Our church, Calvary Atlanta, is all about the community. That was one of the defining characteristics that pulled Bethany and I into this wonderful multi-racial church. They love God and love people. And they show it, a lot. Pastors Brian and Jamie Campbell, and the entire staff, are just down-to-earth real people who just bring it every Sunday and Wednesday (and many days in between)!

Christmas at Calvary was just a continuation of what Calvary does every week of the year, reaching out to those in need in real, tangible ways (through Safehouse, The Dream Center, Rescue Atlanta, and many other outreaches). The Radiance Foundation partnered with Calvary through our SallysLambs.org outreach to identify families in need in the Atlanta area and bring them Christmas gifts they had on their wish lists.

It was powerful. And emotional. Bethany and I also spent time with a couple who recently lost their jobs and were on the verge of losing their apartment. We made sure they and their two sons had a huge Christmas meal, shopping for every ingredient and taking it to their home. We spent time with them talking about their dreams and visions, connected them with some local resources that could help, and as always, let them know we’re there for them.

Sacrifice. It’s not what we should do from time to time. It’s how we should live, every day.