And do Not Forget to do Good and to Share with Others, For with Such Sacrifices God Is Pleased – Hebrews 13:16
The purpose of all places of worship is to bridge the gap between people and God. Basic moralities – loving, empathizing, generosity, brotherhood, and giving– are preached and inculcated in the worshipers by the pastors or other learned individuals. Unfortunately, these teachings are limited to verbal communications only, as most of the churches do not have a platform to promote these basic values within their means. This is where Elevation Church stands out from the others. The difference between Elevation church and other churches is that it provides a place for people to help others and promote generosity.
Run by Pastor Steven Furtick, his wife Holly Furtick, and CFO Chunks Corbett, Elevation Church aims to awaken humanity’s spirits and kindness by motivating them to give selflessly. The church was formed in 2006 in North Carolina by the combined efforts of the couple. Steven has helped grow Elevation Church into a global ministry through online streaming, television, and music. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary. He is also the author of Crash the Chatterbox, Greater, Sun Stand Still, (Un)Qualified, and Seven-Mile Miracle. Holly Furtick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from North Greenville University. She is also the author of two women’s Bible studies, Building Friendships That Fit and Becoming Mrs. Betterhalf.
More Than Just a Church
The concept of donations and charities is not a foreign one. There are plenty of groups and organizations that help individuals and families with financial aids to cope with living needs. The efforts put in the Elevation Church are somewhat similar.
There are thousands of families who struggle to get the basic necessities of life. The increased inflation and unemployment rates have lowered the morale and confidence of many, which have made them financially handicapped. Not being able to support oneself and the family creates a crisis, resulting in a disconnect with God. Many begin doubting their faith and the promises made by their religion. Fortunately, with its ‘Giving’ program, the Elevation Church does not allow these individuals to go astray. Steven Furtick states,
“The fact is there are people hurting all over the world. Whether they’ve been in church their whole lives or never heard of Jesus at all, people are constantly searching for the full life that only Jesus can give us.” Adding to this, he further said, “The more we can break through barriers that people may put up against religion and allow them to experience Jesus in a clear, refreshing way, the more we will see people embrace Him.”
The donations and funds received by the Elevation Church are given to the families in need in the name of God. Their financial assistance to these families and individuals acts as a ray of hope in dark times. Through their aids, Elevation Church helps restore the faith in God and make them believe that there is still some good left in the world and that the Almighty cares for his people.
When God Blesses You Financially, Do Not Raise Your Standard of Living. Raise Your Standard of Giving – Mark Batterson
When a person is blessed with wealth and health, the least they can do is help others in distress or improve their living standards. The church lays emphasis on the fact that the magnitude is not important; it is the intention that matters. Due to which they have introduced several ways to donate. Followers can donate by transferring funds online, giving in crypto, or by stocks. Elevation church is flexible in its ways of donation as it also accepts gifts. The church recognizes the fact that some people like interacting with the people or the families, which is why they allow their donors to meet the recipients at any of their nine locations in North Carolina during the weekend worship experience.
While many of the churches and organizations ignore following the correct and proper methods of charities, Elevation Church is highly vigilant about this matter. The Evangelical Council accredits the church for Financial Accountability. The church complies with the rules and displays high standards of biblical accountability, board governance, financial transparency, integrity in fundraising, and proper use of charity resources. In addition to this, the church also maintains an annual report. The most recent reports state that the church’s average attendance totaled up to 27,048, and the total outreach was $9.6MM.
Due to its noticeable charitable work and ever-growing popularity around the world, the Elevation church has been covered by the Outreach Magazine. It ranked in the fifteenth position of the top 100 fastest-growing churches in the US in 2013. Its co-founder, Pastor Steven Furtick, was also interviewed by Christian Post for their special article series called “An Inside Look at The New Generation Of Pastors.” The interview was conducted in 2013.
As the Elevation Church continues to expand, it aims to educate people more about the positivity that comes through faith. It consistently increases its global reach by organizing watch parties, global partnerships, online sermons, and Elevation music. By pacing up with the fast-growing technology, the Elevation Church will soon be known worldwide for its humanitarian efforts to make the world a better place!