This past March, I was given the privilege and honor of serving Jesus in South Africa for 10 days. This was my fourth visit to South Africa working alongside Hope2Africa, an amazing organization that uses a creative-arts day camp to bring the Hope of Jesus to impoverished African youth. 

Each day, our small Hope2Africa team served children ranging from ages 14-22, as they used their creative gifts and talents of drama, music, song, and drawing to impact their world. At the rooster's crow, our American team started the day by making breakfast for the camp. We then spent quality time with the youth in the Word of God. This was such a sweet time to grow together as a community. It also focused our hearts and minds on God's truth and gave us the energy and joy needed to share Jesus with the neighborhood.

Throughout the day, the children had the option of taking drama or writing classes before lunch, and then a choice of sewing, computer, or art classes in the afternoon. At the end of the day, the campers had the opportunity to work on their perfomance repertoire for the end of the camp. A circle of thanks closed out each day. 

The camp was located in what is called a "Squatter Camp." In these neighborhoods, shacks the size of a garden shed built of wood, cardboard, and other scrap material housed whole families. Open fires were used for cooking and candles for light. There was no running water, sewage pipes, gas, or electricity ... yet joy and life radiated from the children's spirits. I felt gratitude for the amenities we have in America, and it made me realize just how much our hope should rely in the Lord, as he is our true source of complete contentment.

This was a lesson learned quickly on the first day of camp. That morning, it poured six inches of rain. We (the American team) began to get discouraged because we believed that the rain would deter many children from coming to camp. However, when we arrived dry and fresh in our plush, comfortable passenger van, we were greeted by ALL the children already at the camp. Many were still soaked from walking more than an hour. Others had brought clothes to change and were ready to go. Our team soon learned not to measure the expected attitudes of our African youth by those of their counterparts in America. 

Though we went to reach, teach, and equip, we returned having learned and received even more from our youth. This world tells them they have nothing, yet their hearts are full of infectious joy and the riches of our Lord Jesus Christ!

And over the past four trips, I've continued to learn that it does not take worldly riches, health, or education to have an overflow of joy within the heart. For as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is a lifestyle our friends in Africa are already living and one that I will continue to pray for daily. 

The youth performing song and dance

Nancy (pictured far right) with the sewing class  

Nancy Carter has served the NCF team as the Executive Assistant to David Wills in Atlanta for the past four years. Nancy lives in Marietta, GA, and has a daughter, two sons, and three beautiful grandchildren. 

Heaven help us.

Jim Bakker, the disgraced 1980s televangelist whose "PTL Club" television empire was laid asunder by dual sex and money scandals, is out of prison and renouncing the prosperity gospel he once preached.

So how can you make sure your donation goes to the right place and what else should you consider before giving to your church or other house of worship?

>> Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal's website

In pure business terms, giving back can add to the bottom line by making a product more appealing to its target audience or providing a PR boost to offset a crisis (such as BP's efforts after the Deepwater Horizon disaster). 

On an individual level, there’s a personal stewardship motivation: how can I use all that God has given me to further His kingdom? We’re increasingly seeing business owners answer this question in part by instituting giving programs within their companies.

Here are just a few of the many ways it can work ... and how NCF can help:

Employee Benevolence Fund

• Example: A company might choose to support a family burdened by medical costs of caring for a sick child. Working with NCF, the fund pays the family’s hospital bill using employees’ tax-deductible contributions.
• The fund is funded by charitable contributions from employees.
• The fund is used to support employees in need.
• The company's Human Resources department coordinates payroll deductions for electing employees.
• NCF receives contributions and issues tax receipts to employees.
• Employee contributions can be matched by the company.
• The Fund is managed by senior leadership and select employees. 
  
  

Company "Foundation Fund"

• The company sets aside a portion of its profits in a "Foundation Fund" to support area charities.
• NCF manages and invests the money, providing management reports and online administrative access.
• Company leadership decides giving priorities (e.g., a healthcare IT company might choose to support local wellness initiatives and free health clinics).
• Leadership and select employees work together to decide which charities to support and in what amounts.

Both of these examples use NCF Giving Funds, which cost nothing to start and can be opened with a short online or print application. Contact us today to learn more, or get started now.

Aimee Minnich is the president of our National Christian Foundation Heartland office (Kansas City). 

