Discover the Grace of Giving

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Dear Calvary Church Family, For more than 80 years, Calvary Church has impacted thousands of lives for Christ in Grand Rapids and around the world. We are blessed, not just because a few individuals are teaching, witnessing, serving, and giving, but because many are committed to being Christ’s church in this place. God uses every part of the body to accomplish His will among us.

Some have the spiritual gift of teaching, but at the same time we are all responsible to teach (Colossians 3:16). Some are gifted evangelists, but all of us are called to be lights (Matthew 5:14). Some have a special gift of service, but we all should serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). The same pattern applies to giving, some have the gift of giving and demonstrate extraordinary generosity, but each one of us should give.

When David gathered money and materials to build the Temple, he gave first, then challenged the leaders to give, and then invited all the people to participate. Everyone gave freely and wholeheartedly, and the entire congregation rejoiced for what the Lord had done in their hearts (1 Chronicles 29).

Generous giving is God’s plan for advancing his work at Calvary.

Don’t make the false assumption that just a few members will underwrite our entire budget. In fact, the opposite is true. Every part of the body must work together to achieve our goals. As you read this 2011 Stewardship Challenge, please prayerfully consider how God wants you to discover the grace of giving.

God Bless, Jim DeVries, Elder Chair

Every part of the body must work together to achieve our goals.

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Giving With a Smile 2 Corinthians 9:1-7

by Ron Haas, Elder Life seems to fall into two categories -- things you have to do and things you want to do. “Have to” tasks might include taking out the garbage, filing your income taxes, cleaning the house, going to the dentist, or visiting your relatives. Your “want to” list usually is a little more exciting like taking the day off, spending time with your kids or grandkids, going on vacation, buying a new car, or maybe visiting your relatives on the other side of the family.

Do you see generous giving as a “have to” or a “want to?” Paul encouraged the Corinthian believers to grow beyond their feelings of obligation by sharing four characteristics of “cheerful givers.”

Cheerful givers are enthusiastic.

The Corinthian church was eager to help when they heard how Christians in Jerusalem were suffering. Enthusiasm is contagious, and their excitement about receiving a special offering encouraged other churches to respond. Are you just as excited about giving as you are about cheering your favorite team onto victory, making a windfall profit in the stock market, or finding an incredible pair of shoes? Cheerful givers get excited about impacting lives for eternity.

Cheerful givers are ready.

Paul instructed the Corinthian church to prepare to give, so they would give willingly, not grudgingly. Reluctant givers have a hard time opening

2010 - 2011 Elders Lee Brenner, Jim DeVries, Ron Haas, John Zimmerman, Dan Visser, Larry Hulst, Jerry Ward, Eric Cerling, Mike Still, Les Lamborn, Jim Samra. [Not Pictured: Noe Palacios, Tom Thurston]

their checkbook because they get distracted with everything else they could do with the money.

“The deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” blurs our vision about what is really important (Mark 4:19). Cheerful givers decide in advance how much they can afford to give — and then they give more.

Cheerful givers understand sowing and reaping.

The principle of the harvest is one of the most familiar giving metaphors. The farmer who is stingy with his seed will have a crop failure, and the one who sows abundant seed will reap a bumper crop. Even though some twist this promise into a spiritual get-rich-quick-scheme, we must not minimize the fact that you can never outgive God. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” Luke 6:38.

Are you just as excited about giving as you are about cheering your favorite team onto victory, making a windfall profit in the stock market, or finding an incredible pair of shoes?

Cheerful givers get excited about impacting lives for eternity.

Cheerful givers make up their own minds.

Biblical stewardship is not about arm-twisting, guilt-tripping, or any kind of manipulation.

Each person must decide in his or her own heart what God wants them to give. That being said, Paul talked very openly and directly about the Corinthians responsibility to give generously. He wanted them to experience the joy of generosity that transforms giving from a “have to” into a “want to.” You can discover this same grace of giving.

2010 - 2011 Deacons Todd Wilde, Howard Timmer, Bob Johnston, Steve Doren, Dave Radde, Gerrit Bos, Bob Bass, Dan Wiersma, Tom Miller, Chad Kerr, Ed Avink, Jeff Rogers.

Generous giving is God’s plan for advancing His work at Calvary.

God-Us-Others Overview Every dollar given to Calvary Church accomplishes these important ministries.

God = 13%

• The “God” category represents all the budget items associated with our worship service.

• “Us” includes all of the salaries and program

Us = 51%

expenses to conduct ministry within our walls.

• “Others” accounts for all of our evangelism and outreach efforts outside our walls.

Others = 36%

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God Jesus promised, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

God has shown up in our worship services.

from Elle Roskamp Let me tell you about two of the three people I have been praying for.

