GIFT
The Global Institute For Transformation (GIFT) is a cross-denominational ministry that's helping transform lives so we'll live, and love, more like Jesus -- and transform our world.
Were all about helping people enjoy the abundant life God wants us to have, through living in a right relationship with Him. We want people to appreciate that life, everthing in it, and all we are and do are gifts from God. We want everyone to experience and share the incredible love of God -- our awesome Creator, Provider, Counselor and Savior. We want people everywhere to live a life that glorifies God -- one that is genuinely concerned about, and engaged in, meeting the spiritual and physical needs of others. Because there are so many joys that come through living in a right relationship with God! And don't we all want to experience true joy?
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The Bible encourages all of us to live "transformed" lives, devoted to pleasing God: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. The man who does the will of God lives forever." (Romans 12: 2; 1 John 2: 17 NIV)
The world desparately needs to see God's transforming power alive in us. Too many people are suffering, and too many don't know the Lord. The Church, too, needs us to get fully engaged in our faith. Too many people are leaving the faith, and fewer are coming to know the Lord and His awesome love as a result.
But sometimes we need help responding to the call to live transformed, Godly, selfless, loving, joyful and truly impactful lives. Research indicates it's becoming harder and harder to not conform to the ways of the world. We need to condition ourselves so God's Holy Spirit can transform us -- so we'll live and love more like Christ.
Not long ago, Christian Leadership Magazine devoted an entire issue to "Spiritual Transformation." In that issue, multiple Protestant Church leaders expressed a common theme: Christianity today is failing to witness true transformations, in part due to narrow bibical teaching.
"We're preaching a very narrow gospel. We've been throwing a lot of seed, but it's not taking root, it's not producing fruit. We are not seeing people's lives transformed. There is a growing sense of failure among the church leaders."
"The problem is that we do not practice spiritual transformation. Churches have not designed their ministries to help people believe and behave differently."
"Transformation is not just an attitude; it's a changed life. Transformation is actually a response to God and God's action. It requires our deliberate, humble participation."
"Transformations will involve actions that will be costly and sacrificial, maybe even to the extreme."
Furthermore, the Catholic Church has noted in USCCB teaching on the role of the Laity that "All of the baptized are called to work towards the transformation of the world."... Similarly, the mission of the Church was defined as: "announcing the reign of God and transforming the world in the light of Christ."
Most recently, Pope Francis called the Catholic faithful to live transformed lives: "Christianity is not simply a matter of following commandments; it is about living a new life, being in Christ, thinking and acting like Christ, and being transformed by the love of Christ! But this new life needs to be nourished daily by hearing God's word, prayer, sharing in the sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist, and the exercise of charity."
During World Youth Day 2008, Pope Benedict XVI summarized the Christian's transforming purpose, accomplished through the gift of the Holy Spirit. "In the end, life is not about accumulation. It is much more than success. To be truly alive is to be transformed from within, open to the energy of God's love. In accepting the power of the Holy Spirit you too can transform your families, communities and nations."
In honest reflection, are we fulfilling on this universal, cross-denominational call to transform our lives and the world around us and supporting the Church in this mission? Are we experiencing the awesome blessings that come when working to transform the world? Most importantly, are we seeking God's help in affecting our own transformations, so we can live and love more like Christ?
Global Institute For Transformation (GIFT) can help. Our mission is: Transforming hearts, lives and communities by helping people receive, fan into flame and share the GIFT(s) of God.
Click here for exciting GIFT news of a Church endorsement.
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To donate, you can direct your gift using the Donation button above.
Or call us at 877-WE-GIFT2
GIFT offers 8 Ways To Affect Transformations:
Recognizing God desires that we transform to live -- and love -- like Jesus, consider the following steps we can all take to achieve this goal:
1.) Review and share GIFT posters, note cards and yard signs to assist in Godly formation and transformations. (GIFT'S POSTER GALLERY IS A FAVORITE!!!) Use these posters in a series of Bible studies -- each poster category can guide you in spiritual growth. Click here to participate in a YouTube Bible study using GIFT posters. Bible Study using GIFT Posters. Also review our GIFT posters in our gift shop.
2.) Support the children with their transformation into Christ-likeness through GIFT youth ministries.
3.) Fund global transformations through water purification, irrigation, and more. Engage your Church, family and friends in this too.
4.) Help your Church affect transformations by leveraging GIFT resources.
5.) Explore and live out the HeART of Christian Living, based on social justice teaching that encourages us to Act to address someone's suffering; to Reflect on and pray about the reasons for their suffering; and to work to Transform the root causes of the suffering -- and transform the world. (Click here for more information on The HeART of Christian Living.)
6.) Review the GIFT testimonies and see how God can work powerfully in our lives. Ask the Lord to direct your heart into God's love and Christ's perserverence. Pray to the Holy Spirit. Then, enlist Jesus, His grace and His incredible love -- let Him work in you and through you! And prayerfully consider how you might be used by God to love others like never before, including potentially through working with GIFT.
7.) Review the research indicating transformations are needed (in the About Us section of this website).
8.) Jesus called his faithful to unity. Because the lack of Christian unity may be having an adverse impact on our collective ability to transform the world; please review our Unity section, and consider how we can work across denominational lines to re-present Christ and impact our world through His love. Despite doctrinal differences, where we can all work together, we should work together -- and we at GIFT want to help bring about this unity of witness. We want to help all baptized fulfill on the call to work toward the transformation of the world in love and joy and peace.
Importantly, we recognize we alone can't affect transformations, but only Christ living in us and through us can.