NCF has had the distinct privilege of serving Chuck and the many efforts he initiated throughout his amazing life. Most notably Prison Fellowship, but there were many others. Angel Tree, Justice Fellowship, Breakpoint, The Centurions Program, and The Manhattan Project to name a few. Everyone should read Born Again, Loving God, The Body, A Dance with Deception, How Now Shall We Live … and that just gets you through the 90s! He was a voice for the Church in these trying times.

Not long ago, I was with Chuck, and he mentioned how thankful he was for NCF. On March 22, 2012, I received a letter from him. In it, Chuck wrote to me, "Thanks so much for your good letter telling me of the grants that have come through the National Christian Foundation to Prison Fellowship. I had no idea they were this great. So this is a very encouraging report to us."

Chuck has been a mentor to many of us that are following in his footsteps. He will probably be remembered most for the things he did. I will remember him most for the man he was. He so loved his Savior that it came out all the time. He was truly unashamed of the Gospel. He so loved our country and desired for it to return to God. Even more importantly, he was a man of integrity and great faith ... an intellectual giant who was as comfortable interacting with a world leader as a prison inmate.

He was a tireless defender of the faith. He always had hope. He will be missed by the body of believers he leaves behind. Thank you, God, for the gifts you gave this great man. Thank you, Chuck for stewarding them so well. We will be with you soon.

 There are reasons to think that evangelicals are now giving more to overseas causes. “Ease of travel, communications, and information exchange have opened more eyes to deep needs around the world,” says Jedd Medefind, president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. “And that has definitely translated into increased involvement of Christian givers.”

“We absolutely see more international giving,” says David Wills, president of the National Christian Foundation, which bundles contributions from evangelicals across America, handing out half a billion dollars in grants during 2011. “I see three reasons: First, exposure. Christians are going overseas more, and when they go, they give. Second, people want more than ever to give wisely, and they see that in poor countries giving can produce huge effects. Third, Christians are excited by the progress they see. There is tremendous momentum today in reducing spiritual poverty, physical poverty, and injustice. People love to give to momentum.”

Wheaton College’s Mission Handbook totals up the budgets for overseas work done by prominent Protestant agencies like World Vision, Compassion International, the Heifer Project, and Opportunity International. In 2008, the sum came to $5.7 billion. That is up sharply from the inflation-adjusted total of $2.8 billion in 1992. The biggest increase in overseas spending came between 2001 and 2008, when real spending leapt upward by 39 percent.

The Southern Baptists have long had both a North American Mission Board (which concentrates on planting churches and serving human needs in the U.S. and Canada) and an International Mission Board (devoted to similar purposes abroad). Today, the international side has grown to a size comparable with the domestic. The NAMB supported 5,096 missionaries in the U.S. and Canada during the latest year, operating on a budget of $128 million. The IMB underwrote 5,000 missionaries in foreign posts, and had a total 2011 budget of $309 million. For 2012, international missions are budgeted at a record level of $324 million, while other missions have retreated to their spending levels of 2006–07.

>> Read the full article on Philanthropy Roundtable's website

Photo credit: Samaritan's Purse

National Christian Foundation (NCF), an ECFA member, saw a 61 percent increase in donations during 2010, jumping 15 places to become America's 19th largest charity, according to the Chronicle. NCF grants reached the $3 billion mark over the last decade, 12 times the $250 million in grants it distributed during its first 20 years of operation.

David Wills, president of NCF, said the growth is partly driven by moderate recovery in the financial markets and partly by fears that capital-gains taxes may be reinstated on such funds. But the economic climate is only part of the picture, he said.

"It's a groundswell of engaged giving," said Wills. "People are sharing stories of their giving journeys – something that before was almost a private matter – and mobilizing peers to give and create communities of generous believers.

"It's a paradigm shift. For many, it's the first time the spiritual gift of giving is being seen as going beyond the offering plate," he said. "People used to think that giving meant selling property for cash so it could be used by the church or a charity. But now they're seeing that they can give property without selling it first, and actually give more that way [by avoiding taxes]."
 

 >> Read the full article on Christianity Today's website

In 2011, charitable giving in the U.S. grew to $346 billion. Some project that giving will grow to $360 billion by the end of 2012 – a growth of 3.9%. The ultimate impact will be affected by how the economy fares in the coming months. Many factors will weigh into that equation, not the least of which is the ongoing employment issues, the price of oil, and tensions in the Middle East.

