jared fontenette: next gen supports having faith in big goals

During his junior year at Seattle University, Jared Fontenette joined World Vision Next Gen, which exists to engage, equip, and empower high school- and college-age change makers to step into a legacy of generosity right now.

 

“Communicating, connecting with people is something that I really value,” Jared says. “It’s fun when you're in a group with people and see where your strengths come out, but also where other people fill those gaps.”

 

Connected by a shared vision of ending extreme poverty in their lifetime, World Vision Next Gen members are dynamic leaders who are committed to using their voice and influence to raise awareness and resources to support World Vision's transformative work to empower people to rise out of poverty.

 

Their first audacious goal they chose for themselves was to raise $125,000 to support health clinics in Zambia.

 

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Jared Fontenette spoke at the Every Last One Conference in Dallas, Texas, on May 13, 2022. Along with two of his fellow Next Gen members, he shared about his time in the new community group, what it was like setting and fundraising for a God-sized goal, and what he learned. 

Watch the replay.

“Everyone in the group was very gung-ho about it,” Jared says, explaining that he wanted to ease into fundraising with a much smaller goal. “The energy was there and everybody really felt called to go that direction. That's where we're being led, so I went with that. It was nice because even if I was a little skeptical, I saw the confidence of the faith of everyone in the group.”

In the first couple months of fundraising, they were already almost halfway there.

 

“When we saw family, friends, community people coming in, stepping up, and supporting us in that mission, then it became something real,” Jared says.

 

The 13 Next Gen members, including Jared, ended up surpassing their goal more than three times — raising $421,775.

 

“There were some great moments, and we'd have really these peaks and a lot of money be come in. But then it would dry out for even a month or two,” Jared says. “There were moments where it was like, okay, we've got to get creative. In those moments I was like, ‘Are we going to hit the deadline?’”

 

Now that he’s graduated from college, Jared’s reflecting on everything he learned.

“The biggest thing that I got from the group was allowing myself to have faith in big goals,” Jared says, “because sometimes I try to think more realistically because I don't want to disappoint either myself or others. Sometimes that's even a protection or defense mechanism on my end. So it’s nice when you are in an environment where it allows yourself to dream big and to grow in having faith that God's going to step in.”

Jared Fontenette Next gen

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He's excited to see Next Gen setting their sights on a new goal of $100,000 that will support World Vision’s education and water, sanitation, and hygiene work.

 

“Are you passionate about this? Are you trying to get involved and impact the world in a way that's bigger than yourself? And if so, then yes, come and join,” Jared says. “100% do it.”

 

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