Four years ago, a girl named Emily moved into my neighborhood. She was very nice, but did not believe in Jesus Christ. Her father didn’t want her to believe in God in any way, and her mother didn’t really care either way. After I heard about how her parents felt I started praying for her. We became very, very close and I talked to her about Jesus whenever I could. A year later they moved to Wisconsin and I was crushed. We kept in touch and I would always ask her how things were going at home and at school. She would say things were hard in school, and that’s when I asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. She said, “Yes, how do you do that?” So I prayed with her over the phone and told her to ask Jesus to come live in her heart. Now she is praying every night about stuff that she struggles with! I am SOOO glad that she accepted Jesus Christ into her heart.

We invited my sister’s friend, Caleb and his sister Abby to church one Sunday. They weren’t Christians and Abby said she didn’t know much about Jesus Christ. They both were interested in what was said that Sunday morning but she didn’t quite understand. Then God used me by answering her questions and telling her about what Jesus means to me. Then she asked, “How do you do it?” meaning “How do I get Jesus in my life?” So we prayed together and she said she wanted Jesus to live in her heart. Since then she has told me she is praying every night and we are very good friends.

Us

The life-changing message of the Gospel is the heart of all Calvary Church ministries.

Rejoice with these who have recently trusted Christ. from Marv Snedeker “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (I Sam. 16:7b). God is

evangelism and often says, “please pray for me as I try to share Jesus with those I work with, sometimes I’m scared.”

from Jake Hyma I remember the exact moment when I accepted Christ at the age of 9. I loved

bringing hearts to himself in our Special Needs

David sought out involvement with an adult

Jesus and wanted to learn everything

adults class. Here are some recent testimonies

congregation to grow more in his faith and

I could about Him. As a teenager I be-

of God’s grace. Leetrice returned from summer

walk with God. Brian now attends service in the

lieved, but didn’t care about living in obe-

camp and asked to be baptized. Every Sunday

Sanctuary as he seeks to learn more. Then there

dience. My life crumbled around me and I

morning Debbie wants to stand and sing to

is Mary, who after coming, made sure five oth-

blamed God. I hated everyone, including

the class, “I’m glad I’m a Christian.” Brach always

ers from her group home also came. The Holy

myself. I struggled with an addiction, an-

greets us with, “I, I, I, I glad to be here!” in stutter-

Spirit is working in the entire class. If you were

ger, and questions about who I was. My

ing, broken words. Tonya expressed her desire

to ask, “Who loves you and who died for you?”

sinful behavior intensified in college, and I

to become a member and asks constantly for

You would hear a resounding answer, “God

refused to follow the Holy Spirit who was

prayer for her swearing. Tim has a heart for the

loves me and Jesus died for me.”

pounding on my heart. Finally, I reached a point of brokenness and wept for hours as I cried out to God for help. I needed to change, but had no idea how to start.

In September 2010, I began to fellowship with people at church. After a few discipleship meetings, God hit me really, really hard one night. Somehow everything just clicked. I realized that I had not been fully trusting him. I was a lukewarm Christian. That night, I expressed my full and complete surrender to God. I cannot describe the immediate change that happened in my heart. I felt God’s presence surround me. And for the first time in my life, I felt complete peace and joy. My life isn’t easy right now, but I am not worried about it anymore. I know God will take care of me. I am His.

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from Todd and Alisa Wilde Sue Chichester, a single mom, was diagnosed with ALS in October of 2008. Her health quickly deteriorated and she was in need of an access ramp for her home. The Nurse Practitioner at the University of Michigan ALS Clinic encouraged Sue to call Calvary Church after she had exhausted all other options in the Grand Rapids area to receive a donated ramp. The staff at the U of M clinic thought Calvary might have a heart for someone with ALS since Calvary’s previous senior pastor, Ed Dobson, had been diagnosed with ALS. Josh Mateer received the call and after verifying Sue’s need, contacted a builder within our congregation. This began the process of God using many hands and feet in the body of Christ to show Sue how much He loved her. The day the ramp was built; Sue drove down her new ramp with a huge smile on her face. Sue shared that she had been trapped in her home for several months since her power wheel chair was too heavy to be moved in and out of her

house. That day Sue was invited to church and a relationship began between Sue and the body of Christ at Calvary Church. Throughout the months that followed, Sue required more help as her illness progressed. Benevolent dollars were available to assist her with some financial needs and Calvary attendees were able to tangibly help her through visits, house repairs, meals, transporting her to church and eventually helping her move. As compassion was shown and financial help was granted, Sue began to understand God’s love and came to know the Lord before she passed away in July of 2010. Sue was very grateful to find Christ and have the support of a church family in her last days on earth. Her courage inspired those around her and allowed all involved to see how God used Calvary Church to reveal Himself to Sue and answer many of her prayers.

Calvary’s Benevolence Ministry shows the love of Christ in tangible ways to individuals and families who are going through difficult times. The chart below shows the many ways we reach out to our church family and our community.

