b'Youre in an elevator, and on stepsSince you are into the second run the biggest philanthropist in yourof your Groundhog Day, you remem-community. Youve prayed for yearsber Bill Murray changing things upto get in front of this individual.in the movie, so you do the same. Youre wearing a name tag, whichYou come up with a different script: includes the name of your ministry.Everything we do is about transfor-He turns to you and says, Hi, I seemation. With a focus on individuals that you are part of the ABC Mission.I get a little dramaticstruggling with addiction, we uniquely Tell me about it. work from the inside out to address You are so excited, and yourexplaining the Gospelthe root cause. We accomplish that by words flows like water: We workproviding free, Christian, professional, with men and women who are home- from the perspective ofresidential, recovery services. You less. We shelter, feed, and provideWhy. I dont just tellstop talking. clothing, socks, hats, and gloves forHe turns to you and says, Thats them in the winter months. We havepeople that God lovesvery impressive. Then he hands a life-transformation program foryou his business card and gives you individuals who are experiencingthem. Instead, I tellthese instructions: Call my assistant, homelessness. The program includesthem that God is wildVickie. Tell her I asked for you to classes, a learning center, tutoring,get on my calendar. I want to hear and GED certification. We alsoand crazy in love withmore about what you do.provide medical and dental care.What changed? In the first ver-He arrives at his floor, turns to you,them.sion, you told the prospect what you and say, Thank you for all you do.do. And you provide a lot of services. He exits the elevator. However, you never told him how You are elated. You tell your teamyou do it, nor did you tell him why about this meeting, and every dayyou do it.you wait for this prospective donorIn the second version, you to call you. He never does. You seereversed the order of how you deliv-him again in your community, and,ered your pitch to this prospect. You to your dismay and disappointment,started with your Why, proceeded to he ignores you.How, then finished with What. Let Now, let me put you back into ourme break down version two in this version of the movie Groundhog Day.Groundhog Day movie.You wake up, and youre back on WhyEverything we do is about the same elevator. The same philan- transformation.thropist joins you. Youre still wearing your name tag, which includes the HowWith a focus on individu-name of your ministry. He turns to youals struggling with addiction, we and says, Hi, I see that you are partuniquely work from the inside of the ABC Mission. Tell me about it.out to address the root cause.30 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022'