The Heart of Mutual Aid

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Illinois, has served its community with compassion for 125 years. Their dedication to living out Christ's call to care for others shines through all their ministries. We recently spoke with their pastor, Katie Shaw Thompson, about how partnering with the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund has amplified their ability to help those in need.

The Heart of Mutual Aid

Pastor Thompson shared how a specific situation moved her church into action. A valued member of their janitorial staff faced a sudden crisis, and the church wanted to offer support. "We knew the depth of the need... but we only had the funds to go so far," she explained. They had already explored other ways to assist, but more help was needed.

That's where the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund stepped in. The Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund is MAA’s own nonprofit outreach. It was created to assist eligible ministries with the caring and sharing work they do within their churches and communities. MAA tithes a portion of its profits to this fund annually.

Choosing a Values-Aligned Partner

Pastor Thompson emphasized the joy of working with an organization that shares her church's commitment to Christ-centered values. "It's such a joy when you can do business with another organization that aligns closely with your values. It's a way of amplifying the embodiment of Christ that we want to be in the world," she said. Pastor Thompson reminded us how the Share Fund’s mission echoes the biblical story of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13-21), where Jesus miraculously fed a multitude with limited resources. The Share Fund embodies this spirit of shared resources leading to abundant blessings.

Easing Burdens, Strengthening Community

Pastor Thompson described the profound difference the Share Fund made in the life of the staff member: "It's so hard when you have an emergency in your life. There's so many spiritual, emotional, and social parts that fall apart. To not have to worry so much about the money part, I think is a really big deal."
The Share Fund helps ease the overwhelming burdens that come with a crisis, allowing individuals and families to focus on healing and rebuilding.

Navigating complicated processes during a time of need can be an added stressor. Pastor Thompson was relieved by the Share Fund's simplicity: "As a pastor, I'm always juggling so many things. When someone I care about is in crisis, the last thing I need is complicated paperwork. I was so happy to find...it was so easy to do."

If your church is seeking an insurance provider that aligns with your commitment to community and compassionate support, consider Highland Avenue Church's experience. Learn more about Mutual Aid Agency and the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund at www.bmasharefund.org.