24' ENCLOSED TRAILER DONATED TO GTD!!

I learned a long time ago that you can't run a non-profit organization without the help of a lot of great people. Jerry Mullins is one of those great and generous people! Jerry owns "Mullins Enterprises & Concrete Pumping" in Pinellas Park, FL and serves on the City Council. He has supported our ministry in a lot of different ways for several years. Now he is doing it again. We are humbled & thrilled to share with you that Jerry Mullins has donated a 24' enclosed trailer that is in solid condition to GTD. That's a MAJOR BLESSING to us! Since GTD is a mobile ministry two of our most important pieces of equipment are the trailers that hold the adventure gear and the vehicles that pull those trailers. Without these pieces of equipment we couldn't get all the gear to the many different locations that we host events. In other words, these items are vital to accomplishment of our mission. We couldn't function without them. This donation will enable us to duplicate our ministry and open many more opportunities for GTD to grow and expand. This is a great addition to our ministry and we want to thank Jerry for his thoughtful and kindhearted generosity that will help launch GTD into a brighter 2017 and beyond! Thank you so much Jerry for all you do to support and help so many people and causes in our community! Thank you for being a blessing to GTD! We will get MANY YEARS of great use out of this trailer! You just blessed a lot of people! God bless you Sir =)


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HERE ARE SOME GREAT BANQUET UPDATES!!

HERE ARE SOME GREAT UPDATES!!

1) 12 MORE TABLES SPONSORED SINCE TUESDAY!! ONLY 2 MORE TABLE SPONSORSHIPS TO GO TO HIT OUR GOAL OF 25!!

2) WE HAVE 2 MORE CHAMPION DONORS WITH DONATIONS OF $1000 OR MORE!

3) $2500 HAS BEEN DONATED TOWARDS THE DONOR MATCH CHALLENGE WHICH MEANS IT GETS DOUBLED TO $5000!!!

4) $110 PER MONTH HAS BEEN DONATED TOWARDS THE DONOR MATCH MONTHLY CHALLENGE WHICH MEANS IT GETS DOUBLED TO $220 PER MONTH X 12 MONTHS!!

5) WE'VE HAD 2 MORE $1000 "BUCKETS" FILLED UP BY MULTI-DONORS... AND WE ARE CLOSE TO FILLING UP ANOTHER CHAMPION DONATION "BUCKET"!!

We have raised nearly 20% of our $100,000 Goal (Glory to God!) with 1 month to go =)

It's with full hearts that we want to thank our most recent donors...

- THANK YOU SO MUCH to our 2 new anonymous Champion Donors for your magnanimous contributions to GTD! We are blown away by your generosity! You are amazing! God bless you! We love you!

- THANK YOU SO MUCH to the following Table Sponsors, Donors, & Monthly Partners for believing in this ministry and generously supporting our mission. We love you! Thank you so very much:
  <> Dana & Martha Ward (my phenomenal and super fun cousins!)
  <> JC & Janessa Jannarone along with Gracie & Ella!! (our beautiful friends and awesome people!)
  <> Dennis & Lindsay McCormick (our incredible, thoughtful, & fantastic friends!)
  <> "The Originals" (our great & anonymous Old School GTD'ers!)
  <> Karen & Dick LaBrant (absolutely amazing people!)
  <> Anonymous (6 Tables) (terrific & generous couple!)
  <> Anonymous (2 Tables) (super fun people & dear friends!)

- AND ANOTHER THANK YOU TO OUR ANONYMOUS MATCHING DONORS!!! YOU ARE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THIS MINISTRY EVERY DAY! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

To make a one-time donation, sponsor a table, and/or become a Monthly Partner (as well as seeing the current level of the bucket and to track our overall progress) click on this link.

You can make a difference!

Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (GTD)
Celebrating 20 years of ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


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31 FREE TICKETS!!

We are excited to announce that 31 complimentary tickets have been made available by our generous Table Sponsors & Donors for our Annual Banquet next week (Dec 6th at 6:30pm in Largo, FL).

Complimentary tickets do go quickly so we recommend that you RSVP online as soon as possible.

RSVP

BANQUET DETAILS



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HUGE NEWS!!!! (Matching Gifts Challenge!)

HUGE NEWS!!!! (And it's so appropriate that it's #GivingTuesday)

We have 2 VERY GENEROUS ANONYMOUS DONORS who have thrown down a Matching Gift Challenge for GTD!!

One of them will match dollar-for-dollar every one-time donation to GTD up to $6600!! (Thank you so much Champion Donor!!)

The second will match dollar-for-dollar every dollar pledged per month to GTD up to $400 for the next 12 months ($400 x 12 mths = $4800)!! (Thank you so much Monthly Partner!!)
 
That means that every dollar you donate becomes 2 dollars... $10 becomes $20... $50 becomes $100... $1000 becomes $2000... $6600 becomes $13,200!!!
 
That also means that if you pledge $25/mth to GTD for the next 12 months they will also pledge $25/mth for the next 12 months. Your $25 monthly pledge becomes $50 monthly pledges. If you pledge $100 they will match it and pledge $100... all the way up to $400 cumulatively.
 
THAT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! THIS CHALLENGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO EQUAL $22,800 IN TOTAL DONATIONS!!!
 
We need your help in order to meet this challenge. You can double your impact by making a one-time donation or monthly pledge to GTD (or both!) today!! This is a great way to maximize your impact in a ministry that God is using to impact lives!
 
To make a one-time donation and/or a monthly pledge to GTD click on the links below (or email us or call us with the amount you are mailing in or pledging).
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Links:
One-Time Donations click here   |   Monthly Pledges click here

GTD Email: info@goingthedistance.org
GTD Phone: 727-394-9483 (727-FYI-9-GTD)

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GOD-AWESOME MINISTRY!


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FUND RAISING UPDATE (8 Days To Go!!)

3 MORE TABLES SPONSORED!! (#9, 10, & 11)!!

1 MORE CHAMPION DONOR MONTHLY PARTNER!!

1 MORE $1000 "BUCKET" FILLED BY MULTI-DONORS!!

I'm happy to share some great news and several updates that have transpired over the past 10 days in regards to our Annual Banquet.

First, we had 3 new Bronze Table Sponsors added to the fold to bring our total number of sponsored tables to 11 for our Annual Banquet scheduled for Dec 6th. We want to profoundly thank Brad Beohler, Lauren Schaeffer, and GAP (Graduates And Professionals) Connection Group of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks for their generous support and sponsorship of next week's Annual Banquet. Thank you so much!!! God bless you for your generous act of kindness to this ministry!!

Secondly, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to Taylor Peak (my amazing "adopted" Adventure Daughter!) for taking the $1000 Champion Donor Challenge and increasing her monthly support for the next 12 months to a level that exceeds $1000 per year!! Monthly Ministry Partners profoundly impact our ministry in powerful ways. Simply put, we couldn't do what we do without them. That makes them an indispensable part of GTD! Taylor, thank you for your friendship and long term & consistent support of GTD! And thank you for taking The Champion Donor Challenge!! We always have and always will LOVE you! God bless you for your partnership in this ministry! You're making a difference!

And lastly, we want to thank the multiple thoughtful, kind, and generous donors and monthly partners that have begun to contribute towards a $1000 Champion Donation. They allow us to pool their donations with other's donation so that when it's combined equals $1000. We had enough donors to fill another $1000 "bucket" as we strive to fill one hundred $1000 "buckets" by the end of the year to reach our $100,000 goal. We currently have $250 in the next bucket so we only need $750 to fill another bucket!

We have 1 week to go until our banquet and we've already exceeded $10,000 in donations and pledges!! (Praise Jesus!). You can follow our daily updates, track our fund raising progress, donate towards the cause, and RSVP to our Annual Banquet on our blogsite at this link.

Thank you so much! God bless you for your partnership!!


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HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (The Rest Of The Journey)

Here are 7 pics from our 10 hike into HAVASU FALLS (including the last 2 miles in the Indian Village of Supai)!

DESCEND AT OWN RISK! (MOONEY FALLS)

Our next adventure was the epic descent down the side of a cliff to the base of Mooney Falls!

Mooney Falls looks similar to Havasu Falls, but in subtle ways is more dramatic, exciting, and fun. We had a BLAST!

BEAVER FALLS DAY HIKE!

This was one of the BEST day hikes I've ever done... a 4 mile round-trip journey to Beaver Falls from our campsite at Havasu Falls. There was so much beauty and so much variety as we hiked this amazing oasis... check out the pictures to see what I mean... God-awesome spectacular beauty!!

Loved every second of it!

GET TO THE CHOPPER!

Here's our final 8 recap pictures from a terrific trip including our campsite, footbridge crossings, hiking in the rain, our helicopter ride out, visit to Sedona, and a "polar bear" cliff jump into 45 degree water! An incredible trip with incredible people!

