There is nothing plastic about the feeling people experience when they receive a gift card. Appreciation emails are OK. Cards are better. Handwritten notes rock. But nothing beats a handwritten note AND a gift card.
Over the last 15 months, churches made use of gift cards to show appreciation to frontline workers, first responders, teachers, and community leaders. Gift cards purchased from a local business create a triple win. The purpose is to help people in your community feel the love of Jesus.
Pincher Creek
In 2020 Pastor Stephen and Embree Valcourt at Abundant Life Community Church challenged their church and community with a gift card initiative.
“What if we bought a $10 gift card or gift certificate from the small businesses in town that we shop from on a regular basis? I know $10 doesn’t sound like a lot, but consider this: in the Pincher Creek area we have approximately 6600 people. If even 1000 of us each purchased a $10 gift card from a local small business, that business would then have $10,000 in the bank with which to float their expenses through a time of closure. That means a $10 gift card could mean the difference between a local family keeping their shop open or going bankrupt.”
It’s easy to see why the Valcourts are known as community builders in Pincher Creek and why their church received a Chamber of Commerce award.
Seeds of Kindness
Gift cards are a practical way for congregations to offer benevolent care. Cards that could be redeemed for food or fuel were given away to families in need.
Pastor Dwayne Mitchel made a point of buying gift cards, organizing his leadership, and personally delivering cards to firefighters, peace officers, and frontline workers in Bonnyville. Lakeview Church showed love and support to their local Bonnyville businesses by purchasing gift cards and then giving them away as prizes at church-hosted community events.
Bethel Family Worship Centre and Duane Grant in St Paul gave out $5,000 in gifts cards to the RCMP and other community organizations. Nurses and firemen said the acts of kindness opened doors for them to talk about their church at work. Some frontline workers connected with the church online. The church also delivered gift cards to various small businesses. Chris Grant says, “Lots of tears as we’d show up. People were very thankful to be thought of. One flower shop we visited came alongside and helped us when we did our next outreach of food baskets by providing nice gift basket wrapping materials for free.”
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.