On the weekend of Dec 6-7, 2008, we gave away $10,000 to our congregation to bless the city! We don't take up offerings at Experience Life but occasionally we will GIVE out an offering. We passed out buckets with envelopes in them and asked everyone to take an envelope out of bucket but not put anything in it. In each envelope was either $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, or $250. Then we gave them these guidelines:
1. Use the money in the envelope to bless someone in need this Christmas
2. Go to our website and tell us how you used God's money
Here are the responses we got from those who participated.
Bless Back Stories
Niki - Jan 10th
Chuck and I got one $10 envelope and one $5 envelope. We heard from our sister-in-law Melanie Hall that her office was buying gifts for a single mom with three boys. We decided to help out too. We bought 3 fleece blankets, socks and a wii type video game. The rest of the group had purchased bikes and clothing. Melanie said when they delivered the wrapped gifts the Monday before Christmas that it was a very touching experince. They had a tree up with not a single present under it. They didn't open their gifts till Christmas morning. But Melanie said when the mother saw the bikes come out of the back of the van she was move to tears. She was a newly single mom and had just started a new job and hadn't recieved a paycheck yet. We felt very blessed by helping this family.
Megan - Jan 9th
This was my second time to be involved in the bless back project. This time, I was given $5, and so I began praying how the LORD would have me use the money I had been blessed with to give. About a month went by before I was driving down University one day, and I saw a man holding a sign that said, "Jesus saves". So, first of all, he wasn't even asking for anything, he was just proclaiming truth to the world. I did't think much of it, and then the LORD burdened my heart to go and give him something. I turned around, and as I sat there in my car in someone's driveway, I thought to myself, "Wait, I don't have any money or anything". Then, I remembered I had the money in the envelope, and since I was in the process of moving, I had one of my old Bibles that I had not used much in the back of my car. So, I drove back over to where he was and got out of my car. I had placed the money in the Bible and on the outside of the envelope I had written out Ps. 107:9, "for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things". I had also written a short note that said something to the degree of, "I encourage you to give of what the LORD has blessed you with". I walked over to him with the Bible in my hand and introduced myself. His name escapes me at the moment, but he was so full of joy. The type of joy that does not come from the circumstantial but from the One in control of our circumastances. I asked him why he was holding the sign, and he said because God told him too. Then, I told him about the money and said, "Even though you probably already have a Bible...",he then he finished the sentence for me by stating, "I'll just give it away to someone else". Then, he asked me if I was hungry, and I said that I had already eaten. He then proceeded to tell me that he just had so much food that he didn't need and so he just wanted to give it away. He asked if I could hold his sign so he could run over to the convienient store right across the street to give one of the employees lunch. So, there I was, holding a sign, just like he had been doing for so long. God continued to change my heart in that moment; to transform my cynical mind into a heart like His. It was just awesome! Then, I got to pray for Him and he prayed for me, and I drove away being thankful for the brother I had just been able to serve and be served by!
Steven & Amy - Jan 7th
My husband and I missed the first weekend that the envelopes were handed out, but I read about it in the E-newsletter that week and could not wait to get to church the next weekend to find out just what the Bless Back Project was. I had never heard of a church so willing to be so...well...so giving. When Pastor Chris explained what it was, I could not wait to collect envelopes for my husband and me. I wanted to give the money instantly, and searched my mind for the best person or family that God could use us to bless. After a week or two, my husband and I honestly could not think of anyone who might need it. That is odd for us, because we often hear of others in need. But I put the money aside in my wallet and had decided maybe the best thing to do would to be to give it back to the church, so that it could go to someone else to give out to the community. The next day we went to dinner with my mother-in-law. I'm not sure how the conversation was brought up, but she told my husband and I about a friend of hers who was recently laid off from work. Her unemployment check was her only means of income, so she barely had money to buy food or pay her rent. Normally the night before going to the Laundromat, she placed her clothes in her car. For some reason she had not done so that time, and would have lost all her clothing, because her car was reposed during the night. We were touched that the woman was thankful instead of angry for her situation. I immediately remembered the Bless Back Project money in my wallet and knew that God wanted it to go to her. His timing is so perfect. My husband and I drove to the ATM so that we could add more to the amount. I hope she is not only blessed by the Bless Back Project, but that God also blesses her with a better job than she had before, bringing prosperity and joy into her life. My husband and I were blessed to be able to help someone, especially a stranger. We plan to continue the Bless Back Project for many years to come.
Wiggins - Jan 4th
I love the Bless Back project! I received $10 in my envelope and instantly thought of the man who sells newspapers on Sunday mornings in front of United. I added a $100 United gift card to the envelope and gave this along with a Bible to him before Christmas. I wrote a prayer on the inside asking God that he would realize that Jesus came to give him life to fullest (John 10:10). Thanks for the opportunity to give!!
Kelcee - Jan 2nd
I received $10 in my envelope. I began to think about what I could do with this money. My dad has a big family and his family christmas was coming up. All the aunts, uncles and older cousins participate in a "white elephant" gift exchange. The younger kid draw names and get to exchange gifts. I am a single mom and make very minimal income. My parents pay for everything basically. They had told me that they would buy a gift for my two-year-old little boy to exchange so that he could participate. When I got the money and thought about this christmas party coming up. I knew that I could use it to buy a gift and help save my parents some money. This $10 blessed my cousin's son, who's name my son drew, because he just loved his present. It blessed my son, even though he doesn't understand, because he got to participate and not be left out. Most of all it blessed me. I got to see true joy on the face of my son as he was so excited that day to get and give a present. It blessed me by helping me feel a little "independent", knowing that my parents didn't yet again have to pay for something else for me. This $10 did so much for me and my faith in knowing that the Lord does provide, that if I just continue to be faithful in seeking Him and following His will or my life and the life of my son.....He will take care of everything...even the little "extra specials"!
