An Eagle River church, which has served the JBER and Chugiak area for the last 41 years, decided to do something a little out of the ordinary after paying off the last of its debt.
This past Sunday, The Sanctuary of Eagle River gave a $20 “Personal Ministry Fund” to everyone in attendance – about 40 people. This was during the celebration of paying off the last debt of the church, about $31,000 in 8 months, making it a debt-free ministry.
The $20 gifts to the Sunday faithful were born of the belief that every Christian deserves to be empowered and supported to share the Gospel.
While the Pentecostal church holds to traditional, conservative biblical views, the pastoral leadership is thinking outside the box when it comes to sharing the Good News.
According to a notice from the church, gift recipients are encouraged to use the money to take someone out to coffee to “share how Jesus has changed your life,” or to bring a meal to someone who could use it or invite a friend to study the Bible and journal together.
“A lot of times churches are asking you to give… but we believe you deserve this, and that God will use it in your hands,” Pastor Derrick Seagraves noted.
One congregant thought the envelope was just another request for giving but was taken aback when told that it was an offering from the church for her personal ministry.
Other attendees were equally surprised.
“I’ve never heard of a church doing that before,” said Dustin Moore.
