Giving Ourselves Away for the Gospel!
This Christmas we are challenging our 15:5 Church family to consider doing something very radical for Christmas. Let's make Christmas about Jesus, and NOT about us. Let's put our wallets and financial resources at the feet of Jesus.
Most of us have been impacted financially over the past few years - through Covid and now the effects of inflation. The natural thing to do is to be very cautious with our finances. Of course, we need to be wise stewards of the money for which we've been entrusted. But here is the challenge - forgo Christmas gifts for yourself and other adult family and friends who are followers of Jesus in your life. Instead, pray about spending all of the money that you would spend on gifts for yourself, and give it to the King and His Kingdom.
There are 2 specific ways that we will focus our giving this Christmas as the 15:5 Church family. Both of them are beyond our own ministry needs and Kingdom-focused. These are invitations, not expectations. Giving generously is one of the ways that we live radically for Jesus!
1. Great Commission Offering
The Great Commission Offering (GCO) is the annual CNBC missions offering that provides the opportunity for us to join the CNBC in sending international missionaries from Canada, planting new churches all across Canada, and strengthening our existing churches within Canada.
Every dollar of our Great Commission Offering is distributed in the following three ways:
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50% toward the sending of international missionaries
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25% toward the starting of new churches
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25% toward the strengthening of CNBC churches
This year, we are suggesting a 15:5 Church goal of $12,000! It will mean sacrifice - but we can choose to honour God by honouring God through our giving.
Please mark your donation envelope or e-transfer "GCO."
2. Gift Bags for Residents of the Porteous Lodge
This will be the seventh year that we will give gifts to the less fortunate at the Porteous Lodge. Many of the residents have no family, and the gifts that we give will be all that they receive this Christmas.
Purchasing an item or two for a resident in the name of Jesus can bring joy and happiness to those who are alone or needy. If you can't shop, you are welcome to give a cash donation to help us purchase items on the residents' Christmas Wish-List. All gift bags need to be returned by December 15.
