CHICAGO, IL (February 2, 2016) – The offering received each year at the Midwinter Conference for the Minister’s Crisis Fund more than quadrupled the amount of recent years, thanks to additional contributions by attendees and anonymous donors who deeply believe in and care for Covenant ministers.

The fund assists ministers and their families in need. As executive minister of Develop Leaders Mark Novak shared, “This fund is the most tangible way we have of caring for pastors in times of crisis. It shows we care for each other and don’t just talk about it.”

Prior to the offering on Thursday, attendees were told that two generous donors had pledged to match two dollars for every dollar given above $3,600, which was the average offering over the past two Midwinters.

The ministers were inspired to give a total of $7,957, an increase of $4,357 over the average. The donors’ match amounted to $8,714.

As a result, the total offering for the Minister’s Crisis Fund equaled $16,671.

Donn Engebretson, director of global advancement, expressed his gratitude for the challenge gift. “This is the kind of generosity that the Lord uses to multiply resources for God’s work in our world. We are grateful for the way this couple energized the community of pastors to extend this great care for one another.”

The conference was held January 25-29 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago.