Dear Friend,

Can Jesus fill all my needs? Do I allow Him to do so? These were important questions that I had during my sabbatical this past summer. As I returned, I discovered that the funds from the City of Fullerton, upon which we depend, were cut by $15,000. These funds were used to supplement my salary at Solidarity and to take such an abrupt cut has been quite a challenge for me and my family. As we built Solidarity, I intentionally never took a full salary. I believed it was better to allow more brothers and sisters to join in with what God was doing through Solidarity than to demand a full salary.

God has been characteristically faithful through this time. The day I received the news of being cut from the City budget, I received an e-mail from a friend saying he had a group of businessmen who might want to contribute to Solidarity and they would welcome a proposal. Although these things take time, and we have an immediate need, I felt God was letting me know that He is in control. That same weekend on Sunday morning at 7:20 am, I had a knock on my door. It was another friend of mine who is a pastor at a local church. He asked me if I could preach that morning… and that they would pay me for it! I accepted and was blessed to have been a part of that service. Later that night, I went to my church and as the offering basket passed I felt God telling me to put some of the money that I was putting toward our emergency fund, in the offering basket. I took out a 20-dollar bill and placed it in the basket, remembering how God has been so generous towards me and my family. After service, one of the staff members handed me a card someone had given her. I opened it and there was a note thanking me for the sermon I preached the week before… and next to the note was a 20-dollar bill. I can’t even give my money to Jesus without Him giving it right back to me!

These experiences and many others like them have continued to foster a strong sense of faith that Jesus loves us more than we can comprehend. Do I worry about my wife and two daughters? Most definitely yes, but I realized that Jesus loves them more than I do.

God has been providing in similar ways for Solidarity as well. During these tough economic times God has been faithful. He has not only provided funds but people as well. We have full time employees willing to work for less than $22,000 a year with no benefits! That is how much they believe in the mission of Solidarity. It points to what we are all about, “Empowering believers to be dynamic Followers of Christ.” We are willing to lay down our lives for others, not “just in word but in deed.” It has truly become a lifestyle for many of us. That sacrifice to participate in what God is doing has led to the transformation of lives. Not only have our neighbors and friends been affected by Christ’s love in the neighborhood but we have been changed as well.

Currently, Solidarity is at a monthly deficit of $7,555.00. We have experienced God’s provision every month in miraculous ways and somehow we are in the black; however, we are extending a challenge to our partners, family and friends to be used by God as a blessing to those we serve through the Solidarity programs. To hear what that looks like please read the story provided below.

We invite you into this wonderful world of sacrifice to experience the enjoyment of giving yourselves away for Christ’s purposes and His kingdom. The first step in experiencing this transformation is to sacrifice. Many of you cannot volunteer at one of our sites or move to Brazil and join our staff member Tim in working with street children, but… God has blessed you with an income. Please consider using that for God’s Kingdom by becoming a financial partner with Solidarity. If not Solidarity there are many great organizations that desperately need support. Consider the adventure of giving something away, and then wait to see how God will work…the greater impact might just be in your own life.

Peace to you,

Thomas Nixon

Executive Director

Solidarity

Solidarity has been fortunate enough to be a part of the Leon Family’s life, but there is a gap, and this is only three individuals. There are many more families that we cannot reach due to volunteer and financial restraints. With your help Solidarity can better participate in how God is moving within the neighborhoods we minister in.