May Difference Maker: Fredericksburg Church of Christ

We are honored to introduce our May 2026 Difference Maker, Fredericksburg Church of Christ!

The Fredericksburg Church of Christ has supported our ministry for over 55 years —an incredible legacy of generosity rooted in faith, compassion, and unwavering commitment to children who need hope and healing.

To celebrate this long-standing partnership, we sat down with Gary Sands, Treasurer of Fredericksburg Church of Christ, to learn more about the heart behind their giving and the values that have guided their mission-focused identity.

A Lifetime of Service

Gary Sands has deep roots in Fredericksburg Church of Christ.“I’ve been going to this church for most of my life,” he shared. “My mother started coming around 1960.”

Over the years, Gary has played many roles in the church—Treasurer for the past 46 years, Deacon, Trustee, and a committed member of a congregation he has always called home. In his personal life, Gary is retired, married for nearly twenty years, and enjoys the blessing of four children and seven grandchildren.

He still lives next to the house he grew up in—his brother now lives in the original family home. That sense of this continuity and faithfulness is woven throughout the church’s culture as well.

Gary Sands, Treasurer of Fredericksburg Church of Christ

A Partnership That Began Over 55 Years Ago

When Gary looks back at old church records, he can pinpoint exactly when Fredericksburg Church of Christ first began supporting CCHO.

“It was between April of 1969 and March of 1970,” he said. “That’s when we first donated $400 to Christian Children’s Home. So, it’s going on 60 years we’ve been supporting CCHO.”

That early gift was just the beginning of a long, meaningful partnership rooted in shared values and a shared mission to care for children in need.

A Faith Promise That Fuels Generosity

One of the key ways the church supports ministries like CCHO is through its long-standing faith promise program.

“Back in 1965, we started a giving model based entirely on faith,” Gary explained. “It was a promise between you and God. No one was required to commit—each person gave as the Lord led.”

All Faith Promise giving goes into a separate account dedicated solely to missions. Over the years, Fredericksburg Church of Christ has given an astonishing 40% of its offerings to mission work, supporting around 10 different ministries today.

Their support of CCHO began as part of that focus on missions—particularly missions close to home.

Why Missions Matter to This Congregation

Fredericksburg Church of Christ sees mission work as central to living out the gospel.

“That’s a way of spreading the gospel,” Gary shared. “That’s what Jesus wants us to do.”

Some churches focus primarily locally, others globally—but Fredericksburg has always believed in doing both. Supporting ministries like CCHO allows them to live out that calling in real, tangible ways for children in their own community.

A Message to Churches Considering Supporting CCHO

When Gary was asked what he would say to another church considering partnering with CCHO, he didn’t hesitate.

“I would say just look at what they do and look at the kids that come into the program and what happens to them when they leave,” he said. “The background is there, the history is there.”

He also acknowledged the very real costs of caring for children—costs that many people don’t think about.

“You think about feeding a family of four at home. I can’t imagine what the grocery bill is at CCHO! And then you’ve got salaries, benefits and all the other expenses… it takes a special person to work there. You’re not going to make millions of dollars—you’ve got to have that commitment. And from what I’ve seen, the people who work there have that commitment.”

Thank You, Fredericksburg Church of Christ

For over 55 years, Fredericksburg Church of Christ has been a model of consistent, faithful giving. Their support has helped countless children find safety, healing, and renewed hope. Their partnership is a reminder of what God can do through a church committed to being His hands and feet.

To Gary, the leadership team, and the entire congregation—thank you for your decades of generosity and for being our May Difference Maker. Your faithfulness has made a lasting difference in the lives of children across Ohio.