Mobilise Local Churches this Christmas
16 Oct, 2024Christmas is supposed to be a joyful season, full of hospitality, generosity and love shared in celebration of Jesus’ birth. But for those in financial distress, the festivity can look quite different.
Coast Community Church – a CAP Australia church partner – knows that the need in their community at Christmas is significant, and prepares to support those who are struggling long before the season begins.
Alongside providing immediate assistance (like Christmas food hampers) through their care ministry, their vision is to see hope and dignity restored among their neighbours for the long-term.
“It’s one thing to be able to put a $250 Woolies voucher in someone’s hand but it’s something else to be able to say, ‘We can help you have some agency and visibility over your finances,'” says Jeff, a CAP-trained Money Mentor from Coast Community Church.
Through a partnership with CAP, Coast Community Church has been equipped with the skills and knowledge to walk alongside those in financial distress – providing practical support to help people change their financial situation while welcoming them into community and sharing the love of Jesus.
“What partnership with CAP offers is a really sensible and practical demonstration of God’s heart,” says Jeff.
In one case, Coast Community Church was able to provide a mother of two, Jade, with the assistance she needed after escaping domestic violence.
Leaving behind her home, her job and everything she owned meant that Jade had to completely start over.
“I know what it’s like to have nothing,” says Jade.
“I didn’t even have a simple tea towel. You walk into your home tonight and everything you see that is always there, I had none of it. I didn’t even have a face washer.”
Coast Community Church provided Jade with an emergency food voucher, supported her in finding a car through their care ministry, and helped her file for bankruptcy and learn how to budget with the support of a CAP-trained volunteer. But the looming first Christmas as a single mum still weighed on Jade’s mind.
“I had no money to buy my kids Christmas presents. I had nothing. It weighed on my chest. My babies weren’t going to have Christmas,” says Jade.
But Coast Community Church wasn’t going to leave her alone in this. They thoughtfully gifted her a hamper.
“That simple food hamper made me feel like someone cares,” says Jade.
“We’re not just a single mum and two kids. We are people. We’re seen. We’re heard. To some, it’s a simple food hamper. But to me, it was massive.
“To come out of what I’d come out of, and to meet the church community and just have love and support and encouragement was so beautiful.”
Christmas can be a lonely and isolating time for those in financial distress who can’t afford to participate in the festivities and are struggling just to make ends meet.
If you would like to join us in preparing the way for even more churches to walk alongside people in financial distress in this festive season, give a gift here.