The Passion 2012 Challenge: Whom Shall We Send??

We are beside ourselves over the responses to our “1000 Women” campaign for Passion 2012! Over half of the scholarships slots have been filled! We feel so strongly that God is in the middle of this and that He finds great joy in watching one generation invest in the next and cheer them on. Last week as I prepared for the video announcing the LPM scholarships, God set a fire in my heart to do one additional video (this one), challenging any willing churches, ministries, Christian businesses or even families to scholarship other young men and women to Passion 2012 and/or help with their expenses. I am convinced to the bone that so many men and women 18-25 would jump at the chance to go and that expense is by far their biggest obstacle.

We’re wondering if God wants to move on the hearts of some businessmen or women, ministries, or churches to pool extra dollars (if there are any!) and send several young men or women. Maybe a couple of families could go in together and send one. Listen, you may wonder how much difference just one scholarship could make but, to that one person, it could be the difference between light and darkness. To some, between life and death. And, by all means, it could be the difference between a sense of purposelessness and a divinely conspired future. Unless God decides this year to do something altogether different than every other Passion gathering, He will show up with an overwhelming presence and in an environment that is profoundly effective for the age group. I’m not much of a fan of guarantees but, based on God’s history through these events, I do not believe you will be sorry you made this investment in a life. If we can be used of God to send them, we can trust Him to do the rest. He is unfathomably faithful.

Ok! The challenge is officially on the table for any of you who want to pool together some finances and send some 18-25 year olds to Passion 2012. They’re out there! I bet you won’t have to hunt very hard to find some willing recipients.

If you want, let us know you’re taking the challenge and how you found your recipient! (I wish we had the proper resources to help you find them here but we better stick to the scholarship program we’ve already established.) No pressure whatsoever to join in or to let us know you’re taking the challenge. This is for those, like me, who just seem to like making everything into a party.

You guys are a blast. Let’s see what God does!

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42 Responses to “The Passion 2012 Challenge: Whom Shall We Send??”

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  1. 1
    Michelle says:

    Thank you Jesus for placing this burden on Beth’s heart!!! My husband and I decided last week to take on that challenge not only for our daughter Megan but also her friend Maddie. We knew that finances would be their obstacle so we committed to provide plane tickets, hotel and conference fees. Maddie received a scholarship from Living Proof last week, thank you on her behalf. She was ecstatic. We are trusting the Lord to provide the finances for the hotel. We are just shy of 5,000 points to give them each a plane ticket through our credit card. I am counting on Him to get to 50,000 points before 10/26 so I can book the tickets. I KNOW that the Lord will show up in a powerful way. I am so excited that I want to shout it from the roof top that JESUS IS LORD!!!

  2. 2
    Beth says:

    Here is a reason why you should send an 18-25 year old to Passion:
    I went to Passion 2011 and Jesus COMPLETELY woke me up from a hazy sleep. While there, the Holy Spirit found me and worked a miracle on my stubborn heart. He revealed to me that I was merely fond of Jesus. (If that doesn’t make you want to jump out of your skin, I don’t know what will.) He showed me that I was my bottom source of joy and I enjoyed worshipping God because of how it made me feel. I loved everything associated with Jesus where I could be passionately fond of how great He is without actually KNOWING Him. Right then and there, as the Holy Spirit worked on me, I encountered His love and for the first time I was able to authentically worship Him and see Him for who He really is!!

    When Beth mentioned that sending someone to Passion could be the difference between life and death… that was my story this past year. Send more students!

  3. 3
    candifer says:

    this. is. SO. COOL. !!!!

    when i was in high school & college i soooo wanted to go, but never had the opportunity. rest assured though, God used (and continues to do so!) other events and experiences to give meaning and purpose to my life.

    the idea of gathering a group to sponsor someone to go is great–is that not what the church does? gathers together to support one another?! and what a tangible way to demonstrate that to someone in a very pivitol growing season of life!

  4. 4
    Christine says:

    This is all so exciting. Three girls who I have been praying for all got LPM scholarships to go along with myself, and we could not be more grateful and estatic!

    A close friend of mine, who is a guy, is in need of financial assistance to go to Passion and I’ve been praying desperately the Lord would provide a way for him to go. Maybe this is the answer to my prayer!

