So the cat is out of the bag. At Glimpse last week we announced that our end-of-the-year giving campaign is more about an end-of-the-year generosity campaign. For every dollar we raise for Columbia Church between now and January, we will raise another dollar for the poorest of the poor both in our city and around the world. Watch this video for more information.
We’ve also posted two videos on vimeo.com showcasing the two organizations we’ve partnered with: Rwanda Clean Water Project, and Jubilee Academy. You can see them both HERE.
Or you can read all about these ministries at their respective websites:
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October 20, 2009 at 8:57 am |
JD & Ben,
Cathy and I were so impressed last Thursday night with the vision that God has given Columbia Church. The church model (NP) that Andy Stanley presented is just what we believe the Columbia area needs. The plan is straight forward, clear, and focused. We believe what is happening in Athens, Ga can also happen here in Columbia.
We have invested the $20 given to us by Columbia Church in Day Break Crisis Pregnacy Center. This ministry is doing an awesome job in our area to save the lives of babies and to share the gospel with the people who enter their doors. In the last 6 months they have started a ministry to the guys who fathered the children of the pregnant women who come to the center for help. Day Break is also opening new office very close to the University of South Carolina. Day Break reports that the number of pregnant students at USC each year (and seeking abortions) is staggering.
Someone has to stand up for these little ones, hopeless and abandoned. The ministry of Columbia Church has now entered into the great mission of the saving the lives of babies and sharing the gospel of Jesus with their parents.
Cathy and Larry Harvey
October 24, 2009 at 9:37 am |
After praying about this we decided that Harvest Hope Food Bank should receive Gods $20. Apparently a little goes a long ways. They can feed 110 people dinner for every $1. So $20 works out to be about 200 people. Pretty good ‘Bang for Gods Buck’. Feeding the multitudes, it’s all good.
Sammi and I are very excited to see God planting His Church right here in Columbia and are glad we can share in a part of it. JD thanks for the Miracle Project and the inspiration to lead us to share in some great charities.
Sammi and Stephen Chalfant
November 9, 2009 at 9:34 pm |
Michelle and I sat down with the kids a week or so ago and tried to have the conversation about where and how we should spend the $20 Columbia Church gave our family. It was not as easy as I had imagined in my head. We have 3 small children Cade 5, Ben 3, and Harper 5 months. We told them that we had some money that we wanted to give away to someone else and we asked them what we should do with it.
In my children’s world everything revolves around birthdays and Christmas. This is simply because they want gifts. I know your kids are so much more spiritual than mine, but they like Christmas for the toys.
While we were having this brief conversation we have to separate Cade and Ben who are trying to wrestle while Harper begins to cry. It was not pretty, but in the midst of that great family meeting Cade offers this idea. “Can we buy Christmas gifts for a little boy?” Benjamin and Cade start talking about what toys they could buy, which just happen to be their favorites as well. Michelle and I agree that would be a great idea.
So we are planning on taking the family shopping to fill boxes for Samaritans Purse and Operation Christmas Child. We will use the money to buy toys for children who normally would not receive anything on Christmas. You can read more about Operation Christmas Child and Samaritans Purse on their web site at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
I know from our own experience that it is not easy to lead your family, especially if you have small children, but I would encourage you to do it anyway. You probably won’t have to break up a wrestling match, but I believe the lesson you will teach your children about generosity will be worth the effort!
November 13, 2009 at 10:55 pm |
Ben & I have been thinking and thinking and thinking over the past month about how to invest the $20 from the Miracle Project. Wednesday night, as we drove to meet friends for dinner, we drew the line in the sand. Enough thinking! We wanted to make a decision. We threw out all kinds of ideas – but finally settled on something that has personally affected us this fall, will honor two very good friends of ours, and help with much needed research.
Two of my college roommates lost a parent this fall because of diabetes related illnesses. Samantha Linn’s father passed away days after Samantha’s wedding. Lauren King’s mother passed away just a month later.
Because we love Lauren and Samantha, and because we feel their burden too, Ben and I are going to donate our $20 to Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, a non-profit group that “is committed to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and to the funding of innovative, promising research aimed at finding a cure for diabetes and diabetes related complications.”
You can check out their website at http://www.diabetesaction.org.