Roshard's Barber Certification Fund
Donation protected
Have you ever heard the old proverb; “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”?
It suggests that the best way to support someone is to help them develop the capacity to provide for themselves. It is with this understanding in mind that I designed this fundraiser.
My Story
Hi, my name is Roshard Bryant and I am an aspiring pastor from the Bronx, NY. My story is one which attests to the joy that comes from finding hope (i.e. God) in the midst of a devastating setback. Growing up in the City of Dreams I learned how to dream big, yet no one ever taught me how to deal with a dream deferred. As an athlete, tearing my patellar tendon and having my collegiate basketball career come to an early end wrecked me. However, the despair I experienced led me to finally accept and embrace the fullness of God’s love. Because I could no longer place my hope in my talents, I discovered how to place my faith in God’s promises. Over time I’ve come to recognize my injury as a blessing rather than as a nightmare. It helped me to identify that 1) I find purpose in helping others discover the joy and hope that comes through an authentic, loving relationship with God and 2) I have a valuable set of leadership skills which I can use outside of sports. Since, I’ve become a member of the leadership team at C3 Brooklyn, a local church in NYC, where I have been able to use my gifting to serve God and others.
My Need
As I continue my journey to become a pastor, I still have financial obligations to fulfill such as paying off my current student loans, funding my theological education, and financing my living expenses in New York City. However, finding an occupation which offers an adequate salary and flexible hours that allow me to continue both my education and commitments to C3 Brooklyn has been difficult.
Nevertheless, amidst my prayers for provision God guided me to 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of The Widow’s Oil. This story reveals that God provides provision through 1) using a skill or resource we possess, and 2) allowing others to partake in the blessing. Though all the widow had was a small flask of oil, God multiplied it by using the jars her neighbors gave to her. She then sold the oil which returned enough profit to abundantly provide for her family.
After reading this I had the revelation that God is going to use my skill and passion for barbering to sustain me during my walk. I started cutting hair as an athlete in college because it allowed me to connect with people, enjoy flexible hours, and provide for my personal expenses. I fell in love with barbering because it gave me a way to bring a bit of joy into someone else's life. For many of the same reasons I am pursuing the profession again, but now I have an even clearer purpose in mind. Not only will barbering provide, it will also increase my dexterity as a pastor since both occupations require me to be: personable, creative, and motivated.
How You Can Help
1)Make a donation towards funding my Barber Operator License (i.e. school tuition, exams fees, and equipment costs)!
2) Next time you’re ready to cut, groom, style and/or shave your hair, allow me to provide the service! :-)
3) Share this story with friends who may be interested in supporting!
As conveyed above, the purpose of this fundraiser is to assist me in obtaining my Barber Operator License. Together the expenses only amount to about $3,000 which is totally achievable as a community. With my license, I will finally be qualified for employment as a barber in NY and able to make a living as I pursue my calling as a pastor. God can and will use your offering to multiply what He has begun in my life. I pray that you will join in on this blessing.
Thank you for your support!
Roshard
It suggests that the best way to support someone is to help them develop the capacity to provide for themselves. It is with this understanding in mind that I designed this fundraiser.
My Story
Hi, my name is Roshard Bryant and I am an aspiring pastor from the Bronx, NY. My story is one which attests to the joy that comes from finding hope (i.e. God) in the midst of a devastating setback. Growing up in the City of Dreams I learned how to dream big, yet no one ever taught me how to deal with a dream deferred. As an athlete, tearing my patellar tendon and having my collegiate basketball career come to an early end wrecked me. However, the despair I experienced led me to finally accept and embrace the fullness of God’s love. Because I could no longer place my hope in my talents, I discovered how to place my faith in God’s promises. Over time I’ve come to recognize my injury as a blessing rather than as a nightmare. It helped me to identify that 1) I find purpose in helping others discover the joy and hope that comes through an authentic, loving relationship with God and 2) I have a valuable set of leadership skills which I can use outside of sports. Since, I’ve become a member of the leadership team at C3 Brooklyn, a local church in NYC, where I have been able to use my gifting to serve God and others.
My Need
As I continue my journey to become a pastor, I still have financial obligations to fulfill such as paying off my current student loans, funding my theological education, and financing my living expenses in New York City. However, finding an occupation which offers an adequate salary and flexible hours that allow me to continue both my education and commitments to C3 Brooklyn has been difficult.
Nevertheless, amidst my prayers for provision God guided me to 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of The Widow’s Oil. This story reveals that God provides provision through 1) using a skill or resource we possess, and 2) allowing others to partake in the blessing. Though all the widow had was a small flask of oil, God multiplied it by using the jars her neighbors gave to her. She then sold the oil which returned enough profit to abundantly provide for her family.
After reading this I had the revelation that God is going to use my skill and passion for barbering to sustain me during my walk. I started cutting hair as an athlete in college because it allowed me to connect with people, enjoy flexible hours, and provide for my personal expenses. I fell in love with barbering because it gave me a way to bring a bit of joy into someone else's life. For many of the same reasons I am pursuing the profession again, but now I have an even clearer purpose in mind. Not only will barbering provide, it will also increase my dexterity as a pastor since both occupations require me to be: personable, creative, and motivated.
How You Can Help
1)Make a donation towards funding my Barber Operator License (i.e. school tuition, exams fees, and equipment costs)!
2) Next time you’re ready to cut, groom, style and/or shave your hair, allow me to provide the service! :-)
3) Share this story with friends who may be interested in supporting!
As conveyed above, the purpose of this fundraiser is to assist me in obtaining my Barber Operator License. Together the expenses only amount to about $3,000 which is totally achievable as a community. With my license, I will finally be qualified for employment as a barber in NY and able to make a living as I pursue my calling as a pastor. God can and will use your offering to multiply what He has begun in my life. I pray that you will join in on this blessing.
Thank you for your support!
Roshard
Organizer
Roshard Bryant
Organizer
New York, NY
