Traditionally, when its referring to churches, the figure of 10 percent refers to how much of an individual’s income they are required to give back to the church.
Yet the Miami Gardens-based Immanuel Temple has expanded that concept by promising to donate 10 percent of the church’s proceeds to charitable donations.
According to Immanuel Temple’s founder and senior pastor, Rev. John F. White, the church is “tithing back to the community.”
“For me, it is a mandate from God to spread the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way and this is our effort to do that,” White explained.
WHITE
Immanuel Temple held it inaugural service on Easter Sunday, April 8th at the auditorium of the Carol City Senior High School. The church continues to meet at the high school and White estimates that they have over 300 members already.
To ensure that the church meets its 10 percent donation goals, Immanuel Temple relies upon a budget that allots roughly 15 percent of all proceeds are to be saved, 85 percent are to be used for the operating budget and the remaining 10 percent is for charitable donations.
Pamela Hines, was one of the church’s first members, praised Immanuel Temple’s “community tithing” policy.
I am very honored to be apart of a congregation that gives back,” she said. “Most churches take and give nothing to the surrounding community where they are located and in that alone Immanuel Temple will be different.”
To ensure that there is transparency, White says that church leaders will report the budget to the entire church in quarterly meetings.
Recently, the church had donated $1000 each to three local schools.
According to White, “Our next effort is where we’re going to buy school uniforms for 2100 kids who are on free and reduced lunch who go to Golden Glades Elementary School, Parkway Elementary School, Scott Lake Elementary and Nathan B. Young Elementary.”
By Kaila Heard
kheard@miamitimesonline.com
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