Rhema's fireworks funding gift to fellow BA church totals $5,000
BY BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
7/10/12 at 5:43 AM
BROKEN ARROW - The Rev. Kenneth Hagin was driving to Rhema Bible Church on the morning of July 1 when he felt impressed to help a fellow Broken Arrow church.
In late June, the city of Tulsa shut down a fireworks stand that was a major missions fundraising project of the Broken Arrow First Church of the Nazarene.
Hagin took up a special offering that morning that raised $4,293 for the First Church of the Nazarene.
On Monday, Hagin presented a check to Nazarene youth pastor Eric Macomber for $5,000, the special offering plus $707 more from the Rhema Bible Church general fund.
"This is not about the politics. I just wanted to help them," Hagin said. "This is all about an act of love to a church that was in need."
Hagin said he took his inspiration for the gift from the Bible passage I John 3:17, which reads: "If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear." (Message Bible)
Macomber said the fireworks fundraiser typically raises about $10,000 to fund youth missions and children's and youth ministries. The church was planning a missions trip to the Dominican Republic.
"We knew God was going to do something to make up for the loss of funds," he said. "We're all part of the Body of Christ. Hopefully this is something other churches can pick up on."
The fireworks booth was legally located on Indian land that is surrounded by city of Tulsa land.
Tulsa officials effectively shut it down by saying they would confiscate fireworks sold at the stand because buyers would be in violation of a city ordinance banning possession of fireworks as soon as they stepped from the Indian land to city land.
Original Print Headline: Rhema gives BA church $5,000 for mission fund
Bill Sherman 918-581-8398
bill.sherman@tulsaworld.com
