Voddie Baucham GoFundMe Raises $400,000 in 12 hours After News of Heart Failure

A GoFundMe campaign for Voddie Baucham has raised more than $400,000 in less than 12 hours, after the Zambia-based pastor announced that he had experienced a medical emergency and asked for prayer for his health and family, as well as any funds that could be incidentally given.

Initially sent to his supporters via a newsletter, Vodie recounted that after a recent stint in America (January 21-February 09) where he returns several times to preach on his Winter Tour, he felt unwell. He chalked this up to fatigue at such a busy tour, doing a whirlwind 17 dates in 18 days. He explained:

On the way home, there were stretches when I felt what I could only describe as being waterboarded every two or three minutes. That night, upon arriving in Lusaka, I contacted our family doctor. The next morning I was at a medical center doing a series of labs and tests that revealed the worst. I was experiencing full-blown heart failure.

As I write this update, Bridget and I are making arrangements to fly back to the USA, where I will undergo a series of labs, exams, and treatments. Some of those will be significant. Hence, the call to prayer and plea for help.

Well, the saints have responded. Not only did they donate likely tens of thousands to his ministry page, but a GoFundMe page was set up by Pastor Tom Ascol, a ministry partner of Voddie seeking to grant as direct and as quick access to the funds as possible. The campaign has raised an incredible $400,000 in less than 12 hours, over half their goal of $750,000, and likely will add another $100-200,000 within the next 24 hours.

The biggest donation was an anonymous gift of $10,000 and nearly 4000 people donated at the time of this article.

Pastor Ascol explains in the description of the campaign:

Voddie Baucham is a faithful servant of Christ. He has been a dear friend for nearly twenty years and serves with me as a board member of Founders Ministries and founding faculty member of the Institute of Public Theology. As his newsletter below indicates, he is facing a serious medical trial. Christians around the world are praying for him and his family. Many would also like to help out financially, realizing that as he, Bridget, and their family walk this path, they will face significant expenses.
In response to many requests to help out directly, I am setting up this fundraiser to assist the Bauchams as expenses mount. All gifts given will go directly to the Bauchams. As the President of Founders Ministries, and in behalf of our board I encourage you to give as you are able to help our brother.

Continue to pray for Voddie and his family.