Help Me Grow My Christian Publishing Ministry in 2026
Today is Giving Tuesday, and I hope that as some of you are considering giving to organizations and ministries that you believe in, Abiding Grace Ministries will be one of them. To understand why, let me share my vision for the future of this ministry.
My Dream for Abiding Grace Ministries
When I started my blog in late 2014, I had no idea the direction I would go regarding my writing. I just knew that I loved to write and wanted to keep doing it after college. Starting that blog eventually led me on a creative journey that grew into a small business. Here's a part of what this ministry/business has been able to accomplish:
- Over 100 books reviews, plus a handful of movie and musical reviews
- Support for the launch of over 20 Christian books representing over a dozen Christian authors
- 10 Spoken Word Poems
- 13 Full Content Books [Books that are fully written]
- 52 Low Content Books [Books that largely contain short writing prompts and blanks that are filled in by the user - i.e. notebooks, planners, journals, trackers, etc.]
- 3 Audiobooks
- 2 Short PDF books
- 3 Online Stores that collectively have over 200 physical and digital products
- 100s of print on demand apparel and accessory items featuring original designs available on Zazzle, Amazon, and Printful stores
As I look back on more than a decade of work and reflect on how this work has grown it into a small business, I am so humbled by what God has done with the five loaves and two fish I was able to offer Him when I started each stage of this journey. Now, this work has produced a small but steady income, which is more than I dreamed was possible just a few years ago.
Meanwhile, God has led me on a journey regarding my ministry aspirations. You see, I have always wanted to do vocational ministry. Having grown up as a pastor's kid, serving in ministry was part of my life from a young age and I wanted to serve the Lord with my career since I was a teenager. However, I have come to many closed doors over the years as I have attempted to pursue vocational ministry jobs, especially after God shifted my ministry focus from music ministry to youth ministry in my late 20s. But as I have been creating ministry resources from my experience in volunteer ministry, I have started to realize that my passion is to serve and support volunteers that often have to work in a setting where they are doing the work of a church staff member without the title or pay.
For example, many churches are unable to hire a youth minister. In that situation, these churches essentially end up asking a volunteer to do a youth minister's job without the title, pay, or experience. Based on my ministry experience, I believe that I am well positioned to be able to both serve in these type of ministries as well as support these type of ministries through the creation of resources and possibly even coaching opportunities in the future.
So now, my goals regarding my work have shifted to finding ways to make all the books and resources I produce into a sustainable and mostly passive income that will allow me to dedicate myself to full-time volunteer ministry, including youth ministry, book reviewing (since I love being able to support other Christian authors by writing book reviews), and other ministry projects.
The Current State of the Business
While I have made significant strides in growing this business over the last few years, the growth of this business has been slow because the amount that I am earning is not enough to allow me to invest back into the business. This means that at the rate, it may take a few years or more before I am able to achieve my main goal of building a sustainable income. However, I believe that accelerated growth could be achieved if I was able to invest in some tools, services, and subscriptions that would help me create more resources and improve my current selection of resources. That's where you might be able to help.
Here's What I Am Asking
I am asking for your help in raising some of the money I need to help me grow my Christian publishing ministry. There are several tools, expenses, and subscriptions I would like to cover by the end of 2025 that will help me grow my business in 2026 and beyond. Covering these expenses would allow me to accelerate the growth of my ministry in ways that might otherwise take me years to accomplish on my own and will also benefit the ministries I am currently serving.
If I can reach $1500, I will be able to cover:
- an online certificate in Youth Discipleship from Fuller Youth Institute, allowing me to advance my youth ministry knowledge and improve my relevant resources
- upgrade my Logos Bible software to allow for more effective Bible research and the ability to digital my Bible resource library
- a year of Microsoft 365, where I do all of my writing and most of my graphic designing for my books and advertising
- materials that will help me convert the cedar chest (aka wardrobe) in my bedroom into a recording booth so I can record audiobooks, videos, and voiceovers without dealing with outside noises
- submission fees for book awards that will give some of my books more credibility
If I can reach $4000, I will be able to cover everything above, plus:
- my website plan renewal and domain renewal fees for a few years
- buy an annual membership to the Christian Independent Publishing Association, which will give me extra support for my work and discounts on certain services
- the lifetime licenses to Pro Writing Aid (grammar software plug-in for writers), Author Launch Kit (book launching tools with AI assistant) and Atticus (book writing software)
- yearly subscriptions to the following author/creator services: Christian Authors Unite (book reviews service), Story Origin (early reader platform for feedback and book reviews), and Canva Pro (online graphic design software)
- additional submission fees for book awards that will give my books further credibility
- book printing costs so that I can do more in-person author events
- costs to print up apparel and accessory samples to help advertise these products
- funds for more books and a yearly Audible subscription so that I can write more book reviews to support their authors
- an iPad and some basic iPad accessories (cover, screen protector, and smart pencil) to help me read/review more eBooks and simplify some business tasks
How You Can Help
If you want to help me achieve my goal, here's what you can do to help:
First, if you are financially able and willing to give, you can donate through my fundraiser on GiveButter. Please know that I understand if you are not able to give. But if you are willing to help, you use the link below to donate
Second, you can share my fundraiser on your social media, through messages, or with anyone that you think would be able and willing to help:
https://givebutter.com/growmyministry2025
Lastly and most importantly, you can pray for Abiding Grace Ministries and this fundraiser. I know that regardless of how much or little money that I am able to raise, I will continue to do what I can with what I have to grow my ministry. I want to trust that if God wants my ministry to grow, the Lord will provide what I need. But I would appreciate your prayers as I ask the Lord to multiply my five loaves and two fish so that they can used for His glory through my work.
I think this is everything for now. If you have any questions or concerns about this fundraiser, please let me know. I will keep you all posted on my progress and will hopefully do an official update on my ministry work by the end of the year. Thanks for your willingness to support my work.
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Bethel Grove
Christian Author. Digital Creator. Ministry Supporter.
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