You may have seen the #incgiving hashtag popping up across your social media. It’s a simple but powerful message based on the biblical teaching in Proverbs 3:27 Today’s English Version: “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it,” and it’s driving action that is transforming lives. It’s the core principle behind INC Giving, a project started by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) encouraging volunteers to go into their communities and share their faith through acts of care in both big and small ways. While the roots of INC Giving go all the way back to 2011, the same spirit of kindness and doing good is alive right now, all over the world. The global relaunch of INC Giving is providing a huge springboard for Church Of Christ members to go out and do some good.
On the move in communities around the world
With INC Giving, Church Of Christ members are mobilizing, with numerous events happening around the globe, each with a different scope and focus. Near the end of December 2023, Church Of Christ members set up shop, offering free haircuts and even access to free medical services like consultations and providing free medicines and free vitamins in Tondo, Manila, Philippines that might not otherwise be available to the local residents there.
In January 2024, a campaign for blood donation was held in Makati, Philippines and successfully shored up the critically required resource, catering to the pressing needs of hospitals. Also this week, members of the Church Of Christ organized a clothing drive in Freedom Park, Cabanatuan City and gave out complimentary porridge, as part of their participation in a Neighborhood Appreciation Day event.
Teachers at Chom Dao Kindergarten in Bang Na, Thailand, celebrated with a Teacher’s Appreciation Day.
Seeing and seizing the opportunity to help
But INC Giving isn’t just about large scale events involving lots of people and vast resources. It’s about being on the lookout for opportunities to help others, and doing the right thing when you see the opportunity. Rio Aligato connected with her community by offering cabbage, giving away nearly 175 kilograms of “repolyo” to whoever stopped by.
Beatrix Abellera took to below zero degree weather to offer free car rides in Alberta Canada, for people needing to get to work.
To help his community, one member, Jim Rosario, began offering free tutoring sessions in his home, all day, three times a week.
Happiness reflected back
After giving out free drinks and ice cream in Manila, Philippines, a collaboration with INC Giving, 11K Cafe posted on their Facebook page, “The satisfaction we felt from giving was immeasurable. Seeing the happiness reflected on the faces of those we served brought us an indescribable sense of fulfillment. It reminded us that kindness truly knows no bounds.”
This week was filled with kindness in action as patrons of a local donut shop received a pleasant surprise when they were given free vouchers in San Diego, California to cover their purchases, and a local park received a much-needed clean up.
What’s your INC Giving story?
Stories like these are happening worldwide, in cities and neighborhoods just like yours. The spirit of helping one another is at the heart of INC Giving. Whether you’re helping a neighbor who’s fallen on hard times, volunteering in your community or even doing something as simple as holding the door open for someone, there are always opportunities to do the right thing and put the focus on others. The INC Giving Project strives to change lives and communities for the better, one act at a time.
If you’d like to know more about INC Giving and find out how you can join us to make your own impact, please visit incgiving.org
About the Author:
Daniel is a staff writer at incmedia.org. Though a writer, he spent his first year at incmedia.org composing original music for the Centennial Series, a 12-part documentary about the growth of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ).
