What IS the Hope Project?
Grace Church set a goal several years ago to partner with churches and Christ-centered organizations to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to our local community. Then, to the Nations. After that, the world around us! We call this goal the Hope Project!
We partner with families and individuals who are starting feeding centers, Bible colleges, leadership training, community events, orphanages, churches, and so much more! With your generous gifts, they get to make an impact in the lives of those around them!
Everyone should have the chance to know the love and hope of Jesus. That’s why we give generously beyond our regular giving each year to projects around the world spreading hope by meeting the needs of their community and sharing the love of Jesus in the process.
LOCAL CHRIST-CENTERED PROJECT PARTNERS
"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." - Matthew 25:35-36
Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices
Boston Center for Pregnancy Choice – Since 1984, the Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices has been a caring voice for women facing unplanned pregnancies, committed to empowering informed decisions and providing ongoing support.
With the help of the Hope Project, they can begin offering ultrasounds onsite next year, dramatically increasing the percentage of women who choose life for their babies. It will also allow them to continue offering free pregnancy tests, counseling, and supplies for new parents.
Braintree Community Food Pantry
Braintree Community Food Pantry – For 30 years, the Braintree Community Food Pantry has been a shining light in our community, providing critical support and care to local families facing hunger and financial hardship. As food costs continue to rise, many in our neighborhoods struggle to put meals on the table.
Beyond physical sustenance, the Pantry provides an open invitation to any family seeking spiritual encouragement and hope during trying times. Staff and volunteers make time to listen, pray, and remind those in need that they are not alone.
In partnering with the Hope Project, this vital community resource can expand their reach and impact even more local families this year. We’re ensuring the Food Pantry can continue demonstrating Jesus’ compassion in both practical and spiritual ways.
Adult and Teen Challenge
Adult and Teen Challenge extends faith-based clinical counseling and life coaching to individuals wrestling with life-altering addictions, while also supporting their families. Through their Christ-centered programs, they have witnessed countless life transformations, believing in the renewing power of Jesus.
Partnering with the Hope Project provides local support and financial stability so Adult and Teen Challenge can continue helping men and women discover their true identity in Christ.
Amirah
Amirah empowers women survivors of exploitation with faith-based aftercare, resources, and opportunities throughout MA and CT. This year alone, dozens of women graduated from their residential program, Rapid-Rehousing, gaining helpful tools for a hopeful future.
Partnering with the Hope Project will help Amirah expand housing in 2024, giving even more women a chance to discover healing and freedom in Jesus.
NATIONAL CHURCH PLANTING PARTNERS
"His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him--though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, "We are his offspring." - Acts 17:26-28
SHORES CHURCH
WELLS, ME
In October of 2022, the Holloways stepped out in faith to launch Shores Church in their living room with just 7 people. But their passion to sincerely help their ever-changing, touristy community find and follow Jesus quickly overflowed his, and all the other families willing to host, walls. A well-timed partnership with the Wells-Ogunquit Center at Moody provided space for their growing church family and kid’s ministry to meet. Already, Shores Church is impacting lives through youth groups, supporting missionaries, and starting Bible studies.
Now, with the help of the Hope Project, Shores Church will work towards finding a permanent meeting space, connecting more with their community during peak tourist seasons, and creating opportunities for spiritual and leadership growth in the church.
ONE BOSTON CHURCH
BOSTON, MA
Born out of a vision to further God’s kingdom in the city of Boston, the Zimmermans started plans for One Boston Church in 2021. During that time, they faithfully served their Jamaica Plain neighbors and communities across the city through various outreach efforts, providing backpacks full of school supplies to children and winter survival kits to the homeless.
One Boston held their first service in September of 2023 with 70 in attendance, seeing 3 individuals go all in with Jesus and 10 make a decision to get baptized.
Partnering with One Boston Church provides them with financial support to continue serving their community, affording rent at the local school, and creating more opportunities for their neighbors to know and follow Jesus.
GRACE HARBOR CHURCH | NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES
NEW BEDFORD, MA
The Proudfoots felt called to bring the gospel to the overlooked and underserved community in New Bedford, and began planting Grace Harbor Church in 2020! Having a poverty rate of 85%, the Proudfoots saw this as an opportunity to bring hope to a community near to their hearts.
After growing even more passionate for churches to be planted in the surrounding densely populated neighborhoods, they began their second ministry, “Neighborhood Churches.” They quickly began identifying, recruiting, and training leaders to revitalize and restore churches!