Our benevolence team makes the most of every gift given. In 2010, Calvary purchased 25,437 pounds of food for our Food Pantry for only $3,782.96. This wise stewardship saved more than $50,000, if the food had been purchased at regular wholesale prices. Here is how we distributed our benevolence offerings last year.

from Tom Couch Last October, Eileen DeVries asked for prayer for her granddaughter, Marsha, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in July. By September, the cancer had metastasized to her bones, liver, and lungs. I was grieved for Eileen’s pain, and offered to visit Marsha and her husband,

Rent/Mortgage/Insurance/Moving

59,109

Chris, at the hospital. Marsha had a difficult

Medical/Dental Expenses & Insurance

43,058

childhood. Her parent’s divorce left her deeply

Food Pantry & Food Vouchers

39,917

scarred and clouded her ability to relate to a

Auto Insurance/Repairs

37,657

God of grace, goodness, and greatness.

Love Gifts to Struggling Families

33,650

But God was at work. Chris, who had been

Utilities/Phone

20,553

irreligious most of his life, began to seek God.

Marriage and Family Counseling

17,195

OAK Orphanage in Central Asia

14,000

They started reading the Bible together daily and praying for forgiveness, grace, strength, and healing (if it was God’s will). On November 1, I

Miscellaneous Assistance

8,928

shared the plan of salvation with them and they

Equipment Repairs

8,451

both sincerely trusted Christ as Savior. It was a

Home Repairs & Appliances

6,004

wonderful experience. Some of her unsaved

Meal Vouchers

4,849

friends were not pleased with her decision, but

ACCESS - Grand Rapids

4,000

Funeral Expenses Total

500 $298,870

Marsha remained firm in her new-found faith until the Lord took her home. Chris asked me to share the Gospel at her funeral in December.

Her family and friends heard how the grace of God had changed Marsha’s life for eternity!

Others

Reflecting the heart of God to see His glory declared to all people here in our community and around the world.

Strategies May Change, but The Message Remains Calvary currently supports 48 missionaries whose purpose is the proclamation of the unchanging truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our community and across the world through both word and deed.

One project, on which we have particularly focused for the last 20 years, has been reaching the people groups in Central Asia. This region is classified as one of the least reached and least evangelized areas in the world. Since the fall of the former Soviet Union and the opening of the five Central Asian countries to the west, Calvary has had the privilege of intentionally partnering with missionaries, nationals and organizations to proclaim the gospel where darkness reigned for over 70 years under the communists. In spite of continued heavy persecution, we are now overjoyed to see approximately 550 churches in just one of those countries which did not have a single evangelical church 20 years ago. In other areas of Central Asia, we are seeing the fruit of our labor in the training of leaders engaged in youth ministries. In addition, national believers are being trained in trades, enabling them to support themselves and be accepted by their own people.

Traditional mission strategies are changing — but the proclamation of the truth of the Gospel is the same. We continue to be engaged in church planting, evangelism, discipleship, leadership development and other support ministries. More and more we realize the importance of listening, building relationships, partnerships and coaching and mentoring our international brothers and sisters, so they can reach their own people groups.

Calvary Church’s commitment to missions and outreach is more than a program; it reflects the heart of God to see His glory declared among all people — here in our community and around the world.

Our mission is twofold: 1) To identify, encourage, send and support

We are seeing Calvary people in all age

workers to serve in our city and cross-culturally

groups getting involved: Central Asia, Po-

around the world.

land, Ukraine, Mozambique, India, and here

2) To disciple and equip Calvary congregants

in our own Jerusalem. But we can’t do it

to serve, evangelize and disciple in the public

with out you. Your prayers and financial sup-

square here in our community and throughout

port matter, and are making a difference.

the world.

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Church Planting Around the Corner Take Hold is an urban church plant that is reaching the Heartside neighborhood on South Division street. In the summer of 2009, Shane and Heather Cox opened up their home to friends and neighbors for a weekly Bible study. On the first night only five people attended (the Cox’s and one guest), but over several months God began drawing people to this community. They would eat, pray, talk, study, sing, and hang out together. The group began to grow both spiritually and numerically, and in the spring of 2010, God granted Take Hold Church an amazing urban space to hold worship services.

This urban community of faith invites people to love God with everything they’ve got, love others in the community, and join the body of Christ. Take Hold is reaching a harvest field of people from diverse backgrounds, including those who were outcasts, downcast, punk, drunk, freak, geek, un-churched, dechurched, churched, homeless, home-blessed, searchers, and seekers. But like the Apostle Paul said of the Corinthian church, “And that is what some of you were.

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Currently, 50-60 people call Take Hold their church family. Beginning August 2011, the Cox family will minister as full-time missionaries here in the heart of Grand Rapids. Along with Calvary’s support, Take Hold is currently raising ministry support by asking friends, families, churches, and local businesses to partner with them financially so that the ministry and church can continue with the vision that God has given them. Please pray for this eclectic group as they gather in the name of Jesus and seek to know him better and serve him more.

If you would like to see firsthand what God is doing at Take Hold, you are invited to worship with them Sunday evenings at 7:00pm at 222 S. Division Ave. To learn more about Take Hold check out: Website: www.takeholdchurch.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/takeholdcrew Twitter: www.twitter.com/takeholdchurch If you would like to contact Shane, you reach him at info@takeholdchurch.org or 616.458.4776.

