This is HIS Story

Christopher Beth, Chief Storyteller / Director of The Bucket Ministry. 

Christopher Beth was born in 1967 on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois to Penny and Edward Beth. Though he might argue that nothing of much significance occurred during his adolescence to early twenties, Christopher will be the first to cite one discrepancy in that: meeting, falling in love, and marrying his high school sweetheart, Sheri. Almost thirty years into their marriage, Christopher and Sheri are just as devoted to each other as the evening they exchanged vows.

They have two children, Savannah and Griffin, and were recently blessed with a grandson, Eli. Today, Christopher lives in a small town outside Dallas, Texas with his wife and mother–while remaining in driving distance to his daughter (and her family) and son.

Christopher worked for the majority of his life in the pet industry as a business consultant. Though never exactly passionate about this line of work, he nonetheless diligently applied himself to it for almost two decades. However, when his daughter returned from school one day with an opportunity to accompany her on a mission trip to the Brazilian Amazon, he would soon find a cause he was passionate about. Witnessing the abject lack of access to clean, safe, drinking water in Brazil, Christopher felt God breathe life into a ministry he was yet to understand the logistics or reality of. He returned home from the mission trip with a conviction to somehow merge the two great scarcities of God and water into one ministry. Thus, The Bucket Ministry was born.

While The Bucket Ministry started out in the Brazilian Amazon, it is now actively evangelizing and providing water filters to over twenty countries. The mission of the Bucket Ministry is to share God’s love through the gift of safe, clean, drinking water; and Christopher has every intention to realize that mission in every place lacking its spiritual and physical blessings. To watch more of Chris’ story please click here.Favorite Verse: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”-Acts 4:13

The Bucket Ministry is a passionate group of ordinary people singularly committed to bringing The Gospel and the gift of clean, safe, drinking water to all the underserved areas of the world. From the thicket thronged bush of Ghana to the frost-bitten foothills of Nepal, the dry and unbearing plains of Mexico to the deep green jungles of Brazil, the slick and hardpacked streets of the Kibera slums to the steep pitched mountains of Vietnam—The Bucket Ministry has boot prints in many of the world’s most physically and spiritually uninviting places. Yet, in serving such an unwavering God, The Bucket Ministry is never without a shepherd for our steps.

Ever since the Story Brand book, people talk about "telling your stories" online but what does that mean? How do non-Profits tell their stories on their websites, social media, and in emails? 

What happens when OUR story is really a God story? How do we tell that?

Today we talk about telling ministry and mission stories to the world.

Churches seem to have this unwritten rule. DON'T ask for money... "It's not Biblical. People with think bad about me, as a pastor! We met budget, we are doing fine. The Lord will give us exactly what He wants. "

Some churches have even removed the "passing of the plate" and have instituted giving boxes or only online giving opportunities.

But... is this even Biblical? It certainly isn't logical. on today's episode we will discuss should churches and pastors ask for money? And despite the negative feedback from people in the pews and in the streets, is it OK to talk about money from the pulpit?

What can be done to make pastors brave enough to discuss this taboo topic?

Online donations for Christian organizations, Non profits, and churches are the lifeblood for funding kingdom work around the globe. Yet, they sometime are the most neglected pages on our websites. Strange, right?

Too many leaders and web teams assume that "just because our website can take donations, we have done our part.... now it is up to the donor!"

So not true. It is OUR Job to help donors and givers feel confident that their gifts are going to ministry. We have a lot of work to do to "fix" our online giving pages.

So if you are a church or Christian Non profit wanting to know "How to create an online giving page?" or "How to set up online donations?" or "How to improve online giving?" Listen in. I will give you some tips to helping increase your online ministry funding potential. 

Today we dive into the "How did God prepare a boy from Ft. Worth to travel the world and teach people to share the Good News via "radio."

Learn abut this broadcast pillar in the kingdom building community. Dr. Ron Harris is a broadcast veteran with over five decades in the media world, which includes radio, television, church media, Christian radio, writing, and media consulting. Harris was the vice president and general manager of KCBI Radio in Dallas for 15 years.  Harris has been involved in National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) for over 35 years. In 2013, Harris founded MEDIAlliance International, a nonprofit ministry that trains, mentors, and encourages Christians in broadcasting around the world.

Ron L. Harris has been around broadcasting for most of his life, beginning in radio almost 55 years ago. After serving two years as Assistant Professor of Communications and Special Assistant to the President at Dallas Baptist University, Ron Harris is the president of MEDIAlliance International. In that role, he links Christian broadcasters in the United States with those in various places around the world to grow the impact of Christian broadcasting and the Gospel of Christ.

Ron served with KCBI Radio in Dallas, Texas, for 15 years, most of that time as Executive Vice President and General Manager and host of the Morning Program. Ron Harris also served in the US Air Force as a Radio/TV specialist. In 2004, Dallas Baptist University conferred upon Ron the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree for Christian service that integrates his faith with his vocational calling.

Dr. Harris was Chairman of the Board for National Religious Broadcasters for three years and has been a part of NRB for over 30, serving through the years as a workshop leader and speaker, board member, executive committee officer, as well as chairman. He now serves on the NRB International Committee

As we look at methods and ways to collect online gifts through church websites and using our digital channels.... let's look to scripture first to get our lens.

Paul's Collection from Gentiles to give to those suffering in Jerusalem. As we follow through Acts we see key components he used as he "asked" and fundraised to believers.

1. Authentic - Transparent 
2. Planned
3. Story telling
4. Updates

Churches and Pastors sometime do not utilize their best weapon in the fight to spread the gospel and fund the missions of the church. Listen in for more. 

Your flock spends way more time online than in the pews and churches are in the dark ages with online passing of the plate.

What makes people... specifically Christians... give? What makes them give online?

Today we look at the ways churches try to fundraise and how the Bible gives us examples of "Christian Fundraising." We also take a look at Christian organizations and offer solutions for churches wanting to improve their mission and kingdom minded projects. 

Executive Directors of Christian organizations wear many hats. Fundraising and technology are two hats many don't wear all that well.

Mix those together and some leaders have a deer in the headlights look.... Digital Fundraising. What is it? what does it look like? how much does it cost? What is the ROI on the investment?

My job has me interacting with MANY... blessed to meet many along the way. USA and abroad. 

Besides personality types and skill levels, there are many different types of ED out there based on the types of ministries and sizes of organizations. Pastor backgrounds, mission minded.... all equipped differently. 

Today we discus a low cost solution to these issues. A Masterclass made for Executive Directors and their teams that will move the needle on online fundraising. 

Speaker and author, Mark MacDonald has a teacher’s heart, loves churches, in addition, he is dedicated to improving church communication strategy so more will be reached for Christ. The Senior Church Branding Strategist at "Be Known for Something" agency. 

Listen in as he shares his testimony and what drives him in ministry and his career helping church tell their stories. 

Ever wondered what a Digital Strategist is or does for Christian Non-Profits and Churches? 

Todd Turner spends a few minutes explaining his value to small to mid-sized organizations who need help moving the needle on new names and increased revenue to fund their God Sized missions.