What seems clear is that people are giving and continue to give in these rougher economic times. There seems to be a willingness to still write a check out for the poor and humanitarian needs. On the other hand, giving to religion dropped a full percentage point in 2011 and is expected to increase by only 1.6% in 2012, as reported by Atlas for Giving.

Those organizations that lack any fundraising staff, in general, are likely to underperform.

For churches and Christian non-profits, the message is clear: you’ve got to have a message, it’s got to be clear, and you’ve got to make it known. There’s more competition than ever for the charitable giving dollar. It’s not business as usual.

What do you think about the changes in charitable giving and how will it affect the Church and the Christian non-profit in the coming years?

Bill High is the Chief Executive Officer of our National Christian Foundation Heartland (Kansas City) office.

But then, last month, Greene discovered he had a deteriorating eye disease that may soon leave him blind, notes the Houston Chronicle. So now, Greene is getting help from fellow atheists -- and the group of Christians he vowed to sue, reports the Friendly Atheist blog. The church has donated $400 to pay for possible surgery. Greene accepted the money and thanked the "real Christians" for the help.
 

 >> View reader reactions on MSN's website

Then, about a week after I read the book, just as my mind was consumed with thoughts of dinner and an evening of reading and relaxation, the Holy Spirit grabbed me and took me way out of my comfort zone, literally.

It was around 5:00 pm. I drove back to the office after my last appointment. Since my wife, Nancy, was out of town, I was thinking about stopping by Paradise Bakery and Café on my way home to get carry out – one of those crumbly blue cheese salads that I like so much and maybe even a chocolate chip cookie or two.

As I walked into our office building I passed a woman standing in the lobby looking out the window as though she was looking for her ride home. We smiled and said hello and I went back to work for a while.

By the time I decided to leave it was just after 7:00 pm. Wow, those two hours went fast. I packed up my iPad and put on my coat, turned off the office lights, and locked the office door to head home.

As I approached the front door in the lobby of our building, I realized that the same woman was still there. She looked worried. “Are you alright?” I asked. She told me that she had just moved to Indy, had no car, so she had taken a bus to our area for a doctor’s appointment. Somebody told her that the last bus came at about 6:00 pm. She had looked out window around 5:40 pm and saw a bus pulling away. No other bus came after that. “So,” she said, “I called a cab ... even though I can’t even afford the cab fare, which would probably be $50 or $60.”

“Where do you live?” I asked. She told me that she lived in Speedway, which is quite a haul from our north-side office at 91^st and Meridian.

She said she had called a cab about an hour earlier, and when I asked her if she had checked back to find out when they were coming she said, “I couldn’t. My cell phone battery died.” Her voice cracked as though she was starting to cry.

“I'll call them,” I said. The dispatcher explained that they were looking for a cab for her. “You're LOOKING for a cab for somebody who called an hour ago?” Then I realized what was going on. “God, I know I could offer to give her a ride home, but I’m tired and hungry, and I want to pick up my dinner, and …” Then it hit me.

I sensed that my 10 seconds were almost up … it was time to just obey. “Forget the cab,” I told the dispatcher. “I’m going to drive her home.”

As we drove around 465 to the west side, Mary was explaining that she needed to find a job close by her new apartment, because she wasn't able to buy a car until she worked for a while to save some money. I confirmed that she had a resume with her and told her to make sure that she gave me a copy when we stopped.

As I was thinking how much different Mary’s life was than mine, I realized that I had driven past the Crawfordsville Road exit. So, I went on to 10th Street and back-tracked up Lynhurst. After navigating around in pretty unfamiliar territory with the help of a navigator who barely knew the area, we found her apartment complex. As she got out of my car, I remembered what she had said about cab fare, so, as Mary handed me her resume, I gave her the $22 I had in my pocket. She hugged me and said, “God bless you.”

I felt great. I had done the right thing, simply because I didn't talk myself out of it. And, I was able to give her a little when she had nothing. I figured that was the end of it.

The next morning I headed out to my first appointment. Following the directions on my iPad, I took the Crawfordsville Road exit. When I arrived at my appointment, something caught my eye. I looked around the side of the building and realized that the building behind was Mary’s apartment. “Lord,” I thought, “what more do you have in store for me today?”

