The Nevada-Utah Conference (NUC) has a tag line: “We Care.” It describes how the conference administrative team makes decisions using a Christ-like model of caring. During the last few years, as they’ve observed NUC churches and members deal with a life-altered world of pandemonium, they’ve been privileged to see “We Care” in action on the local level. Here’s just one example.
In Utah, the Provo/Price district saw individual needs increase during the pandemic. In this church district, over 60 members contracted COVID, and many lost their jobs and their source of income. The church boards of the Provo and Price churches committed to giving all they could. They knew the meager resources they had wouldn’t last forever, but they committed to helping everyone they could. The churches contributed to individual needs as they arose by paying mortgages, rent, and utilities and by purchasing medications and food. God blessed their giving hearts! Instead of their bank balances decreasing to all-time lows, the bank balances increased!
In January 2022, disaster struck the Price church parsonage. A water line froze and subsequently burst, due to deferred maintenance. The small congregation took immediate action to mitigate and repair the damage. After the project was completed, and a $42,000+ bill was paid by NUC, the insurance company determined that the cause was excluded from coverage and there would be no financial assistance provided for the claim. Striving to repay the debt, the Price church board came up with a plan of repayment that would take years.
When learning of the loss at Price, the church board at Provo said, “We want to help. Let’s give $5,000.” Further prayer and discussion occurred, and it was determined that they could do more.
During a joint church service on June 25, 2022, the pastor preached on Acts 2:44-47. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (NIV).
After the potluck fellowship meal, Provo church members presented the Price church a check for $42,750.49. Not only did this cover the cost of mitigating and repairing the water damage, but the amount also covered the insurance premium payment for three months. All in the room were brought to tears. Harold Rosales, pastor of both the Provo and Price churches, told the members, “You are a living example of the New Testament church. What you are doing to support each other makes me proud!”
NUC Treasurer Karen Schneider voiced her praise. “Thank you for reminding your NUC treasurer that love is not about the numbers but that love is about meeting the needs of the people.”
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By Karen Schneider
