Many years ago we used to have a toy give-away each Christmas at Sunshine.  Then I read Bob Lupton’s “Theirs is the Kingdom” and began thinking about how we related to our kids and parents within the community.   We had already been thinking about how sometimes our charity is well intended but misplaced.  Bob’s book and one specific article gave me a new set of eyes.

I began to notice that while the kids were happy for the presents, the act of giving what parents couldn’t, undermined our relationship with these moms and dads — you could actually say it undermined the idea of family itself.  That was a tough realization.

So we shifted:  we began giving the toys to the parents.  Our thought was that we could give the gifts to parents who could give them the the kids  – empowering the act of giving by giving it away to moms and dads.  It was a good step. . . mostly.  But this too as an act of “charity” rather than empowerment actually created other problems.  Believe it or not — we had fights!  Parents actually fought over gifts!  (Don’t get too incredulous, the same thing happens on Black Friday at Walmarts all over the country. . . at least on one got maced!)

So we shifted again:  we began selling the toys and clothes!  We sold them for $.25 on the dollar.  So a mom or dad with $25.00 can buy $100 worth of toys for their kids.  We have seen parents skip electric and gas bills so that they can buy for their kids for Christmas.  It’s an important way for moms and dads to love their kids.  And many sacrifice for them at this time of year in ways that undermines other aspects of family stability.  Our partnering churches and families now give so that we can open the Christmas Store on one special day each year.

We don’t do it perfectly, but we are striving to proclaim the kingdom in ways that empower our community. If you’d like to help please contact Brittney Rost.  Email her: brittney “at” sunshinegospel.org

You can also shop directly online and have the gift sent to us via Target.  Just click here.

Joel will be speaking at the weekly gathering of the Chicago Fellowship on Friday December 2nd, at 7:30 am.  The topic is parenting with a focus on fathering boys.  The Chicago Fellowship is a gathering of business and ministry leaders from around the Chicagoland area that come together to learn and grow.  They meet at One North Kitchen on the main floor of 1 North Wacker Drive.

Please join us at Sunshine to get an update on what is happening in the ministry!  Saturday Oct 29th (6-9pm) and Sunday October 30th (2-5pm).

Joel and Paula Hamernick will be in the Knoxville area to meet with UT Reformed University Fellowship on Sunday November 6th.  Joel will be speaking at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Nashville on Monday the 7th and Vanderbilt University RUF on Wednesday the 9th.

The Barnabas Group was created to bring diverse value to ministries locally and globally. They provide their members with ongiong opportunities to use their time, gifts, abilities, network, and/or resources to support pre-screened Christian ministries.

Ridgemoor Country Club
6601 W. Gunnison Street
Harwood Heights, IL 60705
Learn More…

for their Global Opportunities (GO) Week
GO Week is Cornertone’s student missions week. Joel will be speaking in both the classrooms and small group settings.

Cornerstone University
1001 E. Beltline Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
www.cornerstone.edu

First Baptist Church
53953 County Road 17
Bristol, IN 46507
www.fbcelkhart.org

Campus House is a community of Jesus followers in the middle of Purdue’s Campus that has progressive worship, Biblical teaching, and no denominational walls.

Campus House
1000 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47906
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Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church
425 S. Nursery St.
Lawton, MI 49065

Click Here to listen to David’s message

CityView Presbyterian Church
www.cityviewchicago.org
38 S. Peoria
Chicago, IL 60607