We want to be the kind of people who love our city (and the people in it) the way Jesus taught us to. There are lots of ways to tangibly love our neighbors, and that's what this project is all about.
Every year around the holidays, our church takes a special offering where we give away 100% of the funds to ministries and projects outside of our normal operating budget. Last year we tried something new where a portion of those dollars went back to you to serve our city. We approved 69 unique projects, and you took it from there. Here are the highlights.
Every year around the holidays, our church takes a special offering where we give away 100% of the funds to ministries and projects outside of our normal operating budget. Last year we tried something new where a portion of those dollars went back to you to serve our city. We approved 69 unique projects, and you took it from there. Here are the highlights.
This went so well last year that we decided to do it again! Start brainstorming now of ways you can serve with your family, LifeGroup, or group of friends to bless the people around you.
We want you to be creative and contribute toward things you care about, but here are a few ideas:
Invite your kids to help come up with ideas. We have a few rules, but not many. We want to empower you to be generous and share the love of Jesus--and then get out of your way to go do the fun part!
Help us spread the word and share the love by posting stories, photos, and videos with the hashtag #JesusLovesWichita.
We want you to be creative and contribute toward things you care about, but here are a few ideas:
- Ask teachers in your school district for their Amazon wishlists for their classrooms. Buy as many supplies as you can!
- Invite your neighbors to your house for a home-cooked meal where you really get to know them. Or...
- Host a block party to encourage deeper community in your neighborhood.
- Go to a local laundromat and pay for a bunch of people's laundry.
- Contact a local police station, retirement home, or fire station and ask if you can provide treats or gift cards.
- Provide a meal for residents of Hope Is Alive.
- Repair an elderly neighbor's broken fence, bench, window, flower bed, etc. (... with their permission!).
- Donate supplies to Embrace.
- Adopt a local Wichita family and provide Christmas gifts through Wichita's Littlest Heroes.
- Prepare "necessity packs" for homeless people you come across.
- Donate food to the SouthLife Church pet food pantry. (Contact Andy for more info.)
- Ask a local daycare or preschool if they need any diapers, formula, or other supplies.
Invite your kids to help come up with ideas. We have a few rules, but not many. We want to empower you to be generous and share the love of Jesus--and then get out of your way to go do the fun part!
Help us spread the word and share the love by posting stories, photos, and videos with the hashtag #JesusLovesWichita.
The (Not-So) Fine Print
- Smile. Be kind. Show Wichita what Jesus-followers should look like.
- Please don't contribute toward political organizations or causes.
- Don't choose a project that only benefits you or your friend group.
- While financial donations are acceptable, our goal is to be more service-oriented, so we encourage you to do something and not just give something.
- If you are purchasing food or drinks, please don't use these funds to purchase alcohol. You're welcome to buy anything that would also be acceptable for a middle school lock-in. :)
- When and where it's appropriate, please take some photos and videos of your project so we can share stories with our church family.
- Funds will be reimbursed to you after completion of your project, upon submission of all receipts (maximum reimbursement of $500).
- If it's appropriate, invite people you interact with to come with you to Ridgepoint. Or maybe you could mention you're doing these projects because you believe Jesus loves them. We don't want to "Jesus juke" or manipulate, but we do want them to find and follow Jesus. Use your best judgment, but be open to an invite or spiritual conversation if the opportunity arises.
- Ridgepoint Church isn't liable for any injuries or damages that could occur related to any of these projects. So, you know--be careful and get insurance and stuff.