Advent Offering at New Covenant

The Advent Conspiracy series is an opportunity for us to conspire together for a radically different way to experience Christmas – a way that will release us from consumerism to celebration, from weariness to worship. As part of this series, we are raising funds for a special Advent Offering.

To participate, write “Advent Offering” on the check memo or envelope and mail to the church office or put in the offering by Sunday, December 20.

Q. Why are we doing an offering this year?

A. The idea comes directly from our Advent Conspiracy series as we seek to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all. It is also deeply rooted in our prayer, care, and share culture. Our desire is to tangibly care for our neighbors, both locally and globally.

Q. How will the offering be used?

A. We will use 90% of the offering collected to help provide clean drinking water to children and their families in East India through Compassion International. We will distribute the remaining 10% among our New Covenant Ministry Partners.

Q. Why are we focusing on clean water for this offering?

A. Nearly 90% of all diseases in the world are caused by unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. The weakest members of communities are the most vulnerable; every day water-related diseases claim the lives of 5,000 children under the age of five. Providing clean drinking water not only meets an essential need, it also then provides an opportunity to share about Christ, the Living Water.

Q. Why did we choose Compassion International?

A. There are many good organizations that provide clean water. We chose Compassion because they are a child discipleship organization who does all of their work through a local church. We recently volunteered to be part of a pilot project that will soon partner New Covenant with a Compassion church in East India. While this offering will not necessarily go to help our partner church, it will make a difference in the near vicinity. This means our offering is not only providing clean drinking water, it also enables a local church in India to do prayer, care, and share in their own community.

Q. How will the money be used?

A. Compassion has already begun a large scale water project to provide water to 13 needy communities. The cost will vary by site depending on what is needed. They will install a bore well at 13 child development centers. Additionally, seven of the sites will receive rain water harvesting and storage systems to ensure access to clean water during both the rainy and dry seasons.

Q. How much will this water project cost?

A. The total cost of the project is $46,457. The actual cost per site will vary depending on what is needed, but the average cost is roughly $3,575 for each child development center. A full executive summary is available at the Information Center and church website.

Q. What if we don’t raise $46,457?

A. Compassion will take whatever amount we can raise, and will find other donors to make up the remaining cost.

Q. Why East India?

A. In addition to being the location of our future partner church, India is one of the largest unreached nations in the world today.

Q. What if I would prefer to give my offering to another need?

A. Our goal with the Advent Offering is to encourage us to spend less and give more. If God leads you to give to a different Kingdom opportunity, then we encourage you to follow His leading.

Q. Who are the Ministry Partners receiving the 10% portion of the offering?

A. The Ministry Partners are Aid to Women, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, His Hands Free Medical Clinic, His Women, House of Hope, InterVarsity (at Coe College), Keys to Living, Serve the City, Youth for Christ, Proverbs Ministry, and YoungLife.