The Kindness of Sharing Your Faith
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Lois Paula: Giving goes far beyond offering mere sustenance. It’s about compassion, encouragement, acceptance. It’s about appreciating the quiet heroism of others and treating everyone with honor and dignity. To all those who believe that kindness can heal and rebuild a better world. Stay tuned for an INC Giving Show Special.
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Lois Paula: If you could give someone a gift right now, what would it be? If you could help save a life, would you try? Yes, of course you would!
If there is one thing we all learned together this last year, it’s having more gratitude and compassion–for the things we have, the moments we share, the life and people we’re blessed with. But most especially as members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ, we are thankful for our most valuable gift, our membership, and our relationship with God.
So today we look at how INC Giving Volunteers show their gratitude to God for their blessings, through the kindness act of all–sharing their faith, and extending an invitation for a gift worth far more than anything else in the world.
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Natalie Fitzpatrick: Actions speak louder than words and INC Giving is proof of that. That has always helped me introduce the Church (Of Christ) in a really positive light. We’re about doing what’s good for others, especially when they need it. And part of sharing our faith is giving that to our communities, so that they feel welcomed and invited.
Karen Villagracia: It instills into us the love, in ourselves, for the community. We’ve come to a point where this is what we’ve learned so much from all of these projects from the Church Administration, that it is now within us.
Ludan Taquiqui: I started training people and training for people for free. And then I’ll be, “Hey, do you want to come to Bible study?” The way you could give back is by giving it for free. They could go listen to the teachings. There’s also a portion of your life that you can dedicate to God by giving your talent to them for free.
Faryn Lerner: This is definitely one of the biggest, if not largest, donations that we have ever received from any organization. This is incredible.
Stephanie Bowman: Thank you, to the Church Of Christ, for choosing One Heart. This group of amazing humans, that don’t know us, are here helping us. My heart felt fuller than it has in a long time.
Michael Holmes: You guys stepping in right now with the generosity of your members, pulling this event together from within your body, you’re showing people what the power of faith can do, and you’re setting that example for the community that is so valuable right now.
Grace Condon: We’re so thrilled to receive a donation from the Church Of Christ, Iglesia Ni Cristo. This is the second time we’ve had a donation from the Church Of Christ. When goods come through an organization such as yours, that means that we’re actually able to honor the people that we pass it on to by giving them our best, to be able to say to these people, we value you, we value who you are. And I just pray that God opens more opportunities for us to be there.
Paul Gaden: Today we just had the true meaning of love thy neighbor, as the Church Of Christ came and wanted to celebrate the first responders that work here in the hospital. We had a large parade and they also gave a fantastic donation of food and drinks and gift baskets that had cards made from the youth of the congregation of the Church.
Alice Bloodsaw: Meeting everybody, and everybody opened arms to us, even though they didn’t know us, they treated us like family. And so being treated like family is like being in your home. It’s gracious and we love it.
Letter-carrier: Hello, and thank you so much. I am so proud to be your letter-carrier. Thank you.
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Lois Paula: It’s this impact that Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ volunteers long to make every day, to share blessings not only materially, but most of all, spiritually.
Susan Albertelli: I was so happy to see somebody, that believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and Our Heavenly Father. I was so happy to see you come here. Because just a few visits that you have here, I remember what you say and it helps me get through tough spots. And there are lots of tough spots here.
You treat each other like family members. I’ve been alone for so long, I don’t want to be alone anymore. And I’m not going to. I’m especially glad that your Minister has come here, because I feel like I have a a new chance to live a spiritual life. And that means alot to me.
Teresa Rios: I ended up having to get a Lyft ride after work one day and the driver ended up happening to be Brother Chris Baniaga. He was really welcoming. He was super nice, and really friendly; easy to talk to. And he invited me out with some of the brethren, got to know them a little bit better. And another day, he invited me to a worship service.
At the time, I was searching for a church to go to, and so I figured I’d give it a try. And so I went with him and I was hooked after that. From that day, everyone was so welcoming. It was different from other churches I had been to, and my life has broadened.
Even when I did have friends or I had family, I would still feel really lonely, or like I didn’t quite fit in–thinking now, my life is different. I go to Church with brethren who are so welcoming. People that never even knew you, could still care about you. It’s a nice feeling to know you have a second family. Because INC [Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ] is a second family.
Ludan Taquiqui: If God gave you a particular skill, a particular talent, the way I truly look at that part–is giving your talent to those individuals who, who need it. And then also finding a way to open that gate of their heart to hear the truth.
Natalie Fitzpatrick: We want people to feel like they’re a part of our community too–where it’s not just separate people, but we can be one and we want you to be part of our Church too, because we want you to have the truth. And this is our way of showing you that it’s here, and it’s ready for you when you’re ready to join too.
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EXTRO
Lois Paula: As this last year has truly shown us, we all recognize the value of compassion. And if we, INC Giving Volunteers and INC members, have been inspired today to act now, we hope you’ll join us in expressing our gratitude for our calling, by making the kindest act of all–sharing our most prized possessions, our faith in God and membership in the true Church Of Christ.
I’m Lois Paula, and from the entire INC Giving Team, we wish the Iglesia Ni Cristo and its members all over the world, a Happy 107th Anniversary!
Remember, whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.
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[INC Giving Christian Music Video “Give It All You’ve Got”]