Once we finished getting to know each other, I just had to tell Sarah, the business owner I was meeting with, about my experience the night before. I told her how Mary needed a job that was near her apartment (located conveniently behind this office). She asked for a copy of Mary’s resume, and said she would see what she could do to connect her with nearby businesses whenever she heard about any job openings. So, I left feeling even better than I had the night before, because I was hopeful that Sarah might be able to help Mary. Again, I thought that was the end of it.

Then, this morning, I noticed that Mary had sent me an email. She starts her new job with Sarah’s company today. But today I didn’t think, “That’s probably the end of it.” God is at work every single second of every day helping all the Marys in the world, and He will be especially effective when His helpers follow The 10 Second Rule. I had simply been selling Him short. Not a mistake I’ll make again.

God, you are absolutely awesome!

Jim Cotterill is President of National Christian Foundation's Indiana office.

And for a minute, it feels awe-inspiring. After seeking and finding such beauty, my soul was ablaze with passion, wonder, excitement, and for a moment – contentment. Time stops, nothing else matters, and it’s just me and the object of my gaze.

You would think that after seeing something as beautiful as the Cape Point, South Africa I’d be content. But, I’m not. We’re not. A few more weeks pass, and the search continues. 

As G.K Chesterton puts it, “We are perishing for want of wonder, not for want of wonders.” Meaning, humans are never at a loss for the want of wonder. We will always seek the next beautiful thing, the thing more magnificent than the last. Whether that's physical or monetary gain ... we won't stop until we have more.

I believe this mystery leads us to travel the ends of the world or participate in other thrill-seeking activities. But, I have to ask "Why – why, won’t these magical places or things satisfy are longing for beauty or contentment?"

There must be something more at the root of our conquest.

Now, let’s go back to Chesterton. People are “perishing in for want of wonder.” Perishing. People are literally perishing every day seeking beauty and wonder, because they are seeking in the wrong places. It becomes clear to me that if you’re living without the source of beauty, you’ll never understand the fullness and richness of its existence.

I must ask then, "What on earth (or not) will fulfill this longing?"

If creation draws us to worship, we are also drawn to the Creator. The Creator will always be greater than the creation, for creation is only a mere reflection of the beauty, goodness, and majesty in He who made it. In my mind, it makes sense. We were created to create, and to enjoy creation by a perfect Creator. Satisfaction only comes from knowing Him. Not knowing about him, but actually experiencing Him.

God is the beauty we seek. He must encompass everything that is beautiful. And if this is true, this means that He is here, with us, this very moment.

This must explain our need to constantly be in the presence of beautiful things. We are desperately craving His presence. Made in His image and made to worship, it’s the only place or state on earth that will fulfill our longing. And unless we learn to live in a state of constant communion with God, we won’t be satisfied.

If creation is only a glimpse of God, my earthly, limited mind cannot even begin to understand God’s glory. My voice raises praises of Holy, holy, holy. My perspective changes as I realize that He must increase as I decrease. He becomes worthy of my affection, my life, and my worship. And that holy experience of finding and knowing God will result in the richest form of joy imaginable.

A sunset will never be the same.

Rachel Moye serves as the Communications Specialist at NCF. She lives in Atlanta and loves sharing the joy and hope found in living generously.

As Bill Job walks along the hallways of his company chatting with workers or laughing with young women in the cafeteria, it's easy to see that there is an extraordinary business application at work in this Chinese manufacturing plant.

One of Bill's employees (featured to the left) describes it best: "I used to be a beggar, and I had no family. One day Bill saw me and helped me work in his factory. I got to know Jesus with the help of our boss. Love is everywhere in the company."

It's no wonder that Bill's company is different because his very definition of the purpose of business is unconventional. He says, "If you go to business school, you learn that the purpose of business is to create value for the shareholders. I think that's a little short-sighted. I think it makes more sense that business is for creating eternal value."

Bill Job's mission-minded approach to business is just one example in a growing movement known as business-as-mission (BAM). Entrepreneurs are discovering that they can use their talents to create sustainable enterprises overseas that impact cultures from the inside out, in ways that few other mission efforts can. Operated with the basic Christian principles of love and respect, these companies often stand in stark contrast to the local business environment where fair wages, employee benefits, and spiritual enrichment are practically unheard of.

