Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35 NIV). Each year for Live Big, we take a season and practice living out Jesus’ words by giving more than we receive, and all of it goes to helping those in need in our communities.
We do this by mobilizing our entire church, and anyone who wants to join. We challenge everyone to give financially toward Live Big and 100% of it is given to carefully vetted non-profit organizations that are doing an exceptional job serving those in need in Milwaukee and around the world. We also challenge everyone to give away some of their time and serve in these organizations. In doing this, we believe it will not only make a difference in other peoples’ lives, but it will also make a difference in your own.
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Bridge Builders is committed to local leadership, diverse partnerships, is rooted in the church, and driven by a desire to see neighborhoods transformed for the common good one block at a time. Why one block at a time? Milwaukee’s central city neighborhoods have been fragmented by a lack of generational wealth, crime, the failure of local businesses and bad governance. While some groups look at top-down solutions, Bridge Builders invests directly in the lives of the people on the block.
Care Net Milwaukee is focused on creating a culture where women and men faced with pregnancy decisions are transformed by the love of Jesus and empowered to choose life for their unborn children and abundant life for their families. In this mission, they provide confidential and free services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, baby supplies, counseling, abortion education, and post abortion support.
The Greenfield school district believes that all learning begins with meaningful relationships. Their mission is to develop learners who can apply knowledge and think innovatively as a result of engaging in rigorous and relevant opportunities.
Located in the heart of Milwaukee, where more than 67,000 children are living in poverty, City on a Hill is bringing transformation by restoring hope, reducing poverty, strengthening families, and fostering racial reconciliation. They are dedicated to ending the generational cycle of poverty in Milwaukee by empowering individuals to make sustainable life change.
Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With your support, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families.
Hope Street helps at-risk men, women, and children cultivate hope by providing them with housing, educational programs to develop new habits, and protection from toxic situations they've been exposed to. The Hope Street home, called “The Greenhouse”, is an empowering Christ-filled community for individuals to live, learn, and develop new habits.
Pathfinders is Wisconsin’s oldest non-profit in serving youth in crisis. They serve more than 7,000 homeless teens each year. They not only provide supported short-term housing for adolescents ages 11-17, but also many different kinds of programs including: education, clinical services, and counseling.
Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family–like support for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact.
Parents voluntarily have their children cared for by a host family while they seek to restore stability in their lives. Safe Families is dedicated to family support, stabilization, and child abuse prevention. Their goal is to strengthen families, and to always reunite children again with their parents.
Lifeline is a church planting organization that focuses on sharing the story of Jesus in Winslow, Arizona. In this community, there are not many family-friendly engagement opportunities. By partnering with the Red Sands School and The Well Church, Lifeline dreams of impacting this community and build trust.
Lifeline is a church planting organization that focuses on sharing the story of Jesus in Guatemala. Their goal is to create local churches with strong leaders that spend time engaging in relational compassion with their communities.
Reclaim the Block Program | Purchase a Box Truck According to the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", over 50% of the properties in Milwaukee are owned by people living outside of Milwaukee, and in some cases the U.S. In order to renovate these homes and spearhead homeownership in our target area, it makes financial sense to purchase a box truck instead of continuing to rent from U-Haul.
Learn to Earn Program | Care Net’s Fastest Growing Program
2020 held 227 classes with 55 different women.
2021 approaching 440 classes with at least 75 different women.
Care Net is in need of more staff hours for the next 6 months to reach women with the gospel of Jesus and very practical support during their pregnancies. Learn more >>
Operation Warm|The School District of Greenfield is looking to provide warm jackets for kids in the district. These coats will go to underserved children in the district to help them thrive. In 2021, they are looking to support 100 families that fall below the poverty line.
Alumni Engagement & Leadership Program | This project will gap students that graduate out of City on a Hill’s (CoaH) student programs and keep them involved and active. As young men and women graduate high school, CoaH wants to provide them with guidance and assistance as they reach adulthood. This program will create monthly classes to train and guide these young adults, provide them with an annual retreat, and staff to help coordinate events and programs.
Welcome Home Package | Habitat believes everyone deserves a decent place to live. Together we help people in our community build places to call home. Our vision is to bring the hope of Jesus into every home. The entryway to 15 homes will be secured and welcomed by The Ridge, including the steps up to the home and the security doors and porch lights.
The Rooted Program |This program is designed to empower and prepare Hope Street members to lead a flourishing life after Hope Street with the knowledge and resources to foster healthy habits, goal-setting, and classes geared towards their specific needs. By partnering with The Ridge, we are hopeful to bring on a counselor that specializes in family care to give each of our members the tools they need to thrive.
Hygiene Kits | Pathfinders is asking for support to purchase Hygiene Kits. These are an essential resource that Pathfinders offers to their youth both on-site and in the community. Items such as deodorant, toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, cleansing wipes, and feminine hygiene products are just some of the basic items that they believe everyone should have access to. Personal hygiene is often the first line defense in preventing illness and remaining healthy.
Launch Sweetwater Ministries in 2022 |Small group classes for mothers to focus on fellowship, prayer, encouragement, and parenting education. This will allow staff to work additional hours and fund for childcare while moms meet.
Family Miniature Golf Course |In Winslow, AZ, there are not a lot of family friendly engagement opportunities. Red Sands School and The Well Church dream of impacting the community and draw them near, to build trust. The Family Miniature Golf Course will be adjacent to the school/church and will be managed by the students. This will allow the school to give students hands on training in the business world while providing the community with a safe and fun activity for everyone to enjoy.
Economic Empowerment Program | Help Pastor Deybee’s community become more self-sustaining through programs to learn how to run their own business, training on micro-enterprises, and providing micro-loans. This will have a tremendous long-term impact for his ministry and his community.
Your Generosity Makes an Impact
Every dollar and every hour served adds up to make a BIG impact. Your generosity--whether monetary, relationally, or a combination -- makes a difference in the lives of those served. Check out these stories to see how lives have been changed all over the world.
LIVE BIG 2020 TOTAL REVEAL & PARTNER UPDATE
Despite a crushing pandemic in 2020, $160,000 was raised and completely given away to our partners. In this video, Lead Pastor, Mark, and our Director of Local and Global Partnerships, Kelly, are give an update on where your generosity was used.
THEY SAID YES DOCUMENTARY
In January of 2020, a newly-formed team of twelve people spent three days in Honduras together. Their mission was to decide if they had what it takes to raise funds on their own to plant a church that would help strengthen a community through after-school education, healthcare, and impacted relationships. What they weren't prepared for was how God was going to change their lives forever and grow their faith in an unbelievable way. This is their story.
JENNI'S SERVING STORY
Purchasing a pair of boots for someone was just the beginning. Sometimes we're called to serve beyond the walls of a church, and for Jenni, God used her need to serve others in Milwaukee in a very special way.
Merch and More
Continue your support by purchasing limited edition Live Big apparel. All proceeds from Live Big branded merchandise goes towards the Live Big total to help our partners. You can also continue showing support by sharing your story with us on how you saw God show up during this series or how you're living big!
