Changing the World Takes More than Pennies
(This article by Linda Mason appeared in Missions magazine in 1998.)

One advantage of being new to the staff of Women of the Church of God is that I am seeing some things in a completely new way. The Penny-a-Day ministry is not new to me. I remember my mother bringing her Penny-a-Day box home and faithfully collecting her pennies for the Women's Missionary Society. I am not sure that I was able to realize what an impact my mother's pennies or her prayers could really make in this big world.

Today, my eyes have been opened. Thanks to visionaries like Irene Sweeney and Minnie Riggle what began as faithful stewardship to respond to a shortfall of funds for overseas missions has become a milestone in the life of Women of the Church of God. Faithful women have contributed to Penny-a-Day for 60 years now, and their collective faithfulness has garnered nearly $2.6 million dollars in the ministry's history.

Like the widow in the Mark 12:41-44 story, there are many women in our midst who have faithfully given what they had. In my humble opinion, most of us could not have predicted the enormous effect all those pennies and prayers would have. All I can say to such a tremendous witness of ministry is "Praise the Lord!"

The world we live in today does not look much like the world of the 1930s or 1960s. In our economy, we do not place much value on a penny. The penny certainly does not buy what it did in 1938 -- or 1968 for that matter. I remember being able to buy penny candy in the 1960s, but a penny probably would not buy the wrapper on candy today.

Given the changes in our economy, the national board of Women of the Church of God is expanding the Penny-a-Day program to include "Change-the-World." Each woman is encouraged to contribute her nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollar coins in addition to her pennies.

To demonstrate the dramatic impact this expansion could have, the national board collected everyone's coins during its October 1997 board meeting. The total amount collected was $93.36, of which $6.51 were pennies and $86.85 were other coins...an increase of 93%!

If I were to apply a 93% increase to the total giving in the first 60 years, then we could expect a Penny-a-Day/Change-the-World grand total of over $7.5 million by the year 2058. Think of the ministry to women and missions in the church that could be accomplished in the next 60 years just by contributing nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollar coins! Never let it be said that Women think in small terms.

The prayer component to Penny-a-Day/Change-the-World cannot be overlooked.Our friends in ministry across this great land and around the world depend upon our daily prayer offering to give them the encouragement and strength to faithfully live out their calling. If our hearts are not constantly bent toward heaven then neither our pennies nor our big coins will produce ministry beyond our imagination.

It is a joy and privilege to journey into the future with such a great company of women. Tonight when you and I come before the Lord with our prayers and our "mites" we can join together thanking Him for faithfully leading us on the road we have already taken and the roads we have yet to take. Let it be said of us in 2058 that our daily obedience in the small things produced overwhelming results in changing the world for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Footnote: Since this article was written, the total given through the Change the World (Penny-A-Day) program is $ 2,836,936.06. Even the 6 cents counts.