the word became flesh

“…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The incarnation is Christmas. Incarnation means that Jesus, who is fully God, became a man. This is mind-boggling when we think about the transcendence of God! He is completely outside His creation, yet He somehow stepped into creation, taking on flesh and becoming 100% human while remaining 100% God. This was not a humanitarian aid mission or a love campaign for Jesus; instead He came to be our rescuer.

As followers of Christ, we are called not just to celebrate the incarnation but to live it out in our daily lives. Jesus, the Word made flesh, showed us the deepest expression of God's love by entering our world, fully embracing our humanity, and meeting us where we are. This Christmas and beyond, let’s follow His example by reflecting His love in tangible ways—through giving sacrificially of our time, service, and finances. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, we have the opportunity to make the love of Jesus visible by becoming His hands and feet.

We have compiled a list (and it is certainly not comprehensive) of ideas for you, your family, and your community group to participate in. This list includes opportunities to pray for and give to the Great Commission Collective, as well as ways to serve and give toward the Christ Church community partners: Muskegon Rescue Mission, Hope Project, and Fresh Coast Alliance.

Let’s carry the light of His incarnation into the world—offering hope, peace, joy, and love to the broken and lost world around us!

global ministry partner

GREAT COMMISSION COLLECTIVE - THE “OUR COLLECTIVE YES” CAMPAIGN

God is growing His church. Over the past few years, the Great Commission Collective has seen an explosion of interest regarding planting new churches, especially in North America. This year, there are 16 church planters who are ready to partner with the GCC—this is more than twice the number of interested church planters than we’ve ever had before. Instead of waiting, we want to say YES to what God is calling these planters to. How you can say YES?

  • Commit to praying for our church planting initiatives. View list here.

  • Give a gift to Our Collective Yes to help match the $100,000 already pledged.

LOCAL COMPASSION MINISTRY PARTNERS

MUSKEGON RESCUE MISSION

Contact:
Desiree Glynn | 231.727.6090 | volunteer@muskegonmission.org

Volunteer Needs:

  • Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway 2-Day Event: November 25 & 26

  • Serve Dinner on Christmas Day: December 25

  • Bright Futures: Front Desk & Classroom Aide

  • Evening Chapel Speakers

  • Bible Study Leaders

  • Community Resource Center Front Desk Greeter

  • Life Skills Leader

  • Thrift Store Assistant

  • Processing Center Assistant

  • Shelter Aide

  • Kitchen Assistant

  • Food Runner / Grocery Shopper / Pantry Assistant

FRESH COAST ALLIANCE

Contacts:
Joy Sparks  | 231.638.6677  |  joys@freshcoastalliance.org 
Jennifer Juhasz |231.286.1992 |  jenniferj@freshcoastalliance.org

Volunteer Needs:

  • Cook a meal for approximately 25 people every other Thursday

  • Kitchen Manager: manage pantry 4-5 hours a week

  • Yard work

  • Driver: take people to job interviews

Donation Needs:

  • Gloves for men and women

  • Coffee - Any kind of bulk coffee

  • Meijer, Sam’s, and Lowe’s Gift Cards

  • $$$ towards a new roof

  • Men's razors, shampoo, body wash, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and toothpaste

THE HOPE PROJECT

Contact:
Jennifer Gowings | 231.747.8555 | jen@hopeprojectusa.org

Volunteer Needs:

  • Adopt a group and provide a meal (or give money toward a meal) for their therapy group

  • Drive to transport clients to their appointments

  • Provide respite for our house manager: a women willing to stay overnight at Rays of Hope house

  • Fall Clean up: Rake leaves at the office and Ray of Hope house

Donation Needs:

  • Christmas wish list for participants

  • Gift Cards for the mentor program & client services

  • Gas gift Cards ($10 Speedway)

  • Slippers or socks for wintertime (S-XL)

  • Pajamas in all sizes - Women (S-3XL)

  • Black leggings of all sizes (S-3XL)

  • Snacks, Bottled water, Coffee pods, Creamer

  • Laundry Pods & Fabric Softeners Sheets

OTHER SERVing ideas

CRAFT, COOK, CREATE

  • Take a meal to a widow, homebound member, single mom, or recent divorcee.

  • Bake goodies and deliver them to your local police or fire station.

  • Write letters or send cards to missionaries, active military, veterans, the incarcerated or those in assisted living.

  • Gather together and assemble blankets for a local children’s home or shelter.

  • Knit or crochet lap blankets for someone facing health challenges.

  • Put together and distribute homeless bags.

  • Fill a freezer with meals for a new mom.

  • Decorate sack suppers for Kids Food Basket.

DONATE AND SHOP WITH A PURPOSE

  • Donate food to a local food shelter.

  • Purchase presents for a local Angel Tree.

  • Sponsor a family at our church or local school for Christmas.

  • Distribute Thanksgiving meals for families in need with United Way.

  • Purchase diapers and wipes for a struggling child.

  • Donate children’s books and movies to a local hospital.

  • Fill backpacks with school supplies for struggling families.

  • Gather hats, scarves, and gloves for elementary school students.

  • Purchase supplies for teachers or day care facilities.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

  • Volunteer at Muskegon Pregnancy Services.

  • Offer to help with Kids Food Basket.

  • Run errands for a disabled or elderly neighbor.

  • Visit an assisted living facility and join them for a game of cards or simply sit and listen to their stories.

  • Clean the home of an elderly person or homebound.

  • Organize a yard clean up or handyman chores for someone in need.

  • Organize a free car cleaning for single moms.

  • Clear snow for the disabled or elderly.

  • Offer to watch children of a young couple so they can have a date night.

  • Go Christmas caroling with a group to assisted living facilities.

  • Pray with and for your neighbors, first responders, elderly, veterans.

  • Invite a widow or widower to join a family event.