see you tomorrow!! 

Support Update!

drumroll please...


I am now at $7,740 in pledges and gifts. That's 27%, folks! Thank you so, so much to all of you who have donated or pledged!


I can move to campus once I have raised 85% ($24,200) of my budget. I'm hoping to reach 85% by August 16 (one month from now!!) So that I can be there in time for the fall semester to start.  Right now, I am $16,460 away from that goal. Practically speaking, this breaks down to:

5 pledges of $100/month

10 pledges of $50/month

20 pledges of $25/month

and

15 pledges of $10/month

(This is just an example - one-time gifts or other pledges are definitely welcome!!)

Please consider partnering with me! Check out the Support me tab for more information about my budget, and please don't hesitate to contact me (912.678.6049 or annie.hall@ruf.org) with any questions!


Support-raising has been a learning experience so far. It's definitely not easy, and it's often really awkward... but I've been really encouraged by the conversations I've had with a lot of people along the way. It's humbling to be in a position where my future plans depend on the generosity of others... but I'm even more humbled and encouraged by the generosity of my supporters, especially those that don't really know me and/or are having to make sacrifices in other areas in order to support me. 


Humbled, encouraged, and grateful,

Introductions...

Hi! My name is Annie Hall, and by God's grace and with your help, I'll be an intern with RUF at Western Carolina this fall. This is where I'll post updates about support-raising, ministry, and life in Cullowhee, NC.

This adventure/journey/whatever you want to call it really started over 3 years ago... but that's somewhat of a long story. Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago, where I found myself at a hotel in Atlanta, surrounded by over 60 other incoming interns for new intern orientation. Orientation was simultaneously intimidating,encouraging, overwhelming, and really, really fun. (My fellow interns/friends Kelsey, Derrick, and Rachel wrote some interesting blog posts about orientation - check them out!)

Last week, I drove up to Cullowhee, North Carolina, to meet my new boss (campus minister Dave Osborne) and his family, meet a few students, and check out the area. It was a fun, exhausting, and eye-opening few days...

On my first night there, about 15 - 20 students came over to the Osbornes' house for a summer Bible study, and I was able to get my first sample of the types of students I'll be working with at Western. RUF at WCU is unique in that very few of the students have PCA/reformed backgrounds... many of them are new Christians or have grown up in churches and homes that taught a moralistic works-based salvation. As a result, many of them are learning about the Gospel and God's undeserved grace for the first time. As I sat and listened to them discuss and apply the Gospel, I was overwhelmed - they have a sweet excitement for the Gospel that's indescribable. The topic for the night was Luke 15 (the prodigal son) from a study series by Tim Keller. (Check out THIS SERMON  - it's so good!) After Bible study, Dave told me about some of the struggles his students face/have faced... and I was overwhelmed again. After meeting the students and talking to Dave, I realized that working with these students is going to be much more exciting and much more challenging than I could imagine... and I realized that really, really can't do this without prayer. So when I ask you to pray for me, it's not just because I want to sound spiritual - it's because if I try to do this in my own strength, it's going to be disastrous.

The rest of my time in North Carolina was spent touring WCU, finding a place to live (success!), and exploring the general area... 

Western Carolina is located about 40 miles of Asheville, surrounded by the mountains... it's beautiful! (And consistently at least 10 degrees cooler than middle Georgia - a welcome change!)

I'll end this post here, because I originally planned for this to be a brief introduction... but there's still so much to be said about Dave and his work at Western. I can't wait to start working under him and I'm excited to see what God is going to do in, through, and for me over the next two years!! Thanks for visiting my blog, and come back soon for more updates! (If you'd like to get my blog posts via email, enter your email address into the "follow by email" box on the right.)