The Expansion Project
The combination of outgrowing our meeting facility and the anticipation of future church growth prompted Sovereign Grace Church to launch a capital fund raising campaign called The Expansion Project.
We are currently in Year Four of The Expansion Project, and are so thankful to God that He has allowed us to construct and move into our new building this past year. God has generously provided for us and we look forward to seeing how He continues to do so in Year Four of this exciting venture as a church!
FAQs
What is The Expansion Project?
The Expansion Project is a capital fundraising campaign launched by Sovereign Grace Church in April 2006. The project was created to raise funds to help support church growth initiatives in the years to come. This includes the expansion of our current meeting facilities, as well as supporting a variety of future ministries in the life of the church.
Who should give to the project?
Anyone can contribute to the project. However, the project was designed primarily for church members and/or regular church attendees who have plans to pursue church membership at a later date. We are getting ready to launch our fourth year of pledges for the project. Our official kick-off for year 4 was on Sunday, April 5. Please pray about how the Lord might be calling you to give in the year ahead.
Why should I give to the project?
The project is a practical means by which an individual and/or family can give sacrificially to enable new people to come and be a part of our church family in the future. As with any other form of giving, when done freely and without regret, giving to The Expansion Project is a means of worshiping God. Click below to listen to the four-part teaching series that lead to the project kick-off in April 2006:
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How do I make a pledge?
To make a pledge for giving to Year Four of the Expansion Project, you have the following options:
- Stop by the church offices during the week to pick up an expansion project card and envelope. Simply fill out the card, following the instructions and either hand it in to the church office, mail it to the church, or drop it in the offering plate on a Sunday Morning.
- On Sunday Mornings, the pledge envelopes can be found on the information table in the lobby. Simply fill out the card, following the instructions and either hand it in to the church office, mail it to the church, or drop it in the offering plate on a Sunday Morning.
How can I give to the project?
Individuals giving to the project may do so in the form of a single lump sum payment or through a series of routine payments. Individuals and/or families planning to give on a routine basis are invited to make a pledge for the amount they plan to give over the next 12 months. The church will typically collect a special offering on the fourth Sunday of each month for the pledged amounts.
Gifts may be made in the form of cash or check. Checks should be made payable to Sovereign Grace Church. We are also able to accept non-cash gifts in the form of stocks, bonds or other publicly traded instruments. Anyone interested in donating these non-cash instruments must contact the church office for more information.
All forms of donation should be designated to The Expansion Project to be sure they go toward the project.
Can I change my pledge?
Mid-Year Changes. Changes to pledges can be made at any time during the course of the year. You are not bound to your pledge amount and we recognize that situations can arise that will affect your ability to give—more or less than originally planned. The pledges exist as a tool to help you and the church plan responsibly, but are not a binding obligation. If a mid-year change is necessary, please contact the church office with the change information as soon as is reasonably possible so that we can adjust our planning accordingly.
Year-End Changes. Pledges are established for a 12 month period (April-March). Although we’re uncertain of the duration of the project, you can expect pledges to renew each April throughout the life of the project.
Can I gift stocks/bonds to the pledge?
You can gift to the church stocks, bonds, and/or other publicly traded commodities. The process for gifting these items to the church is a little more involved than a normal cash gift. Download the information below and contact the church office to initiate the transfer process.
Policy for Processing Non-Cash Donations
Authorization for Transfer of Securities Form
IRS Form 8283 (Non-cash charitable contributions)
What will the funds be used for?
The majority of project funds will be used toward the construction costs of an expanded facility. However, funds are not limited to construction, but may also be used to:
• Help offset future mortgage costs for an interim period of time while the church grows.
• Launch or advance a new or existing ministry to serve the local community.
• Help cover the cost of students sent by the church to attend the Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastor’s College.
• Help support sending efforts for future church plants from this church.
• Support other specific growth initiatives at the discretion of the local leaders.
What happened to the old Building Fund?
Effective April 9, 2006, The Expansion Project replaced the former Building Fund.
What are the practical goals of the project?
The goal of the project is to raise an additional 50% over-and-above the church’s regular tithes and offerings for the life of the project. The overall goal of the project is to raise at least $1 million.
How long will the project last?
We are uncertain how long the project will last. It has been established as a 12-month pledge commitment which will be renewed each spring. The project will last as long as it takes to meet our financial objectives.
What Biblical principles guide the project?
As we give we want to be informed by the principles that the Bible offers for using our financial resources. In particular we want our gifts to be:
Eternally-minded. While when we die we cannot take anything with us, Jesus teaches that we can send it on ahead into eternity. Therefore, what we do with our finances now has eternal consequences. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Sacrificial. God delights in costly offerings because God himself is a generous God who gave his one and only Son for our salvation. Leftovers and spare change that require no sacrifice are fine to give, but God delights in costly gifts because he receives it as extravagant worship. (2 Corinthians 8:2-3)
Cheerful. While God delights in sacrificial offerings, our motives are important. God evaluates the posture of our hearts as we give and loves the person who determines an amount to give and gives it cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
With a view towards blessing. The Lord Jesus tells us that receiving a gift is indeed a true blessing. Yet, beyond this is the blessing we receive when we are the giver. Giving is a greater joy than receiving. (Acts 20:35)
An investment in the gospel. Money given in the local church is given with the hope that the gospel will change more lives in more ways. (Philippians 1:3, 5; 4:15)