Someone once said, “The glorious gift of a new year is a sacred blessing.” New beginnings, new calendars, new routines, new reading plans… All things new! A new year can bring so much anticipation and excitement. I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things is getting out my new journal on January 1st. I love sitting down with a cup of coffee in one hand and pen in the other to reflect on the past year and dream about what God has for the new year. It’s important that we keep the dreams alive within us. Romans 12:11-12 says, “Never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.” I truly believe one of the ways to never be “lacking in zeal” and keeping our “spiritual fervor” is by serving the Lord. One Hundred Shares Birmingham has been a source of that encouragement for my personal journey. My faith has been inspired as we have glimpsed so many ministries in Birmingham that are faithfully proclaiming the Gospel and serving those in spiritual and physical need. I’m often in awe of the women and men who run these ministries. They sacrifice, love and give tirelessly to those they serve. They are bold. They are kind. They are generous. They believe God for the miracle and often see it take place. I’m confident that each of these ministries started with a dream in someone’s heart for how God might be able to use them to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I’m so grateful for their obedience. God has used them to fan the flame of zeal in our lives. These ministries will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We have completed our third year of giving for One Hundred Shares Birmingham. At our 2021 Fall luncheon, we gave $139,000. Life on Wheels was awarded $75,000 to purchase a second mobile medical unit for Birmingham. Kings Home was awarded $64,000 to help the Prodigal Pottery program fulfill its mission.
This means that in three years we have collectively given away: $369,500. To God be the Glory!
God has grown this giving group to 150 partners. We truly believe He will continue to grow OHSB. We aspire to reach 200 women. Please join us in praying for this goal. This is not about growing OHSB for the sake of numbers. That “200” represents individual Birmingham women who are called to lock arms with us to do more together than alone. Two hundred women means we will be able to support more ministries that are doing the hard work on the front lines. So, let’s continue to be faithful in prayer. God will give the growth.
February 1 is our deadline for taking grant applications. Please notify the ministries that may fit the criteria for a OHSB grant. Finally, One Hundred Shares Birmingham will launch our Instagram account in the coming days. Please be ready to follow, like and comment. We plan to use this platform to communicate important information and for partners to consistently unite around our mission and vision.
Thank you for believing in this vision. May One Hundred Shares Birmingham continue to be the fragrance of Christ to the world through prayer and generosity for the expansion of his Kingdom here on earth.
Blessings, Shawn Grubb OHSB Board Chair January, 2022
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