Transforming Lives Through Kindness and Generosity

 

Summary

In our journey as a church, we have always prioritized partnering with nonprofit organizations that make a significant impact in their communities and globally. These organizations, marked by integrity and a clear vision, address critical issues such as food insecurity, foster care, medical care, housing, education, human trafficking, and disaster relief. Our annual initiative, Be Rich, is a time when we come together to give, serve, and love, amplifying the efforts of these organizations to reach further and do more.

This year, we are privileged to have Hal Donaldson, the founder and CEO of Convoy of Hope, share his story with us. Convoy of Hope, a Be Rich partner for five years, is renowned for its swift disaster relief efforts and its commitment to staying until the need is met. Hal's journey began with a personal tragedy at the age of 12, which left his family in poverty. Despite the hardships, the kindness of others, particularly a couple named Bill and Laveda Davis, who took him and his siblings in, left a lasting impact on him. This experience of receiving kindness in the face of adversity shaped his life's mission.

Hal's encounter with Mother Teresa in Calcutta was a turning point, prompting him to live among the homeless in various cities to understand their plight better. This experience led to the founding of Convoy of Hope, which has since served over 200 million people worldwide. The organization focuses on feeding programs, disaster relief, and empowering local churches to be centers of compassion in their communities.

Hal emphasizes the importance of aligning our expectations with God's plans and being open-handed in our generosity. Convoy of Hope operates on the principle of meeting needs rather than being constrained by budgets, trusting that God will provide the necessary resources. This approach has allowed them to respond swiftly to disasters, such as the recent crises in Ukraine and Morocco, by leveraging existing relationships and resources.

As a church, we are called to demonstrate our devotion to God through love and generosity towards others. Our Be Rich campaign is an opportunity to collectively make a significant impact by supporting organizations that are already doing incredible work. By giving, serving, and loving in Jesus' name, we remind our communities that everyone matters to God, whether they realize it or not.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Kindness: Hal Donaldson's story illustrates how acts of kindness can transform lives. Despite experiencing poverty and loss, the generosity of others provided hope and a sense of belonging. This reminds us that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on those in need. [09:24]

2. Aligning with God's Plan: Convoy of Hope's success is attributed to aligning their mission with God's plan rather than their own ambitions. By focusing on how much they can give away and who they can bless, they have experienced significant growth and impact. This teaches us the importance of seeking God's direction in our endeavors. [18:42]

3. Generosity as a Response to God's Love: Our generosity should mirror God's extravagant love for us. By giving selflessly, especially to those who cannot repay us, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate our faith in action. [38:10]

4. Love Always Works: Despite skepticism, love and compassion are powerful forces for change. Hal's experiences around the world affirm that love never fails and is always effective in bringing about transformation. [27:08]

5. The Church's Role in Community Impact: The church should be known for its sweat and tears on behalf of the community rather than political positions. By focusing on serving others, the church can earn influence and make a lasting impact in society. [25:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Partnering with Nonprofits
- [00:55] - Be Rich Initiative
- [01:17] - Global Church Community
- [01:53] - Introduction to Hal Donaldson
- [02:07] - Convoy of Hope's Mission
- [05:01] - Hal's Personal Story
- [11:08] - Encounter with Mother Teresa
- [13:24] - Living Among the Homeless
- [15:18] - Founding Convoy of Hope
- [17:28] - Inviting Momentum
- [20:15] - Responding to Disasters
- [25:25] - The Church's Influence
- [31:08] - Be Rich Campaign Explained
- [38:10] - Demonstrating God's Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV) - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

2. Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV) - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

3. James 2:14-17 (NIV) - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the critical issues that Convoy of Hope addresses, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:33]

2. How did Hal Donaldson's personal tragedy at the age of 12 influence his life's mission? [05:01]

3. What was the significant turning point in Hal Donaldson's life that led to the founding of Convoy of Hope? [12:02]

4. How does Convoy of Hope's approach to disaster relief differ from traditional methods, according to the sermon? [21:35]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Hal Donaldson illustrate the power of kindness, and what impact did it have on his life and mission? [09:24]

