No presents, bring backpacks!

When Jacob Carpenter was challenged this summer to think of ways his elementary church group could raise money for the annual Student Store at Cross & Crown Mission, he thought about it for several days.

Good ideas already had been tossed around by the Mission Possible group at Quail Springs Church of Christ - a lemonade stand, work days, and asking parents for the money to buy backpacks to fill with school supplies for children who live near Cross & Crown.

The Student Store provides hundreds of backpacks to children in the surrounding neighborhoods who otherwise might not get anything new to start their school year.

Jacob had a party coming up to celebrate his ninth birthday, and that gave him an idea.

He asked his friends not to bring him presents to the party, but to bring backpacks for the student store.

"Andy and I were extremely moved that Jacob had such a soft spot in his heart for the kids at Cross & Crown -- so were his friends and their parents," said Mom Kelly.

Way to go, Jacob. Your selfless act also put a smile on Jesus' face as he sees you using your heart to bless others in God's name.

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men. Col 3:23