An Unfolding Story of Generosity

We’re coming into a very exciting season: the final push to gather the funds necessary to close escrow on the Phase II property. We have around 4 weeks left… and we’re on the edge of our seats watching and waiting to see what will happen. Who will be the people who stand up to offer the generous gifts necessary to purchase this vital land that will open up so much potential for Iona House? We’re in prayer nearly constantly about this.

It’s not been an easy context for fundraising. The macro-economics, particularly of the Bay Area, are not ripe for receiving larger capacity gifts right now (tech stocks have all taken a beating over the past year or so). But that being said, we’re seeing AMAZING generosity pour forth. I could tell you stories about people sacrificially giving… and those are just the stories I know of.

To date, we’ve received (including a $50,000 matching grant that we’re only $7500 away from completing!), right around $780,000 in gifts and pledges. THIS IS PHENOMENAL! We have over 70 households, representing nearly 40 churches involved. God is building a beautiful movement of generosity and partnership. For us, fundraising isn’t just pragmatic… it’s about God putting together an invested movement of people who believe with us that Iona House matters here and now!

When you look at the history of places like the original Abbey on Iona or any number of other influential monasteries or missionary centers, there is always a corresponding narrative of generosity that made it all possible: a family legacy, a substantial sacrifice, or some other inspiring story. Sometimes the story emerges directly from a mystical encounter where a person was praying and God spoke; sometimes the generosity emerges from a crisis or a story of great loss (a gift made in honor of a lost child or spouse or loved one). But whatever the case, the story is usually a story of faith. - Someone sees potential… sees God at work in a very seed-stage and decides to take the risk.

We’re praying that God would tap the right people on the shoulder to make the Iona House vision a fully tangible dream. Pray with us!