From the Pastor
Each step of faith we take moves us BEYOND where we are and closer to where (and who) God wants us to be. This is true not only in our individual lives, but for our church as well.
In each of our church's 2020 vision steps, we have prayed that we would see clearly what it is God wants us to be and do during that particular season in the life of His church. After nine months of prayer, planning and preparation, we presented to the congregation our conviction of God's purpose for First Hurst. Each recommendation was overwhelmingly confirmed by our membership.
It is one thing, however, to vote "yes" to a proposal with an uplifted hand on a Sunday morning and quite another to support it through sacrificial giving over an 18-month period--now we must. Together, we can.
It is with clear vision that we enthusiastically respond to God's call. Each of the six worthy causes addressed in this effort will position us to go BEYOND where we have been before--for the cause of mission and ministry on both local and global scales.
May it be said of us as Paul did of the Macedonian churches, "For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service..." Church, the privilege is yours and mine to engage and invest in that which will serve to encourage and strengthen our missionaries, update our facilities, reduce our debt and enlarge the possibilities of ministry and service to others for years to come.
Objective
First Baptist Hurst has long been a place where people are challenged and changed for their good and God's glory. Recently, God has challenged us as a church body to address needed changes in order to accommodate continued growth and expansion of ministry. So with broad strokes, we are compelled to go BEYOND our current ministry, knowing that our course will likewise result in good things for God's glory.
Strategy
In cooperation with your Pastors, the 2020 Vision Team has identified a six-fold strategy which will both take us BEYOND where we are and lay groundwork for us to continue moving BEYOND in years to come. In order of priority, those six steps are:
- Missionary Residence
We have purchased a residence to serve as a place of refuge and refreshment for our missionaries while they are on stateside assignment. We will retire the mortgage on this property.
Approximate Cost: $185,000 - Renovations
Portions of our church facility which were not addressed in the last campaign will be renovated and updated. This will include the kitchen, Youth Center, and Worship Center.
Estimated Cost: $175,000 - Land Acquisition
Monies will be set aside for the purchase of land at a nearby, yet-to-be-determined site. This will allow us to expand our growing church ministries, while keeping us all closely connected.
Estimated Cost: $500,000 - New Start Ministries
We will invest in and support new ministries, to include church starts. Additionally, we will furnish necessary resources to more effectively reach and disciple young adults, beyond anything we've done up to this point.
Estimated Cost: $100,000 - Parking Partnership
Because a lack of parking is one of the greatest obstacles we face in continuing growth of Sunday morning ministry, we will continue to seek a mutually beneficial parking partnership with the City of Hurst, related to the property adjoining ours.
Allocated Funds: $100,000 - Debt Reduction
We will devote 10% of all undesignated funds received during this campaign to reducing our debt obligation, thereby better equipping and positioning us for the future God has for us.
Prayer
Preceeding the six recommendations to the church body, countless hours were devoted to prayer by both the Pastoral & 2020 Vision Teams. This was a time of seeking, not the plans of man's limited vision and scope, but the purposes of our unlimited, almighty God. The church family was asked to faithfully join these teams in prayer.
Now we must go BEYOND even this rich heritage of prayer, asking for clarity of God's will regarding personal & family participation in this campaign, as well as entreating our God for His favor as we obediently follow Him in pursuing this expansion of ministry.
Approach
Scripture makes it clear that our financial giving is a grateful expression of faith in generous response to God's graciousness. Further, our God lovingly instructs us to give joyfully, knowing that we will find greater pleasure in giving than in receiving. Consistent with his character is the fact that God evaluates our giving with regard to the resources we have and the attitude of our hearts, not the dollar amount of our gifts. (Hebrews 11:6; 2 Corinthians 8:2,7,9,12 & 9:7-8; Acts 20:35)
Based upon these guiding Scriptural principles, we are blessed with the opportunity to support this campaign by making financial commitments BEYOND our giving to the regular church ministry budget. Having sought God's will, each family or individual must determine the amount of their gift. Commitments may be returned to the church in a sealed envelope and will be kept confidential.
While those who participate are encouraged to give in support of all six steps of the campaign, individual gifts may be designated toward specific campaign priorities. With this flexibility, it is important to note that each item will be completed only as it is funded, ensuring that First Baptist Hurst will not incur any additional debt as part of the BEYOND campaign.
To accommodate maximum participation and success, an 18-month, 78-week systematic program of giving has been structured. Weekly, monthly, or biannual giving schedules may be implemented. Our giving toward the BEYOND campaign will begin with a First Fruits Offering on Celebration Sunday, October 26, 2008.