  5. 5
    Amy Beth says:

    I’m begging God to move on the heart of my foster daughter, who just turned 18, to want to go. I’m committed to helping her go financially, but I think the bigger obstacle is going to be her WANTING to go. With her behaviors and attitude right now, I find it hard to imagine that she will go without someone forcibly dragging her there.

    But I’m going to pray anyway. God can change hearts in an instant.

  6. 6
    rachel says:

    i was at passion 2011 (and will be there in 2012!) and there, the Lord brought my heart from death to life. i got to passion and was struggling with addiction and eating issues, as well as loads of shame and self-condemnation, and i was in the application process for a residential Christian counseling program. i went into passion with my heart completely hardened to the Lord, out of fear and out of despair that He just couldn’t save me. i had known Him for most of my life, but had been struggling with life-consuming sin for so long that i was hopeless that i could ever see real freedom.

    but at passion, i realized for the first time in my heart that Christ wanted me exactly how i was, and that He has more than enough power to bring freedom and change in my life. i finally surrendered my heart to Him and He did WORK on me. it was actually beth’s talk about the captivated mind that gave me practical ways to live out the freedom that i was actually experiencing. so, thank you beth! you are truly like a mother to me. the Lord changed my life through your talk at passion.

    i can’t say enough about how thankful i am for passion- i have no idea where i would be if it weren’t for the Lord working through this event. by His grace i have been walking in freedom for 9 months now. He is able to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine! please invest in this opportunity- it WILL change lives.

  7. 7
    Kim Brown says:

    Thanks so much Beth Moore and Living Proof Ministries. My daughter was one of your scholarship recipients and she is VERY excited about Passion 2012. She did not get to go last year due to finances, but because of your generosity, she will this year. Thanks again so much for your ministry as you always speak to my heart with what God has laid on yours.

  8. 8

    We just put out an announcement on our church FB page, calling all 18-25 year olds who are willing to go, the church will sponsor/scholarship them. Just waiting to see how the Lord will work! Thanks for this challenge!!

  9. 9
    Kathy says:

    Happy to contribute again- can’t wait to hear the reports from the event

  10. 10

    I received one of the 1000 Women scholarships and would not otherwise have been able to attend Passion 2012. Thank you so much for making this happen for me! I have seen God already and I am expecting to watch Him do so much more!!!

  11. 11
    ForeverHis says:

    I’m going to agree with you in prayer for her. God can do all things!

    Lawan
    Phil4:8

  12. 12
    Valerie says:

    Thank you so much Beth/LPM for doing this! I am so whipped up that I will get to intercede for one of these dear women. I’ll be watching the blog and praying for the event in the mean time. Go God! Woohoo!

  13. 13
    Maple Leaf says:

    I know a young person who would love to attend this event–but probably would not be able to go because of finances. If you know of anyone who would send 2 youth from the Toronto area to this event, please let me know 🙂

  14. 14
    Midge Edmond says:

    So amazing that you are doing this!! The LiveLink tonight was amazing as well. 50+ countries, 2000+ campuses represented. So so amazing what God is doing in this generation!!

  15. 15
    Ingrid says:

    This is so exciting. Such wonderful and tender stories of being touched by God’s hand at this event. There is great work going on here. Be Blessed.

  16. 16
    Michelle says:

    Our church had already committed to sending some young people, some of whom have siblings and it would be very difficult for 2 of the families to afford to send 2 kids each. The church is not very big, averaging 70 in attendance on Sundays, but it is sending 14 kids! Wow! What a blessing our church will receive from the Lord for that investment! I can’t wait!

