Conspiracy of Kindness

“I want to show God's kindness to them in any way I can."

NLT 2 Samuel 9:3

It’s a radical idea.  What if we all spent a little less on ourselves and on the trappings of Christmas this year and pooled what we saved and gave it away?  It could truly change a life!

At Grace, we have participated in the Advent Conspiracy movement for the past 4 years. The Advent Conspiracy Movement is based on four principles:

·       Worship Fully – Christmas begins and ends with Jesus.

·       Spend Less – Free up resources to support things that truly matter.

·       Give More – Give more intentionally and relationally.

·       Love All – Radically love others like Jesus did.

What have we been able to accomplish TOGETHER over the past few years that we might not have been able to do by ourselves?  

·       We’ve built a church in the mountains of Mexico.

·       We’ve paid the salary of a pastor in the Dominican Republic for two years and gave their church funds to be invested in their local community.

·       We’ve provided a vehicle for a family that needed a reliable mode of transportation.

·       We’ve sponsored the education of 4 children in Liberia, where this pathway to a new life is not free but requires families to pay for it.

·       We’ve supported families in their adoption process, bringing hope to these children and new lives.

·       We’ve helped furnish a home for a family after a fire destroyed everything they had.

·       We’ve provided food and shelter for 100 refugees from Venezuela who are settling in Ecuador.

·       We’ve provided food and health supplies for hundreds or Mexican Nationals living in the remote mountains of that country.

·       We’ve paid for seminary level education for 2 Mexican Nationals working in church planting.

·       We’ve invested over $75,000.00 in 17 different families and local organizations meeting needs closer to home.

This year we are changing our focus to be a year-round conspiracy of kindness.  We will continue to use Christmas time as our time to gather funds and suggest possible projects for consideration, but the fund will stay open and active all year long so that we are able to take advantage of opportunities as they become available, no matter what time of year it might be.

Together, we are making an impact beyond what we may be able to do on our own. As your household makes plans for this Christmas season, we want to encourage you to participate with us in our Conspiracy of Kindness. This can be a great way to teach your children about the love of God for all people.

How can you participate? 

First, if you know of someone in your life, living in your neighborhood, or maybe someone you run into at a store or restaurant, who is in need and we can bless, please nominate them below by telling us their story and why you think they should be a recipient in this year’s Conspiracy of Kindness.  Please complete the Conspiracy of Kindness Nomination Form below or pick up a copy at the Connection Point.

Second, you can give. Pray about how you will spend less to give more, and then contribute to our Conspiracy of Kindness Fund by giving below, write a check or give cash in an envelope and put in in one of our offering boxes or mail it to the church.

However you choose to participate, together we will be a church on mission. We want to be:

A SERVING CHURCH IN A SELFISH WORLD and A GENEROUS CHURCH IN A STINGY WORLD.

Let’s conspire together to make a difference! 

Conspiracy of Kindness guidelines and considerations

The decision as to what projects to support for our Conspiracy of Kindness will include the consideration of these conditions and outcomes:

·       Will it result in a life change that could break a cyclical pattern or help in overcoming a temporary situation?

·       Might it lead to a reproducible blessing – the planting of a “seed” which could grow into more individuals or families blessed by the initial gift?

·       Is this a need which is not likely to be met by other sources – such as family, other givers, government aid or other funding sources?

·       Does it lead to the resolution of an issue or problem rather than becoming just a “band-aide” for an ongoing need?

·       Would it be construed as a blessing from Jesus for which glory can be given to Him and the potential for future spiritual understanding and growth developed?

Possible kinds of Advent Conspiracy projects:

·       Purchase an automobile/wheelchair/special equipment, etc.

·       Pay for a needed surgery which would otherwise be unattainable.

·       Drill a water well for a community

·       Build a church

·       Pay the cost of housing for a refuge family.

·       Provide an educational scholarship or job training.

·       Fund a Bible translation for a people group without the Bible.

·       Build or remodel a house for someone who has no home.

·       Purchase farm animals to establish an ongoing farm community.

·       Provide the finances to begin a micro-business for someone in a developing country

·       Purchase school supplies for children who could not otherwise attend school.

·       Build or rehab someone’s home for handicap accessibility.

Please note that this is not intended to be Christians helping Christians.  We want to help those who don’t know Jesus so that they might know the love of Jesus expressed through us.