Ever year around this time there are those lucky enough to receive a big bonus. There are others who find themselves in need of an additional tax deduction at the end of the year. Either way, in this season of giving people’s minds may turn to gift giving that will have a positive impact beyond their own communities. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in this situation, I have some ideas for you.
World Vision (donate.worldvision.org): This worldwide Christian humanitarian organization offers a whole catalog of ideas for giving. Examples include clean water in areas that have none, animals which can provide food, income or transportation in underdeveloped parts of the world, or emergency aid in areas struck by natural disaster. They have gifts from $25 to as much as you can prayerfully spare.
Angel Tree (www.prisonfellowship.org/programs/angel-tree/): A ministry of Prison Fellowship, Angel Tree provides Christmas presents to children of people behind bars in order to remind them that God loves them in spite of what their parents did. Angel Tree exists in part as a way to help keep criminal behavior from continuing from one generation of a family to the next. Angel Tree is an option both for individual Christians and entire congregations.
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF.org): Mission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organization that provides planes and pilots to parts of the world that would otherwise be unreachable. A gift to MAF is a way to help spread the Gospel to remote places that are woefully underserved. Last year they transported 98,610 passengers (mostly pastors and missionaries) and delivered 8.16 million pounds of cargo to hard-to-reach areas around the world. They offer gift opportunities from as little as five dollars.
There has never been a better Christmas to consider giving beyond your own family or community. The need is great everywhere we look. I hope these ideas will help as you prayerfully consider your year end giving.
Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield is pastor of Compassion Church of Katy and Editor of the blog Faith That Inspires Action (faithinspires.wordpress.com) which has been read in over 141 different countries.
