GREENSBORO, NC – A Greensboro church that has helped the community in many ways, including recovering from a catastrophic tornado in 2018, hunger and recent job losses during the pandemic, are using that love to spread kindness and joy at Christmas.

Mount Zion Baptist Church distributed $ 300,000 in gifts to children, families and community organizations in need as part of its Christmas in Zion event.

The donation included 71 bikes and gift cards for the children, including money for widows and single parents. The gift giving continued from there.

“A young person was given $ 22,000 to pay off his student loans, so he was completely surprised,” said Bishop Brian J. Pierce. “We gave away two brand new Nissan Altimas. It was just amazing because we can give back to the little ones, the excluded and the lonely, and be generous.”

Mount Zion also donated tens of thousands of dollars to other churches, one in Louisiana, affected by Hurricane Ida, and two local churches.

Bishop Pierce said (the goal is to) serve our communities in multiple ways.

“We were able to bless three churches that are committed to serving their communities with $ 50,000. A church hit by Hurricane Ida has had its roof compromised. They started to absorb water and mold, and they needed $ 50,000 for their franchise. were able to help them, ”Pierce said. “Some churches were affected during the pandemic, and we wanted to be a blessing for a church that started during the pandemic with another local church. “

Bishop Pierce said they are paying special attention to single parents facing job loss during the pandemic.

“We’ve given them thousands of dollars to help them. I know that at this time of year as a single parent losing your job makes everything seem hopeless, but through this kindness we want to show them that ‘There is hope,’ Pierce said.

Alamance Church Road in Greensboro recently opened a second RDU campus in Raleigh. Pierce said Mout Zion has always been at the forefront of giving throughout the year. By helping neighbors recover from crises, pumping free gasoline into cars during tough times, being a site for free COVID testing during the pandemic, and providing food and financial assistance to those who are behind on their rent or mortgage.

“We are a debt free campus and have been for years now and we vowed to God that if he trusted us, we would restore it in such a way that we are mindful of the lesser, the excluded and the lonely because it is Christ’s mission and we believe his mission should be our focus, ”said Pierce.

During the Sunday service, Mount Zion presented a check for $ 25,000 to the Children’s Home Society which serves over 1,000 foster children in the greater Greensboro area.