Generosity is Contagious.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
Because of the generosity of our church family in giving to our missions fund, we were able to quickly respond to the crisis in Ukraine by sending significant resources to our long-time partner Biserica Deo Gloria in Cluj, Romania.
Deo Gloria has repurposed their building as a landing place for Ukrainian refugees. The lobby is filled with beds, kids classrooms have been transformed into bedrooms or showers, and the hallways are filled with kids playing and hearing Bible stories. Around-the-clock care is being provided and new refugees arrive at all times of the day and night. The church is supplying rest, food, clothing, beds, hygiene, kids ministry, and transport on to Poland, Germany, Hungary, and Czech Republic to those fleeing for safety. Because of your generosity, Deo Gloria is even equipped to rent buses and go to the border and into Moldova to pick up hundreds more stranded refugees.
God has been at work through the congregation as well. As the church building filled up, church members began opening their homes as overflow. The church has loved as Christ has loved us, is sharing the good news of Jesus with boldness, and God’s perfect patience is on display for those being saved.
The Ukrainian people landing at Deo Gloria are uttering endless, tearful thank-yous. In spite of the fear and despair in their hearts, there is also unbelievable gratitude and hope rising as they see people welcoming and loving them. The gospel of Jesus Christ is connecting for them in real and practical ways. The sacrificial love shown by Deo Gloria is opening new doors for the gospel to pierce broken and suffering hearts.
Thank you, Christ Church family, for being a generous people. Because of God’s great love for us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, Christ died for us. Now we are his people, stewarding his resources, on his mission. Let’s continue to persevere in prayer.
Pray for hearts of stone to be made like flesh so that spiritually lost people would be saved.
Pray for the war to end and for peace to be restored.
Pray for the churches in and around Ukraine to be strengthened and full of boldness in preaching Christ and loving the afflicted.
Pray for Deo Gloria, who is tired and overwhelmed—yet still full of joy and faith, that God would allow them to be his witnesses and an extension of his grace.
