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Generosity that Transforms: 40 Years of Faith in Action

A sermon/presentation by Warren Crawford on behalf of Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project

When Hollis and Ila Sherwood planted their first corn crop in 1985 to support a medical missionary in Africa, they had no idea God had different plans. That first harvest was ready to ship when a devastating earthquake struck Mexico City, killing 20,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more. Their mission partner asked: could they redirect the corn?

Without hesitation, they said yes.

That pivotal moment launched what would become the Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project (BHRP.org)—forty years of feeding the hungry and spreading the gospel around the world. And it almost didn’t happen. The Sherwoods initially thought, “We didn’t complete our original project,” so they planted a second year. By then, God had embedded this calling deep in their hearts.

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Radical Generosity: What Does It Really Mean?

A message from Darrin Chastain about kingdom economics and the transformative power of giving

When we think of “radical generosity,” what comes to mind? The widow who gave her last two coins? Zacchaeus pledging to give away half his wealth? Warren Buffett committing to donate 99% of his $100 billion fortune? Mother Teresa serving the poor in Calcutta?

These are all examples of giving that goes far beyond the ordinary—generosity that’s so different from the usual that we call it “radical.”

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The Little Things: How Small Gifts Can Change the World

What if the most powerful gifts aren’t the expensive ones, but the small ones given with great love?

When Little Things Make Big Differences

Early 1900s New Orleans. A beat-up old cornet in a pawn shop window. A struggling teenage boy walks by it every day, dreaming of making music but unable to afford it. His employers advance him a few dollars from his paycheck, and he finally buys that worn instrument.

That boy was Louis Armstrong.

Or consider a poor family in Northern Mississippi who saved up to buy their son an old six-string guitar. That gift helped launch the career of Elvis Presley.

Then there’s the 10-year-old girl who begged her mother for a typewriter so she could write her stories. Her mother hesitated—what 10-year-old would actually use it long-term? But she bought it anyway. That girl, Octavia Butler, grew up to be one of the most influential science fiction authors of our generation.

The right gift given to the right person at the right time can change the world—no matter how big or small it is.

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Hold On Loosely: Breaking Free from the Grip of Money

From a sermon by Darrin Chastain, August 17, 2025.

“Giving away our possessions is the ultimate way to break their hold on us.”

We all wrestle with questions about money and giving: Should I tithe 10%? Does my giving have to go to my church? Will God bless me for giving or punish me for not giving? What if I’m barely scraping by?

While I have opinions on all these questions, today I want to focus on the foundational question: Why should I give my money away?

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Who Owns Your Stuff? A Kingdom Economics Perspective

Starting a new series on Kingdom Economics—and yes, we’re talking about money. But this isn’t about guilt trips or fundraising schemes. This is about discovering a theology of wealth that flies in the face of the American dream and get-rich-quick schemes.

From Street Rat to Saint: The George Mueller Story

Picture this: Europe in the 1800s. Mugshots of children—boys in suits, girls barely teenagers—arrested for stealing food, money, anything to survive on the mean streets. One such child was born in Germany around this time. His mother died when he was 14, and he turned to a life of crime, even stealing from his own father.

But this young man, George Mueller, encountered something that changed everything: the Word of God. Through a Bible study group at university, Scripture got hold of him and transformed him from the inside out.

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Barnabas: Son of Encouragement

by Darrin Chastain

Lessons from an Influencer in the Early Church

In a world constantly seeking influence through social media followers and viral content, the biblical figure of Barnabas offers a timeless example of genuine, life-changing influence. Though just an “average Joe” (his real name was Joseph), Barnabas made such an impact that he became known by his nickname, which means “son of encouragement.”

Who Was Barnabas?

Barnabas appears about 20 times in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts. Though he didn’t write any biblical books himself, his character and actions were so remarkable that his story continues to teach us valuable lessons today.

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A Joy-Filled Life

In a world obsessed with pursuing happiness, we often find ourselves on what psychologists call the “hedonic treadmill” – constantly chasing the next high, only to return to our baseline after that momentary surge of pleasure fades. We buy something new, get a promotion, start a relationship, and experience a brief spike of happiness before inevitably settling back to where we started.

But what if there’s a better way to live?

The book of Philippians offers us a profound alternative. Written by the Apostle Paul while in chains, this letter mentions joy or rejoicing sixteen times – more than any other New Testament epistle. How could a man in prison write about joy with such conviction? Because Paul understood something vital: happiness and joy are not the same thing.

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