Baptising in the name of the Father the Son, and the Holy Ghost ...

Church Planting Around the Globe Calvary Church has supported the ministry of

teams to assist in reaching out to the villages

churches as well. Several of the above named

Andy & Kathleen Girwarnauth in Guyana for 18

on a large scale. In addition, ongoing teacher

churches are already at the independent, self

years. From the start, their call to ministry has

training for children’s and youth ministry leaders

supporting stage.”

been as church planters. Andy and Kathleen

are also held.

have had the privilege of planting 15 churches over the years, including:

“We praise God for the privilege to serve in

In the early 90’s the Girwarnauths opened the

partnership with our North American churches,

Berbice Bible Institute to train national pastors

support groups, and individuals. Our prayer

• Nigg Bible Church

for these churches. Later, they added the

partners, visiting professors, teams, short term

• Hampshire Bible Church

Solid Rock Theological Seminary extension for

helpers, and financial supporters form a con-

• Fyrish Bible Church

accredited degree programs in theology. With

certed effort in reaching Hindus and Muslims in

• #19 Bible Church

Andy and visiting professors from the United

the country of Guyana, to the glory of God.”

• Tain Bible Church

States as the primary teachers, the seminary

• Overwinning Bible Church

has celebrated four graduating classes over the

• Canje Bible Church

years.

• Canje Turn Bible Church • Crabwood Creek Bible Church • #64 Bible Church • Kwakwani Bible Church • Chesney Bible Church • Edinburg Bible Church • Bath Bible Church • Bushlot Bible Church

Andy states that “the goal in church planting is for these churches to develop to the point of independence in the sense that they are not dependent on outside (foreign) financial support. They are inter-dependent for fellowship and accountability through the Association of Bible Churches. We have trained nationals for all of the churches, with an ongoing program

Open air crusades and discipleship are an inte-

to bring in and train new leaders and pastors

gral part of the church planting effort. The Gir-

for ministry. All of the students in training are

warnauths host evangelistic teams and medical

serving full time as interns in their respective

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������������������� �������������������� �������������������� ��������������������� ������������������� �������������������� the leadership skills and economic

with no running water) can not pay

resources to support and send mis-

his salary.

���������������������������� work is Keith & Dawn Moore. ����������������������������� Keith & Dawn began their ministry ������������������������������ ���������������������������� 20 years ago in Bogotá, Colombia as

sionaries.

The Moores church hosts medical

The new church began in the

brigades with doctors, dentists, and

Moore’s living room with two families

pharmacists who give of their time

part of a church planting team reach-

other than their team and a few

and talent to reach out to others – all

ing middle class families for Christ.

teenagers. The church is now well

from Honduras.

After starting with only a few families,

established, with Keith serving as the

the church grew to about 500 by��������������������������������������� the team leader and Senior Pastor. time the Moores left in 1999. During ���������������������������� * Average attendance is now 950 ��������������������� �������������������� those years, the Moores also helped each weekend. �������������������� ��������������������� to develop an in-house Church Plant��������������������� ������������ *70 teachers trained for Sunday ����������������������� ��������������������� ing School. The first two graduating ������������������� School. classes of this school took over their ��������������������

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work in the church when they left.

*50 trained in Evangelism and Dis-

Other graduates partnered with the

cipleship.

Moores in planting three additional churches.

One graduating couple from the

This year their church in Tegucigalpa will begin its first church plant - in San Pedro Sula . The two-man team graduated from their school, and they were both ordained in their church.

They write, “We praise the Lord that we have seen hundreds come to Christ in the ten years that we have

*4 elders ordained.

been here and we see the multipli-

*5 pastors ordained.

cation starting. Last weekend we had 26 first time visitors, 16 heard

Church Planting School, Norberto

*New Building that will seat 400 on

and Patricia Gutierrez, were sent as

their own property ($800,000 in all).

missionaries from Colombia to Hon-

*Missions budget for 2010 - $20,000

were involved in sharing on Sunday

The church also partially supports a

morning; it came from the work of

couple from Honduras and a single

the body. I do not give an invitation,

woman from Colombia who work

we only ask people to go the back of

together in Mali, Africa with Muslims

the Church to receive a gift from the

(one of these, Magdalena, graduated

Church. It takes about 45 minutes

from the Moore’s School in Bogotá).

for someone to share the gospel the

duras. The Moores joined with them in their new work, endeavoring to begin a church with good doctrine among the middle/upper class. The long-term goal is to build a church that will partner with other churches to send missionaries from Latin America to the Muslim world. They

They also support a local pastor

are seeking to build a church with

whose church (in a very poor area,

the gospel one-on-one and 11 trusted Christ. None of the pastors

way they have been taught by our leaders using the Word.”

Local Outreach Poverty, Economic decline, Illiteracy, Homelessness, Hunger...

Camp Beechpoint – This camp provides a quality Christian camping experience to urban youth with the purpose of demonstrating Christ’s love, presenting the gospel and providing an environment for learning and practicing Christ-like principles.

Website: beechpoint.com

Mel Trotter Ministries – Mel Trotter serves the homeless, victims of drug addiction and the unemployed in West Michigan through a Christcentered, holistic program of crisis intervention and Biblical counseling to restore them to a right relationship with God, their families and society.

Website: meltrotter.org

All of these are issues in our local community. As Christ’s ambassadors, where do we start to help make a difference in the lives of people facing these issues? Believing that God calls us to compassion and advocacy, Calvary

Urban Family Ministries - Urban Family Ministries exists to provide “hands on” ministry to serve urban families of Grand Rapids to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Website: urbanfamilyministries.org

Church has specifically chosen to reach out with the message of Christ’s love to the: * Poor and oppressed * People who are displaced from their homes or home lands

Urban Transformation Ministries - UTM exists to redeem inner-city youth, families and communities (specifically in the Belknap-Lookout, South Creston and Highland Park areas) with the transforming gospel of Christ and to develop leaders who will impact their neighborhood for Christ through small groups, sports and one-on-one ministry.

Website: utmgr.org

* Developmentally disabled * Women and children in our local community

Our desire is to meet their physical and emotional needs so that we can share with them about their most critical need: knowing Christ as their Lord and Savior. The following chart lists the organizations that Calvary Church partners with in our community to address these issues.

If you would like more information on these organizations, please contact Sharon Kaiser (skaiser@ calvarygr.org) at 956-9377 ext. 5077.

Degage Ministries - This ministry in the Heartside neighborhood seeks to reflect the love of Christ by building relationships and offering programs that foster dignity and respect. Volunteer opportunities range from office work to food preparation, and mentoring to special event planning.

Website: degageministries.org

Health Intervention Services brings Christ’s healing to the medically uninsured through the collaborative provision of medical and dental services, counseling and spiritual care. They serve many Hispanic people in southwest Grand Rapids. Volunteers are healthcare professionals and office workers.

Website: hisgr.org

Forgotten Man Ministry - FMM works within local jails in Michigan by providing chaplains, inmate rehabilitation and religious programs.

Follow-up help for inmates and their families and volunteer opportunities exist for the community to assist in this work.

Website: forgottenman.org

Chaplaincy Services provides compassionate care to hurting people in both healthcare and workplace settings. Trained chaplains build a relationship of trust and respect as they help people navigate life’s challenges.

Website: chaplaincyservices.com

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David’s House provides adult foster care homes and supportive services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. Their objective is to provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each individual in a way that is honoring to God. Website: davidshouseministries.org

King’s Table Ministry reaches out to differently-abled adults to share the love and life changing message of Jesus Christ with them, their families, and caregivers.

Contact: Sally Gallagher - sallyktm@gmail.com

Servant Center works to enhance the reputation of our Lord Jesus Christ through the provision of high quality, relationship-based street outreach and ongoing support services to mentally ill poor and homeless people in our community.

Website: servantscenter.org

Safe Haven provides domestic violence services offering residential emergency shelter and non-residential services including counseling, support groups, case management, advocacy and children’s trauma workshops. Their outreach programs bring education and prevention initiatives to agencies, schools, businesses and churches in the community.

Website: safehavenministries.org

Pregnancy Resource Center is a Christ-centered, pro-life ministry working to demonstrate God’s character as they protect pre-born children, meet the needs of those unprepared for pregnancy, help heal lives affected by abortion and challenge people to embrace a Biblical view of sexuality.

Website: prcforlife.org

Garden of Hope is a memorial garden for the post-abortive community. Located in Restlawn Memorial Park, 3450 Eastern Avenue, this site offers a place of comfort and healing for those experiencing great loss due to abortion. It offers the opportunity to mourn privately and to experience the reality of God’s love. Information is provided for anyone seeking further counseling.

Website: gardenofhopememorial.com

Child Evangelism Fellowship ministers to children with the purpose of evangelizing boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, discipling them in the Word of God and channeling them into a local church for Christian living.

Website: cefonline.com

Youth for Christ Grand Rapids reaches young people in every people group, in every nation to raise up followers of Jesus Christ. Often working in school settings, activities are planned to provide opportunities that allow students to make an informed decision to be a follower of Christ.

Website: gryfc.org

Reaching the World at Our Doorstep Neighbors International is a Calvary Church ministry that shows Christian love through hospitality to international students studying at local universities. As we build friendship and trust with students, we open the door to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our main event each year is the autumn Friendship Dinner at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. We invite all international students from area colleges and universities to join us for this event.

This past year, 50 students attended, with the majority of them from Saudi Arabia and China. There were also students from Netherlands, Mexico, Libya, Ghana, and India. At the dinner each student is given gift bag with a Jesus DVD in it and is given an opportunity to sign up for friendship partners from our church.

