Our partner, GiftCardGiver.com has applied for a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

They've asked for $25,000, but whoever gets the most votes wins! Vote for them now.

Here's their plan:

• Give away $100,000 this year in gift cards.
• Host a 30 city gift card drive tour.
• Share the Gift Card Giver idea with 1 million people this year.
• Help 200 organizations and people in financial crisis.
• Have 100 people around the country host house parties.

How will the 25K be Used?

$ 10,000     National Gift Card Drive Tour
$ 6,500     10 strategic speaking and exhibiting opportunities.
$ 5,000     National Public Relations Campaign
$ 3,500     Coffee Sleeve Awareness Campaign [65,000 impressions]

BE HOPE TO HER

Last year, Nuru International hosted its first nationwide experiential event designed to raise awareness and empathy for the daily routine of millions of women and girls in the developing world. We called it Be Hope To Her. The event had nearly 1000 people participate on 11 college campuses, and raised over $36,000 that led to the drilling of four deep water wells in Kuria, Kenya and thousands of changed lives. This year, we are pleased to announce that there are twenty four colleges who are participating in the event (including one in Florence, Italy). We also have three city-wide events happening in SoCal, Seattle, and Pittsburgh.

So what is it all about? In essence, it’s an event about being hope. Over 2.4 billion people go daily without nearby access to safe, clean, drinking water. Women and girls in these communities are usually charged with the task of gathering the water for their families as a daily practice. It doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, you can be part of the generation that stands up and says enough is enough, and chooses to make a difference.

And that’s why we are asking you to join in Be Hope To Her this year. Will you join us in this effort?

The first thing you can do is register for the event. Most events will take place between April 12th thru April 16th - depending on the location. This event is going to take place in a variety of locations across the country, so chances are you live fairly close to one of the locations (and if not, road trips are always fun—especially those with a greater purpose!).

I can guarantee that if you participate in this event, you will NEVER look at this issue in the same way again. And your friends won’t either. Not only that, but you will be offering them a tangible first step in the journey to be the generation that ends extreme poverty!!!

Reverend Jim Belcher has a new(ish) book, Deep Church. Today we're giving away 5 copies on the blog.

Deep Church addresses the growing rift between what he calls the Emerging Church and the Traditional Church. He fairly represents the concerns of both sides, where they differ and describes a third way - the Deep Church.

Tim Keller Said "Jim Belcher shows that we don't have to choose between orthodox evangelical doctrine on the one hand, and cultural engagement, creativity and commitment to social justice on the other. This is an important book."

Matt Chandler publicly endorsed this book from stage at a conference he spoke at last year (which is where I heard about it).

Deep Church is written for those who find themselves agreeing with aspects of both sides of the debate and are confused by the tone of the dialogue. They don’t know who to trust. Is there a third way?

Deep Church has also been written for those on the outside who want to understand the debate. They are new to the conversation and want to understand what all the excitement is over. They have heard of the Emerging Church but have no idea what the term stands for or what it is advocating.

This is a great book! We're giving away 5 copies today!

Here's how to win:

1) Tweet this: Comment here & WIN the book "Deep Church" http://bit.ly/c9EoFv (endorsed by Tim Keller & @MattChandler74)

2) Comment below with your twitter name (to verify step 1) & another book you recommend (just for fun).

3) at 4pm EST, we'll choose 5 random winners from the comments below!