This weekend we’re kicking off a brand new sermon series at The Gateway and joining with hundreds of other churches around the world in a project entitled The Advent Conspiracy.
This Christmas we want to resist the empire of consumerism and restore the scandal of Christmas by worshipping Jesus through compassion, not consumption.
By spending less we can actually give more by learning to give gifts of meaning instead of simple material gifts. And with some of the money we save by giving relationally we, in turn, could re-distribute to 'the least of these' in our community and our world.
Each week we will highlight one of four incredible organizations that we hope to bless as a part of our Christmas celebration. Then on Sunday, December 20th we'll be receiving a special offering of which 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the organization of your choice.
- ENLACE El Salvdor is in the middle of a crises to provide clean water to its population. Only 50% of people have access to a local potable water source, and 82% of the potable water available is heavily contaminated. A one-time gift of $500 will provide an entire family in Las Delicias with clean water for life.
- Wildwood Hills Ranch is a youth development organization that exists to transform lives and strengthen communities by providing healing, hope, and God’s unconditional love to children and youth at-risk. Free summer camp and year-round retreats are offered to at-risk children ages 8 -18. A one-time gift of $500 will sponsor one child for a life-changing week of camp.
- Living Water International many children in Uganda spend all day helping their parents fetch water instead of going to school. And the dirty water they do collect can cause debilitating and life-threatening diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery. A gift of just $30 will provide safe water for a student and her family during critical years of learning and development.
- International Justice Mission seeks to make public justice systems work for world-wide victims of abuse and oppression who urgently need protection from the law. A gift of $30 will provide an aftercare package for someone recently freed from injustice. A $50 gift will pay for an IJM investigator to go undercover to investigate possible slavery or sex trafficking crimes. A $70 gift will provide one day of high caliber legal services to a victim of violent oppression.
Christmas was meant to change the world - this year let's play a part in that!
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