Alabaster
Offering
History of Alabaster
In
1948, Rev. Elizabeth Vennum, Global Council member, was asked
to think and pray about a challenging project for NMI. Rev.
Vennum knew if God wanted the project to take place, 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).
At the Global NMI Council meeting in 1949, Mrs. Vennum told
of the Alabaster plan God had given her. The Council unanimously
adopted the plan, and the first offering was received in 1949.
The Board of General Superintendents approved the plan for Alabaster
funds to be used exclusively for buildings and properties
in cross-cultural ministries.
Now, more than 60 years later, Alabaster is still strong, having
provided more than 9,000 projects since 1949. Faithful Nazarenes
around the world have given over $100 million dollars for
this much-needed ministry.