Thomas Sudyk, another businessman and a prominent volunteer leader in the BAM movement, explains, "Business done well changes lives, lifts societies, and glorifies God." Sudyk runs EC Group International, a software development company in India whose employees reach out to the orphans, disabled and poor. He started in 1999 by finding a medical transcription niche and hiring a Christian manager in Chennai, India. He then capitalized the effort with $150,000 and secured one client, a U.S. medical company that would outsource work to Sudyk's Indian staff. Today, he employs more than 60 people globally developing software for US companies and non-profit organizations.

"We expect our efforts to be seen as a blessing to the people of India and China by providing jobs, a decent workplace, and a fair wage," says Sudyk, "and reflecting Christ in all we do." Now there's an app you won't find everyday in business. 

Business as Mission Network is a valuable resource for more information on the business-as-mission movement. Visit Business as Mission Network for links to other organizations, books, and conferences.

Sheila Dolinger serves as the copywriter on the Communications team at NCF. 

Throughout these passages, we've seen God's workmanship in creation, provision for the Israelite nation, and most importantly, the gift of His son, Jesus. And today, we would like to take a moment to reflect upon Psalm 24, a Psalm of David that focuses on stewardship and generosity. 

"The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."

-Psalm 24:1 

At first glance, you might be tempted to skim over this verse. Most of us have read more than once that God created the heavens and the earth. But if you really take a moment to stop and reflect upon the deeper meaning, do your actions reaffirm that the earth is the Lord's ... everything in it? 

In this Psalm, David proclaims that only God, the King of Glory, holds possession over the things of this earth. And he makes it clear that from the smallest creature to the greatest city on earth – it's all His. We are merely stewards of what he has blessed us with. 

First of all, how awe-inspiring is it that the God of all creation would entrust us with His precious creation. When you realize the magnitude of what we've been given, it's easy to respond in gratitude and praise. But living in a society that tells us that we are in control over our health, salaries, careers, and future, it's easy to forget that we are stewards and not owners.

It's important that we live in a manner that reflects God's heart, and not our own. Our hearts naturally gravitate towards greed, pride, and selfish behaviors that manifest themselves in ungodly ways. But His heart is that of generosity. God freely gave us His all, His everything. That's what He expects of us in return – our everything. 

In your heart, do you believe that your money, loved ones, and other earthly possessions are the Lord's and not your own? The truth is, that we will never experience true joy, peace, and freedom in Christ until we surrender and release our earthly possession to the Creator of it all. Only then will we truly be able to live out our calling of a generous life. 

A prayer for today: 

Lord, give me the strength to always replace my urge to be prideful and greedy with expressions of praise and gratefulness for all you have provided. Thank You Lord for being so generous and faithful to your children. Lord, create a pure and generous heart in me today!

Rachel Moye serves as the Communications Specialist at NCF. She lives in Atlanta and loves sharing the joy and hope found in living generously. 

An outpouring of charitable giving is redefining generosity

• In January 2004, Joan Kroc, the widow of hamburger king Ray Kroc, bequeathed $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army to build and operate more than two dozen community centers throughout the country.
  
  
• In June 2006, Warren Buffett, the world's second wealthiest man, announced he would give away 85 percent of his wealth to five foundations, a cumulative gift estimated to be worth more than $43 billion. That same year, 21 U.S. donors made charitable gifts of $100 million or more. 
  
  
• China-born Li Ka Shing, Asia's wealthiest businessman, announced in March 2007 he will contribute $100 million to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore.
  
  
• All U.S. donors contributed slightly more than $295 billion in 2006, up from $283 billion in 2005 (to comprehend that amount of money, imagine receiving a check for $808 million every day for an entire year).
  
  
• The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability reported that donations to its 1,200 members increased to $8.6 billion, a rise of nearly 23 percent. Out of the one million-plus registered tax-exempt charities, more than 90 Christian organizations, which raised a minimum of $37 million in private support, made The Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual list of 400 largest U.S. nonprofits.

Dawn has broken on a new golden age of giving

Whether it's a legion of volunteers rebuilding houses for victims of Hurricane Katrina, or the Tata family of India, which donates between 8 to 14 percent of the annual net profits from its holding company, Tata Sons Ltd., to a variety of causes, including science, medicine, social services, rural welfare, performing arts, education, and the needs of children, an outpouring of charitable giving is redefining generosity.

What kind of money are we talking about? Where is it coming from? And what might such emerging generosity mean to grateful recipients and equally deserving Christian ministries, large and small, hoping to match their passion and purpose with donors?

 >> Read the full blog on Christian Leadership Alliance's website