If you were at Journey on Sunday you heard about our year end challenge.  We are going to seek to model the meaning and message behind Christmas this season in hundreds of ways.  Christmas reminds us that Jesus stepped out of his comfort zone, sacrificed in huge ways, sought out those in need, and spoke words of grace to those who needed it!  We will model his actions in our day through the following challenges.

100 Opportunities To Find Christ

Jesus is the reason for the season!  Cheesy saying, but true none-the-less.  Join us as we accept the challenge to extend at least a hundred opportunities to begin a relationship with Christ this Christmas season.  You can help by simply inviting somebody who is not yet connected to God to come to church with you in the month of December or invite somebody to engage in a spiritual conversation about what God has done for you and what he can do for them.  If you need help in sharing the truth about Christ visit this site for help.  If you are going to take on this challenge make sure you connect with the next one.

Be one of the many who will help us share Christ with 100 people this Christmas!

100 Minutes Of Prayer To Reveal

God is at work all around you in the spiritual realm and so is His enemy!  Prayer is an effective weapon that we have to have significant spiritual influence in the lives of those around us.  We can pray for anything and everything - somebody's health, their job situation, any one of a number of physical needs, and of course for the salvation of others!  A good friend once reminded me to "talk to God about people before you talk to people about God" and that is awesome advice!  Join us as we seek God for at least 100 minutes in the month of December leading up to Christmas.  In case you struggle with math, we are looking for everyone to pray at least 4 minutes a day for somebody for the first 25 days of Christmas.  What do you pray about?

Pray that God will help your friends and neighbors find Hope in Christ, Help in their lives, and a home at Journey Church where they can grow and meet others on the Journey!

Be one of the many who will be praying for 100 minutes during the month of December!

100 Bags Of Groceries To Feed

As you know we have a food pantry at the Journey Office.  It is open to anyone in the area and gets used quite often.  We are running really low on our food and other helpful items and need your help to continue to reach out to others.  The next time you are at the story would you consider filling one extra bag full of non-perishable items (no beans or creamed veggies please - got plenty of those) and bring them to the service.  We believe that 100 bags of groceries will keep us stocked for a few months into 2009 and you can help us reach that goal!

Be one of the many who will be bringing a bag or a few bags of groceries to help feed those in need around us!

100 Presents To Bring Smiles

For 2 years straight we have reached out to children in need at an area apartment complex.  We are upping our involvement this year and we are attempting to give 100 new wrapped presents to make smiles pop out all over in the name of Jesus!  To be involved in this you need to stop by the welcome table on 11/30 or 12/7 and grab a snowflake that will direct you in your next steps.  Don't wait though.. the last few years people jumped on this and some did not get a chance to buy presents.  This is a great way to help your children give back this season so make sure you include them!

Be one of the many who will help us bring smiles in Jesus name through 100 presents!

100 Contribution To Help

Along with our pantry we have financial assistance available to those who attend Journey or who know somebody who does.  We have helped pay light bills, rent payments, and hospital bills over the last year and we see the need increasing in early 2009.  Instead of putting a dollar amount on this challenge, we wanted to just get everyone involved at some level.  Join us as we seek to receive 100 individual contributions to our Acts Of Kindness Fund (A.O.K. Fund for short) in the month of December.  Some of us have been blessed beyond measure and we can give $100 or $200 over and above our normal offering in the month of December.  Others of us don't have that much to give, but we do have something ($5, $25, or $50).  The amount is not as important as the motivation and the heart behind it.  Grab an offering envelope or go to our Give Online section on our website and designate something extra to our A.O.K Fund this month.

Be one of 100 people who will contribute to those in financial need!

Well there you have it.  Just imagine what it will be like if God uses us to meet all these challenges.  While it is a challenge and a sacrifice, the pay off is well worth it in this life and in the life to come.  We can make a huge difference together!

On the journey with you,

Joe Darago

Lead Pastor