Why is this so urgent?
This property is the only one of its kind along 15 miles of Hunt Hwy and it is perfect for our needs. We've waited for its availability for two years. The house is now in foreclosure and an auction is already set for March 16. Just to even have a chance to purchase this house we need to act immediately.
What if we aren't ultimately able to get the house? What then?
We realize foreclosures, auctions, and short-sales are complicated and unpredictable, that's why we are calling everyone to pray and ask God to open the right doors for us. If we ultimately couldn't get the house, our plan for acquiring a central, seven-day a week ministry center is unchanged. We will likely then consider storefront rental options.
That's a lot of money in a short time. How is that even possible for our church?
It is a lot of money and will stretch us like never before. It is certainly possible, but it will require personal sacrifice - doing without something for the sake of this vision. Each of us must ask, "God, what would you have me sacrifice and give to see this vision become a reality?" 100% participation is critical.
What if we don't reach our $35,000 goal by March 6th?
Without the $35,000 dollars in hand we will not be able to qualify for the necessary loan, which means we cannot submit a short-sale offer nor make a reasonable bid on the house. All the money raised would instead be applied to acquiring an alternate facility for a seven-day a week ministry center for ONE, likely the rental of a smaller storefront.
What do you mean by "Equal sacrifice, not equal giving"?
This initiative is not about dividing the total cost evenly between every member of ONE, which would require about $412 extra per man, woman, and child for each of the next two years. Instead, we are to equally sacrifice. For some $1000 would be an amazing sacrifice. For another person, that wouldn't necessarily require a big sacrifice at all. If we all push ourselves to give beyond just what we can do, to what we can sacrifice to do in faith, we can make this happen!
I don't have extra cash to give. How can I still contribute?
Many people are in a similar situation. We have to be willing to get creative and be willing to sacrifice. For ideas on how to get creative, see "15 Ways to Give" in the brochure. Sacrifice is the harder part. It requires being captivated by the bigger vision and saying, "God, I'm willing to do without something, so this vision can become reality."
What do you mean by giving "above and beyond" our regular tithes and offerings?
Our regular weekly giving to ONE supports all ministries, staff salaries, rent, children's curriculum, utilities, insurances, office supplies, missions projects, and local outreach. It would defeat the purpose to "redirect" your regular giving to the Next Initiative since that would cripple our ongoing ministries. Giving to the Next Initiative needs to be given in addition to or "above and beyond" your weekly giving since it is separate from our operating budget.
How do I go about making a non-cash gift like stocks, property, vehicles, etc.?
This is a great way to make a significant contribution to the NEXT Initiative. Please contact Dave Miller (260-414-6468), our NEXT Initiative Finance Point Person, for guidance on how to make that happen.
I want to invite friends and family to join me in giving, do you have extra materials I can send them?
Yes. This is an excellent way to generate resources for this initiative. If every one of us gave personally and invited five other people to join us, we can accomplish this goal. Extra brochures and commitment cards are on the welcome table. A downloadable brochure, pictures, and a video are also available online at discoverONE.net. Direct friends and family there.
Do we plan to move our worship to the new property?
No. This property could not accommodate the size of our church for worship. We believe continuing to meet in schools or other venues for worship will keep from stunting our growth. This building however, will enable us to have medium size gatherings for about 20-60+ people during the week.
Will we ever have a church building of our own to worship in?
We don't know. What we do know is that God is calling us to be fluid and open to his leading, allowing us to grow and expand without being trapped in one building in one location for worship. We believe he is calling us to invest our resources into multiplying campuses (worship sites) of ONE throughout our area. This house creates the central hub from which to launch new sites. As a hub, it is also the place that connects the ministries between various sites, like ONE's youth ministry.
What do you mean by new campuses of ONE?
We dream of fulfilling ONE's calling to multiply our ministry by starting numerous campuses of ONE throughout San Tan Valley, Queen Creek and beyond. Campuses would all be part of ONE's network sharing one mission, vision, DNA, and resources. Yet, campuses could gather any day of the week from schools to storefronts to bars. Our central ministry would be united through weekday ministries like youth, and shared local and international outreach. Our first step will be to establish our central hub. Then, possibly launch a second site within the next year. Other sites would follow in the years to come.