NorthPark Community Church has been giving away hope this Christmas. On the Sunday before Christmas, Senior Pastor Dave White challenged the more than 1,000 people who attended church that day to give hope away in small ways that lend a little light to what might be a dark place in someone’s life.

As an extra challenge, he asked for a few volunteers who’d be willing to take “The Hope Challenge” and more than 20 people volunteered. They were each given $100 “seed” money and challenged to multiply it by getting friends and neighbors to add to it or match it with the goal of spreading hope by providing for someone in need. The only caveats were that they do it within 48 hours and be willing to share the story with the rest of the congregation.

Stories began to pour in right away as people used social media to enlist others in worthy causes. One group of families who took the challenge delivered funds to the local homeless shelter which was in dire need of support to keep the doors open this holiday season and beyond. Another group used the funds they collected to provide hope to a single mother with four kids who had wondered where Christmas was this year for her and her children.

A group of men spent an hour at a local Starbucks buying coffees for all who came in, inviting them to Christmas Eve Services where they could hear the message of Christmas Hope. Another group used the money they raised to pay the mortgage of a family with two small children who’d recently lost their means of support.

The stories continue to pour in and the “Hope Challenge” is still reaching people with tangible help and hope. And, as is often the case, everyone who participated reported feeling incredible joy as they gave hope away.

NorthPark Community church is located at 28310 Kelly Johnson Dr., Valencia. Sunday Service times are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.