How much money would you expect church members to place into the Sunday morning donation baskets to help the homeless? $1,000? $5,000? How about over $50,000?

On Sunday, June 5, 2016, members of San Luis Obispo’s Mountainbrook Church joyfully donated $50,643 towards the new community homeless shelter project, 40 Prado. That amount was then generously matched by an individual who wishes to remain anonymous, bringing the total gift to $101,268. The Mountainbrook Church community submitted a $50,643 check to The Homeless Foundation of San Luis Obispo, the nonprofit organization backing the 40 Prado Center Campaign.

“Mountainbrook gave the largest single gift from a community group. This demonstrated the commitment of the Mountainbrook membership to helping those most vulnerable individuals and families in our community.” – Grace McIntosh, deputy director of Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO)

mountainbrookSo what compelled individuals to give? On June 5th, Thom O’Leary, Mountainbrook’s Lead Pastor for the past 21 years, concluded a message series called, “Change the World.” O’Leary challenged his listeners to be fiercely optimistic about being part of solutions to problems in the world while embracing the belief that it is possible to make a positive and lasting impact on a person’s life. Historically Mountainbrook’s call-to-action has been to assist on a larger scale with global projects. This year, O’Leary and his staff “felt God’s nudge” to do something in Mountainbrook’s very own back yard and to look for needs within the local community. At the June 5th services, Pastor Thom invited Grace McIntosh of CAPSLO to share her personal story and passion to build 40 Prado which further inspired the congregation to come together and assist with this project. When one member of Mountainbrook was asked why he felt compelled to give, he replied, “I’m not one to typically give handouts, but Grace put a face to the homeless. I realized these are people’s sons and daughters on the street, and I felt like this was one small way I could be part of a productive solution.”

Ed Valentine, a Board Member of The Homeless Foundation, originally alerted Pastor Thom of the need for additional 40 Prado Center funds.

“Mountainbrook has always stepped up in our community through living out its mission with a generous heart in love and action. When people need shelter, Mountainbrook opens its doors. When our community needed to replace its shelters, Mountainbrook answered that call as well.” – Valentine

CAPSLO has $365,000 left to raise to complete the 40 Prado project. To make a donation or receive more information, visit 40prado.org.

Mountainbrook Church, with the vision statement, “Change the world, through the love and power of Jesus, one life at a time,” invites you to visit a weekly service held on Sundays at 9AM and 11AM at 1175 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, located across from KSBY. For more information, visit mountainbrook.net.