In mid-June Horizon Community Christian Reformed Church, Downers Grove, Ill., started selling discounted high-end furniture in the same shopping mall where it holds its worship services. It plans to donate some of the profits to the local community.
The furniture, including tables, chairs, sofas, dressers, and more, came from a time-share condominium in Missouri. It began with a connection between Horizon pastor Rev. Jon Hoekema and a childhood friend who is co-owner of a resort and time-share renovation company, Elements Hospitality. Elements works diligently to distribute their projects’ used furniture to charities—and this time around, Horizon Community became the recipient.
Church members made seven trips with a semitrailer to Osage Beach, Mo., to bring the furniture to Illinois. Cliff Van Beek, from Peace Christian Reformed Church, South Holland, Ill., donated the trucking, while Bernie Slinkman, Faith Christian Reformed Church, Elmhurst, Ill., coordinated all of the driving.
While Hoekema’s personal goal is for the church to raise $15,000 to $20,000 from sales, he foremost wants to see people in the community given the opportunity to purchase the discounted, high-quality furniture. What does not sell will be donated to area thrift stores and other nonprofits.
“This is a God thing, it really is,” he said. “The details have just fallen into place. God has opened doors and provided.”
Visit the church’s website for details of the ongoing sale.
About the Author
Melissa Holtrop