Speeding the Light

Pastors Brandon and Joy Wegener didn't think it could be possible. God placed a figure on their hearts -- $10,000 -- to give to Speed the Light. Pastoring at a church where $10,000 amounted to half their annual salary as youth pastors, the total seemed an impossible sum. The vision faded from their thoughts

The Wegeners are now pastors at Lighthouse Assembly of God, a small church in Fort Totten, North Dakota. Despite a fifth baby on the way, awaiting home repairs, and other family needs, the Wegeners felt a renewed call to the $10,000 vision and this time accepted the challenge. Earlier this year, in a letter containing a check to complete their faith pledge, they wrote, "God is so faithful! Every need has been met! We have watched God multiply our seed sown over the last year… May He receive all the glory!"

Speed the Light's goal is to illuminate the most basic human right: that everyone has the right to know Jesus. By providing essential transportation and creative communication to missionaries in the U.S. and more than 180 foreign countries, missionaries are able to travel faster, preach clearer, and be heard louder -- so they can compassionately demonstrate God's love. Speed the Light has provided airplanes, cars, vans, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, buses, boats, horses, camels, donkeys, wheelbarrows, and more to advance the gospel. Speed the Light works because youth across the country are being mobilized to give throughout the year. Students give up their time, talents, energy, and resources to make Jesus known. In 2014 alone, Speed the Light raised $8,329,772!

Despite that incredible number, Speed the Light is more than just a fundraising effort, according to Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries strategist Scotty Gibbons. STL is an opportunity for youth leaders and students to learn how to regularly give to missions, as well as a discipleship tool to teach lifelong giving, Gibbons says. The Wegeners didn't renew their goal of $10,000 because "everyone was doing it." They did it because they understood the biblical principle of giving and that being consistent is a requirement of faithfulness.

"There's an eternal consequence and significance in giving," Gibbons says. "When you give up on fulfilling your version of happiness and live for God, you'll discover his heart. There you'll find joy, abundance, and fulfillment. It's not about the moment. It's about eternity."

Oct. 18 is Speed the Light Day in the Assemblies of God.

Nii Abrahams

Nii Abrahams is a graduate of Missouri State University with an undergraduate degree in communication and an emphasis in ethical leadership. He is pursuing a master's degree in communication at Missouri State. He is a part of the Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries team as the communication and content strategist.