Church Gives Members Money to Pass on to Others

Lexington (WLTX) - It isn't always easy to spare a few bucks for those in need these days, but one local church is helping its members do that $50 at a time.

You've probably heard of the phrase "paying it forward." Radius Church in Lexington is taking that term quite literally. They are helping their congregation, and people like Wayne Jewell touch lives all over the midlands.

At a recent Sunday service they handed out 100 envelopes inside their bulletins. Once people opened them up, they found $50 inside.

"Our only instruction was to give it away so that it would bless someone," said Wayne Jewell.

Jewell has been volunteering and using his skills to help fix-up Samaritans Well, a homeless shelter for woman in Lexington. But what started out as some simple work, turned into something much more special. Jewell, or "Mr. Wayne" has grown into quite the role model for the kids at the shelter. As he walked in Friday, he was rushed at by children waiting to give him a hug.

"Everyone gets so excited when we see Mr. Wayne. I mean he makes us all laugh, and he's very inspirational to us," said 18-year-old Lisa Mosley.

"He's come here and fixed things up and made it a nicer place to live," said 10-year-old Jada Banks.

After waiting three weeks for a direction of where to give the money Jewell was confident in his decision.

"I'd been working here on a Saturday, and as I drove away, I know God wanted me to take them to the zoo on Memorial Day," said Jewell.

For kids who don't necessarily get to go out much, the news was something to scream about.

"We were all jumping for joy. We were talking about it every single day until it was time to go. Then we were still talking about it after we went," said Mosley. "It just sends a lot of joy and happiness in my heart.

"It was fun. We got to see giraffes," said 8-year-old Xavier Pinkston.

It's just one story out of 100 others. Those $50 went to help strangers, neighbors, and friends in need.

"It's been great because they've dream up and thought about things we never would have come across," said Radius Pastor Todd Carnes about his congregation. "It's not about the $50, but it's about how somebody cared."

To read the rest of the stories as told by Radius church members click here.