Timing is Everything!!

In the last few years I have had the opportunity to observe from a bit of a “behind the scenes” seat as the elders, leaders, and church body have decided to sell the church campus and move forward with a church re-location. As a part of the church staff and having a husband who has served on the elder board during these transitional times, I have heard the stories of how God has worked and moved to provide us a with new piece of land and ultimately a new building that will reach a community that needs Jesus. We, as a church, have faced a bit of a speed bump at this point in the relocation process facing a financial challenge in moving forward in designing the building that we had first anticipated. As we have cruised fairly smoothly through this re-location process (granted, we have seen God’s miracles throughout), Warren and I have often questioned why God put this speed bump in the road at this particular time, when we feel so close to seeing construction on the hill.

This question was answered for us one night as we were Christmas shopping at Park Meadows. We ran into an acquaintance who formerly attended MHC. He had gotten word that we were re-locating and questioned the amount that the church was potentially spending on a new building and had heard that we were facing financial struggles. After we listened to him and his concerns, we were a bit speechless, not knowing how to respond to his opinion. We continued shopping, being irritated by this conversation. On the way home, after having some time to process what was said to us, we both agreed that God had put us in this place as a church to remind His people (and those watching from the outside) that He is in control and He will be the only one deserving of our praises when His building is completed in His perfect timing! As the church moves forward with the resources that God has provided and will continue to provide, are you ready to give God all the praise and glory for an adventure He began and will complete?

Kim

Open Forum Questions Re: Project Funding

Open Forum Date: April 5th, 2009

(Answers Provided by: Andy Limes and Keith Carson)

Q. What is the loan term?
A. First bank, Up to $13.5mil for a two year construction period followed by a 5 year loan with a 25 year amortization

Q. What are the bond amounts?
A. Any increment of $1,000

Q. Where do we stand with the Aspen Academy repayment?
A. On track. The loan is current and Aspen’s financial position has improved from 6/30/08

Q. Is our rent fixed with Aspen Academy?
A. Fixed at $30,000 per month for 12 month periods

Q. How is the construction loan different from the long term loan?
A. Its maximum duration is 2 years. We pay interest only during that time.
Then it converts to a 5 year note amortized over a 25 year period

Q. If we have savings through the bid process, what will we do with these savings?
A. Save them, build more into the space architecturally or enhance the quality of the furnishings most notably the sound and lighting , add more parking

Q. How are we going to handle the increased debt service in the general budget?
A. The net increase over our current budget with rent for both the church and the office will be less than $50,000 per month and therefore less than 25% of our budget. We continue to rely on God’s faithfulness and the churches generosity plus growth to offset any increase in expense

Q. Have we sold the lot across the street?
A. No, we still own the “Grange” property. Its value is $120,000 and it is for sale.