Comments from congregations participating in Mission Match |
| Mission Match 2003: $500 in Mission Match funds sent to a national pastor in Chile to help rebuild his church |
| $500. That's a lot of money for our church as well as a lot of other small churches. We began our mission match with lots of talk about mission trips that I have taken, the latest of which was January 2003 to Chile.... For us, time given for people to see the vision was very important. Don't rush it. Start early telling the good news. |
| Pastor Free Methodist congregation Indiana |
| Mission Match 2003: $1,500 in Mission Match funds for a work camp in Appalachia |
| Our Assignment on the mission trip was to hang insulation board and vinyl siding on an elderly man's home in Appalachia. When we arrived, the building was tattered and dark. When we left, it was shiny and white. We demonstrated to another human being that God's love for him includes hope and a brighter tomorrow. We also felt blessed to have this opportunity. We are a small church. The empty tomb's Mission Match program helped us to work according to the ability of our hearts rather than to the capacity of our purse. |
| Work Team Member United Methodist congregation Indiana |
| Mission Match 2003 Project: $1,500 in Mission Match funds for a mission trip to Peru. |
| God presented an opportunity that seemed impossible. We needed to raise $22,000.00 to take a team of 11 to Peru to conduct Vacation Bible School at 3 churches. The team used every possible avenue to raise the money: meals, garage sales, popcorn sales, donations and grants to name a few. The Money for Missions program was discovered and after just 2 Sundays of announcing the project, the congregation provided the matching funds. |
| We found the folks at Empty Tomb to be wonderful to work with, they provided all the information needed to apply and were very helpful. We feel that they truly care about the projects that churches are undertaking and want to help. |
| Team Leader United Methodist congregation Indiana |
| Mission Match 2003: $500 in Mission Match funds for a van replacement at a Christian Mission in Jamaica |
| Our effort was to provide assistance to our mission in Jamaica, with the dire need they had to replace a van. I'm sure that other churches that support this mission were like us with respect to funds available. Your program, The National Money for Missions Program, was an answered prayer. The transmission of funds and the spirit in which the business was transacted was truly in Christian love. Thank you. |
| Senior Pastor Christian Church congregation Florida |
| Mission Match 2002 Project: Pastor Training and Evangelistic Outreach in Cambodia |
| Our Minister reminded our church family that we couldn't reach the mission match goal without each person. He told them that even giving a small amount would help us reach the goal. We had a flood of new givers' envelopes that day. |
| Director of Education
|
| It is not that hard to reach the goal. The congregation just needs to be informed how to reach the goal and that they really matter in the ministry. |
| Pastor Christian Church/Churches of Christ congregation Ohio |
| Mission Match 2002: $500 in Mission Match funds for a medical program in the Philippines. |
| $500 can do a lot in the mission field, but when you double it, the blessings become immeasurable. We were able to fund a medical program by ourselves, with the aid of "The National Money for Missions Program." The Spirit led us to a source of funds for being obedient to His call, to go into the world. We have been blessed beyond words. Thank you. |
| World Missions Chair Christian Church congregation California |
| Mission Match 2002 Project: An Inner-City Kids Club |
| During 2002, [our Southern] Baptist Church was searching for a way to make a difference in the lives of inner-city children and perhaps change the future of our community. Most of them live in a single-parent family with little or no religious experience. Our solution was to start Saturday's Kids. |
| After visiting in homes of children and arranging for them to ride our bus and receiving permission to baptize those who receive Christ as Savior, in 2002 three hundred twelve children were baptized. Financial assistance for this project was provided by two local churches. Other sources were the Tennessee Baptist Convention, the [local] Baptist Association, and individuals. |
| However, one of the most delightful and helpful gifts came through the National Money for Missions Program's Mission Match. It was delightful because it inspired several members of our congregation to become active financial supporters of Saturday's Kids. It was helpful because it helped us minister to an enrollment of about 800 African-American children who otherwise might grow up without an opportunity to become a Christian. |
| Aside from the religious aspect of Saturday's Kids, the behavior of children dramatically changed. Prior to this opportunity many had "no clue" as to how to walk on "holy ground." Some are still learning. |
| Thanks for your support. |
| Pastor Southern Baptist congregation Tennessee |
| Mission Match 2002 Project: Resettlement of an Afghan Family |
| This exceptional program helped our congregation assist an endangered Muslim family in Afghanistan. It helped multiply our loaves and fishes so that God's grace was more powerfully felt. |
| Pastor Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation Indiana |
| Mission Match 2002 Project: Christian Mission Meeting Education and Other Needs in Haiti |
| When our women's fellowship asked the congregation to join us in raising funds for a Haiti project, donations over several months netted well over $700. When this was matched by a $500 grant from empty tomb, inc., we found we had nearly $1300 to send to Haiti. For our efforts we have the pleasure of a project done together and renewed faith in God's ability to multiply our efforts for His Kingdom. |
| Free Methodist Congregation Illinois |
