We are looking forward to another hairy year as participants begin the “Year Beard” challenge to stop shaving in 2021, but it is not too late to commit to putting razors down. The Tide is looking for even more men to participate in the “Year Beard” challenge. These men will grow beards to raise awareness for the ministry so that radio broadcasts can continue to expand around the globe.
About the inception of Year Beard, Director of Development, Mark Story said, “It came to me a few years ago that if I could get men to grow ridiculous beards, people would stop them and ask, ‘Why have you grown that beard?’ With each man tasked with raising awareness for The Tide, that was just what we needed.”
In the second year of this challenge, the ministry has opened up the campaign to men who are willing to grow their “head hair” out for an even hairier experience.
“All over this world are bearded men,” said The Tide Director Don Shenk. “But there’s a distinction between many of those bearded men and the bearded men participating in this challenge; that distinction is in the heart. My desire is to see more hearts change, and every bit of support that comes in makes it possible for at least 20 people to hear the gospel message and have their hearts transformed.”
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 knowing 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.