A Christian organization is partnering with the famous Christian band Sidewalk Prophets to raise money for the orphans this Christmas.
COVID-19 Orphans
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of families have been struggling to make ends meet financially. In some Third World countries, parents even have to face heartbreaking decisions to place their children in orphanages to live.
Nakia Kyler of Bethany Christian Services Global Care told The Christian Post how already vulnerable families are finding themselves making a critical decision amidst the pandemic.
“…whether to stay together as a family or place their children in an orphanage with the hope that they will receive the food and medical care they need,” she said.
“It’s never a family’s desire to have to place their child in an orphanage. That’s such a tough decision. Not only has quarantining been difficult for these families but the humanitarian situation in many countries, dire, even in normal times, has worsened in recent months.”
And because the Christian organization desires to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus, they initiated a fundraising event to help orphans.
Sidewalk Prophets Virtual Event
Bethany Christian Services partnered with award-winning contemporary Christian band Sidewalk Prophets to put on a Virtual Christmas Tour. Starting Dec. 9, the “Great Big Family Christmas” live stream will broadcast the virtual tour. It will be on eight different days and four different time zones this month.
Meanwhile, Sidewalk Prophets frontman Dave Frey told CP that “the family of God is at the heart of everything they do.” Thus, they felt honored to partner with Bethany for such a noble cause.
“We want people to know they’re not alone even if they feel alone,” Dave said. “This year has shined on some tough places for a lot of people. It’s kept us inside, it’s kept us from community. Our heart as a band is to make people feel like they’re seen, because Christ sees ‘the least of these.’ He calls them to be His own.”
“Bethany has that same mentality and approach,” he continued. “No matter how overlooked people feel, God loves them with this reckless passion. We’re able to change the world through God’s gift of family. We have the ability to connect, to be seen, to be loved in a mighty way, and to do that for others. It was a win-win for us to come alongside somebody that shares such a cooperative, clear ministry goal.”
Great Big Family Christmas
The “Great Big Family Christmas” is streamed by “pay what you can,” with a free option also available. There is also an exclusive virtual Christmas devotional with the band for those with paid access.
The Sidewalk Prophet member says that viewers can expect “to laugh, shed a tear or two, giveaways, and a little bit of pageantry.”
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to play Christmas songs not just from this album but also our hit songs,” he said. “We’re going to have fun, make a joyful noise, and be as reverent as we can. When it’s all said and done, we hope people walk away saying, ‘I had such a good time and I’m so ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus and realize that I’m a part of something bigger.'”
Moreover, Dave hopes that viewers will realize that “they’re part of a great big family of God…”
“We hope they’ll find a sense of community and belonging while celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus. We hope God will use it to really bring people together under the beauty of Jesus and just realize that we’re in this together,” he stressed.
“I hope to help people have a good time, but then step away and realize they can make a difference in this world. We want to bring healing to a year that’s been really tough for a lot of people.”
To buy tickets and for more information, visit sidewalkprophets.com to join the live stream show!
Reference: The Christian Post