Hello there everyone. I know it's been a long time since I posted here. Life has kept me incredibly busy. Our church has been growing since we planted it, then shrunk as 4 families had to move from our valley because of the economy. But we've had some new folks recently as well so things are looking up.
I hope all of you are doing well. I do have a question for you since there is such a wide range of people here covering such a wide range of backgrounds and churches.
We are very stiffled in our current location and I do believe that it has hurt us as far as growth is concerned. We only have two small rooms to meet in and while they certainly met a need at the time, we are seeing how much it is hurting us in the long term, but it was all we could afford at the time. And probably, we can't afford too much more now either.
Anyway, we see that there is a place available for purchase that could potentially meet a need for the life of our church. Room to grow, room to build if ever necessary. The price is actually quite reasonable as well. It's just that regardless of how reasonable it is, it is still out of reach for us.
My question is do any of you know of any churches, organizations or even individuals, that will give, loan, or grant money to planted churches with an emphasis on helping their community and marriages specifically? The amount we need is about $300,000 but we could hopefully find multiple sources.
RE: Hello, it's been a while. Also got a question.
As an old timer who is on his second trip around the block, just advice from my prospective.
God sees all, and knows all. Don't try to force something to happen, let God supply in his time. Debt will kill the move of God in a congration as quickly as anything. God loves cheerful givers, not those who are forced to meet deadlines beyond their means.
Sometimes the answer is to send some out to build another congreation across town. Remember, it is Gods Church, let him supply and direct as he sees fit.
RE: Hello, it's been a while. Also got a question.
PastorSteve,
Bless God for your ministry and the families that you have reached. Praise God that you are fulfilling the call of God on your life. And thank God that your church has grown. I don't know your wholle situation but I would be very careful about taking on a lot of debt at this point in time, or really, ever. Given the current economic climate, it would be great if your body of believers could be in a position to bless others rather than be indebted to someone else. At one time I personally carried alot of debt. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle but I oftenfound myself without any extra money. And then one day a friend made a remark in passing that forever changed my life. He said if you are in a great deal of debt, how can you be a blessing to others? He didn't know anything about my financial situation but his words hit me like a ton of bricks. I resolved at that moment that I would get myself in a position to be a blessing to others, as I felt directed by the Holy Spirit. I have never regretted that decision. If God wants your church to expand, He will direct your paths. Make it a matter of prayer and fasting, not only for you and your staff, but for your congregation as well. Ask Him for direction, to open the right doors, and to close the doors that He doesn't want you to walk through. I pray right now for your situation, that God's perfect will and plan would be revealed to you and your staff. That He would supply your needs according to His riches in glory, and glory would be brought to His Name throughout this entire situation. God let everyone who is familiar with this situation, truely see God's hand at work.
Blessings.....Pastorjim
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Mere religion is just hanging around the cross.......True Christianity is getting on the cross.
RE: Hello, it's been a while. Also got a question.
Hey Steve,
First , I 'm excited about your inner city street ministry. I would love to give but am commited already to some out reach ministries ..
Here's a thought. I once worked 7 years for a group handicapped living home for wheel chair bound adults..
They rasied money by simply gettinga volunteer to make phone calls to call businesses to donate.Many businesses gladly did because of tax write offs. Our best contributor..buckle up..Was Anheiser Bush...yep..It was not churches ..it was bars etc. These good ole boys liked usng their tax write offs in doing something good for the commmunity..Also..some churches gave as these volunteers would put together a slide show showing what their money was doing..The volunteer was on the phone nearly all day getting pledges.
CHuck7
RE: Hello, it's been a while. Also got a question.
Brother Jim, in 1985 we started meeting in Pastor Ray Lindsey's pole barn behind his home and we went through Rain, Cold, Winds and Heat until we had enough money to build the first part of the new building with monies that the members had put in for the Building Fund....From 1985 to 1995...BTW, Pastor Ray wasnever payed one dollar for his services, only tokens of appriciations for Weddings,Funerals, Hospital Vist's, etc.,etc.,etc.........
We went from about 50 members in 1985 to about 150 in 1995....We have about 275 to 300 members today. I also want to mention that we are from a farming community.....We have also completed all sections of the church plus an accredited FL christianschool from K-4 thru 12 which about 60% are admitted to Trinity Bible Colledge in Jacksonville, FL.....We have alsoadded a PublicBaptist Day Care Center. We alsohave 4churchbuses for the Kid'sand 1 for elderly members....
Pastor Steve Barber was the assistant Pastor untill 1995 when he became the Pastor and brotherMike Grover became assistant pastor......Today it's Pastor Steve Barber & Assistant Pastor Joel Preston.......
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
RE: Hello, it's been a while. Also got a question.
Our Church is currently rebuilding. It is tough because we don't have a real big saftey net anymore for needs and repairs but God is there and has blessed our church. We have done fundraisers. Like Chuck said get on the phone, mail to local churches and invite them to check out your ministry and ask if they will donate to help in the Glorification of God through the saving power in His word. Listen to God, if He wants you to build He will provide the money, but like the others debt is not a good thing. We are building our church in phases as we raise the money to do so.
Hello, it's been a while. Also got a question.
Was Anheiser Bush...yep..It was not churches ..it was bars etc. These good ole boys liked usng their tax write offs in doing something good for the commmunity..Also..some churches gave as these volunteers would put together a slide show showing what their money was doing..The volunteer was on the phone nearly all day getting pledges.
