top     we will tell

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God...” -Psalm 78:4-7

As Christians, we have a responsibility to pass down the stories of God’s faithfulness, of His hand upon us, of the faith our forefathers bore. It’s part of our heritage; just as God passed down His word to man, so we pass it on, father to son, generation to generation. Think about the baptism ceremony when the minister asks, “Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?”

Every time you raise your hand, you accept the call to bring up the next generation in nurture and admonition. One of the fruits of our capital campaign, a new building for our children’s ministry, will give us the space to help us fulfill that commitment, as well as adding and renovating space for adult classes.

top     we will go

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8

Our privilege as Christians extends beyond our own church family, of course. We are charged to reach out to the community close to home and then to the world, sharing the Word of God. Almost one-sixth of our active membership took part in a missions trip last year. It’s time to strengthen our missions work at home. That’s one reason we have our Mother’s Day Out and Day School programs, to reach out to the families of our community.

We have considerable waiting lists for both programs. At present, we simply cannot meet the demand; we cannot serve all of the people reaching out to us! The campaign will give us the resources to strengthen ministry here in our own community.

top     we will praise

“‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise”?’” -Matthew 21:16

Soon, the halls of our new Children’s Ministry building will ring with the sound of laughter, singing and children’s voices raised in praise to God. Simple bricks and mortar will draw in the energy of childhood, giving it added strength and reflecting back to the world the love of God. That, after all, is the mission of our children’s ministry: The children’s ministry exists to create a passion for God’s Word, so that the next generation may learn of God’s glory, and delight in Him.

When complete, our new building will be a spiritual home to our children and other children in the community. In this building, people will find the one loving God, and they will praise Him. Can you think of a sound more joyful?

top     we will grow

The 2006 Capital Campaign will, of course, do more than bolster our children’s ministry. The added space will allow us to consolidate our church offices, creating a far more workable environment for our dedicated staff. We’ll add classrooms for our adult Sunday school classes, as well—something we’ve desperately needed. Today, we have rooms that are too small for the classes they hold, and other classes meeting catch-as-catch-can wherever they can find a space. Parking will be improved. Even details like covered entry and exits are part of the architectural vision. Lastly, we’ll be able to retire our current church debt, which will allow us to redirect our resources back into our ministries, at home and abroad.