2. In what ways does Convoy of Hope align its mission with God's plan, and how has this alignment contributed to its success? [18:42]

3. How does the principle of being driven by need rather than money reflect a biblical understanding of generosity and faith? [21:49]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the church in demonstrating love and generosity to the community? [31:56]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you received an act of kindness that had a significant impact on your life. How can you pay that kindness forward in your community? [09:24]

2. Consider the areas in your life where you might need to align your expectations with God's plan. What steps can you take to seek God's direction in your endeavors? [18:42]

3. How can you practice generosity in a way that mirrors God's extravagant love, especially towards those who cannot repay you? [38:10]

4. In what ways can you and your small group collectively demonstrate love and compassion in your community, similar to the Be Rich campaign? [31:56]

5. Identify a local nonprofit organization that aligns with your values. How can you support their mission through giving, serving, or advocating for their cause?

6. Reflect on the statement, "Love always works." How can you apply this principle in your interactions with others, especially in challenging situations? [27:08]

7. What practical steps can your small group take to ensure that your church is known for its sweat and tears on behalf of the community rather than political positions? [25:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Kindness
Kindness has the power to transform lives, as seen in the story of Hal Donaldson. Despite experiencing poverty and loss, the generosity of others provided him with hope and a sense of belonging. This reminds us that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on those in need. When we extend kindness, we participate in a ripple effect that can change the course of someone's life. The story of Bill and Laveda Davis, who took in Hal and his siblings, exemplifies how selfless acts can inspire and empower others to pursue a life of service and compassion. [09:24]

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a small act of kindness you can do today for someone who may not expect it. How can you make this a regular practice in your life?


Day 2: Aligning with Divine Purpose
Convoy of Hope's success is attributed to aligning their mission with God's plan rather than their own ambitions. By focusing on how much they can give away and who they can bless, they have experienced significant growth and impact. This teaches us the importance of seeking God's direction in our endeavors. When we align our expectations with God's plans, we open ourselves to opportunities and blessings that we might not have envisioned on our own. This alignment requires humility and a willingness to let go of personal agendas in favor of a higher calling. [18:42]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's direction rather than relying on your own plans? How can you begin to align this area with His purpose today?


Day 3: Generosity Reflects God's Love
Our generosity should mirror God's extravagant love for us. By giving selflessly, especially to those who cannot repay us, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate our faith in action. This kind of generosity is not about the amount we give but the spirit in which we give it. It challenges us to look beyond our comfort zones and extend love to those who are often overlooked or marginalized. In doing so, we become conduits of God's love, reminding others of their inherent worth and dignity. [38:10]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who cannot repay you. What is one way you can show them generosity this week, reflecting God's love for them?


Day 4: Love as a Catalyst for Change
Despite skepticism, love and compassion are powerful forces for change. Hal's experiences around the world affirm that love never fails and is always effective in bringing about transformation. Love is not passive; it is an active force that compels us to engage with the world around us. It challenges us to see beyond the surface and address the deeper needs of those we encounter. By choosing to love, we participate in God's redemptive work in the world, bringing hope and healing to those who are hurting. [27:08]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you have been skeptical about the power of love. How can you choose to respond with love and compassion in that situation today?


Day 5: The Church's Role in Community Impact
The church should be known for its sweat and tears on behalf of the community rather than political positions. By focusing on serving others, the church can earn influence and make a lasting impact in society. This calls for a shift in priorities, where the church becomes a beacon of hope and a center of compassion. When the church embodies the love of Christ through tangible acts of service, it gains credibility and trust within the community. This influence is not about power but about being a faithful presence that seeks the welfare of all people. [25:56]

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you and your church community become more actively involved in serving the needs of your local community? What is one specific action you can take this week to contribute to this effort?

