Breaking: Surprise!

A special Pillar Post

Hey everybody,

It’s almost the weekend, but the news doesn’t stop — and we’re aiming to get a few more stories to completion before we call it a week

But I wanted to share with you a piece of news that’s important to know.

It’s Pillar co-founder Ed Condon’s birthday. He’s 40-something-years-old.

Now, if I told you the actual year of his birth, Ed would probably dissolve the company.

But here’s a hint:

Ed tends to be uncomfortable making things about him. For a man of some public profile, he has a commitment to personal privacy that borders on paranoia. So he wouldn’t like me telling you what he wants as a birthday gift.

But here’s what I know. If there’s one thing he’d like for his birthday, it’s for you to become a paying subscriber — to help us do more of the news you love.

I also know that Ed cares a lot about persecuted and suffering Christians, our commitment to covering their stories, and our obligation to pray for their welfare.

So here’s what I’d like to do:

For every new paid Pillar subscriber in response to this email, we will donate 10% of the subscription money to Aid to the Church in Need, to help Christians living this Lent under circumstances of intense — unbearable — persecution, often in fear for their lives.

So maybe you want to give Ed a gift. Maybe you don’t care about that, but you want to see The Pillar thrive. Maybe you just want to see what we’d do with more people in our newsroom. And maybe you want to join us in helping the Church in need.

Today’s the day.

And if wishing him a happy birthday is something you’d like to do, now’s the time.

Whatever reason speaks to you, go with your gut — I’m sure the birthday boy will toast your good health.

And here’s a promise. If we see 250 new subscribers on this, we’ll send Aid to the Church in Need a lot of money — but I’ll also have photos for you next week of Ed in his special party hat. It won’t be easy, but I’ll get those photos.

Have a great weekend. And happy birthday Ed — SURPRISE!

Yours in Christ,

JD Flynn
editor-in-chief
The Pillar