Helping Other

Church Asks Members to Pay It Forward with Reverse Offering

ROSWELL, Ga. - For members of one Roswell church, Sunday’s services took on a very special turn. Instead of being asked to give to their church, they received money during their offering, and they were asked to use the cash to pay it forward.

Members of Eagles Nest Church were taken by surprise as Guest Pastor Kevin Cross told them they were going to do things a little differently for Sunday’s offering.

“You can’t put anything in,” Cross said. “You have to take something out.”
Cross told the congregation to take envelopes filled with cash out of the offering plate as it was passed around, and use that money to help someone less fortunate. He told them they could do anything that the Lord led them to do, but he suggested that they “radically change someone’s life.”

Cross called it a social experiment in generosity. He says he sold his own house and his business to convince people that a lifestyle of generosity is the true path to satisfaction. Eagles Nest Church first lady Martic Jenkins says the reverse offering is a great opportunity for church members to give back to their communities.

Church members received $10 to $30 each. Some said they already had plans for the money as they embarked on a mission of goodwill. Next Sunday, members will share stories of how they spent their money with the congregation.