These friendship partners commit to praying for their assigned student, and inviting them to their house for dinner or family activity once a month. We currently have 25 friendship partners.

We provide other activities throughout the year for international students such as women’s lunches, skating parties, game nights, and attending Festival of Lights. Next year we hope to increase the number of activities in order to connect with students who are unable to attend the dinner in the fall.

Our prayer team is important to our ministry. Each friendship partner and volunteer is prayed for on a regular basis.

We provide Bibles for the students in their language and Bible study material for the volunteers to use. Next year we will have books and other resources available for our volunteers in the church library. We will also offer weekly Bible studies for international students.

Calvary Church Budget 2010-2011 Area of Ministry Global & Community Outreach

Budget $1,685,027

Worship Ministries

83,800

Adult Ministries

50,510

Calvary Community

82,947

Children’s Ministries

72,500

Student Ministries

79,260

Young Adult Ministries

29,394

Pastoral Care

55,550

Communications

71,600

Technical Services

68,650

Facility Services Food Service Administration Personnel and Benefits Resident Department

391,319 23,230 141,247 3,528,042 31,436

Equipment

291,870

Reserve Funding

290,000

Board Directed Funds TOTAL BUDGET

23,618 $7,000,000

Think of the eternal impact we could make in 2012, if we could grow our budget to $7.5 million!

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Yearly Comparison We praise God for the faithful giving of our Calvary Church family. Over the past few years, our general operating fund

$9,000,000 $8,000,000

offerings have averaged around $7 million -- even in these

$7,000,000

difficult economic times.

$6,000,000 $5,000,000

Our deacons and staff carefully review our income and

$4,000,000

expenses to make sure that Calvary Church exercises good

$3,000,000

stewardship with every dollar. Like all families we must do

$2,000,000

more with less, especially in the face of rising health insurance costs and other fixed expenses. The elders and deacons are praying for a spirit of generosity that will enable us to

$1,000,000

2007

Operating Fund

2008

Benevolence

accomplish even more for the Lord this year.

Calvary Church is blessed with people who give generously. This breakdown of giving categories from last year illustrates that every gift is important. Praise God for what we are able to accomplish together.

Percentage of

Number of

Individuals

Individuals

Percentage of

Gift Range

Total Dollars

40.90

1583*

$0.01

$250.00

1.6%

7.93

308

$250.01

$500.00

1.5%

11.16

432

$501.00

$1,000.00

4.1%

17.36

672

$1,001.00

$2,500.00

14.4%

12.02

465

$2,501.00

$5,000.00

21.1%

7.62

295

$5,001.00

$10,000.00

25.2%

1.65

64

$10,001.00

$15,000.00

10.0%

0.49

19

$15,001.00

$20,000.00

4.2%

0.21

8

$20,001.00

$25,000.00

2.3%

0.54

21

$25,001.00

$50,000.00

9.1%

0.08

3

$50,001.00

$100,000.00

2.8%

99.96

3870

* includes760 one time gifts for short term missions and memorials.

96.3%

2009

2010

Special Projects

Ways to Give These “Ways to Give� ideas are not legal or tax advice. Please seek the advice of a competent professionals before implementing any of these suggestions.

Our primary motivation for generous giving is to advance the cause of Christ, but a wise steward also takes advantage of the tax benefits associated with charitable contributions. As you think about your stewardship priorities, consider these giving options.

Cash Gifts

The simplest and easiest gift is cash. Your gift can be made through cash, personal checks, or cashier’s checks. You can also give through an automatic transfer from your checking or savings account on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule. Forms are available at the information desk at www.calvarygr.org. Please contact the Financial Services Office with any questions.

Gifts of Appreciated Assets

Gifts of appreciated securities, stocks, and bonds provide tax advantages when you transfer them to Calvary Church before they are sold. If you have held your securities for more than one year, your gift qualifies for a charitable tax deduction as well as avoids the capital-gains tax that would have been due on their sale.

You also may give mutual funds, non-marketable stock, or closely held stock.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Life insurance offers a unique way to make a gift. Simply designate Calvary Church as the owner and

beneficiary of the policy. On an existing paid-up policy, your gift is equal to the cash value of the policy. On a policy on which you still pay a premium, your gift in the first year is the cash value of the policy plus any unused premiums. In the following years, you may claim a charitable deduction for the value of the premium payments.

Gifts of Real Estate

Giving personal residences, second homes, income property, and vacant land offers a wide variety of tax and other benefits. Most people give their entire interest away, but it is also possible to give only a portion of the property (an undivided percentage interest) while retaining the rest for other purposes. You may deduct the full fair market value of the property without having to pay capital gains on the appreciation, providing you have held the property for more than one year.

Gifts of Tangible Personal Property

Rare books, works of art, valuable collectibles, and tangible items of demonstrable value may offer you an opportunity to make a significant gift to Calvary with outstanding tax benefits to you. Likewise, gifts of intangible personal property, such as copyrights, patents, and mineral rights, can generate income for Calvary on a continuing basis.

