Drive-Thru Double Take

We have opportunities to go beyond everyday in big and small ways.  Read how Heather went beyond in a fast food drive-thru...

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While with my kids at a double line drive-thru, I placed my order and inadvertently pulled forward when it wasn't my turn. The woman behind me was clearly mad at my error. Her actions and words could be seen by us all that she was violently disturbed with us getting ahead of her. God then tugged on my heart to pay for her meal. My first thought was that she didn't deserve that! But I did it out of obedience. I told the drive-thru worker that the woman behind me was having a horrible day, so I was paying the $3 for her hamburger and root beer, and to tell her we hoped she had a better day! The reaction on her face through my rearview mirror was priceless! It made me feel good to be used by God to bring her joy, and my girls were impacted by the huge effect a small step of generosity could have on others.

Heather M.

Toys for Tornado Kids

Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, we are able to host a FUSION program for families with special needs. One of our FUSION students (Lilli) was inspired to go beyond after tornados devastated Fairsdale, IL.  Her grandmother tells the story bellow...

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When we were looking at photos of the damage caused by the tornado that hit Fairdale, Lilli saw a picture of a totally destroyed home and cried, “Those children don’t have any toys!” We talked more about it, and we suggested that she could do something about it. She could have a toy drive! We checked into relief efforts and none of the lists included toys, so Lilli knew that it would be very important to get toys to those children.

She went shopping with $42 dollars of her own money, and while that was a nice start, her mom and nana knew she could use help. We spread the word of Lilli’s Toys for Tornado Kids Drive via social media. Friends from all over sent toys, and some sent money suggesting that Lilli go shopping for the toys for the tornado kids. So Lilli went shopping again, carefully considering each purchase. Women from Tuesday morning Growth Groups also wanted to participate, so many of them brought toys as well.

After gathering a small mountain of toys, her mom, nana, and Lilli drove out to Fairdale to deliver them. Lilli was very somber as we drove into the areas where the damage started to show saying, “It’s awful.” A family we met had 3 girls, one of whom had just celebrated a birthday. Their dad said they were at school so we didn’t get to meet the children, but their dad told us how happy they would be to come home to new toys from thoughtful people who cared about them.

We asked a lady who was working hard to help clean up if she had any children or grandchildren, and would she like to choose some toys for them. She pointed to an exposed basement behind her and said, “That’s my house. But thank you anyway. At least we’re alive.” It was an amazing and extremely humbling experience for all of us.

We took the rest of the toys to a nearby fire department, and the people working the phones and recovery were so proud of Lilli. She got to meet a fire fighter who also thanked her for her work and gave her Two-Thumbs-Up.

Lynn G.

Summer Sports Service Project

Read how Zac and his boys found a way to go beyond with sports...

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When our boys realized that there were kids nearby that didn't have sports equipment they needed this summer, we decided to go beyond and do something about it. Our 4 boys and 10 neighbor kids took flyers around the neighborhood asking for donations of gently used sports equipment, as well as money or new equipment. This last weekend we collected the donations, purchased new equipment, and dropped it off at Hesed House where hopefully it will bring some joy to kids at Hesed House and in that community.

We all experienced the joy of giving and it was best summed up by one 10 year old boy who said "This was really fun. I thought it would be kind of lame, but it was really cool to help out!"

Zac L.

Beyond Song

This song was inspired by Ephesians 3:14-21 and became the anthem for our Beyond journey as a church. God is able to take us beyond our generation, beyond our church, and beyond our wildest imagination! Download the song on iTunes.  All money raised will be used to help our church go beyond.

What Is Beyond?

Above and Beyond is an invitation for all to participate in the joy of generosity that God provides and desires for us. We continue on this personal journey of transformation and join a collective initiative to break through barriers and make commitments towards extravagant generosity. We trust that, through this growth, God will do immeasurably more for us and through us.

Our theme verse for this journey has been Ephesians 3:20-21. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Here are some resources to help you take the journey with us...

1. Read this BOOKLET to learn more about Above & Beyond.
2. Do this 20-day DEVOTION with us as we grow in making generosity a way of life.
3. Help us live God's vision for our church by making your COMMITMENT.