This year has been a hard one for many people in our church family. Over the summer, one man reached a point where, without help, he could have lost both his apartment and his truck. Losing those would have made everything harder, including getting to work and continuing to move forward.
When he stopped showing up at church, people noticed. His community reached out, learned that he had relapsed after years of sobriety, and came alongside him in love. Together as the church, they helped him take steps toward rehab and made sure he had support while he focused on recovery. During that time, CF was able to step in through the Neighbor and Nations Fund, helping cover his rent for two months so he wouldn’t lose his apartment while in treatment. It became a bridge until his family was able to step in as well.
In many ways, his story echoes the scene in Mark 2:3–11, when a paralyzed man’s friends carried him to Jesus. When the crowd blocked the way, the friends lowered the man through the roof, believing that Jesus could heal him. This man’s community did something similar. When he couldn’t carry himself, they carried him. They noticed his absence, refused to look away, and did whatever they could to bring him to a place of healing.
Looking back, the man sees God clearly at work through His people. “This experience showed me a lot about God and about my church. I felt reassured that He cares about my needs. It proved I was in the right place, that folks around here don’t just talk church, they are church. We are a community here. In a way it helped me to feel like I belonged even more.”
What sustained him through that season? As he shared, “The only thing that kept me going and kept a smile on my face was believing that Jesus is who He says He is and He loves me the way He says he loves me.” His faith—something he describes as a gift—became an anchor when old patterns threatened to pull him under.
Because of his experience, he wants others to understand how the Neighbor and Nations Fund is used. “While the church often talks about global missions, much of this fund goes to help the people sitting next to you on a Sunday morning.” It meets real needs in real time. It helps church family members when they are struggling, offering hope, dignity, and support when it’s needed most.
Through faith, friendship, and generosity, God continues to use His people to carry one another.
If you would like to donate to the Neighbor and Nations fund you can do so on our give page. Under “Giving Type” click the “Neighbor and Nations” option.
