When a friend of mine couldn't sell his home after a move, he decided to rent it out. Twice in three years, tenants broke the lease and skipped town after trashing the place, leaving my friend with thousands of dollars in repairs.

He tried to sell the house again, and it sat on the market for months while he made mortgage payments he couldn't afford. His credit cards maxed out, foreclosure became a possibility, and his stress was sky-high.

When he told friends at church about his problem, they responded in a big way. Within 48 hours:

- His couples' Bible study gave him and his wife a check that more than covered their next mortgage payment, giving them more time to sell the house.

- His Sunday school teacher--a realtor and financial adviser--prayed with him and his wife, encouraging them and offering wise counsel.

- A church elder--an attorney my friend could never afford--spent 90 minutes on the phone with him, giving solid advice.

My friend was striking out, and the church stepped up to the plate. But it never could have happened if he hadn't put his pride aside and made his needs known.