2026 Thanksgiving Offering - Let the Children Come!
Each November, we have a wonderful tradition here at Calvary Church of taking a special, one-time Thanksgiving Offering above and beyond our regular giving. It's a simple but meaningful way to say, "Thank You, Lord, for the many ways You have provided for me this year. Out of gratitude for Your blessings, I want to be a blessing to someone else!"
Our theme this year comes from the beautiful words of Jesus in Matthew 19:14:
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (NLT)
This Thanksgiving, we have the opportunity to partner with two amazing ministries who are sharing the love of Jesus and making a difference for God’s Kingdom by blessing kids in Alaska and Albania.
#1 Horses for Jesus! – Alaska
In Juneau, Alaska, our longtime Calvary missionaries, Bob and Janice Stuck, help provide leadership and oversight for Echo Ranch Bible Camp (echoranch.org).
Every summer, Echo Ranch welcomes approximately 900 elementary, middle school, and high school students, many from Alaska's Indigenous communities. Amazingly, nearly 70% of these campers come from unchurched backgrounds! One of the biggest attractions that brings kids to Echo Ranch? HORSES!
The opportunity to ride a horse through the beautiful Alaskan wilderness is a huge draw for kids, especially those who might not otherwise attend a Christian camp.
Echo Ranch currently has several trail horses that work hard all summer long. But there's a problem: most of these horses are middle-aged or older, and the camp desperately needs to begin purchasing and training younger horses to take their place in the coming years.
And buying a horse in Alaska isn't quite as simple as you might think! These horses must be able to survive the harsh Alaskan winters, which means they need to come from cold-weather climates. That makes finding and transporting the right horses both challenging and expensive. The cost of just one young, winter-ready trail horse is approximately $9,000–$10,000!
Our hope is that this year's Thanksgiving Offering will provide enough funding for Echo Ranch to purchase at least one new trail horse this winter, giving them time to train it for future summers of ministry. It's more than just buying a horse. It's helping bring another generation of Alaskan kids to camp, where they can encounter the love of Jesus!
#2 Learning English, Experiencing God's Love! – Albania
Across the world in Lushnjë, Albania, our sister church, Way of Peace Church (wayofpeace.al), has been using a creative and practical way to reach children and families with the love of Jesus for more than 20 years: teaching English! Through its English school, the church welcomes hundreds of elementary-aged children each year.
Learning English opens doors to future educational and employment opportunities for these children. But even more importantly, the school opens doors for the church to build relationships with children and their families, demonstrate Christ's love, and share the hope of the gospel.
The church works hard to keep tuition affordable ($30 USD per student), especially in a country where the average monthly wage is approximately $960 USD. However, a modest tuition fee is still necessary to help pay teachers and provide meals for the students. Unfortunately, even this modest cost is beyond the reach of some families.
That's where our Thanksgiving Offering comes in! A portion of this year's offering will provide scholarships for elementary-aged children whose families cannot afford the cost of attending the English school. These scholarships will give children the opportunity to learn English, enjoy a meal, build friendships, and experience the love and care of a local church that wants them to know Jesus.
As we reflect on God's goodness and provision this Thanksgiving season, would you prayerfully consider making a special gift above and beyond your regular giving? Together, we can express our gratitude to God by generously blessing children and families around the world. You can give at Calvary by noting "Thanksgiving" on your check memo line or offering envelope. You can also donate online today at CalvaryLife.org/Give.
Matt Doan
Reach Pastor