The Heart of This Church
Benevolence Fund Report

When you look at just the budget figures, our benev olence ministry may not look exciting, especially as a percent of our contributions. But when you know the stories of those we help and those who are helping it is a very exciting ministry indeed. It is a joy to see families grow in the Lord, worship together, and hear the word of the Lord, because this church helped them in their time of trouble.

Benevolence is a vital part of Christian character that brings glory to God. Helping those who are in need tells the world we are living what we preach. When we help our neighbors and our church family we are giving a gift of love from God; what a joy!

Food, clothes, furniture, gift cards, or a check to pay an overdue bill for someone who cannot find a job or is temporarily out of work because of a medical emergency is a part of this ministry . This year and last we helped more than a dozen families. In addition we send monthly contributions to the Southeastern Children’s Home, the Mt. Dora Children’s Home, and the Hendersonville Interfaith Ministry. Bill Fitzpatrick makes appeals each year to raise funds for Southeastern and recently led a group of our men to South Carolina to raise funds in a golf tournament on behalf of this worthy ministry.

Last year, in a special contribution, this congregation gave over $5,000 to help our members who lost jobs. This fund has helped many families with rent and special needs just when they needed it most. In another appeal, Frank Edney asked us to help some school children who needed food on weekends in a program the teachers call BakPak Bunch.

The rea son I call this ministry the ‘heart of this church’ is because so many individuals are personally involved in helping when they see a need. We only budget about 4% or some $15,000 for this work, but these generous Christians just jump right in and help.

Listen for the heartbeat of this church and you will know we are doing what God wants us to do. Isaiah 58:10, “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday .”
—Don Yelton, Benevolence Deacon