Why Athentikos? Authenticity.
We wanted to help people in need in marginalized communities around the world, but we realized we aren’t doctors, lawyers, or engineers. We’re creatives (artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, storytellers … etc). So, we decided to authentically be ourselves in mission, using our creativity to inspire a diverse audience (including doctors, lawyers and engineers) to join together and make the world a better place.
We believe a story has the ability to expose issues, connect people with opportunities to join the response effort, and multiply resources for mission. So, we structured a non-profit to allow us to focus our talents and passion together in a way that leverages the power of story to make a difference in the lives of people in need around the world.
It’s all about Authenticity.
In the process of examining the problem and honestly evaluating what we could do to help, we defined our limitations. But that isn’t negative. Knowing what we cannot do allows us to focus on what we CAN do, and DO THAT WITH EXCELLENCE. Embracing our limitations also invites us to collaborate with others who are different than us because we know we can’t do it all on our own. But we can do what we do best with others who do the same. We’re just a small part of something bigger.
But it’s not just about doing. It’s about being true to our identity and resting in the peace of that truth. We’re not just a cog in a wheel. Our strengths and weaknesses, passions and sorrows, faith and doubts, history and dreams – these characteristics shape our identity – and our identity matters.
I love this definition of the word authentic: having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence. Unquestionable … that is a powerful word. An example that comes to mind is a one cent coin – a Penny.
You can’t do much with a single Penny … that’s why we usually spend them with other Pennies.
There is no question of who made the Penny and who they belong to: The United States of America. In addition, (all joking aside in regards to the recent economy) there is no question of their value: they are worth one cent. If they show up in Spain or Sudan, they point back to where they came from.
Athentikos was born from our identity. We believe the desires of our heart came from a God who loves us and wants us to generously share our identity to serve the least, last, and lost.
When we’re authentic to our identity, our origin is unquestionable.
When we’re authentic in community, our lives compliment each other in a sum greater than each of its parts; a diversity in unity that can only be explained by the overwhelming grace of a God writing a greater story.
We’re a small non-profit with a vision bigger than we can accomplish on our own.
You can help by volunteering or giving a tax-deductible donation.
