Give to Diakonia
Every generous act of giving reflects the heart of God and advances His kingdom on earth.
Why We Give
At Diakonia Christian Church, we believe that giving is an act of worship — a joyful, heartfelt response to the immeasurable generosity of God. The Scriptures teach us that everything we have belongs to God and that He entrusts us as stewards of His resources.
When you give to Diakonia, you are investing in the work of the Gospel. Your tithes and offerings sustain our weekly worship services, fuel our discipleship programs, support mission partners around the world, resource our community outreach initiatives, and enable us to provide pastoral care to those in need.
We handle every gift with integrity, transparency, and accountability. Our financial records are audited annually by an independent firm, and our Elder Board provides regular oversight of the church's budget and expenditures. We are committed to being faithful stewards of every dollar entrusted to us.
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." — 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
Your Giving at Work
Maintaining our facilities, supporting our pastoral staff, and resourcing weekly worship gatherings and church operations.
Funding our food pantry, clothing closet, job training, ESL classes, and partnerships with local nonprofits.
Supporting eight missionary families and organizations in Honduras, Kenya, Uganda, India, Cambodia, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Romania.
Curriculum, leadership development, small groups, youth ministry, children's ministry, and Vacation Bible School.
Emergency assistance for families in crisis — covering rent, utilities, medical bills, and other urgent needs.
Ways to Give
We offer several convenient ways to give. Choose the method that works best for you.
Online Giving
Give securely through our online giving portal. Set up one-time or recurring gifts using your credit card, debit card, or bank account. It takes just a few minutes.
In-Person Giving
Place your gift in the offering baskets during any Sunday worship service. Giving envelopes are available in the pew racks and at the Welcome Center. You may also drop off gifts at the church office during office hours.
Mail a Check
Checks may be mailed to: Diakonia Christian Church, 1200 Grace Avenue, Springfield, IL 62704. Please make checks payable to "Diakonia Christian Church" and include any fund designation in the memo line.
Special Funds
In addition to your general tithe, you may designate gifts to specific funds that support targeted areas of ministry.
Missions Fund
Support our global mission partners and short-term mission trips that spread the Gospel to unreached communities.
Building Fund
Help us maintain, improve, and expand our facilities to better serve our growing congregation and community.
Benevolence Fund
Provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing crisis situations — rent, utilities, medical bills, and more.
Youth Scholarship Fund
Enable young people to participate in summer camps, retreats, mission trips, and leadership conferences regardless of financial circumstances.
Stories of Impact
"When my husband lost his job unexpectedly, we didn't know how we would make rent. The Benevolence Fund at Diakonia covered two months of our housing costs and provided groceries for our family. More than the financial help, the love and prayer of this church family carried us through the hardest season of our lives." — Jennifer M., Church Member
"I came to the Grace Pantry as a recipient, and now I serve as a volunteer every Saturday. The generosity of this church changed my life — not just because of the food, but because people here showed me the love of Jesus in a way I had never experienced before." — Carlos R., Community Member & Volunteer
Financial Accountability & Transparency
We take our responsibility as stewards of your generous gifts seriously. Every dollar is managed with integrity and oversight.
Independent Annual Audit
Our financial records are audited annually by Sievert, Larson & Associates, an independent certified public accounting firm. Audit summaries are available to members upon request.
Quarterly Financial Reports
Detailed budget-to-actual reports are presented quarterly at our congregational meetings. These include revenue summaries, expense breakdowns, and fund balance updates.
Elder Board Oversight
Our nine-member Elder Board provides direct oversight of all financial decisions. Major expenditures exceeding $5,000 require a formal board vote and documentation.
ECFA Member
Diakonia Christian Church is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), adhering to their Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship.
Secure Online Platform
Our online giving is powered by a PCI-compliant, bank-level encrypted payment platform. Your financial information is protected with 256-bit SSL encryption at all times.
Tax-Deductible Gifts
Diakonia Christian Church is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Annual giving statements are mailed by January 31.
A Theology of Generosity
The Bible speaks extensively about money, possessions, and generosity — more than 2,300 verses address the topic. At Diakonia, we believe that generosity is not primarily about meeting a budget; it is about the transformation of the human heart.
