UPDATES: (UPDATED JULY 18)
THIS IS OUR LAST WEEK OF BAG PICKUP (JULY 19-25). Our outreach strategies will change going forward as we continue to serve our communities in this tough season!
Current Pickup Info: Sunday Services; The Chapel, M-F 9am-5pm & Sat 10am-12pm
We launched this outreach on May 16th and in two weeks time have had over 1000 bags given out! Each bag contains a bunch of snacks, a Gospel of John, New Testament, Dunkin Donuts gift card, and a note from the church. We have heard awesome stories of people giving them to their mail workers, landscapers, bus drivers, grocery store attendants, and so many others. We even have had the opportunity to give some custom bags to those considering abortions as we have had an amazing team of volunteers meet with people outside abortion clinics to pray, educate, and encourage them to choose life. We have also delivered meals to police stations, workers on hospital floors, and postal offices. You can find some stories of the responses on our churches Facebook, and Instagram pages.
We still have more bags available so please jump in on the action, claim a few bags, and use it as a simple conversation starter and encouragement to share the love of Christ. We think you will be surprised at how well they are received!
Email Tim (tstanley@hawthornegospel.org) or Jake (jake@hawthornegospel.org) with any questions.
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Here is more info on how/why we are doing this project:
Our desire is that you identify a few people in your current community that are still working hard during this crisis but may often be overlooked, and most importantly that you regularly come in contact with (Think: mail carrier, sanitation workers, delivery services, landscaping crews, etc).
Our goal is for you to personally deliver a bag to these individuals so they get a face associated with the gift. We want YOU to be the point of contact for this person, to help show you care for them, and to hopefully begin to build relationships that will last long past this crisis and lead to gospel conversations.
The bags are available for pickup at HGC and if you would like to reserve bags to pick up please contact Tim Stanley (tstanley@hawthornegospel.org) or Jake Minnema (jake@hawthornegospel.org) via email (We are currently limiting bags to 5 per family).
We also would LOVE to know who you gave the bags to, so email us to relay your story so we can pray for you, the recipient, and encourage each other!
As an overview, here are the ways you can personally be involved in this project:
- Hand out bags: Pick up bags and give them to bless others.
- Pray: Whether you choose to be involved or not, we are asking you to pray for this outreach and the people who receive it. Pray that it will open opportunities to share Christ and encourage those that need a lot of encouragement right now.
- Give: Giving has currently exceeded $11,000 for this project! (THANK YOU!) If you still desire to give to this outreach you can at the bottom of this page by clicking the GIVE tab or by mailing in a gift or dropping it off at the church office. Please designate that your gift is for COVID OUTREACH.
We are so excited to see how God uses this small encouragement to bless people and hopefully lead to people coming to know Jesus as their Savior!