Mortgage Burned, Temple Dedicated
In northeast Georgia, there is a small congregation with wonderful faith. The Chatsworth Hispanic Church, on Saturday, December 18, 2021, five years after being established as an organized church, held two emotional ceremonies.
The first celebration was to burn the mortgage papers. This milestone was possible thanks to members who voluntarily supported the Gideon project initiative. The challenge was launched by Samuel García, retired pastor, on Saturday, April 10, 2021, who later passed away, and his wife, Nelly. The challenge was to find 300 generous people who would contribute one dollar per day for 250 days, until December 15, 2021. In total, each Gideon would then have contributed $250. This may sound like a difficult task, but not impossible for the Lord, the owner of gold and silver. The enthusiasm was very contagious.
Of the original 15-year loan, there was still $75,000 owed. The loan payment amount of $865 per month had to continue to be sent faithfully no matter what, despite how the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting the church finances. Therefore, the Gideon project, inspired by God, was the immediate solution, which gave many the opportunity to cooperate with this humble congregation and end this monthly financial concern.
The goal was achieved! By November 15, a month before the target date of December 15, the loan was paid in full. Gideons from near and far, brothers, friends, relatives, and institutions, from different parts of the world, responded to the call and acted with faith. Some had promised and did not want to be left out of the project, and fulfilled what they promised God, even knowing that the project had already been completed.
The second celebration, linked to being free of debt, was dedicating the temple, or church building, to the Lord. It was what King Solomon did with the temple he built for Jehovah (1 Kings 8:12) to the glory and honor of God. The celebration culminated in the afternoon, with a beautiful concert that gladdened the hearts and comforted all those present.
Georgia-Cumberland | June 2022
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