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." — Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
God Owns Everything. We are stewards, not owners. Every resource — our time, talent, and treasure — ultimately belongs to God. Giving is the joyful acknowledgment that we are managing His gifts for His purposes.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." — Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
The Tithe Is a Starting Point. A tithe — 10% of income — is the biblical baseline for giving. But God invites us beyond the tithe into generous, sacrificial, and cheerful offerings that reflect His own lavish generosity toward us.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." — 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
Generosity Produces Abundance. God's economy is upside-down to the world's. When we give generously, we discover that God is faithful to provide for our every need — and uses our gifts to produce an eternal harvest.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
Giving Reveals Our Priorities. Jesus taught that our financial decisions are spiritual decisions. How we handle money reflects what we truly value. Giving to God's work aligns our hearts with His purposes.
Planned Giving & Legacy Gifts
Leave a lasting legacy of faith and generosity by including Diakonia Christian Church in your estate plan.
Bequests
Include Diakonia in your will or living trust. A bequest can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residual after other obligations are fulfilled. Our church administrator can provide the necessary language for your estate attorney.
Beneficiary Designations
Name Diakonia Christian Church as a beneficiary of your retirement account (IRA, 401k), life insurance policy, or bank account. This is one of the simplest and most tax-efficient ways to make a legacy gift.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Make an irrevocable gift to Diakonia and receive a fixed income stream for life. Gift annuities provide a charitable tax deduction, partially tax-free income, and the satisfaction of supporting the church's future.
Donor-Advised Fund
Establish a donor-advised fund through a community foundation or financial institution and recommend grants to Diakonia over time. This provides an immediate tax deduction and flexibility in distributing gifts.
Stock & Securities Gifts
Donate appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares directly to Diakonia. You may receive a charitable deduction for the full market value and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation.
Real Estate Gifts
Transfer ownership of real property — a home, vacation property, or undeveloped land — to the church. Real estate gifts may qualify for a significant tax deduction while advancing God's kingdom.
If you are considering a planned gift, we would be honored to have a confidential conversation about how your generosity can make a difference for generations to come. Please contact our church administrator at legacy@diakoniachurch.org or call (217) 555-1234.
More Stories of Impact
Giving FAQ
Is my online giving secure?
Absolutely. Our online giving platform uses bank-level 256-bit SSL encryption and is PCI-DSS compliant. Your financial information is never stored on our servers and is handled exclusively by our certified payment processor.
Can I set up recurring giving?
Yes. Our online giving portal allows you to set up automatic recurring gifts on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule. You can modify or cancel your recurring gifts at any time through your giving account dashboard.
How do I receive a giving statement for tax purposes?
Annual giving statements are mailed to all donors by January 31 each year. If you give online, you can also access your giving history and download statements anytime through your online giving account. For questions, contact our finance office at finance@diakoniachurch.org.
Can I designate my gift to a specific fund?
Yes. When giving online, you will see a dropdown menu allowing you to choose from our available funds: General Fund, Missions Fund, Building Fund, Benevolence Fund, or Youth Scholarship Fund. For checks, simply write the fund name in the memo line.
What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?
A tithe is the biblical practice of giving 10% of your income to the Lord through the local church. An offering is any gift given above and beyond the tithe — such as contributions to special funds, missions, or benevolence. Both are acts of worship.
Can I give stocks, securities, or property?
Yes. We accept gifts of appreciated stock, mutual funds, bonds, and real estate. These gifts may provide significant tax benefits. Please contact our church administrator at (217) 555-1234 to arrange a non-cash gift.
Do you accept corporate matching gifts?
We welcome corporate matching gifts! Many employers will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Contact your company's HR department to find out if your employer offers a matching gift program, then submit the appropriate form along with your donation.
What happens if I need to change or cancel a recurring gift?
You can log in to your online giving account at any time to adjust the amount, change the frequency, update your payment method, or cancel a recurring gift. Changes take effect immediately. You may also call the church office for assistance.
2024 Giving Snapshot
A look at how God moved through the generosity of our church family this past year.
Thank You for Your Generosity
Whether it's a tithe, an offering, or a special gift — every contribution makes an eternal difference. God bless your faithful giving.