All around us are shattered hearts, broken lives, and fractured stories. Clearly, this world is not as it should be.

Have you ever felt like there was more you could do? Me too.

My name is Jason Salamun and I’d like to thank you for considering joining this movement with me to help be good news to people who really, really need it.

By now you’ve likely discovered that I’m simply an ordinary guy who wants to lose weight for some life-giving causes and I need your help to make it happen.

The next three months is a journey to step up and shape up and invite people to join me. It’s an experiment to make a difference.  To stand up for those who can’t stand at all and collectively shout, “THIS MUST CHANGE!” and do something about it.

Like many people, I’ve struggled with my weight.  I’ve had times in my life when I when I was in excellent shape- like when I was an athlete and when I served in the Air Force.  But a combination of genetics, lack of exercise, and iffy eating habits have left me at my heaviest weight ever.   This too must change.

The story behind this challenge was sparked during a recent teaching at my church. We came across Matthew 25:35-40 where Jesus talks about how when we feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, take in a stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those behind bars, we’re essentially doing it for Jesus. {Listen to Message}

Or as my 7-year-old daughter puts it, “When we give people a hug, we give God a hug.”  How right she is!

I reflected on that passage, looked at myself, and thought, “There’s gotta be more I can do.” I looked at myself even more and thought, “I’m fat and need to get in shape.”

So I started thinking through this idea: What if I set a goal to lose weight and get in shape in the next 3 months, and during that time, encouraged others to donate a dollar for every pound I lose directly to a cause relating to Hunger, Water, Shelter, Clothing, Sickness, and the Imprisoned?

So this is my attempt to be what I believe.

I know we can’t change every story but together, we can help make some better. And some is better than none.

Will you join me?

Add your name to the list and spread the word.

Each Monday, come back here for the weigh-in to see how much to give. You can give a little each week or wait and give it all in one chunk at the end. This effort begins August 17 and runs through November 16.  It’s never too late to get on board! Frankly, it can’t happen without your help.

Outside of that, I’m married to my beautiful wife, Gwyn, and have two amazing kids, Reece and Regan.   We make our home in the nation’s best-kept secret, Rapid City, South Dakota.

I started a new church with some friends called Project Church where I serve as pastor and often describe myself as a recovering hypocrite striving to keep it real.  I’m also a hopeful writer.

To read more from me check out my blog at jasonsalamun.com.

You can also find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

“There is crack in everything.  That’s how the light gets in.” – Leonard Cohen

“Love one another as I have loved you.” – Jesus