STATESVILLE -- A unique fundraiser in Iredell County put to the test one church members' creativity and talents.

Back in May, each member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Statesville was given $5. They were told to use those $5 and their talents to raise more money.

Now, the church has more than $12,000.

Some ladies joined forces and sold homemade goods at a bazaar.

Some made pickled vegetables and salsa and sold them at farmers’ markets.

The pastor of the church, Chris Fitzgerald, told us the idea for this fundraiser came from Matthew Chapter 25, in which the Bible talks about the Parable of the Talents.

Fitzgerald told us the money raised will go to a charity called Heiffer International, which aims to end hunger and poverty in developing countries.

The rest will go toward improving the church's sanctuary and fixing the roof. ​