Christ Church in Grand Rapids continues MDG support
as it promotes God's kingdom here at home

Glory School Youth Program completes more projects in latest efforts for Millennium Development Goals

"Barter Sale" items are paid for in good deeds to people of Grand Rapids


"Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?"

These are key components of the baptismal vows that members of Christ Church in Grand Rapids have committed themselves to following. The young people from the Glory School Youth Program and other interested adults in the congregation have been working throughout this past program year to give to our community and to those in need overseas.

Our focus has been on the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.) These goals range from halving extreme hunger and poverty to improving maternal health, decreasing child mortality and halting the spread of AIDS, all by the target date of 2015. Christ Church in Grand Rapids has pledged to support the MDG’s with 0.7% of our annual operating budget this year. In addition, fund-raising efforts by the Glory School this year have raised money for the SmileTrain project, for a local pastor's annual medical mission trip to Honduras, and for providing a flock of ducks for a family in need in a third world country. Another donation purchased a “microloan” which will enable a woman living in poverty abroad to buy a sewing machine to start her own business.

Bringing the Kingdom "home"
On a local level, in addition to volunteering monthly at Community Café and the local Food Bank, Christ Church held their first annual Barter Rummage Sale in early May. The purpose of this sale was to promote God’s kingdom right here in Grand Rapids. No money was exchanged. The shoppers were invited to choose their items and they were asked to pledge to do a good deed for someone else in exchange for the goods they chose.

The good deeds were written on a card and on Sunday morning, all 150 of the collected cards were offered up for God’s blessing. The good deeds included promises to clean off a neglected grave, to monitor a friend’s mental health, to stay sober, to make amends with a family member, and to buy a gas voucher for a soldier’s wife.



This barter sale was a blessing, not only for Christ Church and the shoppers but, most importantly, for the recipients of the good deeds. The idea for the Barter Sale came from Trinity Church in Hermantown. They have successfully been holding barter sales for several years. Many thanks to Trinity Church for the great idea. We all had a blast!