A Radical Gift of Generosity

One of the most encouraging moments this month came through a family who visited Passion Creek for the first time. As they spent the morning with us, they were struck not only by our vision for a permanent home, but also by the way our church family has embraced that vision together. They saw a church where everyone participates and contributes together, because every person's piece matters.

Afterward, they reached out and shared that they wanted to be part of what God is doing here. Their gift of $222,000 is an incredible blessing that helps move us one step closer toward building on the land God has provided for us. It's also another reminder that God often provides in ways we never could have planned. We're grateful for their generosity, but even more grateful for God's continued faithfulness. He is building His Church, peace by piece.

Pray at 4:16. Together.

Here is a simple invitation. If you would like to join us, set an alarm on your phone for 4:16 each afternoon. When it goes off, take a moment to pray for what God is building at Passion Creek.

"...promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part."Ephesians 4:16

That verse is where the time comes from. Paul describes a body that grows as each part does its own work, and that has been the heart of this initiative from the beginning. Your piece matters.

There is something quietly encouraging about knowing that at the very same moment, all across the East Valley, our church family is praying the same prayer. Pray for God's favor over this initiative. Pray for His providence in all the details we cannot control. Pray for the people who will one day walk onto that property and meet Jesus.

Almost everyone moved.

Of the commitments made that day, 82% came from people who increased what they already give every month. That is the one we keep coming back to. A large total can be reached through a handful of very large gifts. That is not what happened here. Most of our church family took a step at the same time.

About sixteen of those commitments came from people who had rarely or never given before, and a few of them are students. Nearly everyone participated. Together those commitments carried us past two million dollars toward our two-year goal.

Paul wrote about the churches in Macedonia that they gave according to their means, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging earnestly for the favor of taking part (2 Corinthians 8:3-4). We got to watch something like that happen in our own church. Not a goal that got met, but a church that grew.

Passion means suffering.

When this church changed its name, we chose the word passion because it was the word people kept using about the preaching. Years later we learned that passion carries a meaning in Scripture, and it is not the one we intended. The Greek word behind it is pascho, to suffer. It is why the church has always called Good Friday the Passion.

Peter writes that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). The cross saves us. It also shows us how to live.

"We are called Passion Creek for a reason. Not because we're overly emotional or super loud, but because we are so deeply transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are willing to suffer so that others believe."

Standing on that land, we named some of what that suffering could look like. Forgiving someone and not holding it over their head. Staying leaned in when everything in you wants to lean out. Letting go of your ego. Bearing the burdens of the people around you. Giving generously so that future generations can benefit on this property.

That last one became Building Our Home Peace by Piece.