For many people, "grateful" might not be the word normally associated to 2020; but at MCChurch, we have so much to be thankful for! Here's a quick look at some of the wonderful things that the Lord has accomplished through us and is building at MCChurch.
Miracle Offering Received: $36,000
Last year, we drew a line in the sand on our commitment to the Primary School Project by receiving and completely dedicating our annual Miracle Offering to this initiative. MCChurch rose to new heights of generosity last year when we received a little over $36,000 towards the Primary School Project!
MCChurch is in discussions with Lighthouse Christian College on how to best spend the Miracle Offering of 2020. We are looking at these options:
The employment of a part-time project manager that will oversee the Town Planning Permit application, VRQA application, public communications and advertising campaigns towards the establishing of the Primary School.
Or, the employment of an agency that can oversee the business planning, feasibility studies, advertising, and surveys to help us plan better and establish the Primary School.
Or, dedicate the entire amount to the Town Planning Permit application as we engage with architects and town planners.
More updates to come as 2021 develops.
The righteous give without sparing. – Proverbs 21:26
Covid-19 Relief Gift: $5000
In September 2020, we were able to help many fellow believers at Jesus Flock Churches in the Philippines who have been financially affected by the lockdowns due to the pandemic. Thanks to your generous giving to our Heart For The World Campaign, we were able to give $5000 to Jesus Flock Churches, who wisely and responsibly distributed your generous gift.
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:11
Typhoon Relief: $1100
In early December 2020, I received a request for help from one of the Jesus Flock Churches (Solano, Nueva Viscaya). Five typhoons or tropical cyclones ripped through widespread regions of the Philippines in November of the same year. Ps. Ariel Salteras asked for our financial partnership for an outreach to help 700 families living in a town on the outskirts of Cagayan Province who were affected by Typhoon Ulysses. We promised Ps. Ariel our Christmas Day offering, and we were able to give $1100! (We can't wait to hear positive reports from Ps. Ariel)
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
SUPPORT TO FIELD WORKERS
We have continued to support our "field workers" - the missionaries and church-planters that build the Kingdom in harvest fields overseas. Our support towards Sarah Ardu has remained consistent through 2020, as well as our support for the Filipino church-planters in Mindanao - Jerry Solmeron and Manuel Ral. In fact, our support for Jerry and Manuel has now come to its 3rd and final year.
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. – Philippians 4:16-18
MIRACLE OFFERING 2021
For the last few years, we have stretched our faith every year in the area of giving through the Miracle Offering - generously and sacrificially giving our best financial gift as an act of worship. Our heart has always been to see the work of God through our church move forward with great momentum, and for our generosity to overflow in many expressions of thanks to Him.
This year, the focus of the Miracle Offering is to build the house. Many improvements are being made around our building and people are volunteering their time and energy to make this possible. Areas of improvement that the Miracle Offering will go towards include:
The installation of a cross on the facade of the building facing Wonga Rd that's visible during the day and lights up at night.
The upgrade of signs around the building.
The redesign and renovation of the auditorium platform.
The upgrade of our auditorium chairs.
The upgrade of office and cafe furniture.
Other AV upgrade including camera gear.
These works are still in the process of being costed. However, based on previous Miracle Offerings, it's possible that we will be able to cover all these improvements to our building through this year's Miracle Offering.
BEYOND BUILDING THE HOUSE
As many of you know, we tithe the Miracle Offering to Missions. This year will be no different, except that we will add at least another tithe to help support churches that have struggled due to the COVID lockdowns. There are churches that have struggled financially and have been displaced by the lockdowns and COVID restrictions, and we are in a great position to help and be of assistance to our fellow churches.
This means at least 20% of the Miracle Offering will be used to bless and resource others.
MIRACLE OFFERING 2021: SUNDAY, 18 APRIL
The date for this year's Miracle Offering is on 18 April. After that, our church has a 3-month window to give towards the Miracle Offering. Please prayerfully determine for yourself, in your heart and with trust in the Lord, the amount you will be contributing to the Miracle Offering. All tithes and offerings at MCChurch are "freewill" and "sacrificial" - no one is under compulsion to give, because God loves a cheerful giver!
Thank you in advance for your faithful, generous, and even sacrificial giving! Let's build the house as we anticipate MORE, HOLY SPIRIT!