Alabaster Offering
History of Alabaster
Following World War II, the critical need for buildings and land in the world mission areas of the Church of the Nazarene was presented to the General NMI Council. The Council asked Rev. Elizabeth Roby Vennum, a member of the group, to submit a plan that would generate giving for this need.
Rev. Vennum knew if God wanted those buildings, He would provide the plan. On the return trip from Kansas City, God gave her His plan of giving "love" gifts. It was modeled after the sacrifice of the woman who anointed Jesus' head with expensive perfume poured from an alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13).
The General NMI Council unanimously adopted the plan, and the first offering was received in 1949. Now, more than 50 years later, more than 7,300 projects have been purchased or built with more than $79 million.