In partnering with the Hope Project, the Proudfoots will have access to resources for future church planters, funds to renovate the ministry center and church buildings, and will relieve the stress of support raising to focus more on the work at hand.
CONNECT CHURCH
BROOKLYN, NY
The Léons are dedicated to establishing churches across all five boroughs of New York City. Their ultimate goal is to help millions experience the hope of Jesus. Since the Léons began leading in 2022, they have given families and individuals in their neighborhood an opportunity to hear about Jesus for the first time through community events.
After a devastating flood this year, partnering with the Hope Project will empower crucial building repairs so they can continue and even expand their community outreach.
NEW INSPIRATIONAL CHURCH
HYDE PARK, MA
The Fakeyes started New Inspirational Church on the ideals of service and investment. They strive to uplift their immigrant and minority neighbors through personal relationships and meeting felt needs. From the very beginning, New Inspirational has walked with people one-on-one, encouraging them to take their next steps in following Jesus.
The Fakeyes are passionate about sharing the hope, grace and love of Jesus in a way that speaks to the real struggles we face today. They’ve seen several begin following Jesus and shift their perspective on what attending church can do for their lives. Partnering with the Hope Project helps them to stay invested in their neighbors and funnel finances directly into uplifting the community.
REALITY CHURCH
MIAMI, FL
The Lolletts launched Reality Church in Miami to connect its diverse community to Jesus in 2021. Since then, they’ve been renting space in a movie theater and working towards helping those in their community know and follow Jesus.
Partnering with the Hope Project will provide funds towards the renovation of their permanent church home and organizing community focused events. This allows them to meet more needs across the city and increase their reach of people who are disconnected from God.
INTERNATIONAL FAITH-BASED PROJECT PARTNERS
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you." - Matthew 28:19-20
CUBA
THE SESMA FAMILY
In Havana, Cuba, the Sesma’s thriving church family is transformation central. Dozens have embraced new life in Jesus here. Though many local families still suffer in poverty, lacking essentials like meals and education. In 2024, partnering with the Hope Project will provide support that will help fund a new preschool, filling crucial needs for nutrition and learning. For the teachers and volunteers, it’s a wide open door to meet spiritual needs as well.
This year’s Project will also help to complete the second floor of their meeting space, allowing their church to accommodate all the youth and families searching for hope.
DENMARK
THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY
In Copenhagen, Denmark, the Christensen family is impacting the spiritual life of those in the community through Open Church. Launched in 2019, they serve a city where the majority are distant from God. Through caring outreach initiatives, Open Church gives people their first glimpse of belonging, purpose and hope found in Jesus.
Now, they have an urgent opportunity to reach even more people. At Copenhagen’s busiest intersection, 1.1 million pass by unaware of God’s love.
With the support of the Hope Project, Open Church will launch at this key location in 2024, strategically positioned to impact countless lives.
GUATEMALA
THE HERNANDEZ FAMILY
In Guatemala, the San Lucas Church continues to meet both physical and emotional needs. Their feeding center provides free meals to over 100 hungry children daily. For many of those children, it’s their only source of nutrition. Alongside the feeding center, volunteers build relationships with families, opening doors to share Jesus through Bible studies.
Partnering with the Hope Project, their feeding program can continue thriving. Local leaders will receive crucial training to grow the Gospel impact and the bible studies, feeding programs, and recently founded bakery can continue making a difference in the San Lucas community.
INDIA
PASTOR M
In the face of severe persecution, Pastor M’s story brings hope to India’s remote villages. With unwavering faithfulness, he has established several churches, a Bible college, and an orphanage. Over decades, his leadership team has trained over 1,000 church planters.
Though they face imprisonment and physical harm, their commitment never wavers. Pastor M and his community live out Jesus’ love. Now, they prepare for bold new outreach, expanding their training programs and churches.
The Hope Project support ensures their work continues thriving despite opposition. Together, we can fuel their mission to reach more for Christ across India. Further details of their ministry endeavors are withheld for safety purposes, by their request.
KENYA
THE NYANJE FAMILY
In poverty-stricken Mombasa, this church family is caring for families through Christ-centered education. By providing meals and schooling, young children gain the foundation to reach high school, college, and beyond. Even so, crushing needs remain.
In partnering with the Hope Project, their reach will grow even further over the next year. More children will pursue their dreams, more families will escape the poverty cycle, and more churches will empower communities.
Through the Hope Project, we can help to equip the community to overcome poverty and plant seeds of new life in Jesus.
