“Operation Christmas Blessing” Spreads Joy of Giving

Planting a seed requires a lot of love and patience. It can take time for that seedling to mature and begin to bear fruit of its own. The faithful congregation at Bakerstown Alliance Church understands this well.

Thirty-seven years ago, the small but mighty church family blessed a local family that was struggling. This year, that family wanted to return the blessing to others in need this holiday season. They said they never forgot the kindness and grace of Bakerstown Alliance and wanted to pay it forward. The family donated $2,000 to the church with only one directive: bless others the way you once blessed us. With those words, “Operation Christmas Blessing” began.

For the last two weeks, church members worked to identify families and collect their wish lists, said church member Bethany Wentz, who spearheaded the effort on behalf of Bakerstown Alliance. “The goal is to continue to bless people in our community that need extra help or support this Christmas and ultimately glorify God by serving others,” she said.

With the $2,000 from the original family and another $185 from other donors, Bakerstown Alliance was able to identify and assist 11 families. “So far, we are helping the families with food, gifts, paying utility bills, buying diapers and wipes, basic needs and essentials – whatever the need,” Wentz said. “God provided the money, the people, and the need.”

It was all hands on deck once Operation Christmas Blessing launched. Some congregation members pitched in to shop for toys and other essentials, while another member was charged with paying utility bills. “Bakerstown Alliance has a rich history of following the Biblical calling of prayer and serving others,” said Wentz. “We are a small congregation, but we serve a big God. This time of year, with everything going on in 2020, we are blessed to see God shine.”

Heading into the final days before Christmas, the church family still has money left to bless other families in need. Members are actively seeking others to help. Reach out to the church to suggest a family who may need blessing.

“It’s wonderful that, because a seed of kindness was planted by our congregation 37 years ago, we are able to celebrate this Christmas by abundantly blessing some hurting families with gifts and food,” said Jon Grubbs, an elder at Bakerstown Alliance. “God took our small act of love to one family to now be able to bless many families.”