  17. 17
    Trish says:

    I am a group leader of a small women’s group doing your David study. Tonight we watch video 6 and I am just again, dumbfounded by our God! You touch on the “who am I” David wrestled with in the presence of God. I want to share with you that is where I am and I feel God has given me an answer to my question. My backstory mirrors some of yours so I have asked that question several times. Recently, my God fearing and God loving mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and told she had 2 weeks to 2 months to live. When the doctors told her this she immediately told them, “You can say that but God is in control of how may weeks I have on this earth and I believe He is going to use this to glorify Him.” Well, yesterday my mom met with her specialist, these 16 months later, and her dr. told her there is no cancer or signs it was ever there. I asked myself “who am I that you heard my pleas for my mother’s life?” I have several friends with a parent battling this dread disease. I have felt God’s peace in His answer that “I am His.” I love to tell His story. I pray that God will continue to use this as the tool to open those hardened hearts and those who have never heard. I pray that God will continue to show us His mercy but more that I will never back down or shy away from giving glory where it is due. We serve a modern day healer and my answer to “who am I?” came back to me, “You are a child of THE KING!” With Him, all things ARE POSSIBLE. Praise God.

  18. 18
    Leah says:

    Praise the LORD!! I thank you Living Proof Ministries for your scholarship. I look forward to the blessings that God is going to pour out at Passion 2012. I feel the Lord is already beginning to prepare my heart and He is showing me branches of my life that need some pruning (well, probably more like a complete severence by chainsaw). I feel like the Lord is refining my life getting me ready for the next big step with Him. I just totally desire to go deeper with Him and Passion is going to help me do that. Thank you again.

  19. 19
    Michele Bone says:

    Praying about sponsoring 4 students…..representing our 4 daughters, who may one day attend. I know if God has called me to it, He will provide. Praying this week. Waiting on Him!
    Love to all of you Siestas!

  20. 20
    Gena H - MI says:

    Dear Beth: my soon to be 18 yr old daughter is a senior in high school. She is making major life decisions about college and feels called to ministry. She is a natural do-er/leader. I’ve read your blog in the past and stop by when my 45yr old brain can remember. This brought tears to my eyes! I am so excited to share this with her and make this event happen for her!

  21. 21
    Micah Jamie says:

    I was listening to XM radio and the Passion Conference was mentioned. I remembered a friend’s daughter was privileged to go to part of the conference last year, and the huge impact it made on her personal realtionship with Christ. I knew with her being a college freshman this year there had been a lot of extra expenses, and thought maybe I should offer to pay for her to go. I decided to pray about it, that God give me the words to make the offer. I then read some blogs I frequent…and read LPM’s/watched Beth’s video about their 1000 scholarships. I felt convicted to contact my friend’s daughter and make the offer immediately. She accepted my offer, and mentioned she had several friends she was trying to encourage to go to Passion b/c of the major impact it had on her own life. A few of them had said yes and already registered, but there were a few who would love to go and couldn’t afford it. I offered to her then if she could find 2 other girls and 2 other guys to go, I would make sure their registration was paid. The only thing I asked was they commit to attending and that they couldn’t afford it on their own. Only 1 week later, and because of this precious girl’s pursuit of Christ 5 kids are now committed and registered to go to Passion 2012. PTL! Thanks for the motivation and encouragement to get involved. I simply can’t wait to see the way God works in these young lives.

  22. 22
    Lisa B says:

    This was on my mind this morning. I was running errands for work and I believe that God has brought it back to my attention. The reason I feel this way because when I checked my email there was a blog from LPM about this exact same thing that I was thinking about.
    I have praying about sending my 2 of my sons and there girlfriends. My oldest son is 22 and so is his girlfriend. He has been away at college and has not been to church while away. He does go when he comes home. I want him to get reconnected with God in away that he will love the Lord the way I do. His girl friend loves him dearly and feels the same way I do. My middle son graduated high school last year and he is struggling trying to find a college group to join. Our church does not have one. His girl freind is working with her church to get something started. This was on my heart last year to send them and I believe that God has brought it to my attention to do something about it. We live in Georgia so it’s not that far away. I believe it will be an spirtual awakening for them! Praying for the young adults that will attend the event and the speakers, worship leaders.

  23. 23
    Heather says:

    It is SO wonderful what you are doing for these students!! This will be my daughter’s third year to go and she always loves it!!! She looks so forward to it every year. My husband is a Christian business owner and we would love to take on the challenge!!!

  24. 24
    Heather Terhune says:

    I have an 18 year old niece that is a freshman in college. After I watched the first video I felt God press upon my heart to take her and two of her new college friends to Passion. She already has one girl she knows she’s going to take but she’s praying for God to reveal to her the second one. I’m excited to see her passion unfold and I can’t wait to “reach back” to the generation behind me by supporting them in going.

