Often members of churches ask us how they can get theircongregations involved in our mission. Upon request, we provide supplies to help: wheelchairs for demonstration, posters, videos, stories, and brochures. Of course, these are never enough. What the church must provide are champions within the congregation, a supportive leadership, and lots of faith. We have some sterling examples of success. Here is one: from Mercer Island, Washington.

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Last November, Pastor Greg of Mercer Island Covenant Church challenged his congregation with a message called Humbug to Hallelujah. About the same time, church member George D. suggested donating our wheelchairs. The congregation set a goal to fill one shipping container — 550 chairs. Church member Phil G. led the project. A little later, Mercer Island Rotary Club joined in the campaign. "The response was so incredible," Pastor Greg said.  Donations went well past their goal, and in the end they had enough for two containers! They chose Indonesia as the destination for the wheelchairs, where they would aid the December 2004 Tsunami victims still waiting for relief, a full year after the disaster.

“Raising funds for the project proved to be a faith-building experience for everyone,” says Pastor Greg. Many in the congregation were concerned about the effect that raising money for wheelchairs would have on their deficit. Just the opposite happened!  "At the end of December we eliminated the $30,000 deficit, provided funds for 1100 wheelchairs, and finished the year with a $30,000 surplus in the operating budget."

"Long term members have told me that the participation we achieved in supporting the Free Wheelchair Mission project is unprecedented," Pastor Greg claims. "It has done more to unify our congregation than anything else in the 54 year history of our church."

If this weren’t enough, Lorene from Mercer Island shared with her sister, Maxine, in Midland, Texas the success of their campaign.  Maxine was so moved by the idea that she initiated a campaign at her church and recently sent in a check for 2 containers, as well! The Midland, Texas church experienced the same kind of success in getting their congregation to rally around the gift of mobility.