Mercy Projects an Expression of Local PEACE

Our Saddleback family is growing together in daring faith through this month’s All-Church Mercy Projects. By uniting our church family, small groups from each campus have committed to coming together to help serve our communities, build relationships, and deepen fellowship. 

As part of the Miracle of Mercy campaign, everyone is invited to go into the community and express tangible love and mercy to our neighbors and the world. To practice this fellowship of serving, regional campuses and small groups are taking part in our Local PEACE Plan by helping at a food pantry or by participating in other Local PEACE ministries.

Every small group is encouraged to serve together through any one of our Mercy Projects, all of which are an expression of Local PEACE. These projects provide simple, practical ways to show Christ’s love and mercy to people in our community. They also allow small groups to join together to reflect what God is really like—a God of mercy that knows no limits, always ready and able to forgive and redeem.

“We have 264 projects available across all campuses,” says Community Outreach Coordinator Michelle Thune. “Since some are recurring events, we have 608 total opportunities groups can participate in.”

Mercy Projects take place during the months of April, May, and early June. Among the many ways to serve are projects relating to homelessness and poverty, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, people in prison, veterans, active military, seniors, neighborhoods, creative arts, and reaching the lost.

Taking the lead was Saddleback Men, which eagerly committed to two upcoming Mercy Projects before the official list was released on April 8. The men’s ministry will serve the people of Santa Ana by beautifying their city on May 21. After announcing this service opportunity at the Man Up event in early April, nearly 50 men signed up to paint, clean, and garden for the community.

On June 18, Saddleback Men will also be serving Lake Forest by taking on repair jobs in designated neighborhoods. Demonstrating servant heartedness are Mercy Project leaders Pete Todd, Ryan Hacker, and Matt Bruce, who have helped organize several projects for Saddleback Men. “They have all been a huge help in connecting Saddleback Men with Local PEACE,” said Saddleback Men’s Pastor, Tom Kang.

As we’ve learned through the Miracle of Mercy series, God's mercy is the antidote to every insecurity, worry, and fear. When we receive God's healing mercy, we can reflect that mercy to others.

Preparing our hearts for this mission was the Day of Prayer for Mercy, held at the Rancho Capistrano campus on March 12. Hosted by our HIV&AIDS Initiative, the event featured an entire day of prayer and fasting. New and familiar faces joined in a time of guided prayer, worship music, vision casting, and fellowship. Teaching was led by Kristine Noelle, followed by a 10-hour-long prayer session focusing on specific Mercy Projects. Closing out the service was worship led by Dave Upton and a celebration of food and fellowship. Over 50 people gathered in prayer, asking that God would go before our church family and bring hope to those in need of his mercy.

As our church gears up for these high-capacity serving opportunities, we see a unity among our campuses and a joy in serving others. Mercy Projects have also given us a glimpse into the future PEACE Centers we intend to launch through Daring Faith. To help meet our goal of assisting 250,000 people in need, we hope to one day establish PEACE Centers at all of our campuses.

We don't want to be just hearers of the Word, we want to be doers of the Word. Don't miss out! Visit saddleback.com/mercyprojects to find out how you can get involved in these amazing serving opportunities at your home campus in the coming weeks.