Pay it forward; Good Samaritans revealed

You all are a true blessing from God. I think your random act of kindness has opened alot of peoples eyes and makes them think twice about being nice to the next person in line. Thank you for being the people you are.

This is a fantastic story. Like to see this kind of thing. So little news of this variety now a days. People are basically good.

I agree 100% with you Stephanie. I am hoping that more people pay it forward after reading this. I know that living in Michigan is really tough right now for alot of people, so to see this coming from teenagers is huge! I kinda payed it forward today too. I found a family with a health problem and they are going to be having a fundraiser. So I contacted the family today and donated a $75.00 gift certificate to my catering business for their fundraiser. I know it isn't much but it is the least I could do.

Apparently I need to learn to type. LOL!!! Or go to bed one of the two.

It's really nice to see people do random acts of kindness. ANYONE can be can do somethings nice for someone if they really want to. It really gives you a great feeling inside knowing that you have helped someone =) Keep up the great work everyone!!!

They shouldn't have ran this story--TRUE charity is anonymous...no credit wanted

I kind of agree with CCC. Maybe had they kept it anonymous more people would have stepped up and done more to enhance the mystery behind the whole thing. Still, it's nice to hear that there are people out there trying to help their neighbor. It really says something about the Christian faith. Thanks for being an example even though you are young (1 Tim 4:12).

this is great that this church is reaching out to the public in a way that other people are not use to.and letting others know there is still some good in this world where all you hear about is how gready others are . these teens are learning a great lesson in life and i am proud of them good going guys. i just hope it catches on and others can help in a way that makes this earth a better place. hi colleen

We need more teens like this in our country! If you teens read this I hope that my children grow up to be like this one day! What a great great act of kindness! God Bless you!

Respectful wrote:

I kind of agree with CCC. Maybe had they kept it anonymous more people would have stepped up and done more to enhance the mystery behind the whole thing. Still, it's nice to hear that there are people out there trying to help their neighbor. It really says something about the Christian faith. Thanks for being an example even though you are young (1 Tim 4:12).

We thought about remaining anonymous. We really did. But in the end, we want to be known as a church that desperately tries to be the church. We want to be known as a church that doesn't just believe in going to church, but believes in being the church. And so we felt it was important to let people know who we are... not in an attempt to grab 15 seconds in the spotlight, but rather just to say to our neighbors and our community that hey, we love you. We plan on continuing to love you... for no reason other than that we share life here together. Hopefully others find that refreshing and may want to join us in that.

"We thought about remaining anonymous. We really did. But in the end, we want to be known as a church that desperately tries to be the church. We want to be known as a church that doesn't just believe in going to church, but believes in being the church. And so we felt it was important to let people know who we are." You would have been found by your behavior, not your bragging about your behavior. TRUE charity is anonymous...even the bible says that...

I'll add also that it's important to share that many of the kids didn't want us to break our anonimity.

I went to my sons baseball tournament at the High school which isn't too far from me, but since I was in an accident not long ago, I was in a wheelchair...my husband was not staying so he just dropped me off. There is usually NO charge for Baseball games, and forgetting that it was a tournament, I never brought money or a purse with me.
Well, I found out that it was $5 to get in....my husband only had $3 in his wallet....I was already late for the game and knew what a pain it would be to load up the wheelchair....go home come back...etc....so all of a sudden, a couple who I believe had come for the track meet that was also going on....was at the entrance and paid for me to get in....I believe that they were from Grandville....the lady just told me to pay it forward.
It was such a wonderful feeling, and I will definitely pay it forward. I actually did the next day but will continue on.

the youth director wrote:

<quoted text>
We thought about remaining anonymous. We really did. But in the end, we want to be known as a church that desperately tries to be the church. We want to be known as a church that doesn't just believe in going to church, but believes in being the church. And so we felt it was important to let people know who we are... not in an attempt to grab 15 seconds in the spotlight, but rather just to say to our neighbors and our community that hey, we love you. We plan on continuing to love you... for no reason other than that we share life here together. Hopefully others find that refreshing and may want to join us in that.

I think it is okay that you didn't remain anonymous. You weren't trying to IMPRESS others....simply teaching a lesson and hoping others could catch on, as well as witnessing for our Lord.
I believe that the people who should remain anonymous are the ones who give loads of money to get their names put on buildings, stadiums, buildings...etc....

I think it is great what these kids did. I do believe this is a TRUE charity. I read the story and I do not believe that this has anything to do about bragging. I applaud this church and these kids for paying it forward... To CCC maybe instead of being so negative about the good deeds these teenagers did and the lessons they have learned realize that this is showing other people that being good to each other and helping out other people is something to be appreciated.

I do not go to church at this time becuase the few churches I have been to I see so much judgment and I did not see all that good being done. It seemed more like preaching being done than actually helping people and being actually good christian. This is what I expect from Christians and it is good to see kids realizing that. Good for you!

I liked it better as an anonymous act, but it's still a very kind thing to do.

My only small gripe (not that it's fair to nitpick on an act of kindness, but still, it exists), is that the recipients of this kindness probably had no need for it. The charity most likely fell upon those who had the money to pay already. Seems a better use would have been to provide a meal for some homeless people, etc.

We should be very proud of these teenagers.

CCC wrote:

They shouldn't have ran this story--TRUE charity is anonymous...no credit wanted

I totally agree. KEEP THEM ANONYMOUS!!!

Keep them anonymous? They should be celebrated and held up as an example for society. If everyone would help out, just a little bit, with time or money, as best they can, this world would be a more joyful place.
Recognizing and celebrating positive behavior is so much nicer than hearing about all the ways that people are cruel and horrible to one another, even here in West Michigan.

"We gave the guy a 20 dollar bill that was working there and told him the next person to come through there that orders pizza, just put that towards their bill, and reaction was just... what?,"

That's exactly what my response was/is...I think it was nice of them to help people pay for their gas, medication, groceries etc. But c'mon, wasting that $20.00 to help pay for someones pizza order??? If they can afford to order Pizza out then I don't think they are hurting toooo much money wise, at least I know the only time I order Pizza is when all the other bills are paid and I have some extra "spending money" to enjoy.

BUT, it's their money, just glad they don't work for the welfare office and hand out taxpayer funds so people can order pizza.