Pastor Bernie Anderson finally revealed a well-kept secret during the Oct. 1 Wasatch Hills church service when he handed out “Kingdom Assignments” to 10 people in the congregation, giving them until the end of the year to “make a difference” in people’s lives.

Churches representing all denominations from every state in the nation are being given the opportunity to participate in the “Kingdom Assignment” movement, Anderson said, and Wasatch Hills is the only church representing Utah in this effort.

Launched by Pastor Denny Bellesi at the Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the “Kingdom Assignment” effort was inspired by the film “Pay It Forward,” and is based on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In the story, three servants are each entrusted with equal sums of money. One multiplied it five-fold, another two-fold, but the third servant buried his money. When the master returned, He rewarded those that were faithful with the talents He had entrusted to them, banishing the one who did nothing.

Bellesi’s “Kingdom Assignment” includes three stipulations — the money belongs to God; do something outside the walls of the church to further God’s Kingdom; return in 90 days and tell what was done with the money. Bellesi gave 100 members of his congregation $100 each, and 90 days later those people reported back, “describing how the money had been spent to transform lives, build churches, feed the hungry and comfort the sick,” according to the Kingdom Assignment website (www.kingdomassignment.com).

Anderson handed $100 bills to 10 people in the Wasatch Hills Church Oct. 1, and they were to report back Dec. 31. Members are doing various projects, from selling wrist bracelets with a message, to an art show, gift wrapping for people the morning after Thanksgiving, involving co-workers and using business contacts to “multiply” their $100.

“There is much excitement and anticipation for our Dec. 31 worship service when we will hear back from all the people who took on the assignment,” Anderson said. The Kingdom Assignment organization also assigned a volunteer specifically to pray for the Wasatch Hills church’s project and all those who took on the challenge, he added.

“It has been exciting for me to hear members talk about how they are going to multiply their money outside of the church in order to help the Hurricane Katrina victims,” said Anderson. “We have children, teenagers, young adults and veteran members all participating and stepping out of their comfort zones to make a difference for God’s kingdom.”

To date, the original $10,000 handed out by Bellesi is well over $1 million and counting “in furthering God’s kingdom, by being the hands and feet of Christ,” the website said.