The Hale Family - Dec 31st
Before Christmas I ran into one of my daughter's teachers at Target. She had several High School Musical items in her basket and I commented that those were popular items this year. She told me that she was shopping for Christmas for a mother that had no money to buy Christmas presents for her daughters. They were close to the ages of my daughters, 11 and 13. She asked if I thought they would like those items. I told her yes, and asked if I could help. I told her about the bless back project at church, and she was happy to accept the money. So, with the money that my daughters and I got out of the bucket, I was able to help her provide Christmas for two girls who otherwise wouldn't have gotten anything. What a blessing!
The Falcon Family - Dec 31st
My family received a total of $20.00. I work at Covenant and my dept. sponsered a family that needed help with Christmas this year. The family consist of a Single mother with three kids and she also toke care of her two parents with medical conditions. We decided to put the money towards a food basket that was needed. They family was very gratful and blessed with everything that was received. This was such a different and wonderful idea that the church did for our community and it was nice to give the people a chance to give. Can't wait to see what 2009 holds for Experience Life Now!!!
The Peyton Family - Dec 31st
We were so amazed that a church would give away $10,000 to the congregation, ecspecially since you've never asked for money or taken an offering. We've never been to a church like that, and we've been in church for 35 years! We are a family of four, and we wanted to put our money together for someone, but not sure who. My sister, in Oregon, is a single mother. I talked with her on the phone one day, and she said she had not been in church for quite a while. She was too embaressed because she didn't have a dress for her little girl. She said all the other little girls we're always dressed pretty fancy, and she didn't want her little girl to feel like an outsider. When I heard her story, I told my husband and my two boys,and we knew right away what we wanted to do with our money. We bought a beautiful, frilly pink dress, shoes and tights. We are so excited to send this off to them! Thank you so much for this experience.
Heath & Ashley - Dec 28th
We attended the Dec. 6 service, but our "Bless Back" story began two weeks prior. At Thanksgiving, our family came to see us since we weren't going to be able to make it home for the holidays. One night, we exchanged early Christmas gifts and we were given $100 by our parents with the instructions to "Pay it Forward." The six of us were to take our money, use it for good, and gather to share our stories a couple months later. Needless to say, we were amazed when we went to church and heard the same message! How AMAZING and TOUCHING to hear about a church inspiring and empowering so many people to do good in their OWN SPECIAL WAY on behalf of the Lord??!!! We got $10 at church that evening, combined it with the $100 from Thanksgiving, and decided to match that instead of getting each other gifts that WE ALL KNOW WE DON'T REALLY NEED! It has taken us a few weeks to decide how to spend our money, but we feel like we ended up doing a lot of good and, hopefully, inspiring a lot of people to walk even a little more closely with Jesus. We gave $75 to the Cherokee Children's Mission back home in Oklahoma, which is run by Ashley's uncle and cousins. They provide Christian fellowship and a hot meal to underprivileged children every Saturday. The next $50 went to the S. Plains Food Bank to help them meet their goal and to hopefully provide meals for as many people as possible who may not eat otherwise. We also donated a $50 PetSmart gift card to the W. Texas Humane Society, who has blessed us by allowing us to adopt our two "babies", Barnie and Baylie, whom have brought us so much joy over the past year! They are an amazing organization and they don't always have the resources they need to provide quality care that these animals deserve. The last $45 was set aside for "random acts of kindness." We bought a hot breakfast and coffee for two men selling papers on the corner near our home. We left a $5 bill inside the McD's bag along with a note that said "Hope this puts a smile on your face- God Bless You!" The last $25 we used as a tip for the waitress at the restaurant this morning. We left it on the table after breakfast w/ a note that urged her to "Pay it Forward" if she ever gets the chance. Thanks eLife, for inspiring us not only to give back, but also to take this message to our family and encourage everyone around us to "Bless Back" and get back to the true meaning of Christmas... 365 days a year!
Gipon - Dec 28th
After much thought and prayer, I decided to add to the $5 that I received in the envelope and give this gift to a dear friend and former colleague. I went to my former place of employment for the annual Christmas party. There, in her office, I gave her a $25 gift certificate to Market Street, along with a Christmas card and a mini flyer from the church. I told her about my church's project and asked her to accept the gift. Tears formed in her eyes and she said that she would gladly accept it. She is a grandmother who works full time and is currently raising two of her grandchildren and regularly helps out with the other three. She is frequently busy and stressed but loves the Lord and was someone who enabled me to get to know Him better, as well. Thank you, Experience Life, for letting me be a part of this project.
Curtis & Karen - Dec 27th
We were very surprised and pleased that a church would enable its members to give back to the community in this fashion. For Karen and I it really served to put us into the spirit of giving. We received 55 dollars total in our two envelopes. After several days of prayer, we matched the amount and gave it all to Goodfellows. Thank you so much for this opportunity to bless back.
Stephanie & Jason - Dec 27th
My husband and I were truly confused when Pastor Chris announced they were going to pass money to everyone in the audience. We discussed on the way home that morning what we should do with our 15$. It wasnt until a couple of days later that Jason decided to take a family friend and his wife (who had recently had some struggling issues with their son)out for lunch. About a week or so later I was sitting at Popeyes drive thru waiting for my dinner to be ready and glanced in my rear view mirror. When I saw the mans face in the mirror my eyes teared up and I had the strangest feeling. Someone was telling me to give to this person- So I decided to pay for his dinner. Once I recieved my dinner I asked the cashier if she could do me a huge favor and go ahead and charge the mans dinner to me. She looked at me so confused and asked "are you sure?" I said of course and tell him I said Merry Christmas. And then I drove off with the best feeling ever! Thanks so much Chris for this opportunity - I am now exploding with the need to give to others.
Khalid - Dec 26th
Well I played for Texas Tech 2003 -2005 and was currently playing for the Arena Football league. I went to San Jose California for a private workout and the team had given us vouchers for a free meals at dinner. Well one guy came in and we became close so I invited him to dinner but he kind of sadly said that he had not recieve any vouchers because he was only brought in for two days. So I thought to myself this would be the perfect way to bless him so I invited him and told him that I would take care of it and come to find out, he was a believer and we have a friendship now as a result.
