“When there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.”

I knew what “pain in the offering” felt like.

When I was a young adult, money became a real struggle. I became a parent at a young age, and during an economic downturn, jobs just didn’t pay enough to survive. We were on multiple assistance programs, and there was a constant fear surrounding money. Every bill felt heavy. Every unexpected expense felt like something that could throw everything off.

So whenever I’d hear messages in church about generosity, I’d quietly think to myself, “I’d give more if I had more.”

Have you ever felt that way?

I think for a lot of people there’s a real tension there. If God is the creator of all things, and if He truly wants good things for His children, then why does generosity feel so difficult sometimes? Why does giving sometimes feel less like worship and more like stress?

In my message “Why Should We Live Generously,” I talked about how to trust, believe, build and worship in a way that leads to a life of generosity. I also mentioned several different types of givers. The closed-handed giver. The fearful giver. The leftover giver. The emotional giver. The strategic giver. And finally, the cheerful surrendered giver. The reason I knew all those types so well is because I’ve been almost all of them at different points in my life.

I know what it’s like to give out of guilt instead of trust. I know what it’s like to want to be generous but secretly feel terrified. I know what it’s like to sit in church doing mental math during worship while trying to look spiritual on the outside.

And honestly, I think that’s why this conversation matters so much. Because generosity is rarely just about money. It’s about trust.

In the sermon I used the picture of musical chairs. Two people circling one chair until eventually somebody sits down. I think that’s what happens in our hearts all the time. Fear and trust are constantly circling the throne, and eventually one of them takes the seat.

The truth is, there’s a version of Christianity where people will trust Jesus with their eternity but not their wallet. We’ll surrender our Sundays, our church attendance, maybe even our time, but money still owns part of the throne. And honestly, I get why.

There’s pain in the offering when you know what it’s like to not have enough. There’s pain in the offering when your childhood trained you to fear losing everything. There’s pain in the offering when you’ve spent years surviving paycheck to paycheck. There’s pain in the offering when you want to trust God, but anxiety keeps screaming louder than faith.

For some people, generosity just feels painful… at first.

But over time, I’ve learned something important: sometimes the greatest act of worship is giving while fear is still talking. Not because you’re reckless. Not because you’re manipulated. But because you’re slowly learning that fear doesn’t deserve the throne anymore.

Years ago, I was working at a young adults ministry that was reaching tons of people, but financially things were rough. One week I was told there might not be enough money to cover payroll. I had recently moved, bills were already tight, and I remember feeling completely overwhelmed.

And what made it hard wasn’t just the possibility of not getting paid. It was everything underneath it.

Am I failing?

Did I make a mistake?

How am I going to provide?

What if God doesn’t come through?

I wish I could say I handled it perfectly, but I didn’t. I wrestled through fear just like anyone else would. But I kept praying. I kept serving. I kept giving. Not because it was easy, but because I knew I didn’t want fear sitting on the throne of my life.

Then right before payroll had to run, a completely unexpected donation came in from someone who had heard me speak months earlier. It covered exactly what we needed.

And yes, the provision was incredible. But honestly, looking back, the bigger miracle was that fear didn’t win.

I didn’t stop following Jesus.

I didn’t stop serving.

I didn’t stop trusting.

Because generosity doesn’t just build the Kingdom. It builds you too. It reshapes your heart. It loosens fear’s grip on your life. It reminds you that God is still your provider, even when life feels uncertain.

Generosity didn’t instantly remove my fear. But over time, it changed my relationship with it. Instead of money being the thing I trusted most, it slowly became one more area I surrendered to God. And strangely enough, that surrender brought a kind of peace I didn’t have before.

So maybe today your next step isn’t becoming some wildly generous superhero overnight. Maybe it’s simply being honest about where your trust actually is. Then start small. Trust God a little more than you did yesterday. Over time, you may be surprised how generous God can make your heart.

Because I’ve learned something over the years: God doesn’t want something FROM you. God wants something FOR you.

And sometimes the deepest worship happens when there’s still pain in the offering.

Maybe you’ve recently moved to the East Bethel area.

Maybe you haven’t been to church in a while.

Or maybe you’ve been attending somewhere, but it just doesn’t quite feel like home.

If you’ve been typing things like “churches near me” or “Christian church near East Bethel” into Google, you’re not alone. A lot of people are looking for a place where they can feel at home and grow in their faith.

Wherever you’re coming from, searching for a Christian church is a meaningful step. And it matters.

What should you look for in a church?

Every church is different, but here are a few things that many people are looking for when trying to find the right fit:

1. A focus on Jesus

At the core, a Christian church should point people to Jesus. Not just in words, but in how it teaches, leads, and lives.

2. Biblical teaching that connects to real life

The Bible isn’t meant to stay on a page. A healthy church helps you understand it and apply it to your everyday life, your relationships, your decisions, and your faith.

3. A welcoming and genuine community

Walking into a church for the first time can feel intimidating. A good church makes you feel seen, welcomed, and not judged for where you’re at.

4. A place for your whole family

If you have kids, you want to know they’re cared for and learning too. If you don’t, you still want a place where relationships matter and people grow together.

A Christian church near you in East Bethel that feels like home

If you’re looking for a Christian church near East Bethel, we’d love for you to check out Destination Church.

We’re not perfect. We’re just a group of people trying to follow Jesus, grow in our faith, and support one another along the way.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Biblically grounded, practical messages that help you grow in your faith
• Authentic worship centered on Jesus
• A welcoming environment where you can come as you are
• A strong sense of community, whether you’re coming alone or with your family

If you’d like to get a feel for what a Sunday is like, you can watch a recent message on our sermons page:

https://destinationchurch.co/sermons/

If you’re looking for a church near you where you can grow in your faith and build real relationships, this might be a great place to start.

Many people who visit say the same thing:

“It feels real.”

And that’s what we’re going for.

Meet the people behind the church

One of the biggest questions people have when looking for a new church is simple:

Who are the people leading it?

At Destination Church, we care deeply about leading with integrity, humility, and a genuine desire to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus.

If you’d like to get to know our pastors and team, you can meet them here:

https://destinationchurch.co/about/team/

You don’t have to have it all figured out

You don’t need to:

• Know the Bible inside and out
• Have your life perfectly together
• Or even be sure what you believe yet

You just have to be willing to take a step.

Come visit us

If you’ve been searching for churches near you or a church in or near East Bethel, we’d love to meet you.

The best next step is to plan your visit ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive:

https://destinationchurch.co/visit/

It only takes a minute, and it helps make your first visit simple and stress-free.

Come as you are.

Bring your questions.

Bring your family.

Or just come and see what it’s like.

We believe church should be a place where you can:

• Find hope
• Grow in your faith
• And feel like you belong

How do I find a good church near me?

Finding a good church near you starts with looking for one that teaches the Bible, focuses on Jesus, and has a welcoming, authentic community.

If you’re in the East Bethel area and looking for a place like that, we’d love for you to come experience Destination Church for yourself.

If you’re ready, we’ll save you a seat.