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On Sunday, November 30, 2008 First Baptist Church of Horizon City celebrated the official start of its church expansion program with a special sermon, a church lunch, and a groundbreaking ceremony for a new education building.
See all the pictures from this event HERE! |
Below you can find out why we are taking this step now and to learn more about the program.
About the new building...
We are out of space. As a church, we are approaching our thirtieth anniversary. During that time, with different pastors and a wide range of people, our church has on several occasions grown to a worship attendance of just over 100 people. Each time we got to this size, the growth would stop because we did not have enough space to develop small group Bible studies to involve the people. Our space for worship can accommodate about 150 people, but our space for small groups is less than ideal and can only accommodate 60 to 75 comfortably. Our children and youth areas are especially limited by this situtation. We also have a very limited restroom space with only one toilet for the men and one for the women.
What we are doing. We are making several adjustments to meet this challenge. First, we now have three services each Sunday. One of these is in Spanish and is led by Pastor Norman Torres on Sunday evenings. We have recently started an 8:00 a.m. service, as well. This service is small and has room to grow, but it will take some of the burden from our 10:45 service. Second, we are planning a new building with space for classrooms, a prayer room and up-to-date restroom facilities. The plans also include a cry-room for mothers of nursing infants, a booth to allow translation of conferences and services, spaces designed specifically for children and nursery care, etc.
How can we pay for this? The truth is, we prbably can't in our own strength and resources. We believe that this is God's instruction to us and we know that if we do our part He is always faithful to do His. Because of this, we are trying to do things a step at a time and have secured an architect and a contractor that know our situation and are willing to work with us.
What have we done so far? We have collected some money in the past and have used that to take steps toward the bigger project. We knew we would have to do additional paving to occupy the building, so we have already spent about $35,000 in paving. In the last 5-10 years, we have replaced our doors, put on a new roof and updated our airconditional/heating with newer, more efficient units. We paid our architect for the initial footprint drawings and currently have about $45,000 on hand for the next phase of our work. We need to raise the first $100,000 as quickly as possible to get construction drawings, permits and to pour the slab. As soon as we have the money for these three things, they will be done.
Why are we building a two-story building? In the long run, this is the only thing that makes sense. We have a limited amount of space and new construction requires a lot of space for parking and ponding of water (there are ordnances that require these). The cost of the slab and roof are not much different for one and two story buildings. We have already consulted the city and they will be able to give us an occupancy permit for the bottom floor before we complete the second floor. We will focus immediately on the first floor onlyl and will close off the second floor until we have the needed funds. We will not be able to use the second floor until it is completed.
How can I be involved? There are a number of ways that you can be a help to this project. The first is to pray. Part of this is us asking God to help us, part of this is our listening to His instructions. We need to get this right the first time and avoid repeating a lot of steps--pray for wisdom to get it right. A second way you can help is by being faithful to attend and worship with us. As people grow in their walk with the Lord and in community with each other it attracts others who want to be forgiven, healed and encouraged. Your faithfulness is worth much to the kingdom and to your personal life. Please share our need with other people. You may know someone who has skills or resources and would want to help in the construction.
What about the economy? We know that the economy is challenging to many people in the financial world, but God is not surprised. He would not give us this assignment unless He had established a way to complete it. When this building is built, it will be obvious that He did it and He will get the credit. History tells us that when economic structures fall, many people are hurting and turn to God. It is critical that we have needed space at this time.
How can I give? We are encouraging people to give in several different ways:
- Windfall giving--you may say, "I would love to give something, but I don't have anything to give!" Our response is to ask, "Would you be willing to give if God provided something for you to give?" If so, then we would suggest windfall giving as an initial step in your giving. If you receive money that is totally unexpected, would you be willing to give a percentage of it to God? We suggest that percentage be 50% or less, and you may decide you want to give 35% or 25% or some other amount. Our suggestion of 50% and no more is because we believe that God wants to bless you as well as this project. Ask us to share some examples and some stories with you. This could change your life. You decide if it is a windfall, you decide the percentage.
- A budget amount--you may be able to look at your budget and set a particular amount as a weekly, monthly, or quarterly gift.
- Special income--you may close an important business deal, sell property, have settlements or inheritances come in that you want to give from.
- Sacrifice giving--you may be spending money for something already, and just decide to cut this back or cut it out--one eating-out meal a week or month, sodas, some magazine, etc. and then donate the money you are already spending to the project instead.
- Faith giving--this is an exciting way to give. Simply ask the Lord to give you an amount He wants you to give. If you are married, wait until God has brought you and your spouse to an agreement on a specific amount. Don't panic if this amount is more than you expected. Once God gives you a figure, commit to that figure and ask Him to show you how to do it. If God is asking you to give that amount, He will show you how it can be done.
- Special gifts--you may be interested in giving stocks, cars, jewelry, real estate or personal property. Please talk with us about how to do this before you do it. There are some tremendous tax advantages to giving the property and allowing us to redeem it, instead of selling it and giving the money. We can receive these kinds of gifts. We canhelp you with this.
We are Building for Eternity. We are building for the Kingdom and for Horizon City. Thank you for your interest in helping us be faithful to what God is asking us to do.
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