Linda - Dec 26th
My family attended the bless back service and received a total of 35 dollars. My sister has a Meals on Wheels route and she and my father were getting together with their church groups to buy presents for two children whose mother was incapable of providing any presents to her kids this year. We were able to buy and stuff stockings for both kids. My son was able to see the children two days before Christmas when he helped deliver meals. He was so excited to be able to see the children he was going to help. We were so blessed to be a part of this mission and to teach our son the spirit of giving. Thanks so much!
Warner - Alexander - Dec 24th
yes i was blessed to get a 100 dollars. i kept it for a week wasnt sure what to do with the 100 dollars theres so many people in need .i took the first 50.00 dollars and blessed a person whos had major back surgery and still works but all his money goes to drugs and medical bills so it was a welcome relief to get something for him to use for himself other than the drugs or medical bills .the second 50.00 i gave to an orphange in kigali rwanda to help my friends who have just started a life commitment to rwanda for JESUS the need for those kids is great especilly since the genocide of 1994 and people are just now starting to trust the church once again and raising up a generation who will follow JESUS.so kwell to see JESUS taking this money and reaching around the world very happy to be atool along side of experience life to bless back thank you very much
Jarred & Vanese - Dec 22nd
My family attended the Bless Back service and received $35.00 in our envelopes. We thought this was an incredible project for the church to implement. We pondered over who to bless with this gift. On 10/21/08 events fell in place that could only be Gods work. I got off of work at 11:00 pm and usually go home to go to bed, but my wife and I decided to do some last minute shopping at K-Mart. We may go to K-Mart twice a year but for some reason we decide to go. After we finished I went outside and was approached by a gentlemen who had car problems and spent his vacation money getting his vehicle fixed. He was with his family and needed gas to get home 115 miles away. He felt compelled to tell me about his faith in Christ and about the church he attended. I asked the gentleman and his family to follow us to the nearest gas station and we used the $35.00 to put gas in his vehicle to get him home.
Robbye - Dec 22nd
It didn't take me long to figure out how to use my Bless Back money! Having a new part-time job, I have been introduced to a newly divorced woman at work. She is desparate for relationships, and has expressed her love for coffee and fellowship. I have decided to bless her with my $5 so that she can have an avenue to create relationships. I also promised her we would enjoy some "coffee time" after the holidays. That will give me an opportunity to tell her about our single moms' ministry. I was humbled to receive this money, and am excited to see the Lord do great things with such a small gift. Little turns to much when put in the Master's hands.
Daphne - Dec 21st
I have been carrying my money around for 2 weeks trying to figure out who I would give it to. This morning I went to the grocery store and it was 27 degrees outside and I saw a man on the corner selling newspapers. I went to the store and shopped and when I was leaving I thought he needs my money! I drove over and he came up to me prepared to sell a newspaper. It was so cold he had tears on his face and in his beard that were frozen. I told him I wanted to give him a Christmas gift and he just had the biggest smile. I gave him the $20 from elife and I had a $5 Walmart card. I asked him if I could get him something warm to drink and he said he wanted something cold and I had just bought me a soda and he gladly accepted it. When I got back into the car my 3 year old son said, "Mama you made that man happy!" We got back on the road and stopped at the stoplight and I looked over and had the privledge of watching him open the envolope. He opened and looked in and pulled it to his chest and bowed his head. I could barely drive with the tears in my eyes and I truely felt blessed myself to have had the opportunity to bless him in front of my child!
Kyle & Crystal - Dec 21st
We used the bless back money and combined it with some of our own to buy developmental toys for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Covenant Hospital. Our son was born prematurely almost two years ago, and he was in the NICU for six weeks. THe staff there was incredible and we bonded with the doctors and nurses. I called our doctor to see what they needed there; she said they could use those crib aquariums and black and white toys to stimulate the babies. So, we decided to buy them and we to the hospital with our son to deliver them. They were so happy to see him and his progress but also to recieve the gifts that can be used with the babies for years to come. We wanted to bless them as they blessed us while we were there.
Ricky, Michelle, David,& Jessica - Dec 21st
Every Tuesday and Thursday we work at a local trailor park mission sponcered by EncounterGod. We each recieved $5 with a total of twenty. We could not decide what to do that would make an impact on Lubock. Then we had an idea. My mom had remembered that the week before the heater broke at the trailor park and the trailor became as cold as it was outside so we decided to buy a new heater. When we give it to them I could see the joy in my leaders eyes. This was a great project and my family and I have never seen anything like it. I can't wait to do it again!
Logan & Megan - Dec 19th
We don't live in Lubbock, but visited with friends on December 6th. We got an envelope with $10 and an envelope with $5. When we got home, we called around to friends of friends and found out that a family that we know is having such a hard time that their children didn't have fitting winter coats. We used the money to buy them coats for this winter. This is such a cool project, and we feel blessed to have been a part of it.
Clint & Amber - Dec 19th
I love the Bless Back Project! Clint & I both received $5. We knew whatever we got we would put together w/ our own money. We were not sure who to give it to though. So we began to pray & several people came to mind. But then after a week or so, I got an email from a long time family friend. Who's son,grew up w/ my brother & I. His name is Kevin, & he has RSD. THis is an incurable disease that causes him to be in excrutiating pain @ all times. 8 years ago he fell & broke his leg when leaving work. The RSD began then, because nerve damage had occured & it wasn't caught. He is now wheelchair bound. The email we received was talking about the horrible infection Kevin has infecting his entire leg. The discription in this email brought tears to my eyes. He is a father of 3, 2 boys 14 &10 years old(in Lubbock) & 1 daughter 17 years old(in Florida). Kevin is now raising both of his sons on his own, because his wife left all of them about 6months ago. I hadn't seen Kevin about a year, but the one thing I always rememberd about Kevin was ,he was always smiling. To look @ Kevin you would never know the pain he is enduring. In that moment I felt God nudge me. I contacted my parents, & my brother & his wife & a few people here in my office, we all put our money together w/ the bless back money & gave Kevin the money for Christmas. GOD is GOOD! My mother & I met w/ Kevin's mom yesterday for lunch & gave her the gift for Kevin. She shared w/ us Kevin's tesimony. And also told us that Tuesday the doctor told them that Kevin is going to need his leg amputated. She says Kevin feels so blessed & thankful for everything & he doesn't feel sorry for himself b/c he knows there are people that have it worse than he does. And he knows that God has a reason for everything that happens. What a testimony for us as Christians that sometimes take things for granted. Thank God for people like Kevin. And thank God for allowing Kevin to Bless us in this Bless back project.
Ashley & Jeremy - Dec 18th
I work at Lubbock HealthCare Center (Skilled Nursing Facility) in the rehabilitation department and every year at Christmas we volunteer to purchase a gift for each of the residents at a 10$ limit. I was so happy to be able to purchase gifts for 10 very special residents. Thankyou for being such a wonderful, and renewing blessing in our lives.
Justin & Rebecca - Dec 18th
I am a physical therapist at one of the local hospitals, and I see adults as well as children. When we received our Bless Back money, I instantly thought of one of the children at the hospital that needs so many things. He is a little over 1 year old, and has been in the hospital since August. He is on a mechanical ventilator for breathing, but he is very much awake and playful. He has no clothes, shoes, socks, or toys of his own, and I haven't seen his family in quite some time. I put the $10 we received with some of our own money and bought him some pajamas, socks, and shoes. Today, I was able to put those shoes on him, the respiratory therapist hooked him up to a portable ventilator, and he walked for the first time ever. What an amazing, blessed day.
Shanna - Dec 18th
I received $5 in my envelope. I wasn't sure what to do with it. I heard the gentleman that stands on 66th and University story. I was very humbled by his faith in God. I was also embarressed to think that I had talked wrongly about him. I went to him and asked for him to forgive me for my own stupidity. I was embarressed that I would ever think that I would talk about someone who was so faithful to what God's plan was. His name is John and was kind enough to accept my apology. I gave him my envelope and added $20 to it. He also ask for some water for him and his friends that were standing with him. I learned a lot from this experience not only about watching my mouth but also about faith and forgiveness. Thank you for the opportunity.
Amy - Dec 18th
What an amazing program! I gave the $5 when TTUHSC library staff were contributing money as a gift for the cleaning lady.
Sara & Chad - Dec 18th
God is surely smiling at all of these bless back stories. They warm my heart. What an amazing idea, and I can see how it will continue to bless many, many people. This year I have really been paying attention to the St. Jude ads on TV. I usually say a prayer of thanks for our two healthy kids, and try to not to think about all the sick babies. God has really nudged me to do something more. Then my sister told me she donates every month, and it automatically comes out of her checking account. I decided to make my first donation with our $15 dollars, and signed up to keep making a larger donation every month. Thanks for reminding us to bless others.
Brett & Beth - Dec 18th
Brett and I decided to use our money together (we received $15 total), but for what we weren't sure. After church we were talking to a couple of friends about a child in her classroom who she had just recently helped out and that is when we had the idea to use our money in the same way. That same day I called my sister, who is a teacher, and asked her if she had anyone in her class who could use some help and that is when she told me of a little boy and his brother who needed coats. She said that the previous week when it had been so cold outside they both had to walk to school in their t-shirts because they didn't have coats and that when they got to her class they had been crying because it was so cold outside and their tears were frozen to their face. That was it, I immediately started crying and knew that Brett and I needed to get these little boys some coats with our bless back money. So a couple of days later we went to the store and picked out two of the thickest coats we could find and we also got them some gloves with the $15.00, plus a little of our own money, and put them in a Christmas sack with a simple note that said "Merry Christmas Johnathan and Lucas, Jesus Loves You". We drove to their apartment and knocked on their door and drove down to the end of the street where we couldn't be seen to make sure they took the sack. The next morning when I got to work my sister had emailed me with this: "The boys were excited about their Jackets. J asked how whoever gave them the jackets knew their favorite colors! He wore it to school today. Thank you so much!!!" Of course we didn't know what their favorite colors were, but God knows their little hearts and knew exactly how to bless a child and how to bless us through this.
Joyce - Dec 18th
THERE IS A LADY IN FRIONA TEXAS THAT LOST HER SPOUSE LAST YEAR. I KNOW SHE NEEDED THE MONEY SO YESTERDAY WE SENT THE MONEY TO HER. KEEP PREACHING THE GOOD WORD. THANKS
Angela - Dec 17th
Earlier this school year, a teacher at my school had a fire. When we received $15.00 during the bless back project, we decided to add some money to it and hopefully help this family to replace a few items that they lost in the fire.
Bobby & Martha - Dec 17th
Bobby's father is ill and now lives with us. Last week he and I were outside when the foreman of the house being built next to us saw us and came to visit. I guess he was lonely or needed someone to talk to, but he stayed quite a while. He told of his wife of 32 yrs leaving him recently and of his 5 children doing this or that. My father-in-law complained about the weeds behind our home, so this man mowed then down for us(it wasn't even his property.) He seemed like he really needed a blessing, so I called Bobby and asked him if this was where he would like to put his "Bless back" money. He said yes, so we combined our money. I gave it to him and told him about our church the the "Bless back' project. He hugged me and said thank you over and over. He walked away and then turned back to me and said that it meant more to him than I could ever know. Thank you, E Life staff, for reminding us to be a blessing to others.
Chad & Allison - Dec 17th
My husband and I recieved a total of $15 in our envelopes. I was sitting thinking while the envelopes were being passed who I would use it for. I thought of a friend of mine and started crying, so I knew she was the one. She actually babysat our daughter when she was newborn when I had to go back to work teaching. Things have really changed since then. She is now divorced, raising two kids, going to school full time and working part time. She is usually strapped for money. I told her about the bless back project and that I felt like God was leading me to use the money for her. I had decided before I ever knew how much money we got that it was going to be hers. God had actually already blessed her this season with some unexpected grant money. I told her the money was hers anywaybecause I knew she would not do anything nice for herself otherwise. I decided I would take her out to eat somewhere nice. I thought she would enjoy going out for a nice meal since she never gets to do that. Granted, I used the money to pay for her meal, but I was the one blessed by her company! Thanks for all that you guys do to serve God and thank you God for providing ELIfe to our family!
Shannon - Dec 17th
I think this is a great project of getting people involved with giving back. I received $10.00 and adding more to donate to the food drive here in Lubbock. In difficult times many of the local charities are trully suffering with donations. The Bless Back Project is a great way to give back. thank you and God Bless Experience Life and the work and word you are spreading.
Kristina & Cory - Dec 17th
We were praying for something good to do with the money for about a week and a half. Finally, I heard that the food bank had not made their yearly quota for donations or food. I realized then the money needed to go to them. I went online to get the address because I had never actually been to the food bank. When I was online, I noticed that a dollar could buy a meal for 7 people. My husband and I got a total of $15 dollars, and as I added all that up in my head I realized the $15 dollars would pay for 105 people to eat. As I left, I felt very thankful that 105 people would be blessed with a meal.
Jan - Dec 16th
I attended Experience Life Church for the FIRST time on December 7th. I had been told from my sons that this was an awesome church to attend...and had been invited a few times to visit. I have been in church ALL OF MY LIFE...but never have I ever experienced a church setting an example for people to follow...what a testimony!! So...Needless to say, to hear Pastor Chris get up and say the church was going to give money to people in the congregation for us to give back to the community....I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!! I truly thought...this is going to be so cool...Lord...speak to me and let me know who to help and spread your love! I kept the $10.00 in my purse waiting for the Holy Spirit to send someone my way and give me an opportunity. Almost a week had gone by and my husband and I were traveling to Ruidoso last Friday, and we had stopped in Roswell,(it was a very cold, windy night) NM to fill up with gas. Before my husband could even turn the car off, I noticed a man standing outside his window, waiting for him to open the door. My husband spoke to him and the man asked him if he needed any help. My husband said Thanks, but no, I have it. That still small voice said, this is who I need for you to bless and share my message with...well, I turned to make sure the man was still standing outside... but it wasn't, he was actually sitting in the store and was alone. I thought,"Lord, this man wasn't wanting money...he works here...WOW, what a servant's heart this man had! The Lord told me...Jan...this is the one I want you to witness too and write these words on the envelope..."Merry Christmas"...Just remember...God gave the GREATEST gift of all, his son, Jesus Christ to save us! I then walked into the store (didn't mention to my husband what I was doing) and said hello to the man and I said "Thank you so much for asking my husband if he needed any help...that was so kind of you". He said, "My pleasure ma'm". I said," This isn't much, but you blessed my heart and I just want to share this with you, because it was shared with me. I wrote a quick note on the outside of the envelope...and I would like to emphasize to you...Jesus Christ IS THE GREATEST gift... and sir, May God Bless You! ***Thankyou Pastor Chris and "ExperienceLife church" for such a great opportunity and also a great example of the true meaning of Christmas!***.
Sandy - Dec 15th
I attended the December 6th service and I thought Chris was kidding! I picked an envelope with $10 and I sat in my car thinking about how I was going to handle this? Finally, something happened...I went to work on the 11th and found out that our company was closing that day. How weird! I learned that a co-worker with two small children just bought a home and could not afford to buy silver wear. I decided to give her the money with a little extra. I think I made her cry....she was thankful. God, is so awesome! I was so worried about not knowing who to give the money to, until that Thursday, God gave me the sign.
Mickey - Dec 15th
First let me say this is an extraordinary program being done by an extraordinary church that my family and I are so blessed to be a part of. I have prayed for what to do my my envelope which I recieved a $10 bill in, and on Mon 12/15 God gave me the answer. A young man I work with had an incident at his home involving his vehicle and I gave him my envelope along with some extra funds, as well did another co-worker. Thank you Pastor Chris and the wonderful staff and thank you God for the wonderful church we call home.
Tina - Dec 15th
My husband and I both picked 5.00 envelopes. We received two checks in the mail that week. We took the 10.00, cashed the two checks added a little more to it and gave it to a lady that I work with it. She has three teenagers and she is struggling right now. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to participate in this wonderful project.
Todd & Jill - Dec 14th
We gave our bless back money to a homeless man in Vegas. We had walked pasted him several times that day, but the last time I saw him, he looked so down in the dumps. I pulled out the $5.00 that I had been keeping and put it in his hands. He looked up at me with this big grin and said "Thank You". It felt so good to give that we have taken several opportunities to bless others. Just yesterday, we bought a families meal at Wendys. Thank you for reminding us that it is better to give than to recieve. We feel so blessed to be able to 'bless back'!
Cary - Dec 15th
WOW! what can I say..other than I was totally amazed that on my very first visit to Experience Life..and my first time in my Christian life that I would take from the offering rather than give! What a blessing........I opened my enevlope and inside was a $5.00 bill. I began to think..what will God have me do with $5.00. Earlier in the week my mom pulled a name off of the Angel Tree at her church and asked if I would like to have it. The only thing the little girl wanted was a new Dora comforter for her bed. So I used the $5.00 towards the cost of the bedding. It really made me reflect on how much God has allowed me to have.......and all this little 4 year old wanted for Christmas was a comforter. She did not want a toy....or something she could hold and play with..but a comforter to keep her warm....WOW! It humbled me! Thank you!
Adam - Dec 15th
My wife Nicole and I came to this church for the first time on Sunday the 7th. Not knowing what to expect we spoke with someone in the crowd about what was going on. All she would say is this was a very special service and that is all she could say. We could not believe what we heard at first. A church giving money to the people in attendence? That is not how churches usually work, right? We both got the $5 envelopes and put the money together to fill a stocking to give to the local childrens home. Since then we have been blessed with another gift and are taking a gift to the Ronald McDonald house. We were once in a postition were they helped us. Now we are in a position to help them. I would like to say how much the last two weeks have changed my life. I had lost my faith. I was not sure if God really existed. Now I am certain he exists. Thank you for restoring my faith.
Jennifer - Dec 15th
First of all....what a GREAT way to bless back a community by letting other members of the community bless those who are in need rather than the church giving one large sum to one organization. I really loved this idea of "blessing back". Great Job ELife Staff!!! When I got out to my car after the sermon that morning, I opened my envelope and saw a $50! I thought..."I can do a lot with $50, it should be easy for me to come up with something." I started asking some of my friends if they knew of anyone in need this season or if anyone had any ideas. All of the adults I asked could not come up with anything!-So I started praying that God open my eyes to someone in need I could use my "bless back" money on. Then, an 8 year old told me "Just go down to Ashley Furniture and get one of the Angel Kids...they need a Christmas too!" I thought wow---kids are amazing to even see things like that! So I went down to Ashley's and picked 2 kids off the tree and went shopping for them. My roommate even got into the "blessing others spirit" and gave me another $20. With our combined money we were able to get two kids from the Salvation Army Angel Tree a pair of pants, a warm shirt, new shoes, and a great learning toy! Really the best part of all of this, except for the fact that some underprivileged kids are getting a Christmas too, is that an 8 year old wants to help other kids her own age. This really showed me God's love shining in her--what a blessing. :)
Debbie - Dec 15th
While listening to "I'll be Home for Christmas" I felt a pang for all of our soldiers that will not be able to be home for Christmas. As a thank you for all that they are doing for us, I used the $5 in my envelope and added $22 more to it to buy a prepaid calling card to be sent to a soldier in Iraq. If they can not come home, then may they be blessed by being able to talk with their families. Thank you Experience Life for the inspiration to pay it forward
Jon - Dec 15th
I added $5.00 to the $5.00 I received in the enveloped and used it to supplement meals / snacks for seven individuals with mental retardation (MR) and three of the staff that care for them. Frequently, these individuals with MR do not have enough of their own money to pay for a complete snack / meal so the direct care staff will sometimes use their own money to cover the difference. This Bless Back helped cover the difference in seven cases, and added a small gift for those staff who routinely use their own funds to bless these individuals
Misty & Josh - Dec 14th
I'm in a stay at home moms group and we recently got a new member, I have only met with her a few times and she has two children they moved to lubbock for her husbands job. I was looking at our calender and saw that she had put she would not be coming to our yearly cookie party because her husband had just lost his job and she didn't have extra money! So I placed my $10 with a note and told her that God had blessed me with a wonderful experience and now it was her turn to be blessed. I also added the invite card!
Preston & Sharon - Dec 14th
We've been attending Experience Life for a very short time. We had never heard of anything like the Bless Back Project. We used the money in our envelope to purchase a toy to donate to the Marine Corp Toys for Tots. This year our donation had an extra special meaning. Our daughter married a young man earlier this year who is a Marine. Thank you!!!!!!
Keely - Dec 14th
I used my $5 to donate to the Tanner Cook fund. Tanner is the Idalou football player that was hurt during a football game a week or so ago. His mom is single and will need help paying his medical bills. Please pray for Tanner and his family.
Jerry - Dec 14th
My bless back mission backfired on me. I knew $5.00 wasn't going to change his life , but he might make his day better. I bought a crippled homeless man lunch thinking it would end at that. He thanked me with tears in his eyes and said " God Bless You". I left him with even more tears in my eyes feeling much more rewarded as a christain then i would have ever thought. It's amazing that how so little can do so much for the heart. Thanks Experience Life for the opportunity.
Renar - Dec 14th
Regarding the bless back project, the money was given to a man that has 5 children to support. He works very hard to bring just the necessities in life to his family.
Jessica - Dec 13th
I used my $5 to take my friend, who is a busy mother of three young children, out while her husband stayed at home with the kids. We enjoyed hot chocolate & a mint brownie & talked with each other for an hour and a half. It has been a stressful year for their family, and it was a blessing for her to get out of the house without her kids for awhile and talk to someone over 5 yrs old! She teared up when I told her about the Bless Back project. I know it meant a lot to her! We are going to start meeting up together once a month. Thank you, Experience Life, for this amazingly generous project and for enabling us to be the "hands & feet" of Christ to others in our community.
Jimmy, Beth, Brian, Tami, Karen & Alyce - Dec 13th
Our group of six friends & family attended the service on Sunday morning, and together we received $65. We knew the Lord would lead us in the right direction, so we waited for Him to guide us. A friend of ours has a sister-in-law with five children who has had a very difficult time recently. Her gas was turned off a month ago, and so her family has had no heat or hot water during these cold months. We added money to what we received and paid her gas bill so that they can have some comfort during Christmas. We are so grateful that God has given us the blessing to be able to help in this one small way. It is truly better to give than to receive, and we look forward to being able to do this again
Ross - Dec 13th
I ran in the Toys 4 Tots Cross Country Run on Satudray, and donated the $5 I received at church to the US Marine Corps Reserve' Toys For Tots Program.
Elsie - Dec 12th
I continue to be amazed at what GOD doing at elife. I was blessed to be a part of the bless back project this last Sunday. I gave the money to a friend who needed some money to make it thru the week until the next pay check. I let my friend know what experience life had done this last Sunday. As i read some of the other stories, i started to tear up because sometimes we forget how one person giving to another can make such a diff. in someones life and it doesnt even have to be a large gift! Thanks!
Jeff - Dec 12th
I was inspired to reverse tithing. What ever I took out(God gave me) I was to give the other 90 percent as well.I drew 10 dollars and my wife drew 5 dollars. I told my wife my inspiration I felt the moment the bucket came my way. I did not ask her to do the same, but she did. We found a lady whose house was broken into, all of the christmas gifts for her children and grandchildren were stolen. We gave her $155.00 to help out. We thank God and give glory to him. What would've happened if one of us drew the $250.00?
Darren & Angela - Dec 11th
My dad and I together received $15.00. We went to the mall and sponsored a child off the Angel Tree. Her name was Qualita and she asked for a Hannah Montana toy. Thank you. This was a great idea!
Christy - Dec 11th
I gave &100 to the lady that runs our cleaners. She works very hard, usually 12 hours 5 days a week and 8 on Saturday. She lives alone and loves the Lord. She is a wittness to everyone who comes through the doors. When I gave her the envelope I told her that the church had given them out on Sunday and she was who God put on my heart. She Praised the Lord and said how faithful He is and that He loves her. Her hot waterheater had gone out this week and she did not have the money to replace it, so she was living without hot water. He always knows who is in need. Thanks for letting me be so blessed.
Amy - Dec 11th
This was so much fun! I drive past a man on my way to work each day. Today, I used my five dollars from the Bless Back Project to buy him a breakfast and coffee. I plan to put five dollar bills in stockings this Christmas and ask my family to bless others.
Peter & Rachel - Dec 11th
We are Texas Tech students from Arlington, TX. One of us got $20 and the other one got $5, we put our money together and each picked out a toy, one for a boy and one for a girl. We gave it to Mission Arlington in our hometown. Mission Arlington is a non-profit/Christian Organization who helps families in need.
Theresa - Dec 10th
This was especially unusual for us to hear!!!! Money given to us to bless another family/person???????? What??? This absolutely blew our minds. My husband and I were both instructed by an usher to get an envelope. We both got an envelope with 5.00. We put that together. We knew of a mommy that could not afford clothes for her little girls. Ages 3 and 5. She called me crying. My husband and I went to go get them some clothes!!! I gave them to her at school. She was so elated and happy!! I told her about the bless back project and she said she realized God had heard her prayers!!! This has inspired my husband and I to give more. We found other people to give to as well!!!! YEAH!!!!!! God is sooo good and it feels good to be His hands!!!!!!! Thank you so much is all the mom could say. I cried and told her that I felt like I had been given a gift as well!!!!! Thank you this Christmas for giving us the gift of giving!!!!!!
Brendan & Kendra - Dec 10th
Kendra and I decided to use the 5 dollars we received during sundays service and give to one of our favorite foundations. The Salvation Army.
Terry & Zak - Dec 10th
We pooled our money together. Today we fed a homeless man near downtown Lubbock and gave him the remaining money. I know that there are sceptics out there that say these people aren't really homeless, that they could find work if they wanted to, etc. That is not our place to judge. He had a sign that said he needed help. We helped him in the best way that we could. As I approached him with the lunch and the money, he was sitting there in the cold wind counting dollar bills. He told me that he was seeing if he had enough money for a hotel room tonight since it was so cold out. When I did approach him, he was genuinely excited to see someone helping him. His eyes lit up and you could see sincerity in his face. He took my hand that I had handed him the money with and clasped both of his hands around it. They were bitter cold, he had no gloves. When he took my hand he calmly looked at me and said, "God Bless you". I told him the same and he responded to me with, "He does everyday." As I drove away I had tears in my eyes. This man sees blessings in his life regardless of his situation. We could all learn a lesson from him. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this amazing gift.
Sheila - Dec 9th
I gave away the $5 to a lady on the corner of 50th & Ave Q who was selling the local newspaper Sunday afternoon. I told her I didn't want to buy a paper, but just said "God Bless You." She looked at me with the strangest look and then smiled from ear to ear! That was awesome -- thanks for the great idea!!
Karen - Dec 9th
I was pretty sure that my blessing would be to a complete stranger and that it would take a few days for the Lord to point me in the right direction.....sunday evening don and i went to our regular subway for dinner. there was jeremy, smiling as we walked into the door, always happy to see us...i became attached to him from the beginning. he took care of our order and we sat down and began to eat our sandwiches. an overwhelming feeling came over me and i knew that jeremy needed a blessing. he works hard, has health nproblems and is always so happy despite what the day may bring. i asked him to come sat down by us for a second. he slid in the booth next to me and i handed him a bill folded up and told him that we wanted him to have this....we love you and so does the Lord. he looked in his hands and i got the biggest bear hug ever. a big lump in a throat and smile in my heart. you will never know the overwhelmimg feeling of love that was shared at that table. and i have had a very hard time compiling the event into words. i was blessed so much more than jeremy will ever know.
Barbara - Dec 9th
I was talking with a co-worker about our bless back project. She told me that her and her husband have a nephew stationed in Iraq and his platoon will not be coming home this year for the Holidays. They have collected over $2500.00 to buy clothes, toys, and food for the husbands, wives, and kids of the 509th, 2nd platoon. With out hesitation I asked her to take the money that I had received and add it to what they had collected. Thank you to our troops and may God bring you safely home!! Merry Christmas!
Isaac - Dec 9th
My wife and I were 1st time visitors when we experienced something that we've never experienced before from a church. We came during the Bless Back Project and received $15.00. To some that isn't much, but to a couple who was strapped for cash and was planning to babysit 5 children that same evening as a favor for some friends and family, it could not have come at a better time. Along with that $15.00, and a little bit of our money, we were able to feed some hungry kids, and make their night worth while. Thank you ExperienceLife, and thank you Lord for always taking care of your children.
Ritter - Dec 9th
My husband and I gave our money to our grandson. His mom is 18 years old and struggling financially. This was the best way that we knew to bless someone. Thank you for helping our community in this very unique way.
Amber - Dec 9th
I work at La Mesa Elementary in Plainview Texas. We annually participate in the "Dress a Live Doll" project with the Plainview Jr. League to cloth children at Christmas. I put my $5 with the money I was already planning to give so a child in Plainview can have new clothes under the tree!
Kevin - Dec 9th
I paid for the guy behind me at Arby's last night. Granted, it was $6.53 (which was more than the $5.00 in the Bless Back Envelope), but I think I can cover the difference. Even had the window worker guy hand him the Paid For & eLife cards. I'm betting he was surprised.
Bo & Catina - Dec 8th
I work at TTUHSC Pavillion in the Family Medicine Clinic. One of the nurses that I work with is in the process of adopting her 2nd child from China. He is a special needs child. She thought that everything was going ok and they were to go in January to pick him up. Adoption in China required a $3000 dollar donation to the orphanage. On Friday she recieved a call that they had uped the donation from $3000 to $5000 and they have 3 weeks to come up with the remaining $2000 dollars. So myself, Bo and Skylar gave the money that we recieved in our envelopes($20) and gave it to help her and her family try to come up with the remaiming money. I have to say I think that this is an amazing thing that you are doing and we feel truely blessed to be a part of it.
Tracy - Dec 8th
I decided to bless a couple from our church. As the envelopes were being passed out, I knew which family I would bless back with whatever money was in my envelope. We were staying for the lunch and I made a beeline to the restroom to go open my envelope. (NO WAY I could wait until after it was over to know the amt!). Right before I got there, I ran into this couple and found out they were going to the lunch too. I went on to open the envelope when I was safe in the stall, and it was $100!!!!!!! They then sat across from us during the lunch. I put the money into a box and wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper and ribbon. I am mailing it our today with this simple card enclosed: May God continue to bless you for your servant's heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 They are in our LifeHouse and I have seen God shine through them. They have amazing testimonies of God's faithfulness in their lives: they serve mission work in India.
Sandy - Dec 8th
First of all this was so touching to me when Chris announced what ya'll were doing, it made me cry. I am amazed every week what God is doing for this church and am so happy to have found it. Thank you for your commitment. My husband, John and I each got $5.00 and since we couldn't use it on ourselves and needed to use it on someone in need, we decided to take each other out for lunch because we both really needed to eat, we were hungry. So, I bought his lunch and he bought mine. Is that OK? JUST KIDDING. No really, we put our money together and are going to buy a gift card at Walmart and add money to that for a young lady who is a friend of our daughter's who just moved into an apartment and has nothing. We will put in in an envelope with the Experience Life Invite card and explain what the church did for her and invite her to attend the next service with us. She is in desperate need of everything and will be grateful for any help she can get. She is a wonderful young woman who had a bad home life and this will brighten her holidays and maybe bring her to the Lord. Thanks so much, for blessing our City and my family.
Randy - Dec 8th
I treated a complete stranger to lunch after church.
Melinda - Dec 8th
My family and I went to the 9:30 am service & I received a $5 bill - On the way I needed a newspaper and called over the man who sells them on the street and we paid for the newspaper and I gave him my $5 and wished him Merry Christmas.
Don - Dec 8th
A very honorable man lost his job and went to work at a restaurant here in Lubbock. I had known him at his previous job several years ago and had all but forgotten about him until we ran into each other several months ago. This man remembered my name, and I had to confess that I had not remembered his. We go to the restaurant very regularly and got to a point where we looked forward to seeing him going about his job bussing tables and refilling drinks. We talked quite a bit,laughed about old times, and I had asked him how he wound up here. He told me that he had lost his "regular" job and had to take this job to make ends meet. This man has a great attitude, is always smiling, and does not complain even a little bit, and has taken a job much less than his previous job in order to take care of his family. It is both an honor and a priveledge for me to know this man. I took the $5 from Sunday, kicked in more, and gave it to him at lunch today. I told him that God loved him, and so did we. The smile and the thank you were worth many times the amount I gave him. I would love to return the $5 to you so someone else can have this same experience as I did. Kudos to whomever thought of it. You talk about a leap of faith!
Tara - Dec 7th
I used the five dollars I recieved in the envelope to donate to the St. Judes Medical Center. I love what it does for children and what a positive experience it provides for them when they are going through treatment, and I think it's something worth supporting.
John, Casey and Joshua - Dec 7th
Let me say this was an amazing thing to participate in. Me and John both took an envelope, cause we figured we would combine the envelopes to bless more. So out of both envelopes we got $25. We were so excited about this, that we drove around for a little bit wondering about who we could bless, and someone popped in my mind. I am not sure how many people have seen the gentlemen on the corner University and 66th that holds the sign that says "Jesus Saves Souls". Well I read about his story in the Lubbock AJ, and it is a remarkable story of a man that sold everything to make his office on this street corner holding this sign and he states God said to trust that he would provide all he would need. So we drive to where he is, and sure enough, he's there. And John gets out of the car and goes and asks if he needs ANYTHING, and his humbled answer was "Just a bottle of water", so we go to a store and get him 2 bottles of water, and then hand him the rest of the money in the envelope and tell him "This is a little extra", he had the biggest smile on his face, and this litteraly put tears in our eyes. We have never felt so joyful to help this gentlemen out! If you haven't spotted him, I encourage you to stop by and say a prayer with and for him! He is incredibly humble and thankful! THANK YOU EXPERIENCE LIFE STAFF for letting us take part in the Bless Back Project. It impacted us greatly, and reminded us that even the small amount of money we may have is his, and if we trust in him he will bless us back! :)
Alexa - Dec 7th
Tonight, a friend and I went to McDonalds and while we were eating, an older man in a wheel chair came in. Right when he was done ordering, he pulled out a few ones to pay for his meal but I went up with to the cashier with the $10 I had received in my envelope and asked if I could pay for his dinner. When asked 'Why?' I just told him 'For the holiday spirit!'. I handed the $10 over and told the man to keep the change. His name was Chuck and he thanked me, shook my hand, and told me I just helped out a veteran.
Chris & Brooke - Dec 7th
I am so amazed by the passion for your love for Christ and the fire you have to teach others about the love that Christ has for us. Our daughter is 3 years old and this year we were wanting to teach her about giving. We were doing some Christmas shopping last week and decided that we were gonna take her back to the mall, and pick a child's name off of the angle's tree, get one of the children that don't have much,and try to bless them this year. Saturday night when you brought up the give back project, we thought, what an awesome opportunity to give back and let her learn to give back! We went and picked a little ten year old girl's name off the tree, hoping to bring a smile to her face this year. I think all to often we really forget about what Christmas is truely about. It's not about us, but celebrating the life of our Lord and Savior. Thank you for being apart of our lives and giving us a place we can call home.