  25. 25
    Julie says:

    My weird thing I ‘love’ that most women do not is something that plugs in or a kitchen ‘anything’. My husband & I recently had our 29th wedding anniversary & I was completely blown away & on the verge of tears as he gave me my gift. It was a complete attachment set to make every type if homemade pasta known to man! I even told him I bet I am the only woman weird enough to cry over a pasta maker:)

  26. 26
    koren says:

    I am so looking forward to the outpouring of The Holy Spirit into the lives of so many young people this coming January! We live in Northern Ontario Canada yet we are so aware of God’s work in so many areas of the World. My oldest son is 23 and married to a beautiful girl who was born and raised in Alabama (which is not far from where Passion 2012 will be held) and I am a grandmother to my first grandson named Jaiden. I have two other sons ages 14 and 18 this November who are still at home, they both love The Lord and serve him in so many ways. We have an amazing youth leader at our Church who God is using in so many ways…. Kyle has done two mission trips (through YouthWorks) , one to Chicago a couple of years ago and this past summer they both went to Toronto, Ontario. They are now raising money for the next missions trip to The Dominican Republic….. We are a very small Church but have seen God do amazing things amongst our Youth! Kyle my middle son who will be 18 this coming November graduated High School this past June, he is till attending school part time and working and is looking at taking next summer to serve The Lord through YouthWorks. With his love for The Lord we would love to send him to Passion 2012 but can’t affort to send him. If there was any way possible to send him financially and know that he would be in good hands while out there, we would! Keeping God’s will in prayer for all who put together this amazing Conference and for souls to KNOW the LOVE OF OUR AMAZING SAVIOR. Love & Blessings

  27. 27
    Debboe says:

    I have been mentoring a 21 yo for about 4 years and sent her a link to the scholarship offer. She was so excited and sent her info in right away. She received confirmation of her scholarship in less than 24 hours!! God has a big plan for her and I am so exxited for her!! Thanka, Beth for listening to God for direction!

  28. 28
    Carrie says:

    This is just an amazing ministry! I am a Missionary Kid from Southeast Asia and grew up listening and watching the DVDs of the Passion conferences. I always have wanted to go but never realistically considered it due to finances. I am now 23 years old and praying eagerly that God will provide! When I heard of this opportunity I jumped at it and applied. Although it’s been a few days since my application was submitted and I’m not sure I’ll be considered, I still have hope. With God all things are possible!! Also, Beth Moore I just wanted to THANK YOU for your faithfulness to Gods calling on your life. I just finished “When Godly People Do Ungodly Things” and it helped me tremendously with dealing with some family issues (my sister believes she is homosexual) that are very fresh…and this book really helped me with my anger. So, regardless of if I get to go to Passion 2012 or not I want you to know you have blessed me in other ways…so, thank you!

  29. 29
    Nicole says:

    I am so proud to be part of a community where anonymous donations will be sending 50!!!!! students to Passion 2012. I have such a fire in me to lead and mentor the next generation because of the generosity of those who can scholarship students to this event. I hope this will serve as encouragement for anyone who can send even one student to Passion this year. It can truly change their life.

  30. 30
    Biscuet says:

    I’m looking for ways to fund about 12 of my Chinese friends who are from China but currently studying abroad in America to get to Passion2012. As Chinese students they don’t have much (or any) disposable income, but i personally saw Passion change the life of my Chinese friend, Jessie, at Passion2011. Thanks so much, Beth, for this wonderful challenge!

  31. 31
    Angela says:

    I think this would be GREAT!!! I have two cousins I wish could go who are in very sad family situations. I was just praying earlier that God would provide a way for them to go to this conference or one like it soon. I love this idea!!! Thank you…

  32. 32

    Oh, man! I wish I could! I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to afford counseling, and the deal is for the time being, I’m not!!!! Not for a while! Josh and I’ve tried to figure out how, and short of rationing the kids food (I have two with raging hormones. You know how they EAT!) there’s just no way!

