OZARK, Mo.--Not only did the James River Assembly launch a $10 million building and renovation campaign last year, they also donated $136,000 to a nearby church whose sanctuary was destroyed by arson.

According to the Assemblies of God News Service, James River is one of the larger churches in the denomination. On average, 5,500 attend Sunday morning services each week. Even so, asking for more money after church members pledged nearly $9 million over a two-year period for the "Because" building fund campaign, seemed risky.

"There's no question you kind of take a deep breath when you do something like this," said Senior Pastor John Lindell. "You don't want to give the idea that you don't need the money [especially in the middle of a building campaign] or how people would respond to that."

But Lindell said he felt a call from God to help another church.

"When the Because campaign first started, I felt it would be great if at some point during the campaign we would be able to help another church," said Senior Pastor John Lindell. "I didn't have another church in mind, but I knew if the Lord really had put it on my heart, then the Lord would bring it all together."

A need arose from another church in nearby Springfield, the Deliverance Temple. The sanctuary there had been burned by an arsonist. Lindell went to the James River board and explained the desire placed upon his heart that he said was confirmed by God through a call from Bishop David Knox at the Deliverance church.

The board quickly approved giving one of the monthly Because offerings to Deliverance Temple to assist it in its rebuilding efforts.

"When I heard they were going to [take an offering for Deliverance Temple], I thought it was a great idea," said Caryl Johnson, 41, who has been attending James River with her husband Brad for more than three years. "Everybody I spoke to thought it was a great idea and were really excited about it."

Lindell sent out a letter to the congregation to explain why the church had decided to donate their building funds: "Because Deliverance Temple is advancing the Kingdom of God in a part of town that needs Jesus. Because we are on the same team. Because Deliverance Temple needs a helping hand. Because if we are generous with them, God will be generous with us."

James River also showed a video of the arson damage and rebuilding efforts at Deliverance before receiving the offering. Lindell said he expected $40,000 to $60,000.

When Lindell handed Knox a check for $136,000, the congregation and Knox were stunned.

"At first, the fact that it [the offering] was over $100,000 was a surprise," said Leslie Carter, 44, who has been attending James River with her husband Tom for the past five years. "But my next reaction was, 'Why should I be surprised?' Our congregation has been very good about being obedient to the Lord, and when there's a call, we respond."