BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING Our 2020 Thanksgiving Eve Projects God delights in his people. The song lyrics of “My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness” remind us that Jesus bore our pain, plumbed the depths of our disgrace and gave us life again. He crushed the curse of sinfulness and clothed us with his light and wrote his law of righteousness with power upon our hearts. Truly, we are a blessed people. As we come to the Thanksgiving holiday, we likely have all found this year full of moments where joy and difficulties are intermingled. Yet, God has been faithful through it all. Every year we take an offering to support gospel projects around the world. Though many things about this year have been different, we continue this tradition of giving. In doing so, we express our thankfulness to God by taking his blessings to us and using them to bless others around the world. This year we have chosen three projects to help serve those in the greatest need. God values those who are abandoned, isolated or rejected by society, because they, like all people, are made in his image. Your gift will uplift God’s precious people around the world through support, education and care. Gifts given to this offering will be distributed among three projects: ENABLE THE DISABLED (INDIA) ENABLED is an initiative that was started by Pioneers missionaries in India, seeking to empower their community through support, care and restoration of Christlike dignity. Individuals with disabilities in predominately Hindu and Muslim areas are more disadvantaged than other areas of the world, with little access to services and a lack of vision from the community to love and empower them. Through 15 ENABLED centers, 1,000 children and adults with disabilities are cared for annually. Families who encounter this ministry are often open to learning more about the love and salvation offered by Jesus. Supporting this project will provide access to therapy, education, surgery and support for families as well as training and support for specialized workers who provide these services. EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) GO Ministries is expanding its ability to help the kids in its care as they seek to close the technology gap. As school has moved to virtual and tele-education, a computer lab will be an invaluable addition and will open doors to career exploration, English language learning, tutoring initiatives and supplemental education opportunities. GO Ministries has four areas of focus: sports, church planting, medical and community development, all with the goal of developing mutually transformational relationships that redeem people and restore creation. Supporting this project will open doors to kids in the Dominican Republic both in their current learning and for their futures. SUPPORT THE SUFFERING (GREECE) Greater Europe Mission (GEM) has been involved for years in ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of thousands of refugees. Camp Moria, an overcrowded refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesvos, was destroyed by fire in September. Designed for fewer than 3,000 people, more than 12,000 had been living there. GEM is seeking to care for the refugees who are fleeing their countries from war, famine, religious persecution and death. In addition to caring for refugees, GEM also wants to support the people of Lesvos who have given generously and suffered much for several years. Supporting this project will empower GEM to care for, equip and introduce refugees and Greeks who are hurting to the love of Jesus. If you would like to give to this offering, you can do so online through the College Church giving page. You may also mail your gift to College Church or drop it off in the tithes and offerings box by Reception in the Commons building. If you would like to learn more about any of these ministries, you can do so by reaching out to the missions office at missions@college-church.org or (630) 668-0878 ext. 156.
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