In less than two weeks, we are going to attempt to do something we have never done before to serve the under-resourced in Atlanta. Keep #lovebeyondwalls in your prayers as we prepare to launch the campaign.
Terence
This AM I feel many different emotions… Excited… Hopeful…and many other emotions that I cannot describe… Why? Because tomorrow, we’ll show our first 20 minute film as an organization at Ga Tech in the LeCraw auditorium. I cannot believe we have produced a piece that is both inspiring and challenging.
The reason I have these different emotions is simple… We’ll highlight many homeless people we have encountered this year, but some of them have moved on to other states (off of the streets) and will not be able to see the piece at the first showing. However, I know many will view via (web) when they get a chance. I cannot wait to show our piece, and reveal the next campaign we’ll do to serve the under-resourced in Atlanta.
Lastly, we will release this piece via web 8 days after we show it at Ga Tech. Thank you to all of you who support our work in the city! We hope to see you there as our guest…
Terence
Everything is perfect right… You are taught, “Get a job… Be consistent in that job… Get tons of education… Apply what you’ve learned… Pay your bills on time… Take care of your family (if you choose to get one)… AND everything will work out for you as long as you are a smart, positive, productive, and a moral citizen…” Right? Wrong!
Life has a way of taking even the simplistic desires of our heart(s) and flipping them upside down…leaving you to wonder, “Is something wrong with me?” or better yet, “Am I not doing something right?…”
How do I know? Well, life was going well…I was working on staff at a church, caring for my family, and started Love Beyond Walls in my spare time… Well, seven days after Easter of this year (2014) I was called into the church office (where I was on staff), and laid off for starting Love Beyond Walls. I think the phrase was, “I think you should go do that 100% because you are not a fit anymore…”
If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is where life flips everything upside down…and I was left on the bottom… My heart stopped…In fact, I’m in tears writing this because I felt ashamed to share it at first.
Initially, when I started #lovebeyondwalls I was only devoting part-time energy to it, and had tons of volunteer help (still have a great team). In fact, the organization’s success is not because of me, but because of the team my wife and I have around us…
But, soon LBW began to grow, gain a little attention and involvement, and suddenly I was told “You are not a fit anymore…It’s not what we do…”
But wait, isn’t this the church’s mission? Love God, Love People, and Serve the least of these? It is….But, at some churches (NOT ALL) it is more about what goes on inside the four walls of the church instead of the people outside the walls that need the love of God, and the good news (not apologizing for stepping on toes, but it is true).
Yes, you heard me… I was given a pink slip, and even told not to come back to the church anymore. Why? I hadn’t done anything criminal or out of line. I just wanted to love on people who I know that God loves, but do not have a voice. However, I have chosen to forgive the mistreatment I received.
In fact, it happened about five days before we launched a campaign called #closetstrike… A campaign where our organization raised awareness about children who attend title 1 schools, and have to wear the same thing every single day because they lack resources at home. I started wearing one outfit every single day (for 90 days), and had to deal with not having a job because of a lay off.
Not only has this been the most difficult journey of my life, it has been the most rewarding too… I have served others with love, compassion, and grace knowing in the back of my mind I could relate to them even more. How have I been able to do it… Simple. HOPE, FOCUS, SUPPORT, AND GOD’S STRENGTH!
Since my layoff, God has provided for my family, and the work we are doing through selfless individuals who see value in our work.
But, if I could be honest this layoff has been both a blessing and a challenge. It has been a blessing because I have been devoted more to building our organization and seeing more impact, but it has been a challenge because I haven’t been able to find more employment with four degrees in one of the worse states for the jobless (GA).
Why put this out there? Simple. It’s to let people know that God does still move in the midst of pain, and in the midst of loss. It is to let people know that you can persevere and build something even though HELL itself is suggesting you should stop and quit. The only thing that has keep me going has been my family and knowing that I am supposed to take hope and love to people who want to throw in the towel.
But here is the good news…We have grown a little more, and in about 15 days, I’m going to release one of the biggest projects we have ever worked on in our lives as an organization.
I can’t wait to write more about the journey I am weathering and our attempt to beat it by doing more good, and serving more people with the love of God.
Below is a picture of a bus we were recently donated… We will share our vision for how we will reach more with it in the coming days.
Terence
Today marks ten days away from us showing just a small small part of our story at Ga Tech (LeCraw Auditorium). Additionally, we will talk a little about where we wish to go as an organization in 2015! If you’d like to purchase tickets, click the image below…
LBW Team
Earlier this week, I (Terence) met a pastor through a friend in Madison, GA and shared our story. We walked outside to this thirty passenger bus, and he said, “this should help you guys out a lot…” In fact, he said they think it would help in serving those in need up in ATL… I don’t know how this all happened (other than God), but this church is donating this bus to @lovebeyondwalls! Can’t wait to share what we are going to do with it next month!!!
Terence
So awesome that we got a chance to support Smart Kids Childcare Center in Lithia Springs with diapers and supplies! So awesome to serve!
LBW Team
Next week, we will take a lot of principles we have learned (through experience) and pass them along to other leaders (about 5-7). We want to teach leaders some of lessons we’ve learned about social media, storytelling, and launching campaigns.
How will this help? I’m glad you asked. It will help other leaders start the process of thinking through ways to make an impact in the areas they feel called to. Everyone needs a little guidance and help!
Also, I’m excited about giving the talk! If you’d like to attend, click the image below. I think we only have 3 more seats available.
Terence
We’ve started the process of shooting the short film, and piecing it together! We can wait to show it at Ga Tech on October 11th! Below is a couple we interviewed about there experience while serving with LBW.
LBW Team
We are excited! Yesterday we visited GA Tech, and snapped a few photos of the facility! This will be our first attempt to gather all of our social media videos, photos, and tell a unique story of why we exist and want to stay around. We ask that you support us by purchasing a ticket (if you haven’t already). You can get a ticket by clicking the image below. Every sale will go directly to helping us grow as an organization to reach more people!
Below are a few pictures, and a cold interview from John Springs (a homeless guy we met earlier this week).
Terence
YOU’RE INVITED!!!
Georgia Institute of Technology
800 West Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Love Beyond Walls is gearing up to show its first short documentary highlighting people in the trenches making a difference.
This movie will highlight working class people, homeless individuals, and many who live under desperate circumstances.
This short film will highlight the story of how our organization started, and where we are aiming to go to reach more people with God’s love. You will leave with a heart of compassion towards individuals that are under-served, and under-resourced.
To purchase early bird tickets, click [HERE] or the image below!
LBW Team
