CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.— Through “Year Beard®” The Tide® (www.thetide.org) ministry is challenging men to stop shaving and share the Gospel. Three months into Year Beard, men are still putting razors down and growing out their beards to raise awareness for The Tideministry so that radio broadcasts can continue to expand around the globe.
The Tide ministry records and broadcasts Gospel programming on three continents in 30 languages. With more than 7,000 languages spoken worldwide and more than 2,000 people groups that have been unreached by the Good News of Jesus, the opportunities are tremendous, and the need is great.
“Year Beard” gives men an opportunity to continue The Tide’s mission in a unique and interesting way. Long beards are easy conversation-starters and an excellent way to begin sharing both the work The Tide is doing and the love of Jesus in local communities. Mike Shank, a participant in the previous “Year Beard” campaign, shared how easily such opportunities arise.
“I was talking to a guy in my neighborhood,” Shank said, “and right in the middle of the conversation, he goes, ‘I’m talking to you, but I’m looking at that beard. I’m talking to you—but the beard! That beard is amazing!’”
Through “Year Beard”, the hairy guys will each have a goal that will help The Tide ministry’s Gospel radio broadcasts expand around the world in Asia, Africa and Europe. Joining the challenge not only gives men an opportunity to share the Gospel and help raise money for The Tide in their daily lives, but it also offers a community of godly men all working toward the same goal.
Shank shared how the bearded guys crowded around restaurant tables in 2019 for times of prayer, Bible study and encouragement. “There’s something about sitting around with a bunch of guys, talking about hair care products,” he said. While they may not be able to gather in restaurants this year, they still take time to meet online via Zoom.
Participants in the Year Beard challenge can still sign up to grow out their hair for one, three or six months with the goal to raise money each month for The Tide ministry. A motivating factor is the knowledge that for every dollar given, 20 more people worldwide can hear about Jesus, and in 2019, the challenge raised more than $27,000.
Depending on the time they commit, participants receive t-shirts, beard combs, beard oil and a devotional book called “Bearded Gospel Men,” along with conversation starters such as country fact sheets, a testimony sheet and a pocket info card so they can speak to potential donors about The Tide mission. Those who raise the most money for The Tide ministry throughout the year will be eligible to win sporting event tickets and gift cards.
The Tide ministry is celebrating their 75th anniversary of recording and broadcasting Gospel programming which now extends into multiple regions on three continents with content in 30 heart languages spoken by millions of people in various countries, including Afghanistan, Albania, Bhutan, India, Kosovo, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe. With more than 7,000 languages spoken worldwide and more than 2,000 people groups yet unreached with the Good News of Jesus, the opportunities are tremendous.
For more information about The Tide broadcast projects, history, radio programs around the world, special yearlong campaigns, the weekly Global Update radio features or other news, visit its website at www.thetide.org or its Facebook page. Read more about The Tide ministry and Director Don Shenk here.
The Tide ministry is actively looking for people godly and manly enough to take up the 2021 “Year Beard” challenge. Visit www.YearBeard.org for background and to meet some of the participants who are growing out their facial hair to raise awareness and financial support to help The Tide ministry reach an additional 1 million people with the name of Jesus next year.
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To schedule interviews with Don Shenk, director of The Tide global radio ministry, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Marjorie Pratt, 610.584.1096, ext. 107, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.