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Dear Calvary Family,

We are changing our online giving system here at Calvary Church, so this email will have some details on that below but I want to give some biblical thoughts on giving and stewardship first.

I’m always so grateful for the generosity of the people of Calvary Church. Money and the church can be one of the more uncomfortable topics for people. A big part of that discomfort comes from churches mishandling funds or acting without integrity. Another part of that is that most of us, myself included, can be fearful and defensive about our own money. But I consistently see the people of Calvary give with a heart of worship and stewardship. And I also see the Calvary leadership act with integrity and multiple levels of accountability when it comes to finances.

I was recently talking with a Calvary member about this and he says that our role with money (and everything else too) is “to glorify God in managing HIS assets.” That’s stewardship. A steward is someone who acts as the surrogate of another, especially by managing property and financial affairs. God is the owner. We are the steward. The owner has rights and the steward has responsibilities. We are to glorify God and express love to God by doing this job well as we submit to him and obey him.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 speaks specifically to those who are rich, but I think this is important for all of us. “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

Our Annual Report we sent out last week showed how about a third of all the funds that come into Calvary Church go out to serve those in need and to support the gospel going out to all nations. Your giving goes to support the ministry that takes place here at Calvary, in our community, and around the world. And again, I am so grateful for all you do when it comes to supporting the ministry of Calvary. I’m also just overjoyed that as disciples of Jesus you are on a journey of prayer and trust and dependence with God. Our relationship to money is one of the most challenging but most important ways to grow in trust to God. So my encouragement is to pray, to listen to God, to talk with the people in your life, and respond as God leads you.

Here is the information on our new giving system moving forward:

• Calvary is now using Tithely for our online giving. You can learn more and give today at CalvaryLife.org/Give. 
• If you have had recurring giving set in our previous system, please log in and cancel your scheduled gifts before moving forward with Tithely. You can see the steps to follow and view your giving history at CalvaryLife.org/Changing. 
• The goal is to switch all recurring gifts and import historical donation records into Tithely by March 31, 2024. 
• If you have any questions, please contact us at or you can call Michael Welles at (714) 550-2313.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Eric Wakeling