"I was hoping for $75,000," he said following the final worship service on Thursday evening, conceding that his faith had been too small.

Moments earlier during the service, he learned that Covenant youth had given $100,373. "It was just absolutely awesome," said Sundholm. "Incredible."

Glenn Palmberg, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, told the gathering that the offering taken during a special CWR offering on Tuesday reached $99,266, which brought cheers. But there was more. Worship leader Matt Lundgren walked onstage to announce that the Click for CHIC program raised $1,107 to put the total over the $100,000 mark. To read an earlier story, please see Click for CHIC.

The money will fund the construction and operation of a new school, health clinic and food program, Palmberg said. "This would not have happened if you had not done it," Palmberg said. "It would not have been done."

The only school currently in Bentiu is operated by Islamic militants, Palmberg said, declaring that "2,200 Covenant students will now have a school where Christ can be honored."

Prior to announcing the Covenant World Relief offering, Palmberg shared that students also had exceeded expectations in packing food for the Feed My Starving Children program. The president said 1,817 people helped pack 2,737 boxes containing more than half a million meals - 591,192 to be exact. Organizers had hoped to exceed the 500,000 mark. To read an earlier story, please see Packing Food.

Because of the CHIC attendees' work, 1,620 children will be fed for an entire year, Palmberg announced. "You packed all that food, and it's now on its way to Sudan," he said.

The world struggles to meet the immediate needs brought about by hunger and starvation and the long-term need of education, and the students were ready to meet both needs, Palmberg noted.

"You make me proud to be president of the Evangelical Covenant Church," he declared. "You make me very optimistic about the future of this church."