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Arbor Pointe-What can $10 do?
Rev. Joe McKechnie, the Senior Pastor at Arbor Pointe United Methodist Church in Jefferson, (a 2003 new church start) recently surprised the congregation . Each person was given an envelope containing either $10 or $20 in cash and challenged to use the money to show someone else the love of God. This “Gift of Grace,” as the sermon was called, generated a lot of buzz in the community and sparked creativity in his congregation, including leading one member to create a college scholarship fund for local students.
“I strongly believe that God wants to use each of us to make a difference in the lives of others,” McKechnie says, “and this was a tangible way to enable, empower, and equip individuals to bless someone else.” McKechnie adds that the church has the same financial constraints faced by other congregations, but that he felt called to do this, using “several thousands dollars” to touch those around them.
The only stipulation was that the cash had to be used to touch the life of a stranger. The money was attached to a card that simply says, “We wanted to do something to show you the love of God. The Bible tells us that you are 'god’s masterpiece’ and that the Lord is crazy about you! We pray that you will receive this gift as a reminder of the amazing love He has for you.”
Lynn Latimer, had been feeling the need to help high school seniors as they get set for college, but she wasn’t sure how to get started with this goal. Sunday’s message inspired her to create a foundation which would help students from needy families. She used her $10 to ask for matching funds from a variety of people and has created a college scholarship fund. “This is going to be an awesome work God has planned,” she declares. “My goal one day is to be able to give a full scholarship to college.” Two days after the project she had raised $200.00 and had awarded the money to a local student.
The youth and children were each given $5 and challenged to help someone they encounter. Margaret Paiter, an 11-year-old sixth grader, slipped the money anonymously to a fellow students whose family is going through financial problems. "It made me feel happy inside to be helping someone in my class that I know needs things," she said, “but it also made me feel sad that when I have $5, I don't really think too much about it."
Others used the money to pay for someone’s meal at a local restaurant, while others bought gas or groceries for people. Next Sunday church members will share the creative ways in which their money helped someone else.
Danny Kofke, a local elementary school teacher who attends Arbor Pointe with his wife and two daughters, says “I love the idea of reaching out to those I encounter with the goal of spreading God’s message of love. Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference every day, but by taking this challenge we are purposefully seeking out those around us.”
Arbor Pointe Church is a five-year-old United Methodist congregation that worships at West Jackson Middle School. The church of over 300 people recently purchased property near the intersection of 124 and 332 and will begin building in the near future. Arbor Pointe will be constituting September 12, 2010.
Despite not yet having a building of their own, Arbor Pointe has been deliberate about making a difference in their community. McKechnie frequently asks the congregation, ‘If our church ceased to exit tomorrow, would this community miss the impact that we make?” The church provides assistance to local families and has regular SWATeam Projects (SWAT stands for Servants With A Task) in which they repair homes for elderly and needy families. In the church’s short history they have also taken mission trips to Mexico and Belize. In June they will lead “A Week of Change,” hosting a church from Orlando and leading projects that will repair and clean-up the community.
McKechnie is a former television sportscaster who left the television to pursue the call to full-time ministry. He is the founding pastor of Arbor Ponte Church and says, “As the church, we are called to make an impact on our culture, and we are a collection of imperfect people who wants to allow God to work in us, through us, and with us to touch the lives of those around us.”
For information, contact Rev. Joe McKechnie at (706) 367-8294 or joe@arborpointe.org.
Rev. Joe McKechnie, the Senior Pastor at Arbor Pointe United Methodist Church in Jefferson, (a 2003 new church start) recently surprised the congregation . Each person was given an envelope containing either $10 or $20 in cash and challenged to use the money to show someone else the love of God. This “Gift of Grace,” as the sermon was called, generated a lot of buzz in the community and sparked creativity in his congregation, including leading one member to create a college scholarship fund for local students.