FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2010
For more information:  Janice Ly, 832-403-4364, janice@giftuponastar.org

NEW WEBSITE MODERNIZES MISSION FIELD FOR MISSIONARIES
Offers short- and long-term missionaries modern tools to raise support, communicate with supporters and spread God’s Word

In our high speed, tech savvy world, dominated by modes of instant gratification like Facebook, Twitter and blogs, comes a missions-oriented website that wraps up all the needs of the soon-to-be missionary in one complete online package. This new website, Gift Upon A Star (www.giftuponastar.org ), revolutionizes the mission field for the weekend missionary to the life-long disciple. Gift Upon A Star embraces America’s desire for everything to be accessible with one click of a mouse and delivers all the elements to equip individuals on their quest to make a difference.

Through a free online membership, members gain unlimited access to the online community of Gift Upon A Star. The website builds a bridge for members to connect with their supporters, both financially and emotionally, with its unique tools and features. As a member, individuals can post photographs and video clips of their mission trip to put a face to their mission work. The online format allows accomplishments, challenges and even prayer requests to be shared in real time for immediate response from supporters. Supporters can also follow a member’s experience through personal stories shared on an online blog and leave notes of encouragement on individual members’ homepages.

Gift Upon A Star gives a modern twist to raising support for the mission field by offering a secure online donation center. Online donations to members make distance, time and energy irrelevant factors and ease the financial burden. Donations can be given from living rooms, workplaces, churches and even overseas and around the clock. The online donation center allows the needed funds to be in the hands of God’s missionaries with just a few seconds of the supporter’s time and at their own convenience.

Gift Upon A Star takes their purpose to help people seriously. The website pledges to donate an amount equal to 3% of the total funds raised on the site, by each member, to the non-profit organization they designate. This unique matching gift multiplies supporters’ donations, allowing a bigger impact to be made than if a check was simply placed in the passing offering basket.

Janice Ly, founder of Gift Upon A Star, knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of aid. Refugees who came to America when she was a child, Ly’s family was sponsored and supported by a local church. Ly’s hope is that this new website can offer a helping hand to those who wish to serve or support missions, so others can benefit from the work of missionaries, like her family did. “There are those who are able to witness first-hand and actively participate in missions and there are those who are able to financially support and send people on life-changing trips,” said Ly. “Gift Upon A Star was developed to bring these two mission-minded people together to carry out God's plans and bring hope to all.”

Individuals can visit www.giftuponastar.org to receive their FREE membership and start using the website’s tools to reach their ministry goals. Those wishing to support missions can use the website’s built-in search engine to explore by missionary name or organization. An informational flyer is ready for download to interested individuals, churches and mission-minded organizations in the Organization section of the website.

For more information on Gift Upon A Star, please contact janice@giftuponastar.com.

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