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Multiply 2025 started with the story of the boy who gave his lunch to Jesus. It was the only food offered up in the hungry crowd of thousands. Jesus took what the boy had, a couple of fish and five small loaves of bread, and then He thanked God for it, broke up the fish and bread, and gave the pieces to His disciples to give to the crowd. It was probably over 15,000 people who were fed that day from what Jesus did. He multiplied what was given to Him into a feast that was talked about for years to come, even today 2,000 years later. 

This summer we took that story and began to live it out. Taking what we have, what God has given us and then letting Him multiply it in multiple ways to raise funds to help feed and equip students in our community through Bridging the Gap, our nonprofit Backpack Program and the Inspiring Hope Learning Center.  

As the Multiply 2025 Campaign comes to a close this weekend, it’s good to remember what has happened and why.  

It started with the Yard Sale. There was a lot of donated stuff, and it seemed like God multiplied it over and over, so much so that we ended up with a lot more great stuff. It generated a lot of sales that day.  

Then Multiply 2025 transitioned over to individual projects like Lily’s yard sale, & Jonathan’s grass mowing, and Sean & Colleen’s amazing Deck of Cards Workout which is absolutely killing it even though it won’t actually happen until Saturday, August 30. (Bennett - Deck of Cards) Just their training stories are gathering attention and donations on their own.  

There’s the new Ebay store that will help you declutter and raise money at the same time. If you have something you want to get rid of, let us know. Tom and Cas are doing a great job getting that up and running, and it will still be open even after Multiply 2025 wraps up.  

Doug McIntyre and I have been riding bikes all summer for our project. He is absolutely a better cyclist and has pushed me to new heights (or is that greater distances?) than I ever could have on my own.  

Some have given through the Amazon Wish List for Bridging the Gap. It’s been fun receiving packages from Amazon and not knowing what’s in it until it’s opened. It’s a lot like Christmas each time one arrives. (IHLC Amazon Wish List)  

There have been donations from other churches, and an organization in the Charleston and Wilmington areas even decided to contribute in a pretty cool way.  

There are stories yet to be told of people who took on extra jobs, expanded projects they were already doing, and who donated above and beyond. It will be exciting to see and hear their stories, and all that God has done through this campaign.  

And then, of course, there is the reason behind doing all of this. It has been a faith journey and a fundraiser all along. It has been about doing what we can while God does what only He can do to show His love to children in our community in very practical ways such as food for the weekends through the Backpack Program at Old Town Elementary School and daily after school mentoring, tutoring, encouraging and equipping students through the Inspiring Hope Learning Center which launches September 2, 2025 for its 3rd year!  

We are here in the Old Town area for a reason. As we live, work, worship and serve in this community, we are simply answering His call to love our neighbor as ourselves and to make disciples who make disciples. The ultimate goal is to help the children and their families find and follow Jesus who is the answer everyone needs for this life and the life to come.  

This Sunday, August 31, we are having a Celebration Service where we will be receiving above and beyond donations for the Multiply 2025 Campaign. The total will be announced that morning along with some other amazing ways God has been doing well beyond our efforts. It will be an exciting time.  

Hope to see you Sunday as we wrap everything up! God is so good!  

You can donate here if you want: Multiply 2025 Donations

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way from your time, talents or treasures. You are an amazing people. We will see how God has multiplied it all!