HOUSTON -
Instead of adding to the collection basket, members at Grace Church of Humble were handed out different amounts of cash inside white envelopes. They didn't know how much they were going to get until they opened them.
"We've been teaching our church during the month of Thanksgiving that it's about thanks giving," said Pastor Scott Jones. "We converted $20,000 into $2 bills, put a little sticker on them and then challenged our congregation to go out and pay it forward. Be a blessing to someone else."
"It's great to go to a church that has a vision to bless people," said Bernie Groendike. "It's going to be so much fun. I can hardly wait to get started."
Church officials said the "pay it forward" idea came from a California businessman who gave them a $10,000 donation over the summer. Grace Church added at least another $10,000 to the campaign and they are hoping for a ripple effect.
"The exciting part is we've already had some phone calls from other benefactors saying we'd like to donate to keep this going," said Pastor Jones. "So now we're trying to address how we're going to address this additional amount of money that is coming in and basically be a stimulus plan in the community."
Lynne and Reggie Dowdy got one of the four envelopes that had $500 in it.
"Lynne and I will find a way to sow it back into someone's life who needs it," said Reggie. "We don't have a particular person in mind... But the Lord will always give us confirmation in the big decisions. It may be one person... It may be two... It may be 50."
18 year-old Kyle Baker got only six dollars. He thinks that's still enough to make an impact on a stranger's life.
"You don't know if they are going to commit suicide that day," said Kyle. "You do something nice for them like buy them lunch. They may reconsider and say there is still some hope left in the world."
"Since we've opened the envelope, I thought maybe we can go to lunch and treat another family or couple to their lunch," said Pam Wiggs who got $50
We followed the Wiggs to a nearby restaurant where they used their own money to secretly pay for some diner's check and used the two-dollar bills from the church to pay for other people's tips.
"I think what they are doing for the community is going to be so awesome," said Mandy Wells benefited from the Wigg's generosity. "I think this is going to change this community... I really do."
"Many times in my life, I have been receiving the blessings," said Pam Wiggs. "I think it's a great thing to be able to give back."
"We've been teaching our church during the month of Thanksgiving that it's about thanks giving," said Pastor Scott Jones. "We converted $20,000 into $2 bills, put a little sticker on them and then challenged our congregation to go out and pay it forward. Be a blessing to someone else."
"It's great to go to a church that has a vision to bless people," said Bernie Groendike. "It's going to be so much fun. I can hardly wait to get started."
Church officials said the "pay it forward" idea came from a California businessman who gave them a $10,000 donation over the summer. Grace Church added at least another $10,000 to the campaign and they are hoping for a ripple effect.
"The exciting part is we've already had some phone calls from other benefactors saying we'd like to donate to keep this going," said Pastor Jones. "So now we're trying to address how we're going to address this additional amount of money that is coming in and basically be a stimulus plan in the community."
Lynne and Reggie Dowdy got one of the four envelopes that had $500 in it.
"Lynne and I will find a way to sow it back into someone's life who needs it," said Reggie. "We don't have a particular person in mind... But the Lord will always give us confirmation in the big decisions. It may be one person... It may be two... It may be 50."
18 year-old Kyle Baker got only six dollars. He thinks that's still enough to make an impact on a stranger's life.
"You don't know if they are going to commit suicide that day," said Kyle. "You do something nice for them like buy them lunch. They may reconsider and say there is still some hope left in the world."
"Since we've opened the envelope, I thought maybe we can go to lunch and treat another family or couple to their lunch," said Pam Wiggs who got $50
We followed the Wiggs to a nearby restaurant where they used their own money to secretly pay for some diner's check and used the two-dollar bills from the church to pay for other people's tips.
"I think what they are doing for the community is going to be so awesome," said Mandy Wells benefited from the Wigg's generosity. "I think this is going to change this community... I really do."
"Many times in my life, I have been receiving the blessings," said Pam Wiggs. "I think it's a great thing to be able to give back."
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