A Decade of Thanks

“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Jesus, Lk 6:45

We’re starting the New Year giving thanks, and we want to share some of the reasons why.

In 2019, more than 30,000 children and families in need received care from more than 2,000 churches in 21 states and 12 countries. Our Transition Academy graduated its largest class, and our Father’s Family prevention program piloted in Uganda is spreading to three continents. At GOEX, we ended the year with healthy, strong operations that allowed 4x* the number of employees to provide for their families through the dignity of fair wage work. Our end of year giving campaign, Different December, was the best ever. We start the year encouraged and on offense. Thank you! Our hearts are filled with gratitude.

Yet, we also know that what you’ve done is bigger than one amazing year.

2020 marks the beginning of a new decade. For many of us, our minds go back to January 12, 10 years ago, when Haiti’s capital city was rocked by the country’s largest earthquake in centuries. We, once again, honor the resilience of our Haitian pastor partners. Their courage, leadership and Kingdom impact served as a model. Your generosity served as the means to not only bring healing and hope to children and families in need in their communities, but to also show us what’s possible and what’s necessary around the world.

Since then, through your support of GO, God has grown His ministry to children and families in need beyond what we initially imagined! Internationally, He established the ministry in East Africa, India and the Middle East. He told us to grow at home, with domestic ministry opportunities, connected by CarePortal. He launched the GOEX print + apparel company, our primary strong job creating initiative. He added orphan prevention ministries through school sponsorships and family strengthening programs; and transition programs in Haiti and India for young adults who have aged out of care.

Here’s the really great news… the best is yet to come!

In 2020, we have expanded our platform to accommodate mass participation, so that anyone, anywhere can meet a need through the local church! With active pilots in Lebanon and Canada, we see CarePortal expanding to serve more children and families globally. GO’ing deeper – healthier ministry operations with current partners. GO’ing further – adding partners domestically and internationally. Serving current GOEX customers with excellence and on-boarding new ones, so that more parents can provide for their own… there’s much more to do!

What will God’s ministry at GO look like to children and families 10 years from now? More importantly, how will those children (many of them will be adults by then with families of their own) be doing? While we have plans, we ultimately trust Jesus to answer these questions and more. For now, we give thanks and lean into opportunities before us in the New Year. It is one of life’s great privileges to care for His children with you!

Love, respect and gratitude,

Trace Thurlby