He invited those who hadn’t made a commitment to be part of the initiative by making a one-year commitment, encouraged those already committed to finish strong and challenged those with an increase in faith and finances to prayerfully consider increasing their commitment. On February 25, the congregation celebrated the responses and gave glory to God for all He has done and has yet to do.

Through the generous giving and service of the congregation, thousands of families from surrounding neighborhoods have been provided food, clothing, Bibles and more.

The Hoffs adopted a new approach to giving, actively serving in various roles within the church. They support Greenhouse weekly and contribute to multiple ministries and nonprofits outside the church. Through small groups and other activities, they continually deepen their relationship with Christ.

Fully embracing the LIFT Together spirit, the Hoffs recognize more can be achieved for God’s Kingdom when everyone gives what they can and shares their gifts for the good of others.

The program believes support, encouragement and 1-on-1 attention can make a big impact in helping children thrive.

Many of the adult mentors feel like they are benefiting as much as the children.
“I think you go into things like this expecting to give back something to the individual and the reality is… he pours into me as much as I pour into him,” Matt Keiler, Kids Hope Mentor and Christ Church volunteer says of his experience with the child he mentors.
For more information on becoming a mentor, contact Kelly Shiell at kshiell@ChristChurch.us

“We also grew spiritually in leaps and bounds that we were just not expecting,” Cathy says.
Going through a LIFT small group helped change their approach to giving and make it more joyful. “We came to the realization we need to not be so worried about money and need to start thinking about what God wants us to do and be listening to Him,” Matt says.

“When you join an organization inside a big church it makes it a bit smaller,” Jill says. “We wouldn’t have friends that are family if we hadn’t put ourselves out there.
The couple felt their faith stretched and challenged in a previous generosity initiative at
Christ Church. When LIFT came along, they agreed to join the Steering Team and have taken another leap of faith in their discipleship and giving. Inspired by their experiences and the stories of others, they are looking forward to seeing how God will continue to grow them and the congregation.

She made a commitment as a new giver and quickly got involved in missions and in the community and has seen her world view expand.

“There are a lot of ways to give. But, giving a LIFT commitment and giving to Christ Church you know your dollars are going to a wonderful cause,” she says.

Today, each of our stories of faith and transformation point back to the savior who continues to live and move in His people. These are just some of the stories bearing witness to the movement of God at Christ Church this year.

They made a commitment to the LIFT initiative because they wanted to invest back into a place that has provided them with so much and has been so significant in their faith journeys.
The Dunns hope their daughter, Addy, will have a similar experience being nurtured in her faith in community with mentors and other children.

Cindy says she made a commitment to the LIFT initiative because she has received so much from the ministry of Christ Church and “wants to be able to pour out that which I have been given” to others and ensure future generations know there is a God who loves them and a family to embrace them.

A group of young families shares how they learned more about faith, themselves and building friendships and deeper connections with others through a variety of groups.
If you would like to know more about being connected to a community and growing your faith, check out our grow opportunities.

Watch the video for some highlights and hear where children and students experienced God this summer.
Here is what people’s gifts toward LIFT help make possible this summer:
• 430 children ages 4 through 5th grade, with the help of 153 adults, attended VBS at our Oak Brook and Butterfield campuses in June having a Stellar time learning scripture and songs.
• 80 children in grades 4 & 5 went to Rock ‘N’ Canoe camp in Wisconsin with the help of 35 adults.
• 190 middle school students attended Camp COW in Wisconsin this June led by 45 adults.
• 86 high school students spent a week of Roca y Agua on house boats in Arkansas this June supported by 21 leaders.
• 23 students in grades 7 & 8 and 5 leaders served in soup kitchens and youth charities in Nashville, TN this July.
• 26 high school students and 5 leaders spent a week in Chicago this July serving Christ Church mission partner By the Hand, a Christ-centered, after-school program.
• 23 high school students and 11 leaders spent eight days together in July building homes and serving children’s programming in Tijuana, Mexico.
• Many middle school and high school students participated in park groups and house groups throughout the summer gathering to grow together in their faith and have fun.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

A small group from Christ Church decided to step out of their comfort zone to lift others during a challenging season in life. Through one of our mission partners, World Relief, they were paired with a Muslim family–refugees from Sudan.

[read more]

“I was really nervous because of the language barrier…,” says church member Dawn Reinhart. “They provided a translator but, within five minutes you could tell this was a God thing.”

Everyone involved, the family and this small group, were transformed as these relationships grew.

“It was such a blessing to all of us to see the happiness that they have. To think that you could do one small thing and really make a difference in a person’s life. And they did the same for us,” church member Eva Tameling.

“That was the start of understanding it does all belong to God and we need to give a significant percentage of our income,” Todd says. Thirty years ago, Sally started a Bible study for adults with disabilities at Christ Church. Inside and outside of the classroom Sally and her volunteers are Lifting the faith of the Friendship Bible Club. She was excited to learn hiring an All-Abilities Director is one of the goals of Lift and Todd appreciates how the leadership is forward-thinking. “I would encourage people to not think about ‘when I’m generous what’s in it for me?’ But, to think about how am I going to expand the kingdom?”

“I now give with a much more joyful heart than I did when I first started giving,” says Victor. They have seen the way investing in Christ Church has impacted their lives and the important role relationships from small groups played in helping Victor with his struggles with alcohol and surrounding them during times of crisis. Victor and Mary are co-chairs of the Lift Steering Team because they are passionate about more people in our local communities being Lifted up.

Throughout that time, they have been Lifted by the church community and their circle of friends through times of celebration and struggle and want that for their children and so many more in the church and around the world. They expressed how excited they are to see what God will do through Lift and their generosity. “Our giving as a family has been shaped by the way we see God at work through Christ Church,” Peter says. “We see the dollars making a difference in the lives of so many people.”

Jim and his wife Lin have been supported and loved throughout their journey by friends they made at Christ Church. What is even more inspiring is how they have encouraged others with the way they live for Christ every day. Over the years and even now, Lin and Jim are generous with their time, talents and treasure. Lin shared that it is her “Love for the Lord and love for people” that fuel her generosity. Jim lives out the truth that God’s grace is greater than the gravity of life, “We have received so much from the Lord we made plans that when we are gone everything we have will go back to Him.”

In July of 2022 their home was devastated by the heavy rain and flash flooding that plagued areas in Eastern Kentucky. When the water finally receded, mud was everywhere and the whole house had to be gutted. Helen was living temporarily at the dog groomers where she works.

Christ Church sent twelve volunteers in late August to partner with Samaritan’s Purse. They shoveled mud, tore through insulation, dry wall and flooring, and hauled everything out in order to prepare Helena’s home for restoration.

In addition to physical help, Christ Church sent $30,000 during the spring and summer months to Florida, Kentucky, Puerto Rico and Pakistan in response to natural disasters.

We are grateful for those who faithfully give to Christ Church allowing us to respond quickly in times of crisis.