There’s Still Another Side of the Street

Ben had a problem.

Actually, Ben had lots of problems, most of which he had either created himself or had somehow persuaded Jonathan to share. But this particular problem involved newspapers.

There were still papers to deliver; daylight was disappearing, and the route wasn’t getting any shorter. Jonathan was doing what Jonathan usually did: trying to figure out how to get everything done. Ben, on the other hand, was looking across the street.

“What’s over there?” Jonathan asked.

“The other half of the route,” Ben answered.

“I know that.”

“Then why are you trying to deliver all the papers yourself?”

It was a reasonable question, which made it particularly irritating coming from Ben. And somewhere in that simple exchange lies a truth about the Great Commission that we sometimes overlook.

Jesus never intended the good news to be carried by a handful of extraordinary people. He entrusted it to ordinary people who would discover that the journey was meant to be shared. One takes this side of the street. Another takes the other. And suddenly the news travels farther than either could have carried it alone. Which brings us to our own newspaper route.

Our 2026 Annual Fall “Gotta Get the News Out” Campaign has officially ended. Together, through the extraordinary generosity of so many in our Catch community, we have raised $17,040 toward our $20,000 goal.

That’s 85% of the journey!

And before we say another word, we want to say thank you. Not because you’ve helped us raise money, although you certainly have. But because you’ve demonstrated something far more important: You believe the news is worth delivering.

Every gift represents someone who has stepped into the street, picked up a few papers, and said, “I’ll take this part.” And that is worth celebrating.

But here’s where Ben interrupts our celebration. “Wait a minute,” he says. “What about the other side of the street?”

You see, we still have $2,960 to go.

Now, we could look at that number and call it a shortfall. Or we could recognize it for what it also represents: an invitation for someone else to join the route. Perhaps someone who has been meaning to participate but hasn’t gotten around to it. Perhaps someone who has already given and discovers there is still another paper they can deliver. And perhaps someone has never thought of a contribution as an act of discipleship. But isn’t that what grace turned outward looks like?

We receive something we could never earn, and then discover the extraordinary privilege of passing it along. After all, the message of Gotta Get the News Out was never about whether Ben and Jonathan could finish their route alone. It was about discovering that the news travels farther when someone else takes the other side of the street.

And here’s the wonderful thing about this particular route: The papers aren’t just papers. They carry the news that there is a God who welcomes us, loves us, and has made room in His heart for every one of us — news that someone, somewhere, may be waiting to hear.

So yes, we have $2,960 left to raise. And we would welcome your participation in helping us finish what we started. But the bigger story isn’t about the $2,960. It’s about what happens when ordinary people realize they have been entrusted with extraordinary news.

But wait … Ben is already on his bicycle. And there goes Jonathan right behind him. And there is still another side of the street.

There is still good news to deliver. And boy, do we ever need some good news!

Grace Turned Outward — to everyone, everywhere.

DON’T FORGET. EVERY PERSON WHO PARTICIPATES RECEIVES A FREE DOWNLOAD OF JOHN’S NOVEL, SAINT BEN, READ BY BOB SOUER!

Many thanks to all who have already participated:

Judith – Nolensville, Texas
Dick – Lantana, Texas
David – Chehalis, Washington
John – Cupertino, California
Todd – Franklin, Tennessee
Jeanne – Vacaville, California
Tom – Washington D.C.
David – Fullerton, California
Gaetane – Powell River, BC CANADA
David – Lakeville Minnesotta
Patrick – Milan, Michigan
Steve – Keswick, Ontario, CANADA
Christina – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Basil – Sparta, New Jersey
Cynthia – Sonora, California
Daniel – Washburn, Wisconsin
Merlyn – Goodyear, Arizona
Elizabeth – Chicago, Illinois
Ray
Gary – Franklin, New Jersey
Richard – Nashville, Tennessee
William – Livingston, Louisiana
Steve – Nashville, Tennessee
Tim – Twin Falls, Idaho
Joe – Houston, Texas
Joyce – Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
Allen – Exton, Pennsylvania
Keith – Portland, Oregon
Tami – Pensacola, Florida
Pat – Normandy Park, Washington
Mike – Sacramento, California
Laura – Medford, Massachusetts
Kristin – Chesterfield, Missouri
Linda – Bainbridge Island, Washington
Lisa – Sunland, California
Joanne – Lynden, Washington
Tom – Orinda, California