Benevolent Ministry… Lending a Helping Hand

By Larry Orth, Pastor of Care & Community Outreach

 Karen was near the end of her rope. She was between jobs and nearly penniless, going through personal struggles, and on top of it all, she needed to run home to Wisconsin for a family emergency. In her desperation, she turned to a church for help. For whatever reason (legitimate or not) her request was denied and for years she held a personal grudge against all churches. 

In this true story, $40 could have made a big difference in Karen’s life and her perspective of Christ. Almost daily, requests for benevolent help come to our church. The pastoral staff has to make decisions on those we can and cannot help. With prayer and discernment sometimes the decision is clear; at other times, very hard. Are sufficient funds available? Do we know and trust the person asking for help? By giving, will we truly help or will we simply enable further irresponsibility or deceit?

We always seek to share Jesus’ salvation plan with those we help who do not yet know Him, though we make it clear that our help comes without strings, regardless how they respond to the Gospel. Below is a summary of how your benevolent offerings met real needs over the past year. Thank you for giving to the Lord!

How your benevolent offerings met needs in the last year…

• $19,065 dispensed to help over 120 people in need.

• 2/3 assisted Calvary attendees; 1/3 assisted the needy outside of Calvary.

• Housing, food, utilities, auto, gasoline, transportation, medical, or various emergencies.

• Sponsored Mongolian families here with the Children’s Heart Project.

• The Gospel was shared and literature given to recipients outside of Calvary.

• Five known, first-time decisions for Christ!

Thank you for giving to the Benevolent Ministry!

The benevolent offering is received on the second Sunday of each month. Watch for the envelopes in the bulletin to be a part of helping those in need.