Join Us!

Many people are surprised to learn that we live on the road and do not charge anything for our services. Our commitment is to go wherever there is interest, regardless of an organization's ability to pay us anything. We live a lifestyle of joyful simplicity, and we have faith that our needs will be taken care of. Where an honorarium is offered to us for preaching, teaching, or otherwise sharing The Great Story and its meaning, we, of course, gratefully accept it. And when and where appropriate, we place a basket in the back of the room or "pass the hat" for those who would like to respond with a "free-will love-offering."

We sustain ourselves through the generosity of those who align with our message and who wish to support our ministry.

If you are so led, here are five options for how to contribute to the success of this historic mission. (Click here for our MISSION STATEMENT.)

  • 1. Offer us a place to stay (or connect us with another who might).

    We offer our services free-of-charge, trusting that we will be provided housing as we travel. One of the most important ways that you could support our "great news" ministry is to offer us a place to stay for several days or longer — a second home, spare bedroom, furnished basement, retreat facility, dorm room, floor space, etc. (we travel with a mattress) — or connect us with someone who might host us. We are especially grateful for offers of a week or more.

  • 2. Help us schedule one or more speaking engagements.

    Tell us about institutions in your home region (or where we'll be traveling) that might be interested in our work. Better yet, offer to serve as go-between to solicit invitations. Our website is all that you need; you can refer prospective inviters to this site. You can learn which regions of the continent we will be visiting when by CLICKING HERE. We'll gladly speak to groups ranging in size from 10 to 1000 or more.

  • 3. Send a donation (as a one-time gift or monthly support).

    We are in the process of forming a non-profit, tax exempt educational and religious organization: The Great Story Organization, and expect that approval will be granted in time, such that even the earliest donations will fall within the one-year retroactive clause for pre-existing donations. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated, payable to "The Great Story." Send to: The Great Story, c/o Betsy Koenigsberg, 15206 263rd Ave. SE, Issaquah WA 98027

  • 4. Help spread the good word.

    Please invite others to view our website, and especially ask those who have websites to link ours to theirs by adding this hot-link: http://www.TheGreatStory.org.

  • 5. Hold us in your heart and mind.

    We believe in the power of positive, heartful intention. Whether or not you are able to support our ministry financially, or can offer us a place to stay, or have any suggestions re possible speaking venues, or tell anyone else about us, we ask you to please hold us in your thoughts and prayers, that we may be sensitive and responsive to the move of the Spirit, and that we may touch people's lives and be a channel of grace in a deep and transforming way.

    • Become a Great Story Tour Friend, Partner, Saint, or Angel

    (Warning: Attempted humor follows.)

    Level 1: Great Story Tour "Friend"

    Any one of the following qualifies you for "Friendship":

    • Wish us a safe journey.
    • Buy one or more of our books or tapes.
    • Give us the name and contact information of someone you think might be interested in hosting us or having us present somewhere.
    • Give us your email address so that we can send you a monthly update.
    • Offer us a meal or two, or a few bucks for food or gas on the trip.

    Benefits of becoming a "FRIEND"

    1. You will feel good about yourself (and if you buy one of our books, you may even learn something fascinating and/or inspiring).

    2. You will receive by email our monthly "Turtle Tour Travel Log," letting you know where we've been, who we've seen, what we've done, things we've learned, juicy gossip we've heard along the way, etc.

    3. Sins you've committed over the last week are forgiven.

    Level 2: Great Story Tour "Partner"

    Any one of the following qualifies you for "Partnership":

    • Donate $100 or more as a one-time gift or monthly checks (mailing address below), or similar in-kind contribution of time/energy/food.
    • Offer us a place to stay (spare bedroom, dormitory, doghouse, etc.) for at least several days.
    • Connect us up with someone who will help organize speaking engagements for us in their region.
    • Volunteer your talents or skills with the intention of helping ensure the success of this mission.

    Benefits of becoming a "PARTNER"

    1. You will feel great about yourself and will also receive all the benefits of being a Friend.

    2. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing in a meaningful and significant way to the (pick your metaphor of choice) salvation / awakening / enlightenment of humanity, and the healing / maturing / evolution of our world.

    3. All the unkind and less-than-honorable thoughts you've had over the last year toward your parents, spouse, ex-spouse(s), former friends, teenage children, newspaper columnists, elected officials, and so forth are forgiven.

    Level 3: Great Story Tour "Saint"

    Any one of the following qualifies you for "Sainthood":

    • Donate $500 or more, as a one-time gift or monthly checks (mailing address below), or similar in-kind contribution of time/energy/food.
    • Offer us a place to stay (guest room, furnished basement, time share condo, etc.) for a week or longer.
    • Volunteer to help organize locally — contacting organizations, scheduling venues where we can present, etc.
    • Volunteer your time, talents, or skills with the intention of guaranteeing the success of this mission.

    Benefits of "SAINTHOOD"

    1. You will feel ecstatic about yourself and will also receive all the benefits of Friendship and Partnership.

    2. Everything that happens to you — good or bad, joyful or painful — will be a gift and a blessing, though perhaps in disguise. The Universe will never cease to conspire on your behalf. You needn't do anything but have the eyes of faith, a heart of trust, and (of course) lots of patience.

    3. All your past sins and shortcomings, real and imagined, will be forgiven (or, at least, we will put in a good word for you.)

    Level 4: Great Story Tour "Angel"

    Any one of the following qualifies you for "Angelic" status:

    • Donate $1000 or more, as a one-time gift or monthly checks (mailing address below), or similar in-kind contribution of time/energy/food.
    • Offer us a place to stay (vacation home, spare mansion, villa, etc.) for two weeks or longer.
    • Volunteer to help organize locally — contacting organizations, scheduling venues, etc.
    • Volunteer your time, talents, or skills with the commitment to being fully accountable (together with us, of course) for the success of this mission.

    Benefits of becoming an "ANGEL"

    1. You will feel heavenly about yourself and will also receive all the benefits of Friendship, Partnership, and Sainthood.

    2. All your future sins and shortcomings, real and imagined, will be forgiven (or, at least, we will put in a good word for you). Moreover, whatever your vision of eternal bliss and heavenly reward may be (let your imagination run wild!), we pray that it shall be so!

    3. You will regularly experience a joy and peace that passes all understanding. Others will come and sit at your feet to learn from you and do all your cooking and cleaning, and more — exactly the way you like it.


    Email us at:

    Michael@TheGreatStory.org

    Letters, cards, gifts, and donations can be mailed to:

    The Great Story
    c/o Betsy Koenigsberg
    15206 263rd Ave. SE
    Issaquah WA 98027

    Thank you and God Bless!

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