God at Work through Benevolence Ministry
Last week I received an email from a gentleman who I met through a benevolence appointment in 2024. He had come into that appointment last year asking for assistance with his rent because, despite having a master’s degree, he was out of work and struggling to make ends meet. He told me of the interviews that he was going on and his hope that he would soon be working again. He expressed that he was reluctant to ask for help, but he wasn’t sure where else to turn. We paid $300 towards his rent and prayed with him that God would continue to provide.
A year later, he wrote to inform us that he not only found a new job, but it was a job that allowed him to pay off many of his credit card bills and pay ahead on his rent and car payment for several months. He wanted us to know that he hadn’t forgotten the kindness that he found at St. Luke’s. He dropped off a money order for $350 in the church office – not only repaying what he had received but giving back more. He wanted to make sure that someone else was able to benefit from that money the way that he was.
This is one of the rare times that we have an opportunity to hear how a benevolence recipient’s story turned out. It is a reminder that we are participating in God’s grace by being present with people as they are going through hard times. It is a reminder that something as small as 30 minutes spent in a meeting and a $300 check can make a big impact.
Benevolence, our rent/utility support program, is entirely funded by the proceeds collected by the Connections Gifts & Book Store. Please consider stopping in and making a purchase – there are always new things to see, and you can rest easy knowing that your purchases are truly helping to make a difference in the lives of those in our community.
Submitted by Samantha Isaacs