Cross Timbers Community Church is seeking creative ways to help its congregation and the community.

About nine weeks ago, Toby Slough, senior pastor of the Argyle-based church with satellite campuses in Keller and Denton, told his congregation to take money out of the offering plate as it went around, if they needed it.

That Sunday, the church received the largest offering of the year.

Slough said it was a spontaneous decision that has church members stepping up to meet the needs of people in the community.

Becky Rowbotham, a member since April 2008, has seen the effects of the church’s recent ministry.

After Slough finished his sermon on Mother’s Day, May 10, he called single mothers to the front of the church and gave them $100 apiece.

Rowbotham, a 29-year-old single mother of two, said she was caught off guard because the pastor rarely calls people to the front of the church.

About a month ago, she had an emergency surgery that caused her to miss work, so funds were low.

Rowbotham said she put the last $10 from her wallet in the offering plate that Sunday.

The current amount of giving “has been refreshing and very shocking,” Rowbotham said.

She said the church is giving more than the weekly budget requirements.

On another Sunday, Slough announced that each family would receive $50 to pass along to someone they knew in need. Congregants were given three rules: don’t keep the money, tell their story on the church blog and don’t give the money to charity.

“It got everyone to know the needs of everyone around,” Slough said.

Since then, the church has hosted various events to help the community. In one initiative, members offered car repairs. On another occasion, they hosted a job networking fair that offered resources on how to write resumes and interview for jobs.

“We started taking care of our folks,” Slough said, “then started reaching out to the community.”

Rowbotham said she’s noticed an increase in church attendance since members have been giving $50 to people in need.

“It is amazing how we aren’t letting the economy affect our giving,” she said.

Slough said his church has an incredible opportunity to help people during tough times.

“We don’t want this to be a season,” he said. “We want this to be a lifestyle.”

RACHEL MEHLHAFF can be reached by calling 940-566-6897 or sending an e-mail to drc@dentonrc.com.