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HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (Part 2)

Backpacking in paradise!!

HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (Part 1)

Stopped by this little whole in the ground called the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON on the way to our Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip!!

It's going to be a cold one... lows dropping into the 20's. Our 10 mile hike to Havasu Falls starts Sat morning. Fun small group of wonderful people, but we are missing Laurie =)

GTD FLASHBACK (1999 - CALVARY BAPTIST)

GTD FLASHBACK
 
THE YEAR>>> 1999
 
EVENT>>> CALVARY BAPTIST Adventure Trip
 
I'm not sure how it's possible to have so many all-time favorite trips, but this is one of the greatest trips we've ever been a part of. It's also the first private trip that we ran for another church other than for my home church (expansion!).

Pastor Joe Hancock along with several of his students from the college age ministry of Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater, FL comprised to make up an extraordinary group of fun-loving, Christ-following, never-give-up, adventure-seeking young adults! They soaked up and relished in every adventure and every challenge we provided that week 17 years ago in Ocoee, TN.

During one team building game, "The Log", they worked together for 3 hours in 100 degree heat to rearrange their group in a certain order. Anytime someone fell off the narrow log they had to start over. That day they had to restart over and over and over again and again and again. They wouldn't give up though. Finally, after 2 hours and 40 minutes went by one of the students realized that they had never prayed about this challenge. So they huddled up and prayed together as a team. They got back on the log and conquered the task on very next attempt! Wow, we all learned a life lesson about prayer that day! They celebrated so much after their great accomplishment and hoisted the log over their heads for this group picture. It was an incredible moment that we will never forget!

To this day I have several lifelong dear friends that started on that trip... and we still talk about "The Log". Pastor Joe set an amazing tone for this incredible group of extraordinary young adults. We had MANY MORE God-awesome special moments on that trip! It was so special!

There is no substitute for great memories!
 
GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
 
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!
 
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All nighters never get easier!

Leaving in 1 hour to fly out to AZ... our Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip into the Grand Canyon starts tomorrow.

FILL THAT BUCKET!! (Another $2000 raised!)

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!

EVERY MONTHLY PLEDGE COUNTS!

Our most recent thousand dollar donation milestones came through generous donors that contributed what's referred to as "smaller donations" (it's all BIG to us!). When added together they make a HUGE impact! It's just like filling a bucket with large cups of water... it doesn't take long to FILL THAT BUCKET!

It all adds up fast! It only takes 4 people pledging $25/month for 12 months OR 5 people making a one-time donation of $200 (or a combination of the two) to equal $1000 and FILL THAT BUCKET!

Our goal is to fill 100 "buckets" by the end of the year!

You can help us hit our 100k goal! Become a Champion Donor by making a one-time donation of $1000 or more (or making a monthly pledge of $85 or more for the next 12 months). Or become a Synergy Donor by adding your donation or monthly pledge to the "bucket" and watching it fill up real fast.

Every dollar & every monthly pledge counts towards the goal. Your donation will make a HUGE impact in and through this ministry!

To make a one-time donation, sponsor a table, and/or become a Monthly Partner (as well as seeing the current level of the bucket and to track our overall progress) click on this link.

You can make a difference!

Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (GTD)
Celebrating 20 years of ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


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CATERED BY CARRABBA'S... AND SUPER SIZED TO 10 SEATS!

Just 2 more reasons to join us at this year's banquet! In celebration of our 20th year of ministry we have SUPER SIZED each table to hold 10 people which means you get more delicious Carrabba's with every Table Sponsorship!!

Carrabba's will be serving their amazing Chicken Marsala with Penne Pasta!! The meal alone is worth coming for... and now you get 2 more seats with every Table Sponsorship!!

Table Sponsorships start at $150 (for 10 people!).

Click here to sponsor a table or to learn more about our Annual Banquet.

Celebrating 20 years of ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


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2017 GTD PRIVATE EVENT CALENDAR - ALMOST FULL!!

With 6 weeks remaining in 2016 GTD is humbly thrilled to announce that our spring, summer, and fall 2017 private event calendar is almost completely BOOKED UP!

We have a few Retreat dates still available in March & April and we may be able to squeeze in one more Backpacking or Adventure Trip in the summer, but other than that we are ALL BOOKED UP! (Praise God!)

Now we will begin focusing on filling in the calendar with public events. We hope to have our 2017 public event calendar completed by our Annual Banquet on Dec 6, 2016.

