The Advent Conspiracy

Church Name: New Life Fellowship

We participated in the Advent Conspiracy within our weekly cell groups. In mid-November we announced it and began providing resources and articles to spark ideas to the congregation. Rather than collect a single offering, we encouraged everyone to give to our denomination’s Great Commission Fund, which provides for missionaries and relief workers in the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the relief arm, Compassion and Mercy Associates. We provided some info about different water projects that these groups are involved in.

Within our cell group, we had a blast sharing ideas and getting together to work on gifts. Some friends came by and we made beef and venison jerky for the men in our families, and my wife and I made dried apple chips as well (we love the dehydrator). A very popular gift given was a meal with family members, as well as gift bags of recycled cotton with fair-trade coffee and tea. The attitude change within our group was noticeable. Rather than a season of expense and work and worry, we were all able to put more effort and love into our gifts (it was still a lot of work Celebrating Christmas in this way drew us all closer to God, and pointed our non-Christian family and friends towards Jesus.

I can’t wait to see what God will do next year in our community.

This post was submitted by Joe Paparone.