If you have specific questions about any of these giving opportunities, please contact the Financial Services Office (finance@calvarygr.org) at 956-9377, ext. 5143.

Retained Benefit Gifts: You Retain Use or Income

It is possible for you to make gifts to Calvary Church from your assets and still enjoy receiving the use or income of the property for the rest of your life and/or the life of another person. Investment assets, personal or vacation residences, farms or businesses are good candidates for these arrangements. You will receive an income tax deduction in the year one of these arrangements is established. Also, these arrangements frequently increase the income stream you receive from these assets, and possibly convert it from ordinary income to capital gain income.

Calvary can refer you to attorneys, accountants, and financial planners who are knowledgeable in these various arrangements. Call

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Do You Have a Christian Will?

“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” Proverbs 13:22. According to a recent survey, half of all Americans don’t have a will, a living will, or financial and medical powers of attorney. If you die without a will, the court will decide what to do with your property.

There are important reasons to have a will, even if your estate is small. Your will ensures that your belongings will be distributed how you want them to be. For instance, you may want your wedding ring to be passed onto your daughter, but your son may want his wife to have it instead. Your clear instructions could help diffuse any potential family feuds.

If you die leaving minor children, the probate court will appoint a guardian to care for your children, and release their share of your property when they reach age 18. No doubt you would rather choose a Christian guardian, and you may prefer that your children are older before they control significant financial resources.

“An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (Proverbs 20:21).

A will answers important questions for your children and grand-

the Financial Services Office for more information.

sibilities for in-kind gifts are endless.

Gifts and Long Range Planning

Charitable IRA Rollover

Good stewardship means good planning . Charitable gifts are often a significant part of effective retirement and estate planning. The simplest way to make a long-term gift to Calvary Church is to make a bequest of cash or property in your will or living trust.

In-Kind Gifts

In-kind gifts, otherwise known as gifts of goods and/ or services are another gift possibility. Calvary Church uses and needs hundreds of goods and services and saving money on items we would otherwise have to purchase is incredibly helpful. The pos-

Taxpayers age 70½ or older can make tax-free transfers of up to $100,000 per year directly from their traditional or Roth IRA to charities through December 31, 2011. These gifts can be made without increasing your taxable income or withholding. Additionally, funds transferred from your IRA to Calvary Church will NOT subject your Social Security income to higher tax levels, and will count toward your minimum required distribution.

children, but do you have a Christian will? Have you designated a portion of your estate to advance the Kingdom? Your heirs may or may not be interested in supporting the Lord’s work. If you’ve been a faithful giver all of your Christian life, why not express your generous giving in your will?

You can include Calvary Church in your estate plans in four ways: a) a specific bequest designating a dollar amount, b) a specific piece of property, c) a percentage of your estate, or d) the remainder of your estate after you have distributed gifts to family members and other organizations.

How much should you leave your children and how much should you give the church? One creative way to include charitable giving in your estate plans is to “adopt a child” into your family named, “Charity.” Then divide your estate equally among your “children.”

Wise estate planning is good stewardship, but don’t wait until you die to be generous. Why miss out on the joys of giving now?

As Christian financial advisor Ron Blue says, “Do your giving while you’re living, so you’re knowing where it’s going.”

If you have questions about designing a Christian will, please contact Calvary’s Financial Services Office.

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’” (Luke 18:16).

We can learn a lot about generous giving through the faith of a child. Last fall, a little girl and her dad approached the Information Center after the Sunday morning service. Her dad shared that she had been collecting change for awhile. She shyly handed over a small plastic bag of coins and turned to leave. The welcome volunteers thanked her profusely, she gave a big smile, then walked out with her dad. When the deacons placed the offering in the safe, they found her handwritten note that said, “$70.40 for the poor.”

Sometimes as adults, we think like Andrew when he said, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9). But Jesus took that young boy’s gift and multiplied it to feed 5,000 people.

Praise God for a little girl who discovered the grace of giving and for her parents who are teaching her to honor the Lord with what she has. May her generosity encourage all of us to give bountifully.

Stories of Giving Dave & Patty McGinnis Dave and Patty McGinnis are discovering the grace of giving in their lives and kindly agreed to share what God is teaching them about generosity.

How did you begin your stewardship journey?

When I was a young child, my parents mortgaged our small farm so they could give toward remodeling our country church. Our banker was so impressed that he remarked, “If someone is willing to borrow money for a church, I’m going to have to visit for myself and see why.” My parent’s generosity made a lasting impression on me. Nothing truly belongs to us; everything actually belongs to God. The essence of life is not ownership, but stewardship. Patty and I have always believed that a fixed percentage of our income should go to the local church where we are fed spiritually.

We give to other Christian ministries, but our first fruits always go to Calvary.

What is God teaching you about giving?

