Page 25 - Mariners Church Jubilee Book

The following year, 1985, the church had an altogether different dilemma. Giving actually exceeded the annual budget by $10,000—the first surplus in years. The Board suggested the money be saved for the future, in case they ran a deficit again. Kenton and Laurie thought differently. They thought that if the church saved the money, they would get comfortable again and lose their desperate dependence on God. They convinced the Elder Board to give the money away. This single decision altered the culture and trajectory of Mariners Church and would ultimately change thousands and thousands of lives.
A team of staff members and volunteers gathered to study the Bible and hear from God about what He wanted them to do with the money. They identified every verse in Scripture where God talked about the poor, the orphaned, the widowed, and they were amazed at what they learned.
As a result, in 1987, after two years of seeking His direction, the announcement was made to the congregation to begin a new outreach ministry to the poor and marginalized. The church broke out into spontaneous applause and fully embraced this new idea.
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
Church Verse 1985
Mariners Outreach was born.
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