Quotes


I know the shame of poverty. I lived it. But I also know the power of kindness, because people at our church, they wrap their arms around my family and they would come to our door week after week with bags of groceries. And people ask me all the time, "Well, what difference can a bag of groceries make or a plate of food?" Trust me, for a hungry kid, it makes all the difference in the world. [00:09:18]

I believe God had to do a work in my heart before he could do a work through my hands. And I came back from one of those trips and I just, I had to do something. And so we took $300 and we bought groceries and we loaded up a pickup truck. And we went into the migrant farm workers part of Northern California and we began passing out groceries to the migrant farm workers, telling 'em Jesus loved them, we love them, and there was a church right down the street that loved them too. [00:15:07]

We really began to seek, "What is it you wanna do God?" rather than what we wanna do. And we changed the question. The question was, for years, "Oh, how do we grow Convoy of Hope?" The question changed to now, "God, how much can we give away? Who can we bless?" Be rich. Who can we bless? And so instead of building another charity, it's how do we empower the church and become a channel of blessing to the church? [00:18:30]

I wish the church was known more for their sweat and tears on behalf of their communities rather than perhaps even their political positions. You know, I'm not one that believes that we need to divorce ourselves from the political arena, but neither do I believe we should be sacrificing eternal impact for short-term political gains. I don't. I believe that God wants to work through the church to influence our communities, but also to influence the bastions of power in our nation. [00:25:40]

I've traveled all over the world and I have to tell you, I've never seen love fail. Not once. I've never seen it happen. And I think when you look at the life of Jesus, a lot of people today, I think they are, they are pointing to Jesus and they say, "Well, he turned over the tables of the money changers." And he demonstrated some other compassionate activities, but he demonstrated, you know, just at times, holy anger. [00:27:00]

Jesus, it was compassion followed by holy anger, justified, followed by compassion and holy anger. There was a rhythm to it. And so today I hope that the church has known more for it's compassion than it's rage. [00:27:42]

Devotion to God is best demonstrated and authenticated through love for other people, not sermons and songs. Love for God or a devotion to God is best demonstrated and authenticated by the way we treat other people, especially the people that can't do anything for us in return. That extravagant generosity, if you think about it, if you're a Christian, extravagant generosity is actually the appropriate, it's kind of the natural response to God's extravagant generosity to you and to me. [00:38:00]

And Be Rich is our opportunity to remind our communities, as we're constantly reminded here at church, remind our communities that everybody, right? Everybody matters to God. Everybody matters to God whether God matters to them or not. [00:31:49]

We wanna be good at being rich because most of us, compared to a lot of people, are, in fact, rich. Now, the reason you don't feel rich is because you know people who are richer. And you live in the world of er. There's bigg-er and pretti-er and skinni-er and high-er and fast-er and shini-er, er, er, er, er, er. So none of us feel rich. And that's okay not to feel rich. You are, because you and I, we have extra. [00:39:57]

And this is our opportunity to bring some of our extra together to do something extraordinary in our community. So when it comes to Be Rich, we do not set a financial goal. We don't try to raise in a certain amount of money. We have a participation goal. And our participation goal is simple. It's 100% participation. We want everybody to participate. We're asking 100% of you to give, and then we are going to give 100% of it away. [00:40:24]

Jesus was clear about this and we talk about it at our churches all the time, right? "Devotion to God..." "Devotion to God is best demonstrated and authenticated through love for other people, not sermons and songs." Love for God or a devotion to God is best demonstrated and authenticated by the way we treat other people, especially the people that can't do anything for us in return. [00:37:49]

And then Jesus came along and introduced a whole different way of thinking about people. That everybody had dignity, that everybody deserved to be loved, that everybody was loved. And the church came along and took that teaching and organized around it and began doing for others what the government and what the empire had never considered doing for others. And it took hold and it changed an empire and it changed the world, and it continues to change the world. [00:38:56]

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Transcript
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