This year, Natalie and I attended Catalyst Next Generation Church Leaders Conference in Atlanta, GA. The things we learned there changed our outlook on how to BE the Church, not just work at one or attend one. If we can't impact our world for change, who really cares about the message? If our "GOOD NEWS" only extends to the afterlife and doesn't deal with the here and now... what kind of salt are we to this earth?

So this year, I'm giving my birthday up.

I'm turning 29 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for donations to charity:water from everyone I know.

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

Please join me.

please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.