[vc_row][vc_column][mk_blockquote font_family=”none”]”We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19[/mk_blockquote][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576719173984{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Jesus modeled many things for us throughout scripture, but one character trait that always stands out is his practical example of how to serve others. I’ve always loved the verses that describe Jesus as being, “moved by compassion,” (the translation is literally moved in his gut) when he saw people in need!
As followers of Jesus our lives should be marked by compassion and our willingness to sacrifice resources like time, energy and money to care for others. It’s not about whether we have a lot or a little to give, it’s all about the motivation and posture of our hearts.
At Makers, serving inside + outside our walls is something we are dedicated to pursuing and encouraging in creative ways. Pastor Derrick said it best, “Our desire is to MAKE on earth as it is in heaven — and we believe this begins with a work of God within us, flowing out into the work we do, the families we raise, the relationships we cultivate and the lives we lead.”
One of the ways we do this is through community partnerships and impact events, especially during the holiday season! The generosity of our community allowed us to give back in so many different ways this year, but we especially wanted to highlight 3 holiday impact events that you made possible:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576710222691{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
1. THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY MEAL
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12:13[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576715102269{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]We kicked off the holiday season by sharing a delicious Thanksgiving meal together in The Hall. We invited our surrounding community, our homeless neighbors, and anyone that didn’t have a place to go and fellowship on Thanksgiving Day![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2256″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2252″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2248″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2258″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576715299934{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]It was pouring rain all day, but thankfully that didn’t stop over 45 volunteers from coming to help set up, cook, drop off food, serve, pray, host tables, wash dishes and hand-deliver meals to the homeless on the streets who couldn’t make it to the church.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576715721074{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]It was beautiful to see the conversations happening around the tables as everyone shared a meal together. Jesus spent a lot of time breaking bread with people from all walks of life, making them feel seen, heard and loved in the simplest of ways. We pray our church continues to be a place where people can experience how much God loves them, and find warmth and connection all year round![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2268″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2263″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2275″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2266″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2262″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2279″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2260″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2269″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”45px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576717674544{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
2. CHRISTMAS MARKET
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On Dec 1st, our Impact + Hospitality ministries hosted an incredible Makers Christmas Market right after the gathering!
We headed to The Hall to enjoy hot cocoa and homemade desserts while shopping local + global vendors that give back to great causes! All of these amazing social good businesses either call Makers home, or have a personal connection to our community. Every product they make has a bigger purpose, so keep them in mind for friends and family gifts throughout the year!
Check out their websites below:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2305″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://shopisiko.com/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2308″ img_size=”370×278″ add_caption=”yes” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.wendafrica.com/shop”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2312″ img_size=”370×278″ add_caption=”yes” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.youmeclothing.org/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2306″ img_size=”370×278″ add_caption=”yes” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://kristinmcquiddy.noondaycollection.com/shop/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2311″ img_size=”370×278″ add_caption=”yes” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.katalak.co/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”45px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576712324577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
3. ANGEL TREE FOR BRIDGE OF HOPE
Freely you have received, freely give. – Matthew 10:8[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2343″ add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2340″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2341″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576719732375{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Our annual Angel Tree was also a huge success! The Christmas tree was full of ornaments representing gifts for local families that receive services through our partner Bridge of Hope. The families are all in transition from either homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, recovery homes, or refugees relocating from around the world.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576719410889{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Every year Bridge of Hope hosts an annual Christmas Bazaar where the families can shop these brand new gifts to pick out and wrap for their kids. So many of you bought toys, games, blankets, soccer balls and more that we were able to deliver over 75 gifts from Makers! You have blessed families in San Diego and from all around the world with your love and generosity this Christmas.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2338″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2348″ add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2402″ onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_separator color=”chino”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576713493413{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
THANK YOU!
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576718255753{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Thank you for all the ways, seen and unseen, that you help us make a difference in our city + around the world! The holidays can be as challenging as they are wonderful for many people, so serving together is a reminder of what this season is really about. It connects us to a greater story: a story of love, hope, justice and renewal through the life of Jesus Christ. What a gift!
Merry Christmas!
Lauren Wallis
Impact Director[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]