Dear Milestones Family,


December is a month unlike any other. Many of us celebrate various traditions during December, and we do the same at Milestones. This month I’m inviting everyone connected to Milestones Church to participate in our annual “A Gift For Christ At Christmas” Offering.  This is the 24th consecutive year we have had the privilege to give back through this offering. A Gift For Christ At Christmas Offering is taken as an opportunity for  us to think about others more than ourselves. We encourage you to give back to God as He has given to you and to bless others as He has blessed you.  This may require sacrifice. God loves a cheerful giver. 

 

We are excited this year to accomplish two main objectives through this offering:

 

1. Bridgeway Village in Spartanburg. We are giving to this ministry to support the mission of connecting at-risk women with housing, hope, and healing in the name of Jesus Christ.  Our offering will help provide residential housing for these women while they work to overcome barriers created by trauma, abuse, and homelessness.
  • A huge problem in our county is that single women who do not have adequate housing are vulnerable to many dangers. While there are homeless shelters in Spartanburg County for families, there is only one that houses single women. Individual women are among the fastest growing population of the homeless and there are not many resources for them. With nowhere to go and their basic needs not met, these women are seeking refuge in unsafe places. Many women are displaced because of domestic violence, illness, addiction, mental illness, lack of education or training, losing employment, and lack of affordable housing.
  • The solution is BridgeWay Village, a transitional housing program specifically for single women to assist them as they transition out of homelessness. This tiny house village will provide the tools needed for lifelong growth. While in the program, residents will have the opportunity to take classes, learn financial skills, strengthen their mental health,  and cultivate their employment skills and abilities.

o   20 one-bedroom 190 square feet tiny houses and 3 two-bedroom 230 square feet houses will be constructed on Brawley Street near downtown Spartanburg. Each house will be equipped with a shower, toilet, sink, small kitchenette, table with chairs, twin bed, storage space, and porch.

o   Gate and fence will be built surrounding the site for security.

o   Estimated cost for each single unit tiny house is $30,000-$40,000.

 

What an amazing opportunity we have to be a part of this Christmas!

 

2. Local church needs and campus enhancements. This is a broad category, but there are many things we would love to do at Milestones that our annual budget does not allow us to address. Currently, among those needs are upgrading “The Stage,” the main gathering area on the Upper Camus used by multiple groups and ministries in our church, improving our curb appeal, and repair and maintenance of our HVAC units on the Lower Campus.

 

Our goal for the “A Gift For Christ At Christmas” Offering is $40,000.  Raising money for campus enhancements will be the secondary goal of this offering, only using monies from this offering that is available after we have reached our goal of $30,000 for BridgeWay Village.  

 

I want to remind you that this offering is not about equal giving, but equal sacrifice. Some of you may be in a position where you cannot give at all, and I understand that. No problem. However, most of you can give, and I would like to challenge you to give generously. Please pray sincerely, and ask God to reveal to you how much He wants you to give to this offering.  God will certainly honor whatever you give. All of us can pray. So, please stop  right now and pray for these ministry doors to swing wide open.

 

By the way, for this special offering we are asking you to give over and above what you normally give. Don’t stop your normal tithing or giving. This is a sacrificial offering that allows us to give to people and do some things we wouldn’t be able to give to or do otherwise.

 

On December 20, 2020, we will receive the Gift For Christ At Christmas Offering during our Sunday morning service. We’ll be providing special giving envelopes and encouraging everyone to come prepared to give on that day.  If you’re going to be out of town on December 20, or if you’d like to go ahead and donate now, HERE. Look for “A Gift For Christ At Christmas” on the GIVING TYPE dropdown menu.


Please pray about participating and jump in with us. God has given us a great mission, and we’re blessed to be able to join him in reaching our community for Christ and advancing the Gospel around the world.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Hub