Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis models generosity through its annual Christmas Eve offering to the Relief Fund. Pastor Sean Lucas shares how this tradition reflects the church’s commitment to caring for ministry families in need.
When the church cares for the physical needs of the vulnerable, we connect the truths of the gospel to the watching world. Throughout our churches are widows, whom the Church significantly supports through the Relief Fund, because Jesus cared for his bride.
Geneva Benefits Group launches Look After fundraising campaign and matching program in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Relief Fund. The campaign will provide support to pastors, widows, and ministry workers in need and offer matching funds up to $85,000.
Today, a significant number of retired ministers and their spouses face financial difficulties. Their ministry positions limited their earning potential which resulted in limited savings. Ordinary expenses like groceries, housing expenses, and medical bills threaten to exhaust the modest funds they possess.
After her husband passed away, Peggy moved to live closer to family. She brought all her belongings, including family photos, her treasured violin and piano, and original music compositions, to an apartment—only to have a second tragedy strike when a fire consumed the building.
From the very beginning of the church, the apostles called Christians to care for widows. The most famous passage in the Bible about widows carries that very message, and it is the inspiration for our yearly Look/After campaign: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).