We all go through seasons in life where we need an extra measure of grace to survive.
And the truth is, many families are one tragedy away from being completely bankrupt or in financial distress.
But in an amazing act of love and mercy – one church decided to stand in the gap and pay off over $500,000 in medical debt for over 500 families – and their testimony of grace will bring you to tears.
First-Plymouth Congregational Church located in Lincoln, Nebraska started a campaign more than a year ago to use their loose offering to pay off the medical debt of families.
The campaign continued through Easter of this year, and while at first church leadership only expected to raise around $10,000 – they were stunned to learn people had donated over $500,000 to help struggling families.
The Christian Post reported:
“Sometimes love has to be expressed in actions. We have had an initiative all year that is just love on the move,” Senior Pastor Rev. Jim Keck said in his Easter sermon on Sunday. “The church decided that there were too many homes right in our neighborhood that were saddled with medical debt. … The church decided that every dime that went into the collection plate … would go to forgive the medical debt of homes right here in central Lincoln.”
“The debt collector agreed to give us anonymized profiles to keep people’s privacy. … They would say like, ‘a single mother with two kids owes $1,000 is paying $50 a month and isn’t ever going to get on top of it,'” he continued.
“Each month, you put money in the plate, and we bought as many of those as possible. It now culminates this year. We have retired the debts of over 500 homes right here in the neighborhood. … As of this morning, we will hit somewhere around $550,000.”
What an incredible way to show the tangible love of Jesus to those in need!
Even more amazing, many people who donated to the fund didn’t even attend First-Plymouth.
Ultimately, all money belongs to God, we are simply stewards of the resources He has blessed us with.
Some people waste money and spend it accumulating more earthly possessions – and others choose to sacrificially give and let God multiply their resources.
It’s amazing the power that can happen if people simply obey God’s command to give cheerfully to those in need.
First-Plymouth Congregational Church paid a debt these families couldn’t pay – just like Jesus died on the cross and paid the ransom for our sins – a debt we could never satisfy.
If churches band their resources together, they can truly help those who are struggling.
We rejoice with all the families who have been helped by this incredible gift!
May we all pay it forward and find ways to help those who are in need around us.
Is there a person you know who needs help, that you can bless with a gift?
What are some other ways churches can help struggling families?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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