ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996               TAG: 9610210072
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: CARROLLTON

THIS CHURCH GIVES AS WELL AS RECEIVES

At most churches, you put money in the collection basket. At Sweet Haven Holy Church of God, you can get some money back.

After each service, Bishop Nathaniel Johnson passes out green play money featuring a cross instead of George Washington's face.

If your bill has the pastor's initials on the back, you win $10 to $100. Up to four people win.

There is a catch: You have to be at church for the entire service, which often lasts more than two hours.

``The Lord has laid on our heart to bless the people,'' Johnson said. ``It's not like we're giving away $1,000 to everybody every Sunday. We're just giving enough to put some bread in the cupboard and some gas in car.''

Congregants say they like the program.

``It's encouraging,'' said Elizabeth Sharpe, who won $10 last Sunday. ``I think I'll spend it on food.''

Johnson said the program has two goals: to get people more excited about going to church, and to teach people that the church can give as well as receive.

Attendance has doubled to about 100 since Johnson started the program about three years ago, when he became pastor of the church in Isle of Wight County.

``I know some people won't come to get their souls blessed. They'll be there to get their palms blessed,'' he said. ``But if I get them there, maybe they'll experience spiritual healing.''

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   37 lines