REACH UPDATE: Commitment cards to date have pledged $4.132 M and cards are still being received. God has also provided almost $1 M in cash offerings as of today. It is very encouraging to see gifts being given from people who have not submitted a commitment card. In the past two Central building programs, many people give in addition to those who have made a commitment and the total giving has far exceeded the original pledge. God honors our steps of faith to trust Him to meet our needs as our ministries continue to grow.

MOVING AHEAD: The Deacons were given a project update on Monday, June 29, and an expectation that recommendations for approval to move forward with a sound financial plan in the next few weeks. This will be followed by recommendations to the church. The plan will keep our church budget in line with the current annual debt retirement of $736,000 staying the same, but extending the amortization time. The expectation will be to retire the total loan within 7 to 10 years after completion of the Children’s Building. Without any fund raising, the $5.7 M Family Life Center loan will be paid in full in only 6 years this December. The Relocation and Worship Center loans of $9.5 M would have been paid in full within this same time frame had our church not built the FLC. This remaining loan will be down to no more than $1.5 M when the Children’s Building is completed in Fall 2017. These projects have provided the blessings for our growth to now critically need the Children’s Building.

IMPORTANT COMPARISON: The annual church budget to building loan ratio for the Relocation and Worship Center was 28%. At the completion of the Children’s Building, this ratio is projected to be between 44 and 50%; a much better position. The annual loan payment must be viewed as a ministry expense to meet and expand our commitment to reach more families and children for Christ and to increase our annual giving and financial growth. There is really no other viable alternative if we are to provide space for what God is doing at Central. We cannot do the expansion but God can and will when we obediently trust Him again.