Believe in Miracles

On the second Sunday of January, the body of IBB Church in Miami was challenged with three words:  Faith, Obedience and Generosity.  At the end of the message it was announced that on the last Sunday of March they would be receiving a Miracle Offering  (a one time sacrificial gift) and one year commitments they called Beyond.

To put it all in perspective, the monthly general budget for IBB is $60,000 – however, it has been almost 2 years since the monthly budget had been met.  This reality, coupled with lingering construction debt had severely limited their ability to carry on the ministry as they desired.

In the two months leading up to the offering there was a palpable excitement in the air.  As the pastors visited each of the 25+ small groups that meet weekly around the community, they encountered a very positive atmosphere with good questions and testimonies of God’s faithfulness in difficult times – both past and present.

On March 29^th IBB had a combined, bilingual service to allow the entire church body to be present at the same time worshipping the Lord with their presence, their hearts and their offerings.  Early in the service the Miracle Offering was received with special participation from everyone from the Tots through the adults.

After the message the totals were given which surprised even the most optimistic among us:  Miracle Offering – over $ 93,000; Beyond Commitments – over
$ 117,000.  What a miracle!!!  In these days, in this economic climate, with so many losing working hours and even jobs.

Two side notes:  In a marriage counseling session the next day, the husband admitted that during the invitation prayer on Sunday, he had expressed his doubts to God as to whether his marriage could even be saved.  But then he added:  “When I heard the totals for the Miracle Offering it was as if God were saying to me – ‘If I can handle this offering in these times, I can certainly handle your marriage!’”

And by the way, the General Offering for the day was double the budget amount and even without this extraordinary Sunday, giving is up from this time last year.  That alone is a miracle!