MONGOLIA
THE BALLINGER FAMILY
In the vast Gobi desert of Mongolia, the Ballinger family continues to bring light to the darkness. Dedicated to training local disciples and planting life-giving churches in unreached villages, they are advancing the Gospel amid stark spiritual poverty.
In the capital city Ulaanbaatar, their feeding centers provide free, nutritional meals to impoverished children who would otherwise go hungry.
This year, the Ballingers launched their second coffee shop to connect with neighbors in their new village, Ih-Uul. With the support of the Hope Project, they will establish a nurturing church community among the unreached, provide school supplies for struggling families, and build a disc golf course to draw in young locals.
Most exciting, this partnership enables the Ballingers to start another feeding center where children can enjoy nourishing food and experience Jesus’ hope.
NEPAL
THE POKHAREL FAMILY
Amid persecution, the church in Nepal is multiplying rapidly, with the Pokharels at the epicenter. This dedicated couple leads Global Mission Nepal, catalyzing an indigenous church planting movement across Southeast Asia. Each year, trained native planters are launching churches in unreached villages where most have never heard the Gospel.
With funds for leader training and a potential 42 new church plants, entire Nepali provinces will receive the Good News for the first time. Families long living in spiritual darkness will finally see the light of Christ.
Through the Hope Project we can help to ensure every village has its own life-giving church community rooted in Jesus’ love.
PAKISTAN
THE FERNANDEZ FAMILY
The Fernandez family has a heart for sharing the love of Jesus in the region of Karachi, the largest Muslim city in the world, particularly to people groups that are typically exploited or ostracized by society.
With the help of the Hope Project, they plan to build a well this year that will provide water to an impoverished village, and to provide education for people commonly exploited in a form of slave labor.
URUGUAY
THE ALVAREZ FAMILY
In the historically church-resistant city of Montevideo, Uruguay, the Alvarezes are leveraging their insider passion to connect with people through community events, sports camps, and creative outreach. Families and individuals with little hope are discovering new life as they experience Christ’s love through the Alvarezes’ vibrant church.
Being a partner of the Hope Project will provide resources to train more local pastors and leaders. Equipped with new skills and support, these emerging leaders will be able to reach even more Uruguayans with the Gospel message.
WAYS TO GIVE
ONLINE
Remember to select Hope Project in the drop-down options!
GRACE CHURCH APP
Download our app. Click “Mobile Giving” and remember to select “Hope Project” in the drop-down menu.
IN PERSON
Place your gift in one of our offering envelopes and bring it with you to a weekend service at Grace Church. Please indicate that it’s for the “Hope Project” on the memo and envelope.
THROUGH MAIL
Indicate Hope Project on the memo and mail your check to: Grace Church, 101 Wales Ave, Unit D, Avon, MA, 02322
WITH BILL PAY
Use your bank’s Bill Pay feature to have a check mailed to Grace Church. Make sure you include Hope Project on the memo line.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM MY REGULAR OFFERING?
The weekly offering is the proportional amount (1 Cor. 16, 2 Cor. 8, 1 Tim. 6) we give back to God through our local church family. However, there were many times in the Bible when God’s people gave sacrificially, above and beyond their regular giving, to start churches and meet specific needs in the church and among the poor (Acts 2, Eph. 4, Heb. 13). The Hope Project is our version of this biblical, Christian practice.
WHEN SHOULD I GIVE?
You can give a one-time large gift or set up recurring gifts for the year online anytime between now and January 31, 2023.
WHAT IF I WANT TO GIVE TO THE HOPE PROJECT REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?
You can set up automated gifts online that recur weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
The amount you give is between you and God. It is one of the ways we demonstrate our dependence on God. While the regular offering is a percentage of our income, the Hope Project offering is your “I am excited to give this and it comes from the bottom of my heart!” offering.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear Grace Church,
For over a decade, the Hope Project has allowed us to make a meaningful difference locally and globally. Each year our prayers and gifts empower others to serve in our place. It’s been incredible to see God use our offerings to bless so many.
Now more than ever, people need the care our partner ministries provide. Our gifts together allow us to be Jesus’ hands and feet to struggling people.
Look through this year’s partnerships, and join me in praying for and financially supporting them this Christmas and into 2024. Every gift advances God’s kingdom. Whether one-time or recurring, your generosity is so appreciated!
Most of all, thank you for the privilege of being part of a congregation committed to living out God’s love. I look forward to seeing the Hope Project continue to thrive and transform lives in the year ahead.
Blessed to be a blessing,
Sean
Lead Pastor, Grace Church