It's a New World Record
1,926 free-throws in one hour!
Perry Dissmore, pastor of Bear Creek Assembly in
Panama City, Florida, set out to break the world record for the number of free
throws made in one hour so he could raise money for BGMC. On October 9, Perry
exceeded the record by 263 shots, making a total of 1,926 free throws.
Perry says the world record, videotaped for documentation, has to be validated by Guinness. But the basketball court full of witnesses-to include several BGMC kids, a team of 10 workers who helped retrieve and set basketballs, and a room full of other spectators-were there to cheer him on and to verify the historic moment.
Perry's quest was called "Baskets of Blessing" and has generated $50,000 in commitments. "We knew that every shot made would help kids around the world," Perry says, "and that's what kept us motivated to do better and better."
Perry speaks in the plural sense because he's been practicing since February of last year with the help of several people. Every Friday his helpers would retrieve and set the balls so he could shoot as fast and accurate as he could.
Perry is a former All-American and All-Conference star player for his college basketball team in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now that he is pastoring in West Florida, the churches of the district rallied around him by pledging money to BGMC based on the number of free-throw shots he would make on October 9.
Immediately after the contest had ended, Perry said the BGMC kids who came to cheer him on stormed the court to congratulate him and to get his autograph.
"I've never had anything like that happen to me," Perry says. "It was an emotional and extremely rewarding time."
Projects
Joyland
BGMC commits to a new project. Joyland is a place of hope for some of
Kenya's children who begin life with very little hope. Born with physical
handicaps, or injured early in life, Joyland exists for these children. The
task for BGMC and its partners is simple: renovate Joyland, provide food, fresh
water, and other of life's necessities. They are in desperate need of a new
well, plumbing, wheelchairs, crutches, and much more. With the help of BGMC, through
its wonderful partners, Joyland will make a difference in the lives of
children. Will you become a partner?
Fountain
of Life
In the city of Haskova, Bulgaria, is a poor area known as "Republika,"
where poverty stricken Turkish immigrants live. Each week, Fountain of Life
school opens its doors to their children, feeding them and teaching them to
read and write. BGMC understands the value of educating children and the role
it plays in giving children the potential to escape poverty. The school is in
need of food, medical supplies, and school supplies. They need your help.
Eurasian
Nation
There's a nation in Eurasia that's too politically sensitive to mention
by name. God is doing a great work there-though it's a land with many
downtrodden, poverty-stricken children and families. BGMC has an opportunity to
show compassion by providing women with job skill training and employment
assistance, which in turn will change the lives of their children. BGMC is
asking for your partnership to purchase the job-skill training equipment and
supplies necessary to help these children and families. The moment is critical.
Will you help?
Pledges
Will you make a pledge for each basket Perry made?
- a pledge of one cent per basket will equal $19.26.
- a pledge of two cents per basket will equal $38.52.
- a pledge of three cents per basket will equal $58.08.
Partners
Participate by sending your BGMC offerings. For further information, go
to the West Florida District Council Website at http://www.wfldag.org/baskets.html.
Donations
All donations will go to help:
- Kenya's Joyland
- Fountain of Life school in Bulgaria
- Women's job training in Eurasian nation
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Missionaries from South Africa Say "Thanks!"
The Kings receive new photocopier, thanks to BGMC.
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Missionaries to Philippines Thank BGMC for Giving
Darrel and Sandy Blatchley, missionaries to the Philippines, say thanks to BGMC.
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Africa's Oasis Project Strikes Water in Zimbabwe
Missionaries Glenda and Steve Evans share how fresh water is now available for Garanyemba, Zimbabwe.
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Missionaries Offer Clean Water and Buddy Buckets to Africans
Missionary Glenda Evans shares about Buddy Buckets and a well for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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Missionary-Led Church in Paraguay Reaches Needy Kids
Foreign missionary Cynthia Lucas serves the Message of Hope and hot drinks to kids in need.
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BGMC Helps IMM with New Testament Video Survey
BGMC provides funds to Assemblies of God World Ministries around the world. Here's one example of how your BGMC donations are being used.
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World Missionaries Target Drug-Dependent Students
Missionaries work together to battle substance abuse among children overseas.
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Africa Cries for Clean Water
Africa Oasis Project, an arm of the Assemblies of God World Missions, is placing wells across Africa, so people can come for running water and for Living Water at nearby A/G churches.
