During this two-year period, every contribution to God through Stonehill is a contribution to our For The Valley initiative.  Every aspect of the ministry vision God is calling us towards for the next two years will be funded through For The Valley.  There will not be separate funds.  Every gift made will go into the same fund and will be our For The Valley giving.  Therefore, every day becomes a day to celebrate and contribute towards what God is doing in us and through us as we seek to be For The Valley for Jesus and His mission.

First and foremost we are asking that you pray and seek God’s leading on what He is asking of you.  Prepare your heart to hear Him, and then listen to what He says.  Engage in a Community Group during this season, if you haven’t already engaged in one.  Engage in personal reflection with God in the For The Valley workbook you will be receiving. Talk with your group, your spouse, your family, friends, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life.

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards For The Valley.  You might have some stocks, property, or other items of that nature.  Or you may have some stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He might be calling you to give out of during this time.  Please let us know if you need assistance with facilitating gifts of property or stock, and we would be happy to help you with that.

We are asking that everyone make a two-year commitment.  The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with our First Big Give on Sunday, December 5, 2021 and it will culminate in December of 2023.

For The Valley is about your total, prioritized, gospel-driven generosity to God’s mission at Stonehill.  We believe that God calls us to action in times of hardship just as much as He does in times of abundance, and that looks different for every person.  For The Valley is about a heart surrender - one that is only accomplished by seeking the Lord and responding to His call and His Word.  So that may mean that you are being challenged to sell things, to pick up odd jobs, or even to trust God in faith by making a commitment that you don't quite know how to fulfill right now but that you believe God will provide for as you seek for ways to sacrifice and work towards that commitment.  We would love for 100% of us to be a part of For The Valley so that we can all be supporting, loving, encouraging, and praying for one another through this spiritually-stretching season at Stonehill.

If you are someone currently seeking to make payments to pay off debt right now, we commend you for making progress on that.  And you should continue to do so.  We would be happy to help you in this journey and/or to recommend a budgeting class that might minister to you.  Being in debt does not, however, make someone "excused" from giving.  Giving isn't about what God wants from you; rather, it's about what God wants for you.  So it should be our joy and privilege to give at all times, regardless of the amount or percentage.  Please contact us if you need assistance with paying off of debt while still giving or if you would like to speak with a budgeting counselor, and we would be honored to help.

For The Valley was crafted specifically with you in mind.  For The Valley is a "one fund" generosity initiative, meaning that it is different from a traditional capital campaign where you are called to give an extra gift above and beyond your normal giving - thus creating two steps for people who aren't yet giving.  For The Valley is a call to surrendered, gospel-driven generosity for absolutely everyone at Stonehill.  If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with committed giving.  We really hope you will.

For The Valley is about the vision for our church and our personal discipleship in giving as followers of Jesus.  We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give towards, and we would really love for you to make Stonehill your home and join us in For The Valley.  If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church.  We need you on the team!

Great question.  People take different spiritual steps at different times.  Some people begin praying before they begin attending church.  Others begin going to a Community Group before they begin talking to God in prayer.  Giving is another spiritual step, and it comes at different times for different people.  One thing is for sure, however.  Just like other spiritual disciplines, giving draws us closer to God.  And God is calling ALL of us to give.  Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19)  Whether you have taken the spiritual step of baptism or whether you haven't yet, we would encourage you to still join us in this For The Valley initiative.  We firmly believe that it will draw you closer to God and hopefully to a place where you are ready to make the decision to become baptized and to surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ.