Dear Catch Family,
We’re almost there! And what a wonderful journey you’ve made possible!
Our 2026 “Gotta Get the News Out” campaign is now within sight of the finish line, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our Catch community. Together, we’ve raised $18,765 toward our $20,000 goal!
And there’s more good news!
When Dick, a member of our Catch community in Lantana, Texas, contributed $1,000 and invited others to match his gift, you responded! We are now just $250 away from meeting Dick’s $1,000 challenge — and only $1,250 away from completing our entire campaign!
Think of it! We are so close to finishing what we started together.
If you’ve already contributed, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And if you’ve been meaning to participate, what a wonderful moment to join us!
Whether your gift is $25, $50, $100, or whatever you feel led to contribute, every dollar brings us closer to celebrating the finish.
Remember Ben and Jonathan on their bicycles, delivering the good news? Nobody runs the route alone. And thanks to you, we haven’t had to.
Let’s finish this last stretch together, knowing that the real celebration isn’t reaching a financial goal. It’s knowing that together we’re carrying the Gospel of Welcome — Grace Turned Outward — to everyone, everywhere.
There’s still another side of the street. And there’s still good news to deliver!
Friday’s Catch (below) will give you an idea of what that looks like.
With love, gratitude, and great anticipation,
John and Marti Fischer
On behalf of Noel Paul Stookey, Chairman of our 2026 Annual Fall Campaign, and the entire Catch Ministry family.
P.S. Just $250 will complete Dick’s matching challenge! Will you help us make that happen today?
DON’T FORGET. EVERY PERSON WHO PARTICIPATES RECEIVES A FREE DOWNLOAD OF JOHN’S NOVEL, SAINT BEN, READ BY BOB SOUER!
Many thanks to those who have already graciously participated:
Wayne – Modesto, California
Richard – Concord, California
Thomas – Bow, New Hampshire
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
THANK YOU!
click here
To participate in the “Gotta Get The News Out” Campaign
FRIDAY’S CATCH: Be the Difference (What the Catch Is)
Love, empathize, build bridges, lift up (not tear down), create respect for all, resist the temptation to find fault even when you’re among people who all agree, choose not to take part in criminalizing anyone, speak well of people who are not in your presence, give everyone a second chance — then a third, and a fourth — up to 7 X 70 (Matthew 18:22) in fact, be a catalyst, a peacemaker, a healer. Stand in the gap; resist taking sides. Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Live like this, and you will make a difference — better yet, you will be the difference.
Of course it goes without saying that at least some of this will be hard to do, but you have to remember, it’s not you doing it, it’s the Lord in you, working through you in your weakness and your fear. You are working out the life God works in.
You are strategically placed right where you are for one reason: to bring the kingdom of God to your corner of the world. It matters not where that is; it matters that you are there and you are intentional about being a carrier of Christ and a spreader of the gospel of welcome — grace turned outward. And if you’re not sure what that is, you need to read the Catch — every Catch.
Reading one or two Catches a week isn’t enough. This is not my blog — my opinion to be weighed equally with all the other opinions out there on the vast Internet of personal expression. This is prophetic truth, and I am a pastor, not a blogger. This is training. I am speaking from 40 years of training, of studying scripture, and seeking God’s kingdom in the world. Much of what I present here is countercultural. It’s could go against much of what you hear or read today, even from Christian sources. You need to refresh this thinking every day or you will not be able to counteract everything coming at you from all sides.
We are touching people; we are putting our arms around the hopeless; we are praying for people where prayer is called for; we are creating something positive we can share with others. We are counseling. We are making a difference. You can receive prayer and counsel should you need it. Leave your requests with our prayer team. They are not playing a game. They are engaged in an ancient battle in the heavenlies over your soul and mine, and things are getting more and more intense. The line between life and death is getting frayed and fragile. The suicide rate is climbing especially among teenagers. Pray for each other; pray for our kids.
The current climate is so volatile that our faith has to make a difference in our behavior or one could rightfully question it. Divisiveness, polarization, demonization of the other side is the norm. This is such a mean-spirited age that simple kindnesses and courtesy are more than what they would be any other time. Any other time they would be what’s expected. Today a simple kindness is a candle in the darkness; it’s a reminder of some long distant memory — something good and hopeful — a reminder to everyone we meet of what is right about being human, and of the value and reality that God’s grace brings to earth through us. That is grace turned outward — something that will change the world.
