Our Heritage Challenges Our Best Efforts
THIS RALLYING CRY IS FOUND WITHIN THE CAMPAIGN BOOKLET WHICH PROMOTED THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL SANCTUARY.
In 1947, this church voted to commit itself to the expansion and improvement of its campus and facilities to better serve future generations of our First Family. Today, we are beneficiaries of their diligent efforts and sacrificial giving. While we are not constructing a physical building today, First Baptist is experiencing a spiritual renewal with new life being breathed into previously tired, dated facilities. Just look at the updates made to this sacred space within the past five years – new carpeting in hallways and classrooms, new tilework in the kitchen and dining hall, a new, welcoming sign, the replacement of the crumbling Love Street steps with new ones designed to exactly match the original, the beautiful Heritage Hall mural installation, and so much more.
Each of these improvements would be good on its own. Together, though, they have dramatically improved the quality of the spaces in which we experience God together. LIGHT THE WAY endeavors to do the same. This campaign will help First Baptist to continue to be a welcoming place for worshippers of all backgrounds in a safe, comfortable environment.
LET US HONOR THE HERITAGE OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND FOREMOTHERS WITH OUR BEST EFFORTS TODAY.
Your Gift Makes a Difference
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
Our campus is beautiful. It has been a gracious, stately presence in the heart of historic downtown Erwin for more than 100 years.
There are times in which standard maintenance and upkeep requirements cannot be met from the limited funds available from the Annual Budget. Capital Campaigns are used to increase the church’s endowment. Disbursements from earmarked such as LIGHT THE WAY will help us to pay a portion of our maintenance expenses allowing more funds to be available for programming, missions, and outreach. All gifts to LIGHT THE WAY may be made confidentially.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS DIRECTLY INCREASE THE BREADTH OF OUR MINISTRIES.
The Chapel, Sanctuary, and the Education Buildings were all built through diligent giving as part of Capital Campaigns in the past. As LIGHT THE WAY unfolds, we
will ask you to be involved as much as possible through many forms of traditional and electronic church communications.
GIVE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST WHOSE LIFE WAS AN EXTRAVAGANT GIFT TO US.
About the Campaign
In 2021, the Grounds, Property, and Space Committee began creating a list of physical plant needs. GP&S then presented this list to the church body for approval in 2022. Our capital campaign, LIGHT THE WAY, was subsequently approved. This campaign seeks to raise gifts and four-year commitments in addition to the church's regular tithes and offerings. LIGHT THE WAY is projected to take care of middle- to long-term physical plant needs over a fundraising timeline of the next 4 years.
Why Are We in A Capital Campaign?
We are raising funds to pay for critical repairs and renovations of our church facilities. By raising this additional money, we can protect our budgeted programs, ministries, and mission outreach. We will also save a lot of money in interest costs by not borrowing the money that we raise.
What Is Included in the Project?
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Assistive Listening Devices
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Spotlamps for the Choir Loft
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Education Building Re-roof
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Chiller Plant Rebuild
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Church Business Office Windows and HVAC
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Sealing of Parking Lots
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Sanctuary Speakers
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Sanctuary Piano Refurbishment
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Contingency Fund
What Will All This Cost?
The total cost of all improvements is estimated at $350,000. We hope to raise this much or more in order to maintain and improve our facilities.
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
You will be asked to pray about your gift and respond to the Holy Spirit's leading in determining the amount and method of your gift. You may give an out-right gift or make a commitment to give over the four-year period, beginning in June of 2023. While cash is the most common gift, stocks, mutual fund shares, real estate, life insurance policies, and personal property may also be given to the campaign. Every gift and commitment will be confidential.
When Will I Make My Commitment?
The congregation will bring their Commitment Cards to church on Sunday, May 7th, which is Commitment Sunday. Those who choose may make their commitment early on April 23d. Contact Tyler Engle on 423/220-7100 or tylerengle@hotmail.com if you would like to make an advance commitment. Remember, your commitment will remain private and confidential.
NO GIFT TOO SMALL. NO GIFT TOO LATE.