CHRISTMAS LETTER

Hi Evergreen Church Friends,


In the fall of 2019, I wrote this prayer goal:

“MOVE TOWARD THE VULNERABLE.” 

Those four words changed Evergreen Church in 2020.  Let me tell a story from my neighborhood to explain how.

On December 11, 2019, my back fence neighbors suffered the tragic death of their seven-year-old son. Srinivas and Anu had often come with their son Sathvik and daughter  Siranya to Christmas lights. In their heartache, God led them to attend Evergreen Church.

Meanwhile, Covid upended all of our lives. During April and May, Evergreen Church set aside 10% of our tithes to support crisis needs. Through our gifts, we met Rich Simms from REACHMinistries, and soon Evergreen was helping to feed the homeless overlooked during the lockdown. Some Evergreen people began volunteering with REACH on Saturday mornings. A street church for the unhoused was born near Pioneer Square in August.

Back to my neighbors. During the summer, Srinivas texted that he and Anu were searching for a way to honor the memory of their son, Sathvik. I introduced them to REACH.

A few weeks later, Rich Simms texted me a photo of my neighbors serving food and giving toiletries to the homeless on the street. I stared at that picture for a long, long time. The many twists and turns of God’s story that made that photograph possible were almost too much to take in.

2020 has been a hard year that has softened our hearts.

We have a VISION of our 2020 CHRISTMAS LIST to move toward the vulnerable.

CITYLIFT: CityLift is our fund to help vulnerable people in hard times all year long through REACHMinistry to help people on the streets, Northshore Schools Foundation to serve students from non-English speaking families, Northshore Senior Center to feed widows in their distress, plus to send chaplains to help after the First Responders have left the scene of tragedy.

PERSECUTED CHURCH: In the nation of Israel, Evergreen is helping to plant churches and give humanitarian aid through Pastor Israel Pochtar and Voice of Judah Ministries. In another persecuted nation, we fully fund a pastor’s training center. Our annual gift of $30,000 supports 25 new pastors each year. So far, 50 pastors have been sent out because of you. Let’s send another 25 in 2021!!!

BEAUTIFY: Evergreen Church needs a workshop to do good works for Jesus. Plus each fall, our Pavilion gets used for Christmas projects rather than people, like our Middle School group. We can see a multi-bay, post-frame, pole-garage on the north end of our campus. This will also help us to store our Christmas lights year long too!

CHURCH PLANTING: We plan to add a Sunday service on Main Street to reach people living in downtown Bothell plus partner with other church planters.

How can this 2020 Christmas List vision become a reality?

We spend under our means throughout the year so our tithes and offerings  in December can overflow enables in generous gifts in January. 

Here’s how you can help:

  • Bring your tithe each week to the Lord.

  • Give a special Christmas gift to Jesus in addition to your tithe.

  • Start the “Valentine’s Day Challenge.” For the next 90 days (between now and February), take God at his word, put him to the test, and bring him 10% of what he provides for you. After 90 days, review the outcome. If you fail to see God’s blessing, let our church accountant know, and Evergreen Church will refund back all you have given. (See Malachi 3:10 and Haggai 2:18-19.)

  • Review your giving in 2020 and ask the Lord what he is calling you to do.

  • Perhaps your income stream is finalized quarterly or annually. December is a great time to think through generosity.

You can make your gifts in these ways:

Moving toward the vulnerable is what brings God to move toward our need in difficult times. Just this morning, I read about a proud leader whom God was about to judge. Daniel urged King Nebuchadnezzar, “Break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” (Daniel 4:27)

Thank you for your constant kindness in remembering the Lord and Evergreen Church in your giving.

Much Love,

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Pastor Phil McCallum
Lead Pastor

PS. View and share www.christmasatevergreen.com for a 3D experience of the Christmas Lights. Due to Covid restrictions on large gatherings, our team worked hard to create a virtual tour of our building, the show, our worship, plus much more. Refresh the URL daily between December 1-24 to see more. What a great way to reach your friends for Jesus this Christmas. Watch for the family Christmas Eve Service to be posted December 20th on the APP and on YouTube.