All we can say is THANK YOU JESUS and THANK YOU to the many churches, youth groups, Christian schools, and Landry Academy for choosing GTD as your source for Christ-centered God-awesome adventures! We can't wait to serve you in 2017!

Glory to God!

GTD is celebrating 20 years of ministry (1996-2016)
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


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OUR BANQUET MC ON DEC 6th WILL BE....

OUR BANQUET MC ON DEC 6th WILL BE....
        ..... MORGAN STREETMAN!!

We are thrilled to announce that Morgan Streetman - Tampa Business Attorney, Radio Host of "Let's Talk Law" on AM1010, and GTD Board of Director - will be our Banquet MC on Dec 6, 2016!

Morgan is a lively and fun-loving dear friend and faithful ally of GTD. He has participated on our Costa Rica Mission Project, Swamp Thing Backpacking Trip in the Everglades, several other GTD events and work projects, and currently serves as a Trustee on our Board of Directors helping to steer our ministry into a bright future.

In addition to founding and running his own Law Firm in Tampa, FL - Streetman Law - Morgan is also the outgoing and insightful Radio Host for the hour long talk show "Let's Talk Law" on AM1010 every Monday at noon and 5pm.

We are honored to have Morgan as our MC. He will set a fun and witty tone for the entire night. So, come enjoy a very special banquet as our MC guides us through a fun and inspiring night of celebration.

To learn more about Morgan Street check out the following links:

- Streetman Law

- Let's Talk Law AM1010

To learn more about GTD's Annual Banquet (or to RSVP or sponsor a table) click here.


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3 MORE TABLES SPONSORED!! (#6, 7, & 8)

The good news for GTD today just keeps on coming! 2 different donors sponsored a total of 3 more tables.

FIRST, we want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to the Kiwanis Club of Pinellas Park for generously sponsoring a table for our Annual Banquet on Dec 6th! Your charitableness is matched only by your kindhearted service to our community. We are so grateful! (To learn more about the Kiwanis or to get more involved, check out their website here.

And SECONDLY, we want to profoundly thank Jerry & Ann Garner (aka "JAG"...my parents) for their unending openheartedness & openhandedness to this ministry. They have decided to generously sponsor 2 tables for our upcoming banquet! This ministry wouldn't exist without these 2 loving people. Thank you so much Mom & Dad!!

To follow our fundraising progress as we pursue our goal of raising 100k (or to donate to the cause) click on this link.

Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (GTD)
Celebrating 20 years of God-awesome Ministry!


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TABLE SPONSOR ALERT!! (#5)

It's with great thanksgiving that we recognize the generous table sponsorship of North Pinellas Home Services (Tom & Jen Brown Henriksen) for GTD's upcoming Annual Banquet!

If you have any home (or automotive) projects or repair needs then contact North Pinellas Home Services and let Tom Henriksen turn your burdens into blessings.

Tom & Jen's love and encouragement has blessed us and our ministry more than I could ever express! Thank you so much Tom & Jen for all you do to advance GTD. We love you!

God bless you North Pinellas Home Services for your support!


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KICKING OFF THE WEEK WITH A CHAMPION DONOR!

Our utmost gratitude for our newest Champion Donor who has taken the GTD "Thousand Dollar Challenge" by pledging $100 per month for the next 12 months!!

This wonderful donor likes to keep their donations anonymous, but they've been a faithful part of GTD for many years. We deeply love them and appreciate the blessing they are to this ministry.

Thank you so much awesome donor!

This is our 6th Champion Donation as we strive for 100 by the end of the year.

If you would like to play a vital role in a God-awesome ministry as we prepare for the next 20 years of ministry then click here and see how you can contribute towards 100k goal.

THANK YOU!!!!


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GTD FLASHBACK! (1998) >>> SLAMMED

GTD FLASHBACK!

THE YEAR>>> 1998

EVENT>>> SLAMMED Adventure Trip

THEME>>> "Please God"

We had so much fun on this Adventure Trip with 29 college-age students from First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks! It was Pastor Chip & Sharon DeArmon's first GTD event and they added so much joy to the trip... as well as fantastic preaching from God's Word. Activities included white water rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, mt biking, hiking, and Six Flags (including the "Dare Devil Dive" 175' swing & "Ninja" roller coaster - both pictured here). This was the first time that we had nearly 30 participants. There were so many classic moments and new friendships that emerged on this trip that still remain 18 years later. Pure pleasures aren't filled with drama and only leave great memories without any regrets. God's way is the best way. Glorify God, love man, have fun... it's the GTD way!

There is no substitute for great memories!

GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!

Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!

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