2020 was a year we will never forget! While our world and circumstances are constantly changing, the Lord is not. Hebrews 11:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This is good news to the weary soul! Our God is constantly loving and constantly working. His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and His dominion endures throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:13)
We desire to remember and reflect on the unchanging and steadfast faithfulness of our Lord, as He has carried One Hundred Shares Birmingham through 2020 in astounding ways. Let us take a moment to recall some of His wondrous works:
At the end of 2019, we exceeded our goal and gave away $107,000 and we cast a vision for OHSB to grow to 200 partners in 2020. Little did we know, a global pandemic was on the horizon. But God… He was faithful to carry us through.
In a season when non-profits declined in their giving across the nation, God grew OHSB! To Him be the Glory!
We started 2020 with 122 partners. We closed the year out giving away $123,500 to two worthy ministries, with 133 partners!
In light of COVID-19, the Lord graciously led us to move and change our spring coffee to a late summer “virtual” event, where we announced our 2020 finalists.
By God’s grace, we were able to gather at the Fall Luncheon to grant $75,000 to Foundations Early Learning Center and $48,500 to Cornerstone School of Alabama (to learn more about these grants click here).
After the Fall Luncheon, God laid it on several partner’s hearts to cover the Christian Service Mission grant, the remaining amount for Cornerstone’s grant request and generously give to Kings Home as well. We are honestly in awe of what the Lord has done and astounded at the generosity of our partners!
I don’t know about you, but when I hear this good news, this makes me want to celebrate! Psalm 105 leads us in this praise, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
Now as we move into a new year, we have expectant hearts. Join us as we pray that God would give OHSB 200 partners by August. Try to imagine with me what it would be like to give away $200,000. No doubt that would be an amazing blessing!
The grant applications are due on February 1, 2021. Please spread the word to your ministry friends. We will have our Spring Coffee in April, where we will present the ministry finalists (invitation will come). This is the perfect opportunity for you to invite your friends! The way we grow our giving group is by exposing others to the mission of OHSB and these wonderful ministries. So don’t miss that opportunity to bring a friend or two!
We could have never imagined all that we experienced in 2020. However, look what God did in spite of all the circumstances. Because He is the same yesterday and today and forever, we do not have to fear the future. While we may not know what 2021 has in store yet, what we do know is our God is faithful. So may we look into the coming days, weeks and months with expectation that God will be God! He will be faithful to His bride. We pray your hearts are filled with joy and encouragement, as we seek to continue to lock arms and do more together than alone.
To God be the Glory, Shawn Grubb OHSB Board Chair January, 2021
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