Downers Grove Pastor Shaves Beard for Starving Kids

Submitted by Lori Wrzesinski, Director of Sunday School for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove.

Shave that Beard! Shave that Beard! Shave that Beard! That was the mantra that the kids at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove chanted each Sunday morning as they gathered.

In November of 2013, a challenge was issued to senior pastor, John Prohl. If the Sunday School students raised $1000.00 by November of 2014 for Feed My Starving Children, then he would have to shave his beard. That opening salvo resulted in a counter offer: “If I get the congregation to raise $2000.00, can I keep the beard?”

Knowing that starving kids around the world would benefit, the challenge was accepted and the pastor had a way to save his beard, one that had graced his face for more years than anyone could remember.

Throughout the year, the kids attacked the goal with gusto, reminding Pastor Prohl every chance they could, that they were coming for his beard. The chant, “Shave that Beard!” could be heard throughout the church every Sunday morning. Each week, as the total continued to rise, the $1000 goal became more and more a reality.

In the meantime, Pastor Prohl tried to work his magic with the congregation to raise the requisite $2000.00 to save his precious facial hair. Even though the kids wanted to see him shave his beard, they also knew that $3000.00 would feed a lot more kids. So they even helped the pastor get a leg up on his efforts by also starting a “Save that Beard” campaign.

The final day of fundraising, November 16, was met with great anticipation by all. The next Sunday would reveal which campaign came out on top. As the numbers were revealed on November 23, a great shout of joy could be heard coming from the kids as they learned they had raised $1031.12 and that Pastor Prohl’s $542.13 had fallen short of his goal. The day of reckoning was at hand.

On Sunday, January 4, before a standing-room-only crowd, Pastor Prohl prepared to say goodbye to his thirty year hairy friend. His face was sober as the razor’s buzzing echoed from the walls. The deed was done and when asked how he felt, his response was noble, “When the bugler played ‘Taps’, it felt like I had lost a dear friend.”

Founded in 1987, Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization that sends food to nearly 70 countries around the world. These life-saving meals only cost $.22 and have saved millions of children around the world from starvation and malnutrition. So, the next time you go out for dinner, see what you can get for $0.22. If you find a meal at that price, make sure to let us know! Visit www.fmsc.org for more information or to donate.