Back in 2010, the elders and leadership of Christ’s Church began discussing ways we could make a more intentional Kingdom impact in our community. Through much prayer, research, and planning, Right Here Right Now was born as a way to meet financial needs and share the love and hope of Jesus with our neighbors by asking our people to give $1 every Sunday above their regular tithe. We had no idea what to expect when we launched, but we were absolutely blown away by the response. The requests and dollar bills started pouring in and we’ve never looked back. By God’s grace, we’ve seen families restored, relationships healed, and, most importantly, hearts opened to the gospel.
When I think about the last 15 years of Right Here Right Now, it’s not the bills, the request forms, or the receipts for payment that stand out to me (though there have been plenty of those!). It’s all of the people who make up this ministry that I remember so well.
The little girl whose parents couldn’t afford to buy her a new pair of glasses…and the teacher who submitted a request on her behalf.
The family whose grandfather died in the tornado and didn’t have the funds to bury him…and the neighbor who reached out to see if we could help.
The man who desperately needed drug abuse treatment but had no way to pay for it…and his best friend who believed in him enough to advocate for him.
The single mom whose house burned down, leaving her and her kids with absolutely nothing…and the school counselor who jumped into action finding resources for her.
It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to have a front row seat to all God has done in and through Right Here Right Now. Whether it was standing in the rubble praying with a family who lost their home in a tornado, walking through Wal-Mart helping a mom learn to budget for groceries for her kids, grieving with a family whose little girls were taken way too soon, or simply meeting with someone who wasn’t sure how they were going to pay rent next month, the encounters I’ve had in this ministry have been sacred space. Not because I myself had anything of value to offer them, but because I was able to look them in the eye, hold their hand, wipe their tears, and say “there is a group of people in Oronogo that wants you to know God sees you, He loves you, and He hasn’t forgotten you.”
Thank you, Christ’s Church, for 15 beautiful years of loving your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers so well. We’ve seen God do many incredible things, but I wholeheartedly believe He’s just getting started.
Written by Maggie Schade • Community Impact Minister
Right Here Right Now
Right Here RIght Now exists to share the love and hope of Jesus by meeting financial needs of those in our local community. We ask everyone who attends Christ’s Church to give $1 per person in their household each week, in addition to their regular giving. All $1 bills given and any money specifically designated will go to Right Here Right Now. We also ask our church to submit requests to Right Here Right Now when a financial need arises in the lives of their friends, neighbors, family or coworkers. We want to partner with you in ministering to the people around you, and our hope is that this process deepens your relationships while creating opportunities for gospel conversations.
