Church Partners: Crestwood Church in Richmond, Va

“Be Rich”

Our church has figured out a way to give away an extra $100,000 each year and have a ton of fun doing it! It happens through a special offering we take up over 8 days each May. We have taken a really good idea from NorthPoint Church (Andy Stanley), modified it to fit our context, and God has used it to bless our members and ministry partners.

On the first Sunday, “Be Rich” Sunday, I preach on giving, and don’t pull any punches, except no guilt and no shame. During this Sunday service we tell our members about the projects which the Be Rich offering will support. They are invited to give that Sunday, during the following week, through the next Sunday. The week after the offering, we cut checks and surprise ministry partners - and boy are they pleasantly surprised.

Earlier in the year, during conversations with ministry organizations we support, we often ask them, “What would it take for you to get to the next place in your ministry?” We’re looking for projects that would be transformative. We consider all of these and prayerfully select 3-5. Then one day, we show up with a check. The biggest check to date was to the Outreach Foundation for $75,000 to support their relief work for Ukrainians.

We always video these encounters and play them for the congregation. Everyone cries and cheers and celebrates God’s generosity. Next to Easter, it’s my favorite Sunday of the year. Our people invite their unbelieving friends to these Sundays - and I’ve never heard of that before - inviting your friends on the day the preacher talks about giving! It’s become a celebration of God’s goodness.

Coming out of COVID, we’ve lost a lot of members and I was concerned about what people would give. But, that was false worry, because they gave more than 6x what we get in normal weekly offerings. #OnlyGod

Dr. Matt Merrill is the pastor Crestwood Church in Richmond, VA. matt@crestwoodrva.org