Cookson Hills Christian Ministries

Each year during this time, Federal employees (including both civilian and military personnel) are given an opportunity to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), a program in which participants may send a portion of their paychecks to up to 5 approved charities. Thousands of charities are listed in the brochure that is given to each employee.

In the past few years, I have become aware of the need for Christian ministries that seek to help children who have gotten into trouble. I have had 3 co-workers who have had to place their sons in residential programs because of the problems faced by each family. Each of my co-workers was a single mother whose son had fallen into destructive behavior patterns. The boys were out of control and in great danger of ruining their lives. The mothers were determined to help their children, but they could not do it alone. One sent her son to a military school. The other two sent their sons to Christian-based children's homes. Those programs made a tremendous difference in the lives of each family.

While I hope we never need such a program, I have seen how they help families in crisis situations. I've been impressed.

While browsing through the CFC brochure last week, I found a local ministry that helps such families: Cookson Hills Christian Ministries (www.cooksonhills.org). My wife Janet knew about the ministry (which includes a children's home and a Christian school), because the church in which she grew up has been involved with it for decades.

We have decided to allocate a portion of my paycheck to Cookson Hills Christian Ministries. If you are a Federal Employee in the Tulsa area, you may want to check out Cookson Hills, too. If you choose to donate, the CFC number is 39211. If you are not a Federal employee, you may donate by checking out their Web site.

Making a World of Difference

"He...must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need" (Ephesians 4:28).

Every year at this time, federal employees (both civilian and military) have an opportunity to designate a portion of their pay checks for the next year to a variety of charities of their choice through the Combined Federal Campaign. The theme of this year's campaign is Making a World of Difference. These are my choices and recommendations for this year:

Christian Relief Fund (CFC#11862)--The Christian Relief Fund is an organization dedicated to "fighting hunger and poverty internationally by providing food, medicine, educational support, Christian disaster relief and humanitarian aid to children and families in developing countries." More information can be obtained at www.christianrelieffund.org.

Pioneer Bible Translators (CFC#11481)--Pioneer Bible Translators "work in nine countries to assist native language speakers in translating the Bible, providing literacy training, establish/strengthen churches, and train nationals for partnership." More information can be found at www.pioneerbible.org.

International Justice Mission (CFC#85320)--International Justice Mission "rescues victims of violent oppression including slavery and sex trafficking, ensures aftercare services, pursues perpetrator accountability in local courts and encourages preventative structural change." More information is available at www.ijm.org.

If you are a federal employee, please consider these charities. Each organization helps people in need in different, but necessary, ways. If you know a federal employee, please let him or her know about these organizations. Thanks for reading!

Combined Federal Campaign 2007

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased" (Hebrews 13:16, NIV).

Every Fall, federal employees get an opportunity to fill out a form in order for deductions to be made from their paychecks to the charities of their choice. Several hundred charities are listed in the brochure. Both military and civilian employees may participate in the program, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

This week, I brought the brochure and form home to discuss with Janet. After some thought, we decided to donate to the same charities we have designated for years: Christian Relief Fund (http://www.christianrelieffund.org) and Pioneer Bible Translators (http://www.pbtusa.org).

The Christian Relief Fund (CFC #11862) is an organization operated by members of Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. It works around the world to alleviate poverty. For a number of years, Janet and I sponsored a girl in El Salvador through the organization, until she left the sponsorship program. With so many needs around the globe, we believe it is important for Christians to help however possible, and the Christian Relief Fund makes it possible for us to help in a small way.

Pioneer Bible Translators (CFC #11481) is also run by members of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. It works to translate the Bible into languages that have no Bibles at this time. In addition, its members teach native people how to read, because most of them are not only deprived of the Bible but of literacy as well. This group engages in frontier mission work, taking the good news of Christ to people who have never heard of him.

Every year, we are able to talk to the people who operate the Christian Relief Fund and Pioneer Bible Translators, because both charities have booths at the Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop. (Next year, we may get an additional opportunity to visit with them when the National Missionary Convention of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ meets in Tulsa.) It is good to be able to see the people who work with these organizations at least once a year.