Faith,
In 1980 and ’86, the members and friends at Faith Covenant Church did something that benefits us every week. They had two capital campaigns to build our worship center, basement, and children’s wing of our facility. Think about it! Every week, our kids and teens, Meals on Wheels, Loaves and Fishes, the M.O.M.S. program, and many others use what they paid to build over four decades ago.
In this season, our Faith Makes History Capital Campaign is endeavoring to follow in theirfootsteps and update what they so generously provided.
What exactly is a Capital Campaign?
Simply put, a capital campaign is a focused, time-limited commitment—in our case, three years—where we, as a church family, commit to giving over and above our regular weekly giving (our “Operating Budget”).
Why do we do this? Our regular giving sustains the ministry that happens in our facilities, covering essential expenses such as staff, utilities, children’s curriculum, outreach, and missions. A capital campaign, however, is designed to build, expand, and/or improve the facilities themselves—thephysical “rock” that houses the ministry.
Think of it like this: your regular giving is the vital fuel that keeps the car running and driving (ministry). The Capital Campaign is the money for a new, larger chassis or engine that will allow the car to carry people and travel further into the future (facilities and expansion). It’s an act of faith that says, “We believe God is calling us to reach more people, and we are willing to sacrifice now to create improved space for them.”
This is not a fundraiser asking for a one-time donation. It’s a journey in discipleship—a moment where we prayerfully ask God, “What sacrifice are You asking me to make over the next 36 months, Lord, so that our church can create a legacy for the next generation?”
Does the Capital Campaign mean we will take on more debt?
That’s an excellent and crucial question, and the straightforward answer is: It depends entirely on what we raise.
Our hope is to raise the full amount needed to complete our essential projects without taking on any new debt. We have a manageable mortgage now, and our hope is that this campaign will allow us to move forward solely with the funds committed by our church family.
However, we are being realistic and transparent: if the commitments we receive do not meet thetotal cost of the necessary projects, we will face a choice. To move forward with the full vision, we would need to explore taking on additional financing.
Here’s the key: That decision will not be made by me or the Leadership Team alone. Our church constitution requires that a congregational vote must approve any action to take on significant new debt.
So, the campaign is our opportunity to say “Yes!” to the full vision now, through our sacrificial giving, and bypass the need for that vote entirely. Our campaign giving is literally the way we vote for a debt-free future and the expansion of God’s ministry through us.
I pray that you are praying and that our faith will make history for our world, community, and Faith Covenant Church!
In Christ alone,
Pastor Brad
***Message notes are here.
And here are some deeper dive videos for this Sunday’s journey:
Is God’s name Jehovah or Yahweh? (2:32)
Book of Exodus Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1) (6:32)