The story of Kingdom Assignment 2

In December of 2007, I invited members and friends of our congregation to participate in Kingdom Assignment 2.   In this assignment, we were challenged to consider how much material “stuff” we all have. Inspired by the biblical story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) we decided to sell some of our stuff and give the proceeds to those in need. Pastor Melanie set a goal for us to raise $10,000 for this special offering.  And when the entire offering was counted we had exceeded this goal, raising $10,174.93!!!

We collected this special offering this past Spring, during the season of Lent.  After the money was counted, we decided to use the offering to run a matching gift program so that we could help even more people in need.  We also decided that $2000 of the original offering would be set aside for assisting individuals outside our congregation facing an illness and related financial hardships.

In early June of 2008, members and friends of our congregation generously matched the $8,000 available (and then some!) and we were able to share over $16,000 with 21 different organizations in our community and around the world!   In addition, the $2000 set aside for assisting someone with an illness and related financial hardships was also matched.  Thus we were able to give away over $20,000!!! 

We also decided that we wanted to keep this effort going, and therefore we are in the process of setting up an donation account on Ebay, with the proceeds of the sales of people’s stuff coming to our church.  These proceeds will go into the kingdom assignment account here at our church, and once a year the church council will appoint a special task force to propose appropriate uses for this money (sharing it with the poor and needy).  The $174.93 remaining from this year’s original collection is in this fund and is being held for distribution in 2009.

What follows are the stories behind the numbers and the witness to what God can do when we offer what we have to God’s purposes.  Like the Kingdom Assignment 1, where 50 persons were given $100 to invest in God’s Kingdom, we have once again learned that with God, more is possible then we can imagine.  We have also learned that when we share, God increases our offerings and blesses us and others through them.  Thanks be to God!

Pastor Melanie

Final Results for Kingdom Assignment 2

Following is the total of all the money raised for the Kingdom Assignment 2 project, both from selling our “stuff” and from money raised to match those donations.  

Charity Amount, Including FUMC Match:

What Was Accomplished by Our Donations to Two Individuals and 21 Organizations:

Medical Help For Two Individuals
Donations to 21 Organizations that Help the Poor and Needy