Dear Metro Family,

I’m excited to invite you to join in our annual CHRISTMAS OFFERING, starting Sunday, November 24.

Over the past twenty years, we’ve had the incredible privilege of witnessing God’s transformative work in our community. We’ve seen marriages healed, lives restored, loneliness lifted, and countless lives touched by the hope of Christ. As a church, our heart is to see God continue this work not only within Metro but also to extend it outwards, reaching those whom Jesus calls “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).

Each Christmas, we have a chance to come together in a powerful way, to make a Kingdom impact that goes beyond our everyday reach. This special offering is an opportunity to share God’s love generously and tangibly. Year after year, we’ve seen God’s faithfulness through your generosity, allowing us to bless others abundantly. At Metro, we believe deeply in releasing the blessings we’ve received, choosing to give out of trust in God’s provision rather than our own resources. Even when times are tight, we’ve found that giving faithfully plants seeds of hope and transformation in our community and beyond.

Please join us in prayer, asking God to guide you in what He may be leading you to give—over and above regular tithes—to this offering. Together, let’s step out in faith and make this Christmas an unforgettable season of hope, healing, and love for those who need it most.

Blessings,

Pastor Peter
peter.ahn@emetro.org

Goal: $196,000

Offering Period:
Sunday, November 24, 2024 – Sunday, January 26, 2025

Offering Breakdown

Metro Community Center, Englewood | $60,000 

Metro Community Center is going strong. The beauty of the Center is that we are able to provide concrete services to address the real needs of the community. Through MetroLIFE, we are able to journey with Englewood high school students. In addition to providing support and opportunities to these youth, we provide SAT prep, guidance counseling and college preparation. All of our students are participating in college visits. As we turn more outward, we continue to provide a platform for community organizations and government agencies to meet monthly to address the needs of residents. We look forward to partnering again with the Englewood Recreation Department, which is now under new leadership. With your continued generosity, we look forward to providing much needed programs and support for the youth of our Englewood community and beyond.

Zimele, South Africa | $50,000 

Since 2007, Zimele USA has empowered over 13,000 rural women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, impacting over 70,000 lives! In partnership with Zimele Wethu Foundation, women are trained, mentored, and equipped with financial literacy, small business skills and life skills. These remarkable women are breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty and building a better future for their families and community, creating lasting change. Zimele is committed to confronting the root causes of poverty by recognizing and cultivating the God-given potential in women. In 2025, we will continue our mission to empower women in KwaZulu-Natal by:

• Strengthening and deepening our support for women in the Zimele program to ensure lasting, transformative change. 

• Enhancing existing social service projects with a focus on small business development, agriculture, and cultivating youth interest groups, modeled after and led by women in successful Zimele small groups.

• Bridging connections between Zimele USA and the South African communities by developing opportunities for youth leadership and global awareness through increased US volunteerism. 

• Strengthening U.S. engagement by facilitating Ambassador trip opportunities and supporting locally-led fundraising events and projects.

• Continuing to support our partners at Zimele Wethu with their staffing and program needs to ensure sustained impact and growth.

We are excited to continue this journey together to expand God’s Kingdom in South Africa in 2025.

Missionaries, Worldwide | $36,000 

Metro is fortunate and excited to be able to partner with multiple in-house missionaries.

Linda Swanson serves missionaries through Paraclete Ministry (paraclete.net) in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa through various conferences and small group gatherings in their local region. Her ministry has allowed missionaries and their families to heal and be restored from difficult challenges that they face on the mission field.

Scott and Christina Kwak have been on the field for the past 11 years primarily focused on sustainable development and multi-generational impact through business as missions. They work with women and young adults coming out of challenging situations taking a holistic approach to fully love and care for anyone that is willing to take steps towards a new beginning in their lives. They equip and empower individuals / families through transitional housing, vocational training and job opportunities within the Bella Goose programs.

Jong Ah Park serves as Director of Global Mission and Leadership Development for Korean Campus Crusade for Christ (kcccusa.org) and CRU (cru.org), organizations that reach out and minister to college students around the U.S. Jong Ah will organize short-term and long-term mission trips, as well as develop curricula and implement leadership programs for college students.

Rooted Ministries, USA | $15,000 

Rooted Ministries is a non-profit providing care to several dozen pastors around the country. Right now approximately 40% of pastors are considering leaving the ministry. They are burned out, tired of the politicizing of Jesus, weary of being the focal point of so much emotional baggage from so many, discouraged by the shallow nature of many of their relationships (because they are not safe), scratching their heads about the exodus of almost every demographic from the pews, and wondering how to bring Jesus Christ and his redeeming love to our culture that is changing at break-neck speed. We have come alongside pastors from all over the country this year so that they can abide in the love of Jesus Christ, and continue to live into their call to give that same healing love away to their churches…who in turn will give that powerful love to our broken world.

Church Plant | $25,000 

We are thrilled to announce that Pastor Doug will be planting a new church alongside a core team from Metro Community Church! This church, set to launch in late 2025 or early 2026, will carry forward the vision of a “Weak Church” here in the Tri-State area. We are grateful to stand alongside Pastor Doug as he brings this calling to life, and we can’t wait to see how God will use this new community to make a lasting impact.

Gateway Foundation | $10,000

In 2025, Gateway Foundation is excited to expand their Flying V vocational training program to empower 35 women seeking better jobs, career growth, and new opportunities. They will introduce a six-week “Career Beginnings” program, offering specialized training in administration, barista skills, bakery, and kitchen skills, complemented by essential soft skills such as conflict resolution, budgeting, and communication.

Throughout the program, 35 participants receive a weekly stipend, one-on-one coaching, and hands-on practice in their chosen field to build confidence and expertise. By the end of the six weeks, they’ll be guided in resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement, with a goal of securing employment that meets the livable wage standards.

1. App & Website

Whether you choose to give online via the giving portal on the website (emetro.org/give), or via the Metro App, the process is the same: 

• Type the amount you wish to give 
• Select either a one-time, or recurring Gift Type 
• Select "Christmas Offering" as your Giving Type 
• Click the Next button and follow the prompts 

2. Online Banking

You can set up a one-time, or multiple check(s) to Metro Community Church through your bank’s online checking. Most banks offer this service at no charge.

Be sure to notate “Christmas Offering” on the memo line of any checks that you give. 

3. By Mail

If you’d prefer to send your gift by mail, you can send it to our office at:

Metro Community Church
PO Box 5762
Englewood, NJ 07631

Be sure to notate “Xmas” on the ‘Other’ line of the envelope or “Christmas Offering” on the memo line of any checks that you give.

4. Donate Stock

If you own stock that has appreciated in value, it can be a significant benefit to both Metro and you if you choose to donate it to the Christmas Offering. Please contact Pastor Peter at peter.ahn@emetro.org if you would like to give in this way or desire additional information. 

For more information regarding our Christmas Offering, please email us at info@emetro.org.