Blessed to be a blessing: Mount Horeb gives families $100 apiece to…

By Jessica Brodie

LEXINGTON—In response to a heart for people struggling because of the COVID crisis, Mount Horeb United Methodist Church is using its bounty as a special blessing.

Mount Horeb gave $100 to each family that is a member of or attends the church.

As the Rev. Jeff Kersey, senior pastor of Mount Horeb, explained in a churchwide video, the church has received tremendous outpouring over the past four years to its call for a special Advent Gift Offering, raising $978,000 that has helped fight human trafficking and provide affordable housing both locally and globally.

“We still have $270,000 left over from last year,” Kersey said, noting they plan to use some of that money to build three more Habitat for Humanity houses in Lexington in 2021.

In addition, Kersey said, church leadership have been feeling God calling them “to do something different this year.”

After much prayer, and because they know how much people have been struggling because of the pandemic, they decided to give each member-family the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet individually on behalf of the church.

Kersey said that in Luke 6:38, Jesus teaches, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (NLT).

“Jesus invites us to live a life of grace and generosity,” Kersey said. “Instead of an Advent offering, Mount Horeb is providing an Advent gift.”

People who are struggling themselves can use the money to help alleviate financial strain, while those called to help others with the funds are urged to do so and share those stories with the church.

“We believe you know people in your family, neighborhood and world who are hurting and really need a special Advent blessing,” Kersey said. “We want you to pray about how God wants you to use your $100.

“We are blessed to be a blessing.”