Andy Stanley to Launch 'Be Rich' Campaign to TV Audience; Generosity Initiative Expected to Surpass $5 Million

This annual giving and serving campaign asks people to "do more" and "give more" by being rich toward others. The Biblical basis, Stanley explains, comes from 1 Timothy 6:18: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

In late 2012, North Point Ministries' five churches and 17 strategic partners raised over $5 million in just two Sundays through their "Be Rich" campaign, with all of the money going directly to 92 different local charities. These nonprofit organizations – which are tackling a wide range of challenges from foster care and inner city education to homelessness and sex trafficking – were carefully selected based on their specific needs, impact in their communities, and potential for church members to volunteer with their projects on a long-term basis.

"What could be the impact if churches were not seen as asking for money, but rather as giving it away?" said Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Ministries, describing what motivated him to launch this endeavor. "When the church is known for doing good, it reflects well on the body of Christ and it helps everyone."

Stanley first came up with this idea in Fall 2007, when he launched a sermon series titled "How to Be Rich." He admits that back then, even some of his staff members were a little skeptical of how the series would be received. "When I first introduced this idea, there was some concern that people would think, 'Oh no, there goes a mega church pastor talking about money, trying to get our money,'" he said. "Our culture often thinks, 'The church just wants my money,' but Be Rich isn't about that. What it's about is challenging our congregation by saying, 'You have already been blessed with much more than you need, so make it a priority to give to those in need.'"

The content and momentum gained from this original sermon series was the catalyst for what has now become North Point's annual Be Rich campaign, which aims to inspire church members to live richly by cultivating a generous lifestyle. Each year the project has grown exponentially, and every time the money raised has far exceeded the team's bold goals.