MERCY IN ACTION.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. - Proverbs 3:27-28
THE BENEVOLENCE MINISTRY OF EMERGENCE CHURCH:
The Benevolence team is a ministry of mercy that works with people who are in crisis or in challenging circumstances and offers help in assessing their needs and working together to find solutions.
We are to correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. (Colossians 3:12-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12:13)
As Christians we are commanded to love our neighbors. (Luke 10:25-37)
Because of God’s great mercy to us, we offer mercy to our brothers and sisters. (1 Timothy 1:12-14, James 2:14-17, Micah 6:8)
God calls us to work hard to meet our needs and the needs of others. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 1 Peter 1:3-9, 2 Peter 1:3-11)
HOW WE HELP:
Church members and regular attenders can receive help in many ways. Below are a few examples:
Financial assistance for basic living expenses (rent, food, utilities, medical, etc.)
Subsidies for counseling services
Prayer, spiritual guidance and accountability
Biblical stewardship and budgeting guidance
Links to support services
Redemption & Recovery ministry
Our work is intended to be temporary and short-term in nature. Our goal is to see you get to a place where assistance is no longer required. This typically takes 6-12 months.
EXPECTATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING HELP:
- Be Available
- Be Motivated
- Be Teachable (Proverbs 25:11-12)
- Be open to change
- Pray
- Be Honest and Transparent
- If financial counseling is required, you are expected to develop and maintain a detailed budget and provide a copy to the counselor for 3-6 months.
As a church we believe we are required to be wise stewards of the resources God has given us to use. Further we have limited resources available and therefore are limited in how much assistance we can provide. In order to determine how we can help best, we may require documentation from you which could include things like pay stubs and tax returns.