First Presbyterian Church of Orlando is a founding partner of Grace Medical Home’s mission. The church consistently supports Grace’s work to ensure that no one misses the grace of God. And while their most recent donation is the most substantial gift to date, the story behind it is a powerful illustration of how one small, generous gesture and God’s perfect timing can spark a movement.
“On average, roughly 30% of church members ever donate money to their church,” shared Dr. David Swanson, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. “Here at First Pres, our average is up to 41%. That still means we have a way to go.”
To create a deeper understanding and journey of generosity, Dr. Swanson prepared a sermon
based on 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 detailing the grace God gave to the Macedonian churches taking the collection for the Lord’s people. What he didn’t know at the time was that the journey would take on a life of its own.
During his sermon, Dr. Swanson shared a video from Generous Giving, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to grow and stir a renewed, spirit-led commitment to generosity.
Their “Handful of Rice” video chronicles the story of a committed group of women in Mizoram, India – one of the most impoverished areas in the world. At each meal, the women scoop out a cup of rice and set it aside. They don’t have much to give, but they give what they have. At the end of the week, they give their rice offerings to the church, and the church sells them to support its work. The initiative spread from village to village and has been passed down through multiple generations. In 2019, the initiative raised $1.3 million to support the church and its missionaries!
“I never intended to do anything other than to say that we can do better than 41 percent,” said Dr. Swanson. “I just wanted to show that if these women in India could set aside one of their most essential basic needs each day, won’t you consider setting aside a dollar a day to further the Lord’s work?”
He added, “I also happened to mention that no one has ever pleaded to be a part of the offering.” He can’t say that anymore. In between services, he received a text stating that there was a group that wished to pledge a $250,000 matching gift toward any new gift the church received to double the impact! “It just happened – a $250,000 matching gift,” stated Dr. Swanson. “That became the catalyst that grew. It was a movement of God – that is the only way to describe it. “
Just as it did in India, the desire to be generous spread like wildfire, and the fund was affectionally dubbed the “Cup of Rice Fund.” One congregation member donated their yearlong $5-a-week holiday savings fund. Another decided to quit chewing tobacco and instead put the money he would have spent on tobacco into the fund. People from other churches and cities wanted to be a part of it and donated. The fund swelled to $1.86 million!
“On one hand, we were overjoyed,” recounts Dr. Swanson. “On the other hand, who are we that God would pour this out to just us? This little church. I just wanted us to have a very humbled attitude. I felt incredibly burdened. He gave it without telling us what to do with it.” The church elders gathered to pray that God would show them how to use the funds.
Around this time, Russia invaded Ukraine, and a friend of the church, Andzrej, was desperately trying to help refugees in four churches in Poland. He reached out to Dr. Swanson seeking help. “There was just such a desperation to him,” Dr. Swanson remembers. “I’ll try to do what you need. What do you need?” Anjay’s reply was an answer to prayer, “What we really need is rice!” “I have your rice,” said Dr. Swanson, “and you’re not going to believe this.” After he told him the whole story, he said, “This is why God asked us to give this money.” They sent $475,000 worth of rice, formula, bedding, blankets, and other much-needed supplies to the churches in war-torn Poland.
The church elders reconvened to consider how to allocate the remaining resources. They designated $700,000 for global missions and $700,000 for their local mission partners with the remainder going into cash reserves. “God gave this to support and encourage people who are making a difference,” said Dr. Swanson. “We looked at who we work closely with, who is doing poverty-related work, who is making a difference in generational poverty, and who is providing services that no one else is. Grace is the clear answer. We wanted to make a substantial gift to Grace of $145,000.” This brings their cumulative giving to Grace up to a total of $338,000.
Thank you, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando for continuing to share God’s blessings and grace with the uninsured in Orange County! It is powerful to see God at work in your amazing gift. Your generous giving will continue to inspire and bless others.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
