Deacon's Story Decks

If you’re a deacon, you’ve probably stood up on a Sunday wondering how to explain the offering in a way that actually connects to your congregation. What, exactly, does this money support? Why does it matter? How do you help your church see that their giving really matters? How do you connect one offering to the big picture of what God is doing?

That’s why we’ve created the Deacons Story Deck—a collection of short, real stories from across the Christian Reformed Church that show how our shared ministry is making a difference. These are real stories of very real people in North America and around the world. People such as:

• Chieko in Japan, who reconnected with her childhood church and is now leading Bible studies in a place where few people have heard the gospel.
• Csaba in Romania, who found healing from addiction at a CRC-supported therapy center and is rebuilding his life with faith and community.
• Mary and Laura in Ontario, a mentor and mentee building a cross-generational friendship through the Generation Spark program.

Each story is 1–2 slides long—just enough to introduce an offering with clarity and purpose, without needing to prepare a speech. They’re perfect for use in worship, deacon meetings, bulletins, or newsletters. When CRC churches give through ministry shares and denominational offerings, we’re supporting more than programs—we’re walking alongside people. This resource helps make that visible.

In a time when it's easy to feel like we're more defined by our disagreements than our shared mission, resources like the Deacon’s Story Deck are a reminder of what we can do together. Across North America and around the world, CRC churches are planting seeds of hope, healing, and transformation—not on their own, but through shared ministry and mutual support. These stories are proof that even in seasons of tension or uncertainty, our collective calling to serve Christ and love our neighbors hasn’t changed. In fact, it's in working together that we often reflect Christ most clearly.

Thanks for all you do in your role as a deacon. We hope this story deck helps make your work a little easier—and a little more encouraging, too. The Story Deck is attached as a PDF below.