Christmas in Action Impact

BRIGHTON CAMPUS

“I told my son there wouldn’t be gifts under the tree.” This was the heavy weight carried by a single mother from the Beechwood neighborhood. Little did she know that only four miles away, our Brighton Campus was collecting gifts to bless 441 Ministries Beechwood, Inc as part of our Christmas in Action initiative.

Throughout the year, Northridge goes beyond our church walls to serve our local community and help them feel “seen and loved” by supporting 441 Ministries. From purchasing New City Café coffee and baked goods, volunteering in the kids’ club and teen mentorship program, helping with renovation projects and events, giving financially – every act of service opens the door for this ministry to build relationships with their neighbors and expose them to God’s love.

Through Christmas in Action, our Brighton Campus came together collecting 100 gifts to bless over 65 children and teens - from newborns to 16 year olds. Along with every gift, prayers were raised over 441 Ministry families in need. 

These gifts did more than surround Christmas trees. They allowed 441 Ministries to facilitate connections and strengthen relationships that will last long after the holidays are over, and toys are outgrown. This was a tangible way Northridge was able to share love within their local community, and show how much more Jesus loves them too, desiring personal relationships to grow His family in Beechwood.

Thank you for playing an important part in serving our neighbors, in making Christmas in Action just that: the action of stepping up and loving on those around our community one parent and child, family at a time. 

There are additional ways you can go beyond Christmas to volunteer with 441 Ministries. For more ways to serve, visit their website.

ROCHESTER CAMPUS

“I thought God had forgotten me… until you came.”
Those words, spoken by a mother in crisis, capture the heartbeat of our CarePortal ministry. All year long, Northridge volunteers step beyond the walls of the church to meet urgent needs for families within five miles of our Rochester campus - families facing some of life’s hardest moments.

From delivering a bed to a toddler just placed with a new foster family, to making sure a family of six has warm coats to brave the Northeast winter, these acts may seem simple, but they are anything but ordinary. Every delivery, every conversation, is a tangible expression of God’s love that says, “You are seen and not forgotten.”

This Christmas, our Rochester campus came together to keep that generosity going. From November 1–30, countless teens, families, and friends met Christmas needs by purchasing gifts and praying over families supported by CarePortal ministries.

Through Christmas in Action, we were able to bless 50 families supported by CarePortal this year with more than 1000 presents - reminders that we are not here to simply meet one need, but to truly care for and invest in the lives of others.

Every gift given, every need met was more than charity—it was ministry. The Gospel in motion, made possible because of volunteers, donors, and prayer warriors who believe that Christmas in action is love in action.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus in Rochester. Together, we helped transform lives: one family, one need, one act of love at a time.

You can help us give beyond this Christmas season.  To become a part or our CarePortal team throughout the year, visit us here.

WEBSTER CAMPUS

Heartfelt transformation is underway. A once-empty apartment is being renovated into a warm, safe home for a mom and her children, made possible by Northridge families who lovingly donated a stove, refrigerator, and even a snow blower. This is just one of many ways Northridge is changing lives by meeting critical needs of pregnant moms and families supported by Caring Choices Pregnancy Help Community in Webster. 

This December, Christmas in Action offered our Webster Campus additional opportunities to gift essential household items or to volunteer their time to continue supporting Caring Choices over the holidays. From donating supplies to cleaning buildings and renovating apartments for pregnant moms and families, we found tangible ways to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors.

Through Christmas in Action, our Webster Campus donated over 800 gifts – including diapers, wipes, baby gear, strollers, pack-n-plays, and personal care items. These weren’t just presents; they were lifelines. Each gift equipped moms and dads with resources they desperately needed, and every act of service was a tangible expression of God’s love shining brightly in our community, one family at a time. 

Thank you for showing up for your community, shining the love of Jesus brightly to families one gift, one hour at a time. Every gift and act of service was an investment in the lives of others. This is the heartbeat of following Jesus: putting others first and meeting needs with open hands and open hearts.

Want to keep the generosity going? To serve Caring Choices beyond the holidays, visit their website.