So we spent our Spring Break down near Naples, Florida, and we got to see lots of alligators and dolphins and even a few manatees (which my wife described as "large, swimming potatoes"). Here's a picture of an alligator we met on the side of the road in the Big Cypress Preserve…
We couldn't tell if he wanted to eat us, or just say, "Hi – thanks for visiting the Big Cypress Preserve." Because we don't speak alligator. But he seemed pleasant enough.
I had to leave the vacation a few days early to speak at a children's ministry conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, which happened to coincide with the arrival of several tornadoes in the area. Everyone at the airport was moved to a safe hallway as a tornado passed close by, then about 10 minutes later our plane landed. When I found out we had just missed a tornado, I wondered if our plane had, perhaps, landed on an evil witch and if all the "Little Rockians" were really Munchkins come out to thank me for saving them.
Sometimes my mind gets a bit carried away. Tornadoes and Arkansas have that effect on me.
Which brings me back to… Jellyfish. Specifically, JellyTelly. What's the latest? Where did we leave off? Well, let's see… I'm going to start showing you some of the content that will be on our tiny TV network pretty soon. But right now I'm in the middle of something almost as unpleasant as a cranky alligator: Raising money. I really dislike raising money. But every good project, at some point, must be funded. And so the creative type has to comb his hair, put on deoderant, and go hat in hand searching for the money to bring the "big idea" to life.
The good news is… I've got about 2/3's of our funding pretty well put together. The bad news is… until you're fully funded, you really aren't funded at all. So I'm still trying to lock up the last 1/3 so we can bring our little JellyTelly guy to life and bring a new level of Christian zaniness into homes across America. (And since it's the internet, around the world.)
I know some of you are probably thinking, "How can we help? What can we do?" Well, there will be many ways you can help with JellyTelly. We're really designing it from the ground up to involve much "audience participation." (More about that later.) But right now, at this point, what can you do? You can pray for us. "The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much." Funding a new ministry in a way that preserves the integrity of the ministry is, to say the least, challenging. We've developed a good plan that avoids the sorts of pitfalls that ultimately sunk Big Idea Productions (a valuable learning experience), and God has led us to some great individuals with the financial resources to help. It's time now for us wrap this up and get this little jelly headed down the runway… or off the launchpad… or (insert your metaphor here).
So pray for us, okay? This is a very critical time with the potential to greatly effect the first few years of a new ministry with lots of potential.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make a few more calls… where did I put my hat?
Well you certainly have my prayer, Phil. I know how awkward it can be to ask for money; My church is currently trying to raise $5 Million for a building project.
Are you going to set up a donation page?
Hi Phil, glad you had a great vacation, I shall be praying for you, I understand the whole finance thing, I work at a Christian radio station here in the UK and trying to get finance is sometimes like trying to get blood out of a stone, however stones do bleed!
“Barbara Manatee, you are the one for me…”
You have my prayers as well. I look forward to see what you have in store.
OK, will do!
We’ll be praying. I like Brian’s idea of a donation page.
God bless.
Phil, I found your website a while back and hadn’t been here for quite some time. (Nor had I posted for that matter, ever!) Anyway, I am very excited to see where you are headed. We will pray for your efforts. I know the HUGE impact that Veggietales has had on my kids and Veggietales holds such a dear spot in our hearts. It has taught them so many lessons and provided a springboard for so many important conversations. I can’t wait to see JellyTelly and share it with my 5 and 9 year old boys and use that as another avenue to keep showing them the importance of being a Christian in this world. Thanks so much for this blog. I now have it bookmarked and will look forward to updates. Can’t wait to see JellyTelly! Keep wearing that hat and deoderant! 😉 It will all be worth it in the end.
Kim
I certainly will pray for you. It will be great to see the results!
Hey Everyone- we could set up a weekday as our prayer day for JellyTelly. (I find I’m much more diligent to actually pray for someone when it’s a purposefully scheduled activity). I propose Tuesdays… JellyTelly Tuesdays. For those of you who feel so inclined, maybe we could fast and pray. Even if you can just skip one meal- go for it- but use your hungry time to pray! It’s just that if we really are feeling so strongly about the current media issues, the awesome business opportunity Phil has, and just expanding God’s Kingdom in general, maybe we should be willing to dedicate some time to this, for real.
Let me know- I’m ready to start next Tuesday 🙂
In response to Brigitte…God is such a planner…my church leadership fasts and prays every Tuesday anyway, so I will plan on joining you next Tuesday and adding JellyTelly to my prayers that day!!!
I agree with Brigitte. Corporate unified prayer is a very powerful thing. And having a prayer team would be a great way to support what Jellyfish is doing.
What would be really great, is if we could get so many people praying, that we would be able to create a prayer team for each day of the week.
So I’ll join you, Brigitte. Thanks for bringing this up! Great idea!
As missionaries, we sure know how that fund raising thing goes! My missionary-father used to call it “dialing for dollars”, privately, of course!
Some friends of ours were trying to raise money to come down here for a missions trip. One of them was newly saved. The other told him, “Man don’t worry, I know the guy who owns the cattle on a thousand hills!” His friend replied, “Well, if we’ve got to punch cattle, well. so be it!
God’s timing is never wrong, so hang in there! We looking forward to Jelly Telly!
I remember in your book how you discussed running a ministry under a business model; are you under nonprofit status? I know that, being in media that is kind of weird, but a thought. I would like to support you as a ministry, along with the others who wrote in requesting a donation page (and non-prof doesn’t matter to me but does to you for tax purposes). Truth be told, my financial support means far less than my prayer. We believe in this, and we are holding you up before the Lord.
Brigitte I am with you! Tuesdays it is! Praying for you Phil! Would like to donate if I can!
I’ve been enjoying your “Pulling Back the Curtain” series, and am excited for you about this new venture.
I’m wondering, though, if you’ve found a “Roy” yet. I would hate to see you in about the same position 10 years from now. Though that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.
Love your concepts, enthusiasm and needs…God is able! I trust He works in the stock market too because that’s what I’m studying these days ;-). So thankful for people like you!! Don’t be weary in well-doing. Be assured of my faithful prayers.
Thanks, you guys who are joining me on Tuesday! I’m going to share it with our small groups, too. Hooray for prayer teams 🙂
I agree with Jasini.
Who will be your “Roy”?
haha you know what that reminds me of? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
OOOOh will you be giving out golden tickets??? ^_^
Will, most definitely, be praying for you!!!
I will be joining you all in prayer tomorrow. I know God can bring in the funds, Phil.