A New Mexico church has given gifts to nearly 2,500 children.
"We are tangibly showing the love of our Savior to people, which is what it's all about," said Pastor Skip Heitzig of Calvary Church. "It's a good time to give to people and to show them there's a God in heaven who knows them by name and individually. It's our privilege to do this."
Church members donated some 5,000 toys for the toy drive, providing enough for 2,500 children to receive two gifts each for Christmas.
"Generosity helps to activate our faith," Heitzig said, according to CBN News. "When we are generous, we are actively practicing our faith because we are laying it on the line, and it's also one of the obvious signs that we are children of God. It's a family resemblance – like Father, like Son."
He added, "God is generous by nature."
Calvary Church has held a toy drive since 2014, providing gifts for students at Title I-funded schools in the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) district. Title I schools are identified as serving 50 percent or higher economically disadvantaged students.
Calvary Church announced this year's toy drive at its annual Thanksgiving Pickup Party, where families were invited to come and get a free Thanksgiving meal as well as get free haircuts, family photos, and medical and dental screenings.
The church also raised more than $250,000 to help needy children and families with food.
About 16,000 people attend services at the New Mexico church.
According to the church's website, its mission is to help "people to feel loved, cared for, and comfortable because we believe this makes them more receptive to the Word.
"Everything we do is about creating life change, and we want to build and provide opportunities for change in every realm of life: spiritually, relationally, professionally, and emotionally."
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Kerkez
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