    I did want to say this in response to what you said, Beth, about being convinced they’d go if they had the money. I was involved with Baptist Student Ministries when I was in college, and the big thing they did every summer, was go to Glorietta (I don’t know if you’re familiar with that?) I never went. Why? I didn’t have the money. If somebody had offered to pay my way, I would have been on that airplane with my friends in half a second! I promise I would have! If there was any way! And there was! I ended up not working that week anyway, but still couldn’t go, because since I wasn’t working, I didn’t have any money!!!!

  33. 33
    Brandy says:

    Hi, Beth- this is an awesome idea. I have a young lady in my church that has just gone off to college and I just love her so dearly. I have heard her talking about Passion 2012. I am taking your challenge, I want to send her!!!

  34. 34
    Jody says:

    Beth,
    Thank you for posting this. I didn’t even know what Passion 2012 was. I haven’t been reading the blog as often as I need to (life has been crazy) and pulled it up today to catch up and just saw this post. My first reaction was that I wanted to go when I looked up the website but then realized it was for college students. I would love to sponsor someone’s fee. I have emailed our youth pastor and asked if any of our youth wanted to attend and offered to sponsor them. Money is tight but I know if we sponsor our youth and the upcoming generation that God will bless us ten fold!

  35. 35
    Jacqueline Toups says:

    Are their any spots left for scholarship?! I’d really love for my friend’s wife to go!
    I have been to 4 Passion Conferences! Thank you Jesus!!! He is moving in the hearts of my generation. If anyone reading this is going- do not pass up going to the Go Center to see how you can Do Something Now. Very real tangible ways to see how you can participate in the global mission of Jesus.
    *And most definitely go to KNEEL! It seems to be an almost hidden part of Passion, because it’s not a break out session or quick visit. I finally went my last time- The most incredible part of my 2011 Passion experience! I won’t explain it here, just go and do it. 🙂 It is never regretted to be humble before the feet of the Father. Amen.
    -Jacqueline

  36. 36
    Kari says:

    I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

    Philemon 6, NIV
    Kari, Benton, AR

  37. 37
    Ali W says:

    I just wanted to tell you thank you for posting this and inspiring people, businesses, and families to sponsor students for this amazing conference. I have never been to Passion before, but I definitely want to be apart of this movement that God is calling many kids my age to.

    I never thought of asking for a sponsor. But I posted a status on my facebook asking for anyone who wanted Christmas photos (i’m a photographer) or a reliable baby sitter in order for me to raise money for Passion 2012. Instead of a response for work, I received a message from a friend, who read this blog entry, that she felt called to pay my way to Passion 2012 in full. I couldn’t believe it.

    Had it not been for your blog to inspire people to reach out and give, I’m not so sure I would be attending Passion this year. Thank you, so so much Beth.

  38. 38
    Poorna Diaz says:

    I am happy to report that paperwork is *finally* completed for a young lady, Kayli Brooks, that I’m sponsoring. Kayli was part of a discipleship group, which my friend (another Siesta) and I led. Our group had about 15 girls, one of who was Kayli. Four years later, Kayli is now a freshman in college. When I signed up to go to Passion as a volunteer…and then shortly thereafter, heard about this challenge, I pitched the idea of going to Passion to a number of those girls. Kayli was the only one who bit the bait. She is SO excited about going. She has been through a lot in the past year and I’m so, SO excited for her to have this opportunity! Thank you for the challenge!

    Excited about going to the The Dome,
    Poorna

    • 38.1
      Poorna Diaz says:

      11/30/2011 update: So, what I didn’t say in the first post was that along with Kayli and some of the other girls from my old discipleship group, I also invited my best friend & Siesta’s younger sister, Tara to go to Passion. She did not respond for a long time, but my Siesta and I both knew that she really, really should go. Tara has been going through a lot lately, and we couldn’t think of anything more awesome than Passion to go to at the start of the new year. We (me, my Siesta, and Kayli – the other girl who I’m sending) have been praying for her. Well, the other day, Tara MIRACULOUSLY WROTE ME AND TOLD ME SHE WANTED TO GO!!!! Truly an answered prayer. God is so good. Thank you again for this blog post…and the challenge!

      Love,
      Poorna

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