‘Money makes the world go round’ is the saying, and at Grace Church Wakefield, though we don't believe this is true, we do believe that we should be kind and generous to others. This includes with our money.
So, this is why an important aspect of our financial planning as a church is the GCW Gift Fund. Here’s what it is and how it works in three simple steps:
The church receives money from church partners who willingly choose to give.
10% of all that money is portioned off and put into our Gift Fund.
We then use that money to support organisations and individuals outside GCW.
Recently we have had the joy of supporting The Barnabas Fund, Noor Ministries and The CROSS Project.
The Barnabas Fund
‘Barnabas stands alongside our Christian brothers and sisters where they suffer discrimination and persecution by providing aid through our partners on the ground encouraging prayer, telling their untold story and speaking out on their behalf.’
The Bible teaches us that we are all part of the same global church and we are to pray for and help other Christians however we can. Through giving to The Barnabas Fund, we can care for our Christians brothers and sisters all around the world.
Noor Ministries
‘Noor Ministries provides funding to support facilities for Christian Education at Noor Ministries schools in the Okara District, Punjab Province, Pakistan. We cooperate with other charities and volunteer bodies seeking to alleviate poverty and give children access to education with a Christian foundation and further life opportunities.’
Whereas The Barnabas Fund helps a range of Christians all around the world, Noor Ministries provides more targeted help for Christians in Pakistan. The money we give goes directly to helping give children a chance at a real education in a place where that is sadly too rare.
The CROSS Project
‘For over 25 years The CROSS Project has been working in school communities presenting Christianity in a lively and relevant way, promoting Christian understanding and displaying Christian values. We aim to build supportive relationships with young people, enhancing their self-esteem, physical and emotional well being, and offering opportunities for them to develop a personal faith.’
The CROSS Project works in and around eight schools in the Wakefield district helping in the various areas stated above. Even during the pandemic they’ve been working with schools closely, providing remote resources to help teach and care for students.
Why do we do this?
Like many people, we want to love and care for others who are less fortunate than ourselves and, in the Bible, Jesus tells us to “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
We want to do it, we are called to do it and we also want to reflect the heart of our generous God.
We believe in a God who has transformed our lives because he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us so we can know him now and have eternal life.
We want to reflect his generosity. One of the ways we do this is through giving our money generously. This is why we have the GCW Gift Fund.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Want to hear more about our Gift Fund or find out how you can support the work that we do? Get in touch with us by emailing info@gracechurchwakefield.org.uk
