“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2
This Lenten season, we are reflecting on the blessings God has poured into our lives! As we devote ourselves to prayer, fasting, and giving, we are reminded of His goodness and provision and are called to give what we have restricted to benefit the world around us.
We are just one week from kicking off Lent. As you consider your Lenten sacrifices, AGCI would like to encourage you to consider how you can incorporate supporting vulnerable children and families into your spirit of giving.
Giving: A Pillar of Lent
Because Jesus laid His life down for us, we too are called to give: to give our love, to support those in need, and to sacrifice our own well-being. Giving, often referred to in Lenten season as “almsgiving,” is a pillar of Lent. As Christians make sacrifices and devote themselves to prayer during Lent, giving follows closely behind.
Almsgiving, or giving to a charity, philanthropy, or to the poor, has been practiced by Christians for thousands of years. Jesus calls us to give in Luke 6:38, and even promises blessings in return:
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
You can sacrifice and give at the same time! Have you considered cutting out a regular luxury during Lent? For example, if your day typically begins with a Starbucks coffee (according to an article from The Commons, the average American spends $3 per day on coffee), you could be spending an upwards of $100 or more per month on your coffee drink. When you honor God with your Lenten sacrifice in a way that also saves you money, whether it be cutting out coffee, giving up eating out, or pausing your Netflix subscription, you open your finances to be able to give more to those in need.
Giving is one way we show our faith to the world. Giving isn’t about giving away all of our possessions or money – it’s about making a meaningful sacrifice to advance God’s Kingdom.
Giving: Becoming a Cycle Breaker
If you feel called to give to AGCI this Lenten season, we encourage you to look into becoming a Cycle Breaker! Through a monthly gift of $24 or more (even less than you’re spending at Starbucks in a month!), you can break the devastating cycle that keeps children in institutions, families in systemic poverty, and vulnerable young adults from following their dreams.
Through the Cycle Breaker program, we partner with local leaders in each region that we serve in to ensure that we are addressing the unique issues facing that region. We work with our local teams to develop solutions that are effective, culturally appropriate, and sustainable.
When you become a Cycle Breaker, you become part of a global movement that is breaking the cycle for children and families around the world!
YOUR IMPACT AS A CYCLE BREAKER
With your help, we’re breaking the cycle around the world.
PREVENT
AGCI prevents children from entering institutions by strengthening families. We do this by:
- Supporting families whose children have been victims of sexual, verbal, and physical abuse through counseling services for the entire family.
- Identifying children through public school systems with undiagnosed learning and behavioral needs and providing the therapies they need to heal. We also educate parents on how to support their children.
- Lifting up families and communities through sponsorship programs that teach the importance of connection and trust so families can thrive.
PROVIDE
AGCI provides elevated care for children living in institutions so they can reach their God-given potential and thrive.
We do this by working with institutions and training caregivers so that children can heal from trauma and break the cycle.
PLACE
AGCI places children with their forever families through reunification and adoption programs.
- We ensure all families in our programs receive the trauma-informed training they need to be prepared to meet the needs of their children.
PREPARE
AGCI prepares youth aging out of the system, empowering them to break the cycle of trauma and create paths to independence.
- Children who previously would have been on the streets and at a high risk of being trafficked will now have an opportunity to study, live, and learn how to be an adult while pursuing a college degree or vocational training program.
POLICY
AGCI transforms policy to change the system and break the cycle of trauma.
- We empower local leaders to address the systemic issues that cause children to languish in institutions
When you become a Cycle Breaker, you step in to help children heal from trauma and help break the cycle that traps children and families.
Your gift each month will have a lasting impact, lifting up children and families in most desperate need. Are you ready to use this Lenten season to sacrifice, pray, and give? If so, become a Cycle Breaker through AGCI today!
