By Rev. Mark Creech
Christian Action League
November 29, 2022
Giving Tuesday is such an important day for many Christian ministries. Some ministries will inform you that they have a donor who will match your gifts, making it possible to double the effect of your contribution. At the Christian Action League, we have no such donor. I wish we did. It certainly makes for a stronger appeal. Nevertheless, during my private devotions the other day, I came across something in Scripture that I think might be even better.
In Matthew 14:13-21, we read about a miracle that Jesus performed.
Jesus had taken a boat to a remote place to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was going and followed him on foot from many towns. When he saw the throngs of people waiting for him on the seashore, the Bible says that he had compassion for them and healed their sick.
After ministering to so many people that day, when it became evening, Jesus’ disciples urged him to send the multitudes away to go into the villages to buy bread for themselves. The people were hungry at this point, and the hard-working disciples were, too.
However, Jesus said sending everyone away wasn’t necessary. The people could eat right where they were. Then he challenged his disciples with something that seemed impossible. He said to them, “you feed them.”
“But, but, but….but Lord,” they said. “How can we feed so many when we have only five loaves of bread and two fish?”
Jesus instructed them, “Bring me what you have.” And this is what happened next:
“Then…Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!”
Not only was there enough to feed everyone, but they had twelve baskets of leftovers.
Sometimes I consider the momentous challenges this ministry faces. With the small number of funds available to us to do the work, I ask: “But, but, but, Lord, how can we effectively do what you’ve commanded us to do? Our financial support is so limited. We have here, figuratively, only five loaves of bread and two small fish.” It’s impossible.
Yet God provides for us, over and again.
I don’t mean to diminish how much we are in need currently. We are desperately in need! We’ve suffered some painful losses recently.
Because the man who owned the building where our office space is located also kept our rent very low, we were sitting pretty. Nevertheless, circumstances change. He sold the building and the new owner of the office complex more than doubled our rent. We’ve had to give up two-thirds of our office space to continue at the price we were paying before.
Because pastors tell us that many of their congregants have not returned after COVID and their budgets have been negatively impacted, this translates into fewer funds for us. Consequently, we’ve had to significantly slash our staff and budget, not simply cutting out fat but cutting into the bone.
It always troubles me to tell you these things. When I do, our enemies, who are also the enemies of the Lord, laugh at us, blaspheme, and predict our demise.
In the coming legislative session of the North Carolina General Assembly, we face critical issues concerning abortion, protecting women’s sports, and opposing the legalization of sports gambling and medical marijuana. These are just a few of the problems we’ll be addressing.
When I consider the numerous high-powered lobbyists from the other side and their limitless funds and the way they will descend upon lawmakers after January, I am tempted to believe there is no way they can be defeated.
Still, I am not deterred. I genuinely know what God and only God can do with five loaves of bread and two fish.
Right now, the Christian Action League could really use a helping hand from you, from your Sunday School class, from your church, from one of your Missions organizations!!! I am asking you to prayerfully consider two things that might be done:
- Please send your best gift to the Christian Action League. Maybe that gift is $100, $500, or considerably more. It might be a small gift, $5, $10, $25, or $50. It may only be like those five loaves and two fish given to Jesus, but when offered willingly for his name’s sake, no matter how seemingly insignificant, he can bless it to be more than enough.
Do you believe this? I do. Will you believe with me?
- Please take a moment and pray for us, not later but now. Please.
There are many things for which you might pray. You could pray for God to bless our lobbying ministry in our state’s halls of power. You could pray for me, the League’s director, or the Board of directors. Perhaps you could pray for all of the above.
However, I hope you won’t neglect to pray for this. Look toward heaven and ask the Lord to bless all the money and funds sent our way. Ask him to multiply it as he did the five loaves of bread and two fish so that there is plenty for our work – perhaps with some leftovers. Would you please pray for his blessing in this manner?
I trust that you see this could be even better than having a matching donor.
To make a secure contribution online, go to this link: https://give.cornerstone.cc/christianactionleague
To send your gift by mail, send it to:
Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
6325 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Suite 35-106
Raleigh, NC 27615
Whatever you do, I hope you will stop and pray for us, as I suggested. I believe this is the key.
On behalf of our staff and the Board of Directors, I thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Rev. Mark Creech
Executive Director
Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
* The Christian Action League is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to a 501(c)4 organization are not tax deductible for an individual or corporation making the contribution. However, 501(c)4 groups are provided much greater liberty for conducting political or lobbying actions. They may freely support or oppose legislation, as well as support and oppose candidates for office whenever the electioneering is not a substantial part of their activities.