"Giving from the heart unleashes God's heart," said Bill Elliff, directional pastor of the North Little Rock, AR, Summit Church, on Sunday morning, August 30. Less than an hour later worshipers with financial needs were invited to participate in a $5,000 "reverse offering."
"How many of you have ever had a financial need?" Elliff asked those attending the service. Almost every hand shot up. Then he acknowledged that perhaps some could not pay a house note or an electric bill. Or, maybe they did not have the money to buy needed school supplies.
Elliff pointed to three baskets that had been placed in front of the sanctuary, each filled with small bills. "Take what you need," he said, "We don't want any of this left." He also encouraged those who wanted to add cash to the baskets to do so.
This was repeated at the end of each of the Summit's three Sunday services. At the conclusion of the day only $3 of the money placed in the baskets remained. Elliff said that some had received cash to buy children's school clothes, replace a broken washing machine, make a security deposit on an apartment, etc. "We want to become a church," he said, "where there is no more need."
Referring to the book of 2 Corinthians (chapter 9), Elliff added, "God says I will supply your needs and will multiply your seeds so you can meet the needs of others because God owns all of the resources in the world and He wants His stuff in circulation."
On its website, The Summit describes itself as "not about a building, a program, or a method. It's about people! People of all ages who need a purpose in life." The mission of The Summit Church is described as "simple: To cooperate with God in developing multiplying communities of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ."
Photo of Bill Elliff, directional pastor of The Summit Church
More Information:
Website of The Summit Church (audio and video of services available)
Religion 101: Scriptures to read when fear grips your heart
Comments