chaos herder.

a chance to be the church.

OK...here goes. Let's do this thing in 1 day.

There is a young man who has had a rocky road in his home life growing up. His life has had many ups and downs.

He has been a part of New Hope and served and given so much back to the Lord and this community since day 1. He has come for years by himself with no support at all.

Both of his parents (they are separated) lost their jobs and their entire family was actually homeless for a few weeks.

He is in the middle of his junior year at college, which he works a few jobs and takes out student loans to pay for. I saw him at work the other night and asked when he is going back to school and he said he probably couldn't this semester because of lack of funds. I asked him how much he needed.

$608 (yes, six hundred and eight dollars). He brought me a copy of his bill.

His student loans were that much short and the college says...sorry.

I blurted out: "That's all? I said...let me take care of that and you plan on going back right now." So, knowing I can't give the full amount, I stepped out on a limb of faith, knowing that this is an amazing community of faith in the BIG and the SMALL.

Can't New Hope just write a check to him you ask?

With our benevolence fund being almost null and void with the vast amount of needs right now in our community, I thought...what the heck, with all the people who follow this blog, if everyone gave a small amount, it would be wiped out immediately and this young man could stop stressing and not let a tiny amount hold him back. Could take care of it in a few hours I suppose.

I also think it AMAZING that a small miracle can happen to him from a GROUP of people who don't even know this young man, and the church can be the church and do what we are supposed to do...meet the needs of others in Jesus name.

I will be the first to step up and make this tiny amount disappear.

HOW ABOUT YOU? Whether you go to New Hope or not, if God speaks to you, please e-mail me with the amount you can give and either mail the check to New Hope or drop it in the red box this weekend with (STUDENT AID) on it. ($5, $10, $100?) Everyone can do something.

But please e-mail me so I know when we have reached the amount. Thanks for being the church.

New Hope Community Church
c/o: Student Aid
637 N. Market St.
Loudonville, OH 44842

my e-mail: charles@newhopewired.tv

Labels: being the church

posted by chazzdaddy @ Thursday, January 01, 2009