Many times I’ve been tempted to think that the wealth I have accumulated is because I’ve earned it. After all, I got my first job before I graduated from high school, served in the military, worked my way through college, and have put in 50+ hours a week my entire adult life. I never took a vacation for the first 15 years of our marriage, and until only recently took more than a couple of weeks off at a time. From my human perspective, I want to take credit for my success. But then I remember that God is the giver of life and every good gift. He has blessed me with energy, great health, and a wonderful wife. I want to give back to him with a joyful heart.

2 Corinthians 8:7 encourages us to “excel in the grace of giving.” What does that mean to you?

Ed Dobson once said that when he preached on giving, we all felt a little guilty and the giving increased for a couple of weeks -- but then it dropped right back

to normal. To me, excelling in our giving means that we should always give to our capacity all the time. We cannot out give the Lord because he just keeps giving it back. “God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7b-8).

How has your perspective on giving guided your estate plans?

We have written our wills to care for our family, but we also decided to leave a portion of our estate to Calvary. Giving has been an important part of our Christian walk, and it just made sense to honor the Lord with part of our legacy. I encourage all of our church family to remember Calvary Church in their estate plans. Bequests can help fund special projects that go beyond our annual budget.

What would you say to encourage someone to start giving generously?

I still have a lot to learn about the grace of giving, but I want to encourage all of us to be more obedient with our resources.

I firmly believe that God will hold us responsible for how we use our time, service, talents and money -- no matter how much he has given us. “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Here is the bottom line: Our giving measures our love for the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:8). We either trust the Lord with our finances, or we trust ourselves. For me and my household, we are going to trust the Lord.

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A Challenge to Generosity God is working in and through the ministries of Calvary Church. He constantly shows up in a special way during our Sunday morning worship services through the music, testimonies, and preaching. From Mozambique to Student Ministries, Special Needs to Young Adults, Kingdom Kids to Senior Adults, Benevolence to assisting our partners in Central Asia -- Calvary Church is making a difference for eternity.

All of these lives could not be touched without the faithful financial support of God’s people. As you pray about our 2011 Stewardship Challenge, please consider these three responses: 1. Begin Your Stewardship Journey. If you’ve not yet experienced the grace of giving, start by giving God your heart. Then ask him to help you develop a consistent giving plan.

2. Excel in Your Giving. If you already give on a regular basis, ask God to stretch your faith and reveal to you how he wants you grow in the grace of giving.

3. Be Extravagant. On February 27, 2011, Pastor Jim reminded us of Mary’s extravagant gift of perfume that she poured out on Jesus. How is God prompting you to be extravagant toward him?

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12). Paul encouraged the Corinthian church that generous giving produces two important results: it meets real needs and causes God’s people to praise him. Your giving makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity.

May the Lord pour out his blessings on Calvary Church as we Discover the Grace of Giving together!

Calculate Your Weekly Giving As you reflect on your giving priorities and pray for God’s direction, use this chart to help you consider what you should give this year.

Annual Income

Weekly Income

5%

10%

15%

$10,000

$192.00

$10.00

$19.00

$28.00

$20,000

$384.00

$19.00

$38.00

$57.00

$30,000

$576.00

$28.00

$57.00

$86.00

$40,000

$769.00

$38.00

$77.00

$115.00

$60,000

$1,153.00

$58.00

$115.00

$173.00

$80,000

$1,538.00

$77.00

$154.00

$231.00

$100,000

$1,923.00

$96.00

$192.00

$288.00

$150,000

$2,884.00

$144.00

$288.00

$432.00

Discovering Grace from Melissa Hoekzema, I have the feeling that it was a “village” that led Abigail to accept Jesus as her Saviour. She attends a Christian kindergarten and then is taught both on Wednesdays and Sundays at church and then reinforced by the actions and behaviors at home. We attended the Christmas Eve service this past season and I think everything started clicking at that point.

She wants to share the following: “My name is Abigail Hoekzema. I am 5 and 1/2 years old and in January I asked Jesus to come into my heart. I know that Jesus does not like it when I made bad choices and that I can not make good choices all the time by myself. So I asked Him to come into my heart and help me make good choices in my life. I am excited to go to heaven because that means I will get to see my Grandpa Staal again and will be able to play all the time with my cousins without worrying about going home.” from Kristine Heckathorn, This is the picture and story Joslyn wrote when she was playing “school” with her older sister. (just weeks before asking Jesus into her heart.)

Joslyn explained: “My picture is of the mountain with the crosses on top and a big rock and Jesus is inside of it. He didn’t stay there, He came alive. He’s not outside the rock anymore, He’s up in heaven. He’s gunna rise up again. I heard it in the Bible. ” After asking Jesus into her heart, Joslyn shared: “Mommy, this (whether it’s a shirt, book, craft, drawing…) has a heart on it because I Love Jesus!”

“The Bible teaches me to love Jesus, to play with Jesus, to go around with Jesus to talk about Jesus and we also sing about Jesus. Jesus is in heaven, in my heart and He died for my sins. I learned it in the Bible.”

Calvary Church 707 East Beltline NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-956-9377 | calvarygr.org