A Greeting Card Ministry with a Potentially Lifesaving Twist

By Michael C. Mack

Imagine the feeling of receiving a handwritten envelope and greeting card in the mail for a significant event. Many churches have greeting card ministries that send cards for special occasions as a way of expressing the church”s care for people, acknowledging God”s love for them, and providing an opportunity to plant seeds of truth along with a personal message.

Max Hickerson, who retired several years ago after more than 60 years of ministry, has added a simple yet effective ministry especially for church leaders: he sends wedding anniversary cards. “I have done it for many years and been thanked often,” said Hickerson. “And people have told me they had never received such a card from their minister.”

Especially today, as social media such as Facebook has nearly replaced the store-bought greeting card as a way to express birthday and other wishes, a card from your minister can make a huge difference in someone”s day””and possibly do even more. Hickerson recalls one Sunday when a man thanked him for the card he and his wife had received on Friday. “Today is our 25th anniversary,” the man told Hickerson, “and I had forgotten it. You saved my life!”