Trinity Point Project - Update March 2013

We want to give an update on the Trinity Point Church of God project starting with a recap of some of what had been discussed up to this point in time. 

Since this building project began we have been able, by the grace of God, and along with your generosity and sacrifice, to pay cash for the purchase of the property, blue prints, site development expenses, garage, and all that has been a part of getting to where we are today in the development of the Trinity Point Church of God with our own funds still available.

Since we made the announcement in May 2011 of the total cost of the project, the Finance Team has been exploring all kinds of options and looking for creative ways to finance this project.

The Bible says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” (Prov 16:9 NIV) Since the discussions started several years ago, we have been intent on following God’s direction and many times we have had to assess and reassess our thinking and seek out and cry out to God for  direction. We indeed want God to determine our steps and He has and continues to do just that.

Several times we’ve changed our thinking and timeline for building based on seeking out the will of God. The Scripture says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prov 15:22 NIV) 

In their meeting on January 19, 2011 the Finance Team along with the Building Committee came to this conclusion:

1). We need to be fiscally responsible.  With the money we currently have available from savings and what has been collected in the “New Building Fund” we should start the project and go as far as we can with the money we have, doing it in 4 phases. This was suggested and recommended by  Delta Contractors as well and agreed upon by the Building Committee.

Phase 1): Pad ready, all the site preparation done in first phase and paid for.  (90%complete as of February 2013)

Phase 2): Get building up and under roof and paid.

Phase 3): Complete interior of building. This will add time to the project, but will help us to save a significant amount of money based on our “sweat equity.” The more we can pay as we go, the more we will all save in interest on a loan and also could eliminate the need for ongoing  “New Building Fund” commitments that would stretch out 15 – 20 years. Please be advised, however, this timeline has to be flexible based upon our ability to raise the necessary funds to build and that, in turn, will determine also if we need to borrow money to complete the building project. 

Phase 4): Paving of the parking lots and driveways, landscaping and all necessary finish work for completion of the site.  

2). Ground Breaking Ceremony: We broke ground on June 10, 2012. A great day of celebration and encouragement for our Church Family.  

3). Borrow, only if necessary, we will be assessing carefully all the way through the project to make the necessary arrangements, and if necessary, do a conventional loan to work on the project.  We will be working on this as we are starting into phase 2 and preparing for phase 3.

4). Go into another “New Build Fund” Campaign that has begun in October 2012 and will run through October 2015. We have had committed for these three years $644,000. Knowing what the commitment is helps for the planning and management of the project. It also gives the Finance Team and the Business Department the ability to get a timeline together for financing and working with the banks.

5). Savings realized: Simply put, the more we are able to pay cash for the project, the more savings we will realize from interest and all that we are able to save are “ministry dollars” that can be used for other ministries in our church. The Finance Team believes that we should do all we can to keep interest dollars to a minimum and to be fiscally responsible even during the negotiating to secure a loan from a bank. 

This project and direction from God will take all of us sacrificing to make this a reality. I can promise you that God will bless each one who is willing to make the sacrifices necessary in their lives to labor toward expanding the Kingdom of God. We have collectively among us great resources that we can use sacrificially for the Lord. 

I want to thank the Building Committee and the Finance Team for all their prayers, seeking out the will of God, and the sacrifice of their time and talents. They are doing an awesome job and we still have a long way to go. However, we are definitely going in the direction that God wants us to go.

I want to also thank you, our Church Family, for all your support both financially and spiritually. Your willingness to give sacrificially over and above your tithe will not go unnoticed by God. We have a long way to go but God is faithful and will bring to completion what He calls us to do.

The Liberty Street Church of God is definitely on fire for the Lord and His Kingdom, we need to keep the momentum going and keep moving forward with this building for the sake of our community and the opportunity to better minister to those around us.

Please keep praying and sacrificing as we plow the fields of Clarion.

(Mat 9:37-38 NIV)  Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. {38} Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Building Committee Finance Team

Clyde Bish: Chairperson 
Brent Long: Chairperson

J.J. Ferguson  & Jim Kriebel: Co-Chairperson

Joe Ferguson - John Rupert - Jim Christie - Matt Lerch - Brent Long -Brian C. Burford

Judy Wilson - Shane Kriebel - Pastor Jonathan Spencer - Scott Allen - Nancy Jeannerat -     Mike Johnston - Pastor Bruce Wilson

God bless you all as we step into the water together (Joshua 3:13),

Pastor Bruce