Gave Out Dozens of Blessing Bags During Crossline Event!

Happy to say that this past Saturday was a very successful community event at Crossline Church! There were over 850 needy people from the community at the event, not counting church volunteers and other staff.

The church had prepared the entire previous week, stockpiling clothing donations, and making other preparations. Of course, we were preparing a few dozen blessing bags for our part in the event. When 10 AM Saturday rolled around, we were ready – including our Blessing Bags OC staff! We were set up at the Connection Booth, and welcomed people who were interested in being a part of what “blessing bags” is all about.

We signed up about 25 people who took a special interest in supporting the ministry, which is as you know all about being prepared to give, instead of cash – which is often not the best solution – a “blessing bag” – a bag of food, water and other essential items – to a homeless person you may run across in your busy OC travels.

Although we live in a relatively wealthy county, believe it or not there are still about 6,000 homeless people in OC. Many live on the streets, under bridges, in roadside bushes, or sleep in their car – that is, if they have one. They have no shelter, may lack clothing, and many times food and basic necessities. Receiving a blessing bag from a caring person may often meet an urgent need for the day, bless them in the sense they can see and feel someone cares about them, and they may be comforted with the encouraging words we include.

Our vision for the church is …

“A blessing bag in every car trunk, ready to help”

If we could equip every member of our church with a blessing bag or two in their car trunk, think of the impact this local church could have on the community! This is a real outreach of the church, the body of Christ, to the community we live in. If we are truly the eyes, hands and feet of Jesus, then we should be equipped to give a helping hand to those in need we run across.

God bless all those that served at the event, those that brought their families to pick up needed clothes and school supplies, and those that expressed an interest in the blessing bags ministry. I am looking forward to where God is going to take this in equipping our saints in the small way to impact the community around us.

Be blessed,

Paul and Marie