A Building Fit For Purpose
Introduction
Why are we raising funds at this time?
How much do we need to raise?
How will we achieve this?
Timescale
Prayer
A personal thanks from Neville and Kay
Ways to fulfill your pledge or to make a donation
Pledge Response Form
Download leaflet
When God places us within a church family, he is asking us to do our part in making that church family healthy. Our instinct as loving Christians is to put others first and to reach out, so we can find it difficult to turn our attention to our own needs. This is understandable. But did you hear about the woodcutter that was too busy helping others and cutting their wood for them, so it did not take the time to sharpen its own saw? Soon its saw was so blunt it could not help anyone else. There are seasons when me must invest in our own ministry. This is such a time.
Stewardship means life management. We must manage and take care of what God has entrusted to us, so that we can bless others. God has given us a measure of finances, and we need to manage them well, so we can help others. God has given us some talents, and we need to sharpen them, so that we can find fulfilment and bless others. God has given us a measure of health, and we need to steward and manage our bodies well. God has given us important relationships, and we need to take care of them. Stewardship is managing what God has given us for his glory, for our own blessing, and to bless others.
We have been given a church building, which needs some care at this time.
The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept. “WE WILL NOT NEGLECT THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD.” - (Nehemiah 10:39)
Last year, work was finished to make good the outside walls of the church with outstanding work carried out by a few individuals from church who also contributed the bulk of the finance. However, it was clear at that time, that the roof had come to the end of its life and would need replacing very soon. That time is now, as water is coming into the building when it rains. This can be seen in various spots in the main auditorium but also in the youth room and prayer room. Repairs have been tried but have not been effective.
In order to replace the roof safely, asbestos (which is in the loft space) will need to be properly removed, which adds significantly to the cost.
In addition to the roof, the wooden joists in the foyer and also the wooden front door area have problems because the wood has rotted. Attention needs to be given to them.
Simply put, we need to replace the roof and remove the asbestos from the loft space.
Whilst we replace the roof, we would like to fit solar panels and a heat pump to secure energy for the church into the future. This is a great opportunity which will contribute to sustaining the ministry of the church into the future at a time when energy costs are continually rising.
As we work on the foyer area and front door, we would like to remodel the whole entrance to reduce unused space and create one big cafe area/meeting room from the current foyer and lounge area, downstairs and a larger youth room upstairs.
If we all work together and contribute, we can solve these growing problems and develop the building to be fit for purpose going into the years ahead.
Phase 1 – Replace roof and remove asbestos - £60,000
Install Solar Panels and Heat Pump - £15,000
Phase 2 – Remodel front part of the church upstairs and downstairs - £40,000
Total: £115,000
A faith promise offering as faith journey!
We do not want you to just give quickly but take a faith journey. This is why we would like you to give a faith promise offering. A faith promise offering is something you give only after you have prayed and received the specific amount the Lord has asked you to give.
HERE ARE THINGS TO REMEMBER:
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Pray about this need – pray for the church and our ministry and life together at Gatehouse Church. Spend some time and even several sessions just worshipping and thanking the Lord.
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Look at your budget and begin to think what a good offering would be. Don’t give in an unwise manner.
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After you have looked at your budget, ask the Lord what he wants you to give. The amount might be more than you might have thought earlier if the Lord wants to stretch your faith. Or perhaps you need to stay at your budgeted amount.
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Joining together rather than the size of the offering is the issue. Even if you think your offering is small, it is still holy to the Lord.
- Make a pledge. This is a promise to give. You can donate your pledge all at one time or spread it over monthly payments. (More details on this on the last page of this brochure.)
- Let the giving of your pledge be something you do in faith as a walk of faith.
- We will celebrate together. When David called for the offerings for the Temple, it became a public celebration.
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (1 Chronicles 29:17)
Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord. (1 Chronicles 29:20)
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faith promise offering is over and above your regular tithing or giving.
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. (2 Corinthians 8:3-4)
February 2023
Presentation of plans for work at Vision Meeting (But put on hold when expected funds did not arrive).
March 2024
£50 a month set aside for building project from general funds.
July 2024
Request to start praying about giving towards the project.
September 2024
Month of giving with a teaching focus on giving, + giving campaign opens.
Sunday October 27th 2024
Celebration Sunday – to thank the Lord for our giving.
Sunday 10th November 2024
Giving Closing Date – we would hope to have received all your giving and pledges by 10th November.
Heavenly Father, we know that all good gifts come from you. We thank you for your faithfulness over the generations to our church family.
We ask you now to provide supernaturally for this need. We trust you as a whole body to meet this need, and we trust you as individuals to teach us to walk by faith, as we pledge that which you have asked us to give.
We are amazed at how you have saved us and how you have overflowed your grace and love into our spiritual poverty from your riches. Thank you for the supreme gift of your Son. We thank you that our giving could never be any match for what you have poured out to us, and so we rest in your grace and acceptance, no matter what we are able to bring as a gift to ‘A Building Fit for Purpose’. We thank you for your gracious provision and for our daily bread.
In Jesus name. Amen.
Thank you for your generosity. We do not take your investment into the ministry and upkeep of Gatehouse Church lightly, and in return for you blessing this house we want to bless you for all that you are doing. Your giving is like healing oil poured out upon the body of the church. We know that your giving is a love expression between you and the Lord, so we don’t want to get in between that in any way but just want to say a huge thank you for your love and blessing to the ministry of our church family.
Bless you as you bless the Gatehouse Church Family.
ONLINE
Please visit:
www.elimblackpool.org.uk/donate
BY BANK TRANSFER
Sort Code: 60-05-16
Account No.: 18537995
Bank Account Name: “Gatehouse Blackpool”
Please remember to include the reference “Building Fund”.
BY CARD, CHEQUE OR CASH
Please use the envelope Marked ‘Building Fund'. More envelopes are available at Gatehouse Church.
Download the leaflet
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Yes, Pastor Neville,
I would like to support ‘A Building Fit for Purpose’
(*Mandatory Fields) |