September is one of the two months out of the year when as a denomination, we raise funds through the Alabaster giving program. The funds are only used for one purpose—the building of churches, chapels, homes for missionaries and national leaders, hospitals, schools, and other church-related buildings globally.
 
Since its inception in 1949, more than $92 million dollars has been raised. These funds have helped fund more than 8,000 projects; some of these are in countries where the economy of the people would have made it impossible to build a house of worship or a parsonage for the pastor.
 
Alabaster giving is the lifeline through which the building aspect of our global mission effort is underwritten, resulting in allowing our other lifeline—the World Evangelism Fund—to remain untouched for projects of this nature.
 
The next Alabaster offering will soon be received. Look for the large Alabaster boxes in the various lobbies of the church.
 
Ray Hendrix
Olathe, Kansas 

The Top 10 Places for Your Alabaster Box10    Living Room or Den—a prominent 
       place, so you and others will see it. 
       When you find money under sofa 
       cushions, put it in the box.
9     Laundry Room—to catch money left
       in pockets.
8     Dresser—put in your money at the
       end of the day.
7     Car—to receive coins you find, 
       money from pop cans, or leftover 
       parking meter/parking garage money.
6     Children’s bedroom—to teach them 
       about Alabaster giving.
5     Desk—when you write to your family 
       and friends, tell them about the
       blessing of Alabaster. Also when 
       you read Engage magazine, you 
       may be prompted to give to provide
       for mission buildings globally.
4     Dining Room Table or Kitchen 
       Counter—to remind you of your blessings of food, home, and church, where 
       you learn about Jesus.
3     Near an NMI Mission Book or Holiness Today Magazine—give as you read 
       about the wonderful buildings constructed and property purchased with 
       Alabaster money.
2     Devotional Book—so you can pray every day for the places where the money 
       will be used.
1     Near your Bible—so you can reread the story of the woman who anointed Jesus 
       (Matthew 26:6–13).
 
Queen Ottgen
Mancelona, Michigan
 
 

Things That Go TogetherDoes it ever seem to you that some things were just meant to be together? You can’t even imagine one without the other. They just seem to complement each other.

• What would peanut butter be like without jelly?
• Or cheese without crackers?
• Or basketball without the Kentucky Wildcats? (Substitute your favorite sport
  and team.)
• Or global Nazarene buildings without Alabaster?

 
In the 60 years of Alabaster, more than 8,000 building projects and parcels of land have been provided. In 2009, there was an average of 5 Alabaster projects per week . Imagine what the Nazarene missions program would be like without Alabaster.
 
Because of the JESUS Film, the need for Alabaster funds has never been greater. In the last month, the 10 millionth person accepted Christ through the Church of the Nazarene’s JESUS Film organization. Think of the number of churches that will be required in which these new Christians will worship!
 
All money contributed to Alabaster goes toward constructing buildings and purchasing land. None is used for administration.
 
We will soon receive our Alabaster Offering. How much will you give? Will you do your best? Will you build for the future?
 
Give generously in the Alabaster Offering.
 
Lola Brickey
Eastern Kentucky District NMI President

  Printable version of this page.    
  Printable version of entire Mission Connection Magazine.

  Printable version of August 2010 Mission Connection Alabaster Page. 
  $1.50 sheet
  $2.25 Sheet 
  $3.00 Sheet

  Printable version of July 2010 Mission Connection Alabaster Page.