Beyond the Comfort Zone: Fueling God-Sized Dreams with Faith and Action

Larry and Amy Salazar are on a mission to transform the lives of veterans and their families through higher education. Their organization, Veteran College Grants, is more than just a nonprofit; it's a testament to what can happen when faith meets action, and a divine purpose fuels dreams.

Larry, a proud U.S. Navy veteran, and Amy, his wife of 24 years, embarked on this journey after experiencing the challenges of paying for their own children's college education. They discovered a significant gap in support for veterans and their families, especially those who weren't fallen soldiers or in specialized branches. "There wasn't a lot of available options, even with our current military benefits; it was a struggle," Larry recalls. This personal struggle ignited a "God-sized dream" within Larry: to honor veterans' service during their lifetime by providing grants and scholarships for higher education. Larry's dream spans all branches of service and aims to help all veterans and their families. 

A Dream Bigger Than Themselves

Amy initially approached Larry's ambitious idea with prayerful consideration. "I'm thinking, we start a 501(c)(3), are you crazy?" she admits. But a profound moment of clarity, where she felt God revealing her role in building relationships and ministering to students, solidified their conviction. This wasn't just about financial aid; it was about walking alongside these individuals, offering support, and planting seeds of faith. "It's not just about giving them a grant or scholarship, but it's about being able to, like, just walk alongside these kids. I want to see them succeed in life," Amy shares.

Their faith is intentionally woven into every aspect of Veteran College Grants. From a leadership team comprised of individuals deeply rooted in their faith to sending out receipts with encouraging scriptures to donors, the Salazars are committed to integrating their beliefs. "Every person that donates online, I'm going to send them a thank you receipt, but it's also going to have scripture," Larry explains. "If somebody reads that scripture, hopefully it'll cause them to open up the Bible. Suppose one person opens the Bible and starts reading. That would be a blessing to us but also a door God allowed us to help open."

Faith Over Fear: Stepping Beyond the Comfort Zone

Larry's driving force is the veterans themselves. "They are counting on me to succeed, and I'm doing it for them, which just keeps me going. Our work only matters if we truly serve veterans and their families," he states. He believes God has equipped him with the entrepreneurial spirit and qualities necessary for this work. "All my previous jobs have equipped me for this mission, and I clearly know,   'If I am not doing it, it's almost like telling the Lord no."

Amy witnesses Larry's unwavering dedication. "I'm watching him stay up late, waking up early, studying, doing things like, 'What can I do to make this happen and move things forward? How can I get this done?" she says. This commitment is fueled by a profound trust in God's plan. "Lately, I have been faced with doing challenging things that I have never done before." Larry reflects on the biblical admonition to "not fear," noting it appears over 300 times in the Bible. "Every day, if I have fear with moving forward, God is speaking to me, 'Do not fear. Keep pushing forward.'"

Their journey has been marked by divine intervention, with the Secretary of State and IRS determination letter approvals coming through in less than six months, which is remarkable. "Everything has happened just very quickly, far ahead of our projected timeline," Amy marvels.

Stewardship and God-Given Vision

The Salazars are currently self-funding the organization through initial donations and pledges from the community and local large corporations. They understand the challenges of launching a successful 501(c)(3), which is often five times harder than launching any other successful business. Yet, this knowledge only strengthens their resolve. "It makes me want to go even further. It pushes me even harder. Okay, the challenge is there, challenge noted, but just because it's a challenge doesn't mean that we're going to turn around and run," Larry asserts.

Their vision extends beyond financial aid. Amy envisions building deep relationships with students, attending their graduations, and offering ongoing support. "It's not just about giving them a grant or scholarship, it's walking alongside these students. I want to see them succeed in life," she emphasizes. They believe that by investing in these individuals, they are impacting generations, both financially and spiritually.

Words of Encouragement for Dreamers

Larry's advice to anyone on the cusp of launching a God-given dream is simple yet profound: "All your visions and dreams lie just right beyond your comfort zone. Without passing that comfort zone, there's no growth. If it does not challenge you, it will not grow you!" He encourages aspiring leaders to write down their vision, break it into actionable steps, and tackle them one at a time, always coupled with prayer. "Just because it's a challenge doesn't mean that you turn around and run."

The Salazars' story is a powerful reminder that when we step out in faith, embrace challenges, and pour into God-sized dreams, we not only transform our own lives but also become instruments of change for countless others. Their dedication to honoring veterans and their families, coupled with their unwavering faith, is building a legacy of hope, education, and spiritual growth.