Building Community: Making Connections Through Special Contribution

It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.

– Proverbs 11:24 TLB

This scripture teaches us that a generous heart that gives, receives even more (and isn’t making any political statement). How is it that you can give and still become richer? Special contribution shows us how. I am so inspired by the generous giving of those in the BACC to invest in building the future. We have seen that investment pay off, whether it’s into our training program for young leaders or creating permanence in our community by purchasing facilities. We can’t wait to see what a new building in the East Bay will bring. 

But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.

– 2 Corinthians 9:6 TLB

Because of your faith in building for the future, so many of you have created and participated in some fantastic fundraisers. These events not only raise funds for special contribution, but also build relationships and community that is priceless.  

Summer Faire in Silicon Valley

Just this past Saturday, many from our Silicon Valley South, Silicon Valley North, and Santa Clara services joined together to set up 26 booths to sell items and provide goods for the community! There were kids selling shaved ice, wrapped baked goods, toys, and clothing. Teens and college students were selling food, clothes and games. My kids took clothes to sell, but came home having purchased even more than they brought! One of the biggest hits was the pork sliders from the kitchen of Chef Giron. They were delicious! 

But more inspiring than the items for sale was the heart put into each booth, as some were gladly baking well past 2:00am just to make sure they could make enough to sell and contribute. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, God loves a cheerful giver, and we saw firsthand a lot of tired and happer givers on Saturday.

Being together and being with the community was refreshing, as everyone was sharing the vision of giving for Special Contribution to make an impact in the lives of family and friends in the communities. One of the couples from the neighborhood came to purchase some items. They were so inspired by the vision of raising money to build up lives, that they came to church the next day, and loved it!  

Ice cream sundae and tacos in Alameda

The teens in Alameda South put together an Ice Cream Sundae Bar 2 weeks ago.  They marketed it, prepared it, and then served up the ice cream!  What is better than ice cream sundaes on a hot East Bay afternoon? 

Every year for the last 5 years Octavio and Yvone have cooked up their specialty tacos for everyone in our Alameda sector. They hold the fundraiser every year for Special Contribution out of their gratitude for their lives changing so much after they learned how to be close to God through studying the Bible and met the best friends anyone could ever have. Their taco bar made over $1000!

Video games in San Francisco

It was Super Smash Bros Tournament time up in San Francisco. Ricardo Diaz, Derek Wong, and Nat Chia hosted their fully inclusive video game tournament for all takers. Everyone – including kids with special needs, high schoolers, and single professionals – had a great time and raised hundreds of dollars for Special Contribution.

More to come

You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.

– 2 Corinthians 9:11 TPT

We are far from done. With our Special Contribution coming up on August 28, we are excited about more fundraisers and opportunities for us to give generously and make connections with our community.  

On August 14, there will be a Foodie Faire after service at our Palo Alto building where everyone can bring their favorite foods from all over the world to sell and sample. 

August 20 will bring us to our annual Run For The Future with the course across the street from our Common Ground Building at Mango Park in Sunnyvale. This 5k or 10k is open to all ages, and anyone can walk or run this course.

Afterward we will celebrate with music, food, and drinks at our Common Ground facility.  

We can’t wait to see what God does for our Special Contribution on August 28, but we are also excited and grateful for all of the ways we can be involved in our community and build relationships leading up to it. 

